Grain Window

These line recommendations are based on our experience with the rods during development, practice and fishing. The grain windows listed are intended to give the caster a general idea of the rods power and flex. The lines mentioned are lines that we’ve found to be especially well matched to the particular rod. Other makes of lines with roughly the same length and grain weight should also perform well with the given rod.

This chart was compiled by Nate Koenigsknecht, Brian Styskal, Rob Allen and Kerry Burkheimer and it’s based on our load preferences and casting styles. We’d encourage you to email or call us with your favorite lines, whether they be brand new, out of production or homemade.

Also, though many of these lines perform spectacularly well straight out of the box, we’ve found some lines to be measurably better with minor modifications. Feel free to inquire with us regarding possible alterations.

C.F. Burkheimer Line Recommendations for Two-handed Rods
Rod Grain Window Scandi Head Skagit Head Shorthead Midbelly
3 Piece
7125-3 380-530 Airflo Compact 450 Airflo Compact 480 Nextcast FF 45′ 5/6
7133-3 480-600 Airflo Compact 510 Airflo Compact 540 Nextcast FF 45′ 6/7
8133-3 520-700 SA Extreme 560 Airflo Compact 630 Nextcast FF 45′ 8/9 Airflo Deltas 9/10
8139-3 540-730 SA Extreme 560 Airflo Compact 630 Airflo Delta 9/10 Nextcast FF 70′ 8/9
9143-3 550-740 SA Extreme 600 Airflo Compact 660 Airflo Delta 9/10 Nextcast FF 70′ 8/9
9149-3 550-740 SA Extreme 600 Airflo Compact 660 Airflo Delta 9/10 Nextcast FF 70 8/9
10130-3 630-800 SA Extreme 640 Airflo Compact 720 WC 10/11/12
4 Piece
5115-4 300-400 Airflo Compact 360 Airflo Switch 390
7115-4 450-550 Airflo Compact 480 Airflo Switch 510 Nextcast 45′ 6/7
7117-4 450-550 Airflo Compact 420 Airflo Switch 480 Nextcast 45′ 5/6
7127-4 420-550 Airflo Compact 420 Airflo Compact 480 Nextcast 45′ 5/6
7134-4 450-570 RIO Steelhead 480 Airflo Compact 540 Nextcast 45′ 6/7
7141-4 450-550 SA Extreme 440 Airflo Compact 480 Airflo Delta 7/8
8115-4 450-570 Airflo Compact 480 SA Extreme 560 Nextcast 45′ 6/7
8128-4 480-600 RIO Steelhead 510 SA Extreme 560 Nextcast 45′ 6/7
8134-4 450-600 RIO Steelhead 510 Airflo Compact 570 Airflo Delta 8/9 Nextcast 70′ 7/8
8139-4 480-630 RIO Steelhead 480 Airflo Compact 540 Airflo Delta 7/8 Nextcast 70′ 6/7
8142-4 500-650 SA Extreme 520 Airflo Compact 570 Nextcast 55′ 8/9 Nextcast 70′ 7/8
8152-4 500-700 SA Extreme 560 Airflo Compact 600 Nextcast 55′ 8/9 Nextcast 70′ 8/9
9129-4 520-660 RIO Steelhead 550 SA Extreme 600 Airflo Delta 9/10
9135-4 520-660 SA Extreme 600 Airflo Compact 660 Airflo Delta 9/10 Nextcast 70′ 8/9
9145-4 550-700 SA Extreme 600 Airflo Compact 660 Nextcast 55′ 8/9 Nextcast 70′ 8/9
10129-4 630-750 SA Extreme 680 SA Extreme 760 Nextcast 45′ 10/11
10153-4 700-1000 SA Extreme 680 RIO Flight 750 Nextcast 55′ 10/11 Nextcast 70′ 9/10
11155-4 750-1000 SA Extreme 680 SA Extreme 800 Nextcast 55′ 10/11 Nextcast 70′ 10/11
5 piece
8121-5 450-580 Airflo Compact 480 Airflo Compact 540 Nextcast 45′ 7/8
9119-5 510-660 Airflo Compact 540 Airflo Compact 600 Nextcast 45′ 8/9
9135-5 510-660 SA Extreme 560 Airflo Compact 630 Nextcast 45′ 8/9
9145-5 550-690 SA Extreme 560 Airflo Compact 630 Nextcast 55′ 8/9
10148-5 630-750 SA Extreme 640 SA Extreme 760 Nextcast 55′ 9/10  Nextcast 70′ 9/10

 

The Video

We field a lot of  questions at the shop about properly lining a two-hander, and how to interpret the information in the Grain Window. This video addresses some common inquiries we hear. Don’t hesitate to call or email if you have additional questions.