rod weight

[matthewrinehimer]

Question for you fella's out there. I have been fly fishing since I was about 5 for trout I'm in my mid twenties now. I'm looking to get a rod for the Rockfish/salmon nothing real heavy duty though I have used 9's for salmon and last year borrowed a fellas up there that was a 7 and it was great. Just wondering what weight you all use and what makes. Im not looking to go high end here but not junk either. Looking to do a combo between $250-$400. Thanks in advance

[Shortylong01]

In my way of thinking a 6 or 7 wt is most likely your next move along these lines. There are plenty of outfits there in your price range.

I chose the even number progression... 4 wt, 6 wt, 8 wt 10 wt. but then I ran out of fun buying and filled in most of the blanks...

[JimBob]

How long a rod do you want? Cabelas has their 9.5 foot two -piece 7 wt on sale in the bargain barn. $340 rod for $280. The SLis are nice semi-fast rods...I think they used to use St Croix blanks....but not sure. I have a couple of them...including an 8 wt I got on sale last year that I use for Large Mouth. The trouble is that you can't test it before buying....a common problem these days.


On the other hand.....I'm not the expert here (and I will not take umbrage to a different opinion) but I think I'd go for an 8 ...on the supposition that somewhere along the line you might want to throw a heavier sinking line for stripers and 8 would give you a bit more flexibility. But you know how you will use the thing and a 7 will certainly handle most of what comes your way...unless you fish the trophy season and the Fall migration...at which point you might want to up gun a bit.

The nice thing these days is, as noted by Mr. Long, there are a lot of really nice, reasonably price rods. Materials technology is a good thing. The trick is not to find a good quality rod for the money so much as finding one that pleases you.

Good luck,

Jim

[Shortylong01]

Well said JB... you silver tounged devil you...

Perhaps I misunderstood Matt... Do you currently own a 9 wt ? I assumed that to be the case when recommending the 7 or six. You won't need anything heavier than a 9 until you get into Albies or Monster Bluefish. (IMHO)

Nothing beats going out and throwing a rod. I suggest you make it to the Tiefest in February. You can throw rods till your arm wears out. and get opinions from people WAY more versed than me.

Good Luck

[SkipS]

In my opinion an 8wt covers more bases than any other weight in fresh and saltwater.Lots of choices out there but you can get some good deals on Ebay on high end gear.I still like my Sage RPL and Scott Heliply,both 8wt's.RPL's show up fairly frequently.St Croix Legend Ultra's are real bargin rods also.

[old town angler]

Try the TFO's. I got a 10 wt. for a trip to Cabo and was thoroughly impressed with the rod. You can't beat the price either. Try an 8 wt. it can handle both the light and heavier fish. You can get a great rod for less than $200 and be able to spend extra for a reel, I like Ross.

[shoot-straight]

get a 8 wt. make sure its a 4 pc! i didnt, and now i have 2 wts.......

[paxfish]

Kinda depends on how big you expect to fish. I put my 8 away if I know there's bigguns around. I don't like taking anything bigger than say 25" on that rod, but I did land a 35 on it.

Where will be using it and what time of year?

I keep an 8, and a couple of nines rigged on the boat with various lines.

[matthewrinehimer]

I work on KI and plan to fish around there a bit and I make a trip to pulaski every fall for kings and coho's, I usually like a lighter rod I had been using my dads 9 for the salmon and I think I want something a bit lighter, After all these reply's prob thinking an 8. I only have a kayak so when fishing the bay it wont be used until the cows move out

[Bill Couch]

I keep a 6,8, and a 10wt in my boat all the time. If I can't have fun with those I go home.:D

[Shortylong01]

All of the stripers we caught at the CBBT last week (up to 40 inches) were caught on the 8 wt. Once or twice during the day I thought it would be nice to have a 9 or 10, but the majority of the fish were not a problem.

NONE of the fish were abused by an extended fight on the 8 wt. (Of course there was no wind which made throwing the line easier.)

[Shrimpfly]

While I don't dissagree with anyone else's choice, I personally purchase a fly rod based primarily on the flies that I want to cast with it. If I were selecting one line weight for a rod to fish a wide variety of flies from small to very large streamers, clousers and other weighted flies, as well as poppers and other wind resistant flies, I would probably choose a nine weight. I believe (my opinion) that a nine weight line will carry the big, nasty, heavy flies in calm and breezy conditions, without exhausting my body from casting fatigue. I am fortunate to have an assortment of rod and line sizes, but if I were to take one size on a saltwater trip, I would feel well prepared to cast with any fly style,
size, weight or resistance and deal with most weather conditions. Just my thoughts....

"Shrimpfly"

[chrisdetweiler]

I don't have any salmon experience, but I use my 8 weight for smallmouth, largemouth and rockfish. I also have a 6 and 9 weight, but the 8 weight is a great all around rod.

[foulhook]

While I don't dissagree with anyone else's choice, I personally purchase a fly rod based primarily on the flies that I want to cast with it. If I were selecting one line weight for a rod to fish a wide variety of flies from small to very large streamers, clousers and other weighted flies, as well as poppers and other wind resistant flies, I would probably choose a nine weight. I believe (my opinion) that a nine weight line will carry the big, nasty, heavy flies in calm and breezy conditions, without exhausting my body from casting fatigue. I am fortunate to have an assortment of rod and line sizes, but if I were to take one size on a saltwater trip, I would feel well prepared to cast with any fly style,
size, weight or resistance and deal with most weather conditions. Just my thoughts....

"Shrimpfly"


I agree with Shrimpfly on this one. I usually have three 9 weights rigged up and two 10 weights. Personally I really don't bother too much with an 8 weight. I prefer to throw bigger flies and the wind seems to always be blowing. I go to the ten when I am dredging or fishing 400+ grains in fast current. 9 weight is usually plenty for albies as well. JMO

Tight lines, Bob

[TimeFlies]

I usually fish 8 wts for the schoolies (up to 25"), then get the 9s and 10s (CBBT) out for the biggins.

[Porkchunker]

When at the flats in the spring and the CBBT in the late fall to winter, I use a pair of 9 wt rods. The rest of the year I use a pair of 7 wt rods....easier on the shoulder and elbow.

I also have a 5 wt for fresh water trout. Thinking of using that next month for shad.

Dave

aka

[uncle phill]

If you want a 7, I just got a Sage FLi 4-piece and am very impressed with it ($295). If you local shop has one, try it...you'll buy it. :))




I also have a 5 wt for fresh water trout. Thinking of using that next month for shad.

aka

I use a 5wt with a mini sink tip for hickories and like it very much.

[tightloop101]

Aren't fly rodders a unique bunch?? As to any question there will be as many responses as there is salt in the ocean. With that being said I am a proponent of getting the fish in quickly! What does the mean in relation to rod weight? As you have read all have differing ideas as to what they think is right...and yes all are right to some degree. I have used a 10weight for most of my larger striper fishing but with schoolies I do like the 8 weight...that's my 2 cents on this issue.
Price point today is not an issue, as previously mentioned there are many that meet your pricing criteria. Make the right decision and definitley go and cast some of them before you buy. Hope that this is helpful to you and I am sure that whatever you get will be the right thing.:yes: