I have never fly fished and I have no equipment so any honest suggestions would help (including buy some more spinning gear instead). The idea is to reward myself for finally finishing a research paper that was years in the making.
I can only buy one set up.
The targets are trout and redfish.
With my spinning outfits I learn towards lighter gear than most people.
I would also like to be able to deal with a 30-35â€
Fly Gear Suggestions?
Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels
You will not feel overgunned with an 8 weight on saltwater fish, compared the 7 weight. I would estimate that an 8 weight is about the equivalent of a medium-light, 6-pound-test spinning outfit in terms of how powerful it feels when fighting fish. Even little redfish and more moderate trout put up respectable fights on an 8 weight. There really isn't much difference from a fish-fighting standpoint, but the 8 weight will let you throw a little bulkier flies and handle the wind better. The Temple Fork TiCr is a great little rod. I have an 8 weight that I prefer to my costlier Powell TiMax (mainly because I keep on breaking the Powell 
). I'm still saving the cash for the Sage Xi2, though...
For a moderately priced reel that will last forever and hold up to any fish you encounter on the flats, don't forget Old Florida. Large arbor spool design is not about extra capacity; it's about a faster retrieve, even when a substantial amount of line is off the spool.
). I'm still saving the cash for the Sage Xi2, though...For a moderately priced reel that will last forever and hold up to any fish you encounter on the flats, don't forget Old Florida. Large arbor spool design is not about extra capacity; it's about a faster retrieve, even when a substantial amount of line is off the spool.
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Chalk
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Look at Echo rods, there in the same price range...They were highly recommended to me by a guide....http://www.highcountryflyshop.com/echo_fly_rods.html
Reels, the world is full of them....I liked the Old Florida, Ross, Pflueger...The new Okuma's look nice, but think their prices are getting close to some standard ones that have a good track record....It really depends on your budget
And nothing beats laying your hands on it before you buy it....
But I think the Nautilus reel looks cool....
Reels, the world is full of them....I liked the Old Florida, Ross, Pflueger...The new Okuma's look nice, but think their prices are getting close to some standard ones that have a good track record....It really depends on your budget
And nothing beats laying your hands on it before you buy it....
But I think the Nautilus reel looks cool....
A 7/8 or 8/9 weight rod sounds about right, as you will need to throw the heavier line.
However, I would advise you consider how often you are going to use the outfit and if you are going to persevere with fly fishing.
If its only a few times a year, then buy a cheap fly rod and reel.
Leeda and Daiwa have rods below $50, that are very durable and good value.
I fly fish a lot and doubt that many people can tell the difference between using a $300 rod, or a $50 rod.................apart from the $260 change in your pocket.
However, I would advise you consider how often you are going to use the outfit and if you are going to persevere with fly fishing.
If its only a few times a year, then buy a cheap fly rod and reel.
Leeda and Daiwa have rods below $50, that are very durable and good value.
I fly fish a lot and doubt that many people can tell the difference between using a $300 rod, or a $50 rod.................apart from the $260 change in your pocket.
Thanks,Cranfield wrote:...I fly fish a lot and doubt that many people can tell the difference between using a $300 rod, or a $50 rod.................apart from the $260 change in your pocket.
I would really like to believe that & save some money but it doesn't agree at all with my experience with other rods -or most things.
Anybody else agree with Crans thought on this? (besides his math
)I do plan to stick with it because the asthetic of fishing is one of the main reasons I do it.
(besides his math )
Trust me to forget to mention the additional $10 discount, I always negotiate for cash.
Like you, I always try to buy the best equipment I can afford.
My suggestion is, don't splash out on the mid range/expensive rods and reels, until you know that you are going to enjoy fly fishing and stick with it.
The 7/8 weight I use the most for large lake trout is made by Diawa and cost me the equivalent of $65.
I also own fly rods by Sage, G Loomis and Leeda.
None of the expensive ones go near salt water.
)Trust me to forget to mention the additional $10 discount, I always negotiate for cash.
Like you, I always try to buy the best equipment I can afford.
My suggestion is, don't splash out on the mid range/expensive rods and reels, until you know that you are going to enjoy fly fishing and stick with it.
The 7/8 weight I use the most for large lake trout is made by Diawa and cost me the equivalent of $65.
I also own fly rods by Sage, G Loomis and Leeda.
None of the expensive ones go near salt water.
I've got flyrods from inexpensive 5 wt. that I use for brim fishing to top of the line Thomas & Thomas and Sage. In fly fishing its all in the rod. Go somewhere where they have a selection and try them. Get casting lessons even if its only an accomplished amateur. Its easy to develop bad habits and hard to unlearn them. Lots of community colleges have inexpensive fly casting classes. There are a lot of midpriced rods out there now that do an excellent job. St. Croix and Reddington to name a few.
You can use most any rod in fresh water but in Saltwater you have the wind to contend with. You need a fast action rod where you can throw a tight loop that will power into the wind. If you are sight fishing you need to be able to make at least a 60' cast accurately.
As for reels for reds and trout any saltwater reel will work. Mostly it is just to store the line. I would recommend a large arbor simply because it allows you to pick up line quicker.
Since I have moved up here from Titusville I have almost quit saltwater flyfishing. You are not going to blind cast on the flats for long with a flyrod. You need visible targets and where I fish I seldom see tailing reds or water clear enough to sight fish in. Maybe in Apalachicola bay but not St. Marks.
You can use most any rod in fresh water but in Saltwater you have the wind to contend with. You need a fast action rod where you can throw a tight loop that will power into the wind. If you are sight fishing you need to be able to make at least a 60' cast accurately.
As for reels for reds and trout any saltwater reel will work. Mostly it is just to store the line. I would recommend a large arbor simply because it allows you to pick up line quicker.
Since I have moved up here from Titusville I have almost quit saltwater flyfishing. You are not going to blind cast on the flats for long with a flyrod. You need visible targets and where I fish I seldom see tailing reds or water clear enough to sight fish in. Maybe in Apalachicola bay but not St. Marks.
Thanks to all. I'm thinking an 8 weight now & still unsure about the reel, but not quite as concerned about the choice of reel either. I do plan on a large arbor for line pick up -I wasn't thinking about that before. I will certainly take lessons too. I was thinking that a good DVD might be worth it as well. A good point from RC on sight fishing vs blind casting like we seem to mostly do here. I would most likely use the fly rod where I already found fish with a spinning rod, or were confident they should be. I also fish more often west of St Marks near Lanark & St Joe and find plenty of clear water.
8 wt. is perfect for the flats. It's what I use most. Get Lefty's video he is a genus with a flyrod and breaks it down to the basics.
I sold my hell's bay which was the perfect fly fishing flats boat and bought a bay boat. If you find the reds I would appreciate it if you let me know where I can try them. St Joe bay is the best area I have found around here but it just isn't the Indian River/ Mosquito Lagoon.
I sold my hell's bay which was the perfect fly fishing flats boat and bought a bay boat. If you find the reds I would appreciate it if you let me know where I can try them. St Joe bay is the best area I have found around here but it just isn't the Indian River/ Mosquito Lagoon.