Fly fishing the flats

[Koenig]

Good day ladies and gents! You all have been posting some awesome reports! Thanks for the tips! A buddy and I are headed out to St. Marks this weekend. All those reports have got me to where I can't hardly sit still. If what I am feeling is anything close to what a junkie feels when one is "jones'in" for a fix then I totally feel their pain! Forgive me, I got the bug BAD! Any how, my question is about saltwater fly fishing. I know that a few of you fly fish and am searching for some SME's (subject matter experts). I am going this week to purchase a new fly rod and reel combo. My question is, what do you recommend for a good saltwater rod, length weight and strength? Also I was told that the reel isn't that important, is that so?

[Sir reel]

There have been some recent discussions here are a few threads

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/vie ... flyfishing

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/vie ... flyfishing

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/vie ... flyfishing

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/vie ... flyfishing

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/vie ... flyfishing

[kneeknocker]

The reel is one of the most important things aside from the rod and lure. A large arbor reel will help in retriving line once a fish has munched on your Fly. Once you start though you will be hooked for life and you will spend just a little to keep you obsession going.

[KingEider]

I mostly fly fish on the flats. When I go I carry a 6 an 8 and 10. If the wind is down the 6wt is the most fun with the size of the fish around here. However 99% of the time its windy on the flats and I would recommend an 8 wt. The more you fly-fish the more you will get into it. Spend a little money on a good rig. St. Croix makes some excellent fly rods at reasonable prices. There are a ton of well known rod manufactures. Just make sure you buy a rod with a lifetime warranty. I think Orvis is a 25 yr or close to it. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a reel but again the more you flyfish the more you will want to catch more and bigger fish. You definitely get what you pay for. I would get a good mid price reel that holds plenty of backing. Also get an extra spool filled with a sinking line because around here you need something that will get down a little bit sometimes. The guys at the big bend flyshop on 319 are knowledgeable and will help you get started. I would also check ebay. Some of the large mail order catalogs have some pretty good stuff at reasonable prices but, you need to know what to buy. I used to be a flyfishing guide so if you have any detailed questions feel free to IM me. Also there is a great deal of info in the links posted above. Tight lines

[Littoral]

I did it! Early January I bought a Temple Fork rod and I've caught nice reds & trout on the fly every time I've tried since then (4 times). I usually find them with the spinning rod first.
I also bought the Lefty Kreh DVD for $29 and learned to double haul pretty quick. Sort of. I need years of practice but I'm looking forward to every minute of it. I just found this site http://www.thelowerforty.com/ with an 8wt TFO Pro for $139. Look at their sale items. I can't imagine you'll find a better rod for that money -and I've looked for a long time.
Stay in touch.

[CROCKER]

SPEND THE MOST MONEY ON THE ROD (GOOD WARRANTY) 8-9 WT. THE REEL DOES NOT NEED TO BE ANYTHING SPECIAL MOST OF THE TROUT AND REDFISH AROUND HERE WANT GET TO FAR INTO THE BACKING. THE 9 WT WILL THROW BETTER ON WINDY DAYS. I USE A ORVIS 8 WT WITH A VERY LIGHT SAIGE ROD. IT DOES NOT THROW AS FAR AS OTHER RIGS I HAVE BUT IF YOU ARE BLIND CASTING ALL DAY TO AREAS YOU THINK MAY HOLD FISH, LIGHTER IS BETTER.

[noleflyfisher]

Reels matter in our neck of the woods if you are going to fish for tarpon or big pelagics. If you are just going to fish for trout and reds don't spend your money on a Tibor, Abel, Sage or other high end reel. You won't need it. I would try to look for a mid priced mid to large arbor saltwater ready reel.

The rod is by far the most important piece of equipment. Spend your money here. Make sure you cast the rod before you buy it. I keep a 6, 7, 8 and 9 on the boat with me at all times and fish the 6 and 8 90% of the time. If I had to pick a single saltwater rod I would go with an 8.

[Koenig]

Great info, yall rock! Thanks! I haven't bought a good one yet but I did go and buy a cheapy from Wally-world $60, just to play a little and see if I can even manage it before I go spending $200 or so. Its 8'6'' 6-weight Angler Science or something like that. Went to lake Jackson and played with a little top water popper. I can definitely say this rod is way to soft. From what I can tell its a bream and bass pole. I felt like I didn't have enough rod to get the amount of line I wanted out, does that make sense? I am now sort of reluctant to buy a good one, I am having a terrible time casting that thing. I plan on bringing it with me tomorrow and see what I can do but we'll see. I just need to practice.

Would I be able to cast farther with an 8weight 9'' rod?

Lit, you mentioned an instructional DVD, where can I find one?

[CROCKER]

ITS ALL IN THE ROD AND HOW WELL IT LOADS UP FOR CASTING LONG DISTANCE.

TECHNIQUE HAS A LOT TO DO WITH CASTING LONG DISTANCES AS WELL. HAULING THE LINE OR WHAT THE CALL A BOUBLE HAUL FOR LONGER CASTS. HAULING IS HOW YOU PICK UP LINE SPEED FOR CASTING. I TYPICALLY ONLY HAUL ONCE, MY BROTHER USES THE BOUBLE HAUL. HE USUALLY CASTS ABOUT 20' FURTHER THAN ME. YOU NEED TO HAVE VERY GOOD TIMING USING THE BOUBLE HAUL. INSTRUCTION TAPES ARE NICE BUT HAVING SOMEONE SHOW YOU IS MUCH BETTER.

I WAS LUCKY, MY BROTHER IS CERTIFIED FLYCASTING INSTRUCTOR. IF YOU WOULD LIKE SOME INSTRUCTION GIVE DAN CROCKER A CALL AT 229-228-0552 THOMASVILLE GA. HE ALSO HAS MANY RODS AND REEL COMBOS THAT YOU MAY CAN GET A BETTER FEEL FOR.