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.