Potentially looking for my first fly rod
I have been looking into getting a new spinning combo but recently I have been finding fish that are picky eaters and a small fly might be the trick to get them to bite. So now I am considering entering into the fly fishing world. Only thing is I know nothing about it. I have been reading some threads on here and am still pretty lost when it comes to getting started. Not looking to spend a fortune to start with but I'm not going to Walmart to look for fly gear. I have a basspro gift card that is burning a hole in my wallet so something that they might carry would be the best place for me to start.
First question:
What weight fly rod should I be looking for to handle Snook, Redfish, Spanish mackeral, Blue fish, schoolie sized dolphin if I ever find any offshore, etc? From what I have read so far maybe a 8 or 9 weight might fit the bill. Will be fishing from shore and boat. Looking for something that would be a good versatile rod that can handle a wide variety of fish. Bass Pro has some combos on the cheaper end of the scale but is the cheap stuff garbage and going to make my first attempt at fly fishing miserable?
Second question:
Other than the rod and reel, what other expenses do I need to consider when making the purchase? I know I can really spend a lot of money but what are the basics I need to get started. Depending on the weather I may go to Bass Pro this weekend to look around. If the weather is good I will be fishing instead.
Thanks in advance for any input.
First question:
What weight fly rod should I be looking for to handle Snook, Redfish, Spanish mackeral, Blue fish, schoolie sized dolphin if I ever find any offshore, etc? From what I have read so far maybe a 8 or 9 weight might fit the bill. Will be fishing from shore and boat. Looking for something that would be a good versatile rod that can handle a wide variety of fish. Bass Pro has some combos on the cheaper end of the scale but is the cheap stuff garbage and going to make my first attempt at fly fishing miserable?
Second question:
Other than the rod and reel, what other expenses do I need to consider when making the purchase? I know I can really spend a lot of money but what are the basics I need to get started. Depending on the weather I may go to Bass Pro this weekend to look around. If the weather is good I will be fishing instead.
Thanks in advance for any input.
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Replies
Weight - Anywhere from a 7 (trout, small snook, macs, ladyfish, blues, etc) to a 10 (dolphin, large snook, small tarpon). My advice would be to start on the lighter side, 7 or 8, and move up as you get better.
Good rods - TFO (Temple Fork Outfitters), Loomis GL3, St Croix Avid or Legend Ultra, or Orvis and Redington in the mid-ranges.
Reels - Ross, Lamson, Okuma, Redington, Orvis again. Research it some - read reviews and opinions from anglers.
Basics - The rod, reel, line (don't scrimp here, or you will get discouraged), backing, leaders, and, don't forget - FLIES. The flies will run you $1 to $4 apiece, and the macs will chew them up with no sympathy at all. Other than that, the gear you're using now should work.
Kenny
Get a large arbour reel too and a good quality fly-line (floating, sink-tip or intermediate will work if you are not ploughing the depths for fish). Gel-spun backing will finish the outfit off nicely.
Have fun!
Fly fishing, in general, is not the way to catch MORE fish. It's more fun, IMO, and more of a challenge. But if your primary driver is catching more fish and/or bigger fish than you do on spin and bait tackle, you're going to be disappointed. FFing is a handicap first and a terrific sport second. It's harder, more tiring, less effective, more limiting (weather/wind-wise), and more expensive. Keep that in mind.
Kenny's offer, BTW, sounds pretty good. Just the type outfit you need to start.