Saltwater Fly Rod & Reel

[OffTheHook13]

I want to get into Fly fishing from the surf.

What type of gear ie: size rod, reel, type of line.

I am totally new to fly fishing.

Thanks

Ed

[IrishAyes]

Ed, I personally don't have a clue about fly fishing, but would like to get into it one day.  After I get all the other crap that I want to do out of the way.   

[OffTheHook13]

Yeah, I hear that.

I have always wanted to try it.

But, time is very limited.

[ped579]

Hi Ed,

There is a lot of equipment out there and many have their own ideas but with me being frugal I have been using the same equipment for a long time and to start with I woild use the following.

Any rod that will handle at least a 9 weight line.

I would start with a 9 Weight Forward (WtF) meaning that there is a thicker section on the forward 1/3 of the line itself.  You can purchase line specific say for Striped Bass which is a sinking line usually and at least 9wt. This line is about 43 to 47 feet long.

To this you will tie a tippet either bought or tied yourself.  There are some that go up to 20#. The tippets are in the area of 8' long.  I use a backing of about 150 yards on mono in the 15 - 20# class and then attach my fly line.

To this you will attach your fly or streamer.

The reel should be matched to your rod.  They are all over the map as far as price. 

I hope this helps and not confuse.  The best thing would be to pick the brains of a local dealer that handles fly stuff.  Usually a good B&T down here that would be Betty & Nicks.  They have a decent supply of what is needed for the surf.

Paul

[OffTheHook13]

Thanks Paul.

There are so many different brands out there today it's tough to choose.

I'll probably end up buying something from Okuma.

[bassnblues]

I have a Daimondback 10' 9wt with a Tioga reel and 10wt intermediate line. This is pretty much an all around saltwater outfit. If I remembeer correctly the rod was $150.00, reel about a $100.00 and line about $50.00. I've had it for about 5 years and have caught blues and small stripers on it.

In fly fishing terms, it's a pretty low to medium priced setup. I like it but I'm thinking about upgrading my reel to a lighter one with a large arbor.

Go to The Fly Hatch in Red Bank and tell them what you want to do and how much you want to spend and they'll get you all set up.

[OffTheHook13]

Thanks for the recommendation.

I'll buy my rod and reel from Off The Hook Supply though.

[bassnblues]

One more thing...be careful fly fishing is very addictive and frustrating!

[OffTheHook13]

I never catch anything anyway.

[bassnblues]

I never catch anything anyway.

I figure as long as I'm not catching anything I may as well add wind knots, casts catching me in the ear and a tangle of line at my feet to add to the fun. 

[ped579]

All good advise...

Fly fishing can be a blast and usually is but you have to know its limits like today the wind was blowing with gusts to 30 mph and it would not be fun trying to cast in that stuff that is why I carry my other rods with me.

Good luck and maybe one day I can get you down here to fish the flats behind IBSP along and between the sedge islands.  I do not have a boat anymore I use waders so it is a little limited but still fun.

Any time around Mothers day down here is a good time to mess around back there, the weakies, bass, and definatly the blues are all coming on like gang busters.

Paul

[OffTheHook13]

I never catch anything anyway.

I figure as long as I'm not catching anything I may as well add wind knots, casts catching me in the ear and a tangle of line at my feet to add to the fun. 

Haha, sounds like me at night surf fishing,

[bassnblues]

Fly fishing can be a blast and usually is but you have to know its limits
Paul

def have to set your expectations lower.

[mgm]

Fly fishing can be a blast and usually is but you have to know its limits
Paul

def have to set your expectations lower.

More of a "contemplative" way to fish, but a blast to work a fighting fish with a fly rod.

My "go to" saltwater fly rod is a 9 wt Scott that I used for "pike on a fly" when I used to make the annual Canada trip. Unfortunately the group I used to go with has faded away.

[OffTheHook13]

Thanks for all the input guys.

[brijones1]

I would suggest starting with a smaller weight line and rod just for the sake of never fly fishing before.  Its hard to teach someone new how to fish with say an 8wt and up.  Basically the higher the wt line the bigger flies you can through.  You can get away with a 7wt in the surf around here with no problem.  I would suggest a rod that is over 9ft in length as well to help get more distance and with the fight of bigger fish.  I prefer fast to extra fast action rods so I can cast further.  Also the reel you choose is very important.  I like disc drags, they have more surface area on the drag setup and can stop powerful fish very effectively, they also are much smoother than conventional ball bearing drags.  A wide/large arbor reel is also helpful when putting the fish on the drag.  Casting anything over an 8wt in my opinion is not enjoyable for a long period of time.  Lighter is always better for me and if means that I have to work the fish a little more, so be it.  If you want to try it before purchasing an outfit let me know.

[OffTheHook13]

Thanks, any input is helpful.

I have absolutely no experience with a fly rod.

This season is gonna be more about learning how to use it.

Smaller is probably better for me.

[bassnblues]

I agree that an 8 weight is more enjoyable to use but it gets difficult to cast bigger flys. That's not a problem in the fall when throwing rain bait and spearing imitations but flys like decievers and bunker imitations are much easier to throw with a 9 or 10 wt IMO.

[OffTheHook13]

Maybe I'll just get both

[mgm]

The biggest challenge in Saltwater Flyfishing is dealing with the wind and using bigger flys which is more often than not.

Heavier weight flylines are a must; and if the choice is limited to one rod, go with a minimum of an 9 weight rod and a minimum of 9 ft rod length.  If you can deal with a longer rod, go for it.  Just my two cents.