View Full Version : Which rod weights for which fish?
Dan360
08-26-2008, 08:25 AM
I took up fly fishing earlier this year, took some classes, caught some fish, and now I'm hooked. I am looking into expanding my flyfishing to steelhead and possibly salmon. Right now, I have a 9 ft 5 wt that I've been using on trout. I hear some people say they use a 7 wt for steelhead and then some say they use 8 or heavier weight rods for coho and other salmon. Should I buy a steelhead rod and a salmon rod, or get one rod for both?
2/0Dee
08-26-2008, 09:52 AM
I would get two rods, a 7 wt for steelhead and a 10 wt for kings. If you really only want one rod I would go 9 wt. It would be overkill for steelhead and ok for kings.
Mike
Wild Chrome
08-26-2008, 01:40 PM
You'll want a heavier rod for winter steelhead than summer. Winter runs require heavier flies and or sink tips. I have a 6 and an 8, plus a 9 to 10 spey. The 6 gets select floating line use for summers, the 8 I use more for winters, but also summers (it aggrivates my carpal tinnel to use it all day). I haven't gotten into spey much, but intended it for winters.
I cannot advise you on salmon, other than to say most fishermen bump up their strength for them, especially if chinook are around. I'm gonna try to hook my first coho on the 8 weight this fall.
blazerman
08-26-2008, 02:08 PM
IMO, an 8wt will cover summer/winter steelhead and all species of salmon with the exception of Chinook.
I second that. My 8 wt covers most fish, save the Chinook and the odd huge chum. Landed pinks (a little overkill to be sure), summer and winter steelhead, chum, and coho with my 9 1/2 foot 8 wt.
Love that rod.
SouthSantiamSlayer
08-26-2008, 04:32 PM
Be sure to get a good reel too!
That's a big part of landing a big fish too... :twocents:
Slow and Low
08-26-2008, 05:10 PM
IMO, an 8wt will cover summer/winter steelhead and all species of salmon with the exception of Chinook.
True.
Dan360
08-27-2008, 11:40 PM
I think I will get an 8wt to start out with. My goal is flyfish for steelhead and coho. This should be a good place to start.
What brands/models/lengths do you guys recommend? I saw a G-Loomis GLX that I really liked today. I'll have to mortgage my soul to afford it though.
As far as reels, I also noticed some are way more expensive than others. The guy at Cabelas was pushing the Lamson reels. I have an Okuma Helios on my 5 wt. Any suggestions?
I figure I can spend about $1000 for this setup at the most. Other than that, It might be a bit more than I can afford for this fall.
gustav
08-28-2008, 08:27 AM
Dan,
You caould get by easy on way less than $1000 for that set-up. Go to a couple good fly shops and let them know what you're hoping to do. If you are able, try a few set-ups. My first Steelhead set-up was a 8wt. 9.5ft. Reddinton that I purchased on line for $100 new. It is amazing what you can find online. I purchased it at Sierra and Cabellas.
Looking back that was a good way to start; but the help I have recieved at the fly shops is way more than worth paying the extra money. I try to make my purchases at the local fly shops now. There just is no way to replace the knowledge these people are willing to provide.
I now fish a Sage Fli rod with a Lampson Konic reel. For the reel you might also look for the large arbor reel type along with the good drag set up. This makes a huge difference in my opinion.
Slow and Low
08-28-2008, 10:18 AM
I think I will get an 8wt to start out with. My goal is flyfish for steelhead and coho. This should be a good place to start.
What brands/models/lengths do you guys recommend? I saw a G-Loomis GLX that I really liked today. I'll have to mortgage my soul to afford it though.
As far as reels, I also noticed some are way more expensive than others. The guy at Cabelas was pushing the Lamson reels. I have an Okuma Helios on my 5 wt. Any suggestions?
I figure I can spend about $1000 for this setup at the most. Other than that, It might be a bit more than I can afford for this fall.
You should be able to do a nice rod, reel and line for under $500. For a one handers I like sage. Look for a used VPS or DS 9'/9'5". Lamson reels are nice if you are getting a Velosity or Litespeed the rest are junk (no offense to anyone). Large Arbor Ross Cimeron are a great value as well.
Check out the clasifieds.
Dan360
08-28-2008, 10:26 AM
Its a relief that things might not be as expensive as I thought they might be. I'll be able to roll the savings into gas!
nookslayer
08-28-2008, 02:47 PM
I LOVE my Sage VPS 896 and you can find them used for a decent price. I just outfitted mine with a new Lamson Radius 3.5 whcih I really like. Check out Sierra Trading Post as they are on close out and run about $130. YOu could be fulling in to a nice set up for half of what you were talking about. I would STRONGLY consider adding the new SA Steelhead taper Sharkline to the combo. Best line I have ever cast!
Mad Mikey
08-28-2008, 05:33 PM
You should be able to do a nice rod, reel and line for under $500. For a one handers I like sage. Look for a used VPS or DS 9'/9'5". Lamson reels are nice if you are getting a Velosity or Litespeed the rest are junk (no offense to anyone). Large Arbor Ross Cimeron are a great value as well.
Check out the clasifieds.
I second this, the DS series(discovery) are great all around rods, the Lamson Velocity are nice reels, I have two on both my 8wts. No offense taken over the Lamson comment, S&L but IMO the LP series were one of the best reels on the market at the time. My favorite rod is an old Sage SP790, good luck finding one of those in any weight. I wish Sage hadn't disco-ed them.
You might also check out St. Croix, I've casted a few and for the price, was quite impressed with how they handled. When you finally settle on a rod/reel, get a GOOD line and use a high quality salt-water rated backing(20-30lb) even if you'll never use it in salt. They are just more durable.
:twocents:
Dan360
08-28-2008, 07:28 PM
I am going to hit up some fly shops when I head to Oregon this weekend. Seems like the big stores like Sportsman's and Cabelas have taken over in Olympia.
Patrick L
09-03-2008, 01:31 PM
For a single hander I really like my 7 weight 10' Echo that I picked up at River City. I've caught winter and summer steelhead on it and didn't feel undergunned. I haven't caught any coho, but I've hooked two, and didn't feel undergunned either. The main problem was they swam so fast.
I use a 7/8 Okuma reel that I bought at Sportsmans.
I do tend to use heavier tippet (florocarbon) which helps since I'm not trying to protect my tippet so much when I'm fighting a fish.
The whole setup was way cheaper than $500.