I have really had fun this spring getting into bass fishing. I have been using my Reddington 5 weight which I feel is a bit on the small side for this type of fishing. So here is a good excusebfor a new flyrod set up. What fly rod weights do you guys feel work well for smallmouth and largemouth bass flyfishing?
Mark
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For the habitat the bass hang in I use an 8wt. A Cabela's as a matter of fact[
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I'd say 6-8 wt depending where you're fishing and what you're throwing. For Utah with very few bass over 8 lbs a 6-7 wt rod is plenty usually. If you're going to fish places where bigger bass are much more common then a 7-8 wt makes sense. A shorter fly rod than the standard 9 ft makes sense if you fish from a boat and cast are going to be all under 50 ft. Go with the 9 ft if shore fishing and or casting while sitting in a float tube, kayak or similar situation. All that said if you're going to be throwing some big heavy flies with a lot of wind resistance while fishing for LMB you probable want the 8 wt even here in Utah.
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I should have said, ask Riverdog.
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I use my 5 weight cross water and do great with it. Can toss clousers, crawdads, and wolley buggers patterns all day. I love how it take some time to actually get the fish to you while using a 5 wt fly rod.
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Just my opinion and at the end it actually supported your answer anyways.
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I thought you answered it in great detail. [
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I apologize as I appear to have misinterpreted your response. Might have something to do about your reply to me after I gave input on a specific rod on he Idaho Board but I still apologize and edit my reply. I don't think of either of us as the most experience bass fishermen but it can be helpful to see why others make different recommendations.
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First off I am not an expert bass fisherman either.
You said, "I have been using my Reddington 5 weight which I feel is a bit on the small side for this type of fishing."
In what way do you feel the 5 weight is too small?
The reason I ask is that to me there are two main reasons for going up in rod weight.
One is if the fish are so large that I need more backbone to land them without either breaking the rod or exhausting the fish. Such as I wouldn't fish for steelhead with a 3 wt. even though I could probably land one and not break the rod.
Two is that heavier rods and lines can throw bigger flies easier especially in the wind.
So with that in mind, for me and most bass etc fishing that I have done, a 5 wt has been an okay choice. It will throw some pretty good sized flies and has the backbone for most fish. I am usually at fault or have too light of tippet on when I lose my fish.
Still a 5 wt is a bit under gunned for carp, steelhead, salmon, and for jerking big bass out of heavy cover. It could really depend on where you fish for bass. Lots of snags? lily pads? Other obstacles to keep the fish away from?
Heavier rods have a different feel both in casting and landing the fish. Riverdog covered some of the differences in length. I suggest that you try casting a bunch of different weights at your local fly shops. Take some big flies with you and try them out. Put a piece of an earplug or other small piece of foam over the hook point. Maybe just a piece of duct tape would work to cover it.
Pay attention also to the shop's reel. Is it much different than yours? Heavier to balance the rod? How about the line? Is the casting difference due to the line? Etc.....
Once you get a heavier rod you will probably need a new reel to balance it and carry the bigger lines. You also will need a new line. Don't skimp on the line.
Good luck
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AWESOME FLY!
One last note here, I may be way off base and excuse me if I am, but the fact the OP is using his (or hers) 5 wt reads that this is the only rod they have.
A 6 would be perfect, but very close to that 5 wt. 7 or 8 are great choices for second rod and maybe open a window for other species like the Pike, Musky, Carp.
Length is something you will determine what you need. I use a 9'er, but I am having a 7'9" made as I fish alone and like the control of a shorter rod. However, I am also able to roll cast a considerable amount of line with a longer rod.
Good back bone but a forgiving tip. Check out the Redington Predator. A little different action than the Sage Bass rod, but not a bad rod.
Check out this site for some great line
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/s~fly-line/?perPage=24
Reel, you can stay in the $30. to $40 range and be fine.
I am not hard core bass, but I do target them more than some might think. One reason I am having a rod built.
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Thanks for the responses. The reason I feel I am under gunned with the 5 weight is even when trout fishing in lakes it is hard to cast the bigger streamers in the wind. Also the places I have been bass fishing do not have too much cover and moss yet to pull the fish out of but I understand how that could be an issues later on in the year.
I want to get this new rod to cover all my stillwater fishing needs from bass to trout fishing in a float tube or kickboat. The biggest thing it needs to do is cast streamers and poppers in possible windy conditions. I am leaning towards a new 6 weight but know I am thinking a 7 weight might be a good compromise. Not too big for stillwater trout yet big enough when I target bass.
Mark
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I think you can handle almost every freshwater fishing situation with a 3-wt, 5-wt, and a 7-wt. If you prefer "evens" make those 4, 6, and 8. If you were to include large pike or light saltwater angling, add a 9 or 10-wt and you have it all.
I've always been a little odd, so I went with the 3, 5, 7 rods. I have WF lines for all three plus a sink-tip for the 7.
Next week, I'll be floating the Missouri and will be flinging nymph rigs with the 7 and dries with the 5. The rainbow there average 15" and the browns can hit five pounds. I'm not overgunned with either.
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Good choice, but be sure and try several rods in different lengths and actions. I would look at both 7 and 8s. No need to hurry the decision so look around until you fall in love! The flex and weight of the rod combined with how you cast can be totally different experience with two rods of the same "weight".
Joe, I love the fly. Do you know what size hook that is? Trying to get an idea of full size on that bugger.
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That actually fly I don't (just googled for a picture) but I've seen duckling and other bird patterns with 3/0 and 4/0 size hooks. I'm think I want an 8 wt for that.
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Another question for you guys, what kind of action would you look for in a bass rod. Fast action or something more moderate?
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Fast with a forgiving tip for me. Something to punch through wind, but save on tippet.
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For bass I prefer to overline 1 or 2 wts up it loads the rod faster and usually your not casting very far anyways.
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Good point, I prefer the Bass taper or a GPX.
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Just got back from Sand Hollow and did pretty good with my Sage VT2 5wt. I did have my 6wt rio line on for help turning the bigger flies, but my rod had plenty of back bone for the large mouths I caught.
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