I live in southern New England so we don't have Florida largemouth. What do you recommend for a flyrod weight for largemouth and smallmouth bass? Feel free to recommend specific models, too.

Thanks

Paul,
I'm not from your region, but here in Northern California, we go as light as 5 weights with 6 and 7 weights as the norm for Smallmouth Bass and 8 and 9 weights for Largemouth Bass.

For topwater action, shorter and faster rods are becoming more popular. These rods are very easy to cast even with large wind resistant deer hair bugs. They have a lot of backbone to horse fish in. Look at the Sage BASS series, TFO TiCrX 7'6" 8 weight, Scott Warmwater series, and Redington Predator series. Make sure to get the right line for these types of rods. Actually the Sage BASS rods come with recommended lines.

For subsurface fishing, I still prefer full length (9 foot) rods. I think faster is better. Remember, you can always slow down a fast rod by uplining. You will be casting out large flies with shooting head lines. I use a Sage TCR 8 weight, but every rod company has a good rod to suit your needs. Look at TFO's Axiom series, Scott's S4, Winston BIIMX, and Sage's TCX (this replaced the TCR).

I thought I read somewhere that your SMBs and LMBs are smaller than in other regions. If so, you may not have to use 8 or 9 weights. Its possible to get away with a 7 weight.

Just some food for thought. An 8 or 9 weight makes a great freshwater Striped Bass rod.

AB

I'm new on this forum...have lots of experience fishing for Bass with the long rod. I use a variety rods, mostly glass, from 5 to 7wt. I really like the older Shakespeare rods. I'll use a 5-6wt for sub surface, and a 7wt for topwater.
I find that glass rods handle hard hits and strong runs better than modern rods

Over time, I have settled on a medium action 8wt rod. The 8wt throws the larger flies that I like to use for LMB and I find the slower action rod makes it easier to cast while sitting in a kyak or a row boat. Certainly, if you already have a fast action rod, there is nothing wrong with using that either. Just my preference.

New England Bass fishing is a lot better than most folks know... no apologies needed.

Depending on where, when and how... 790 SP, 696-4 TCR, and just for fun I picked up a Sage Small Mouth (7'11" 7/8). The Bass rod is a hoot, picks up short and bombs long lines with a single shot, no false casting.

I plan on getting LMB rods this year. I'll use it primarily as a California Delta bass rod. It will also come with me down to the Yucatan as a mangrove fishing rod for baby tarpon and snook.

I love how the BASS Series rods pick up and shoot. They make casting so easy (dare I say) that a caveman can do it.

AB

Here in Central Texas, we fish 5 and 6 wt rods for river bass, and 7 or 8 wt for lake and pond bass. The river bass take much smaller flies, and tend to be under 5 lbs, while the lake/pond fish are larger.

One consideration would be how much cover you are fishing near. Unlike trout, bass tend to head for the nearest log or limb when hooked, and try to tie a half hitch with your leader.

My favorite bass rod is my TFO TiCr X in a 6 wt. The rod is a cannon, and it will easily cast a 7wt line, even in the wind. The 6 wt is more fun with the typical 1-3 lb fish than is the heavier 7-8 wt rods.

Regardless of the rod you buy, I would recommend a fast action, so that you have a very strong butt section. You will need it to set the hook in their hard mouths. Good Luck!!