Anyone have a suggestion as to what type of combo I should get? I am a first-time fly fisher, having fished all my life with spinning gear. I will be chasing redfish, spotted trout, and various other species in and around Charleston, SC. I think I will want an 8wt, but not sure what model/brand would be good both quality and pricewise.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Jeremy
Full Version: Suggestions??
I have a 4pc. orvis streamline 8wt tip flex, and I really like it. It was a combo rig, reel, line and leader. I got it for stripers and salmon, it's fun to cast. It was about $160.
The only problem with the Streamline is that it has no warranty. The Clearwater series however has added tip flex and a 10' which does have a warranty and the , buy a battenkill or up reel with the rod and free line.
I have a Cortland 8/9wt that I bought a few years back for less than $100. All Cortland products have a no questions asked fix or replace policy. Having fished just about every manufactured rod out there I'm still impressed with how the Cortland feels, casts, and handles big fish. I've hooked into and battled salmon in the 40lb range and landed many a bit smaller. I'll also say that anymore, it almost doesn't matter which manufacturer you go with, they all have pretty good technology, even in thier low end rods. I would place more emphasis on which action you would prefer for the type of fishing you'll be doing. The three actions to consider are full flex where the whole rod flexes during the cast, mid flex were the rod flexes primarily from the middle to the tip, and a tip flex where primarily the tip flexes the most during the cast.
See if there is a pro shop around that will let you cast each type of action and then look for a rod you like in that action.
As far as reels go, if you're going to be saltwater fishing, which it sounds like you will, then all I can say is get to most expensive reel you can afford. Get one that has a pad type drag system, not a drum type drag, and from what I understand (and as much as I'd like to argue), cork is still the best drag material. Information I recently gained from an interview with two top reel manufacturers.
Then all you have to do is fish.
Good luck,
Thunderthumbs.
See if there is a pro shop around that will let you cast each type of action and then look for a rod you like in that action.
As far as reels go, if you're going to be saltwater fishing, which it sounds like you will, then all I can say is get to most expensive reel you can afford. Get one that has a pad type drag system, not a drum type drag, and from what I understand (and as much as I'd like to argue), cork is still the best drag material. Information I recently gained from an interview with two top reel manufacturers.
Then all you have to do is fish.
Good luck,
Thunderthumbs.
QUOTE(Thunderthumbs @ Feb 3 2006, 11:59 AM)
I have a Cortland 8/9wt that I bought a few years back for less than $100. All Cortland products have a no questions asked fix or replace policy. Having fished just about every manufactured rod out there I'm still impressed with how the Cortland feels, casts, and handles big fish. I've hooked into and battled salmon in the 40lb range and landed many a bit smaller. I'll also say that anymore, it almost doesn't matter which manufacturer you go with, they all have pretty good technology, even in thier low end rods. I would place more emphasis on which action you would prefer for the type of fishing you'll be doing. The three actions to consider are full flex where the whole rod flexes during the cast, mid flex were the rod flexes primarily from the middle to the tip, and a tip flex where primarily the tip flexes the most during the cast.
See if there is a pro shop around that will let you cast each type of action and then look for a rod you like in that action.
As far as reels go, if you're going to be saltwater fishing, which it sounds like you will, then all I can say is get to most expensive reel you can afford. Get one that has a pad type drag system, not a drum type drag, and from what I understand (and as much as I'd like to argue), cork is still the best drag material. Information I recently gained from an interview with two top reel manufacturers.
Then all you have to do is fish.
Good luck,
Thunderthumbs.
See if there is a pro shop around that will let you cast each type of action and then look for a rod you like in that action.
As far as reels go, if you're going to be saltwater fishing, which it sounds like you will, then all I can say is get to most expensive reel you can afford. Get one that has a pad type drag system, not a drum type drag, and from what I understand (and as much as I'd like to argue), cork is still the best drag material. Information I recently gained from an interview with two top reel manufacturers.
Then all you have to do is fish.
Good luck,
Thunderthumbs.
On the Reel, getting back to Orvis cause that is what I am most familiar with, the Mid Arbor Battenkill has a composite drag surface with the feel of classic cork. - $129. and there is the MachIV $239. with stainless-steel-to-Broflon drag surface. As far as the warranty of the Cortland rod, they will repair any rod, but if not under the warranty they will charge a fee to repair it. Be sure that, that $100 rod qualifies, somethimes on the less expensive rods, it cost more to fix them than a new one. That's how they stay in business.
Thanks for all the replies... looks like I've got a lot of thinking to do! I can't wait to get back to the states to do some fishing. My wife and I have been in Antarctica working since October. We'll be back in March, and then it's off to the flats I discovered the week before leaving to come here. I caught 3 nice redfish in just under an hour walking the flats, and missed countless more because I really hadn't fished like that before. The spinning gear worked, but I can't wait to get some time there with a fly rod. Gonna tear them up!!
I looked at the Teton Tioga 8wt anodized reel on ebay.... sound like a good deal?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...mMakeTrack=true
I won't be buying until I get back, but I am trying to get a good idea of what to look for. Thanks again for all the help!
Jeremy
I looked at the Teton Tioga 8wt anodized reel on ebay.... sound like a good deal?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...mMakeTrack=true
I won't be buying until I get back, but I am trying to get a good idea of what to look for. Thanks again for all the help!
Jeremy
QUOTE(rich @ Feb 3 2006, 04:53 PM)
Jeremy,
That's a good reel in the auction. I have seen them go for even less(under $100). Look at the standard arbors, as they hold much more backing.
What are you doing in Antarctica? Climatology related reasearch? Send me a PM, I might have a rod that you would be interested in.
rich
That's a good reel in the auction. I have seen them go for even less(under $100). Look at the standard arbors, as they hold much more backing.
What are you doing in Antarctica? Climatology related reasearch? Send me a PM, I might have a rod that you would be interested in.
rich
My wife and I are here working as air traffic controllers. It is our first season here, and we may come back again next year. It's the last continent on my list of "places I've been", mostly thanks to 10 years in the Marine Corps.
This place is truly breathtaking. I think the phrase "pictures don't do it justice" was coined in reference to Antarctica. We have thouroughly enjoyed our time here!
damuley, that is a good looking reel ( but that don't get fish 
) I don't know anything about it. It looks like it has the ball bearings and the cork drag. I have a small Tioga for my 3 wt. and it's good.
) I don't know anything about it. It looks like it has the ball bearings and the cork drag. I have a small Tioga for my 3 wt. and it's good.
QUOTE(flygoddess @ Feb 3 2006, 06:29 PM)
damuley, that is a good looking reel ( but that don't get fish ) I don't know anything about it. It looks like it has the ball bearings and the cork drag. I have a small Tioga for my 3 wt. and it's good.
) I don't know anything about it. It looks like it has the ball bearings and the cork drag. I have a small Tioga for my 3 wt. and it's good.How true... I think that a lot of Equipment/gear out there is supposed to catch fishermen ( and fisherwomen ), instead of just fish. I am just looking for function over flashyness.... but that is a good looking reel!
I will probably wait to get anything until I get back, but I want to know what it is I'm looking at so I'm gonna do my research now!
Thanks!!
Jeremy
Most of the equipment listed would be more than adaquate. I'd plan on getting a decient (not extravigant) disk drag reel and a decient line to start. As for Rods, there are some sub-$100 that would cast well and get you buy untill/ should you figure out if you like one action over another. I certainly wouldn't go over $200 for a first rod.
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