Gentlemen, I have decided to invest (may be a poor choice of words) in a fly rod outfit. Ordered a TFO rod and Cabelas SR3 reel after reading some great reviews on it. my questions 1. is the prestige backing from cabelas and the flyline worth putting on the reel. If so what knots do the “vets” use in connecting the backing to the line?
Nail knot. Dont know much about the line from cabelas but I know I(thats me) would invest in a name brand floating line. I am not expert and dont know the cabela line specs.
Jeremy
2006 16ft actioncraft flats 115 etec
Go with a quality Scientific anglers line. I would reccomend the Bonefish taper, floating line. Connect the line with a Arbor knot or Bimini twist. The Arbor is easier but the Bimini is stronger. I would suggest once you get all your stuff in the mail go to Charleston Angler or any Flyshop. Buy some flies and ask if they would load your reel up
thanks guys for the response. I am almost positive SA is the line they sent me, dont know about the backing
I prefer a loop to loop connection so I can swap my lines without having to retie a nail knot. Make the backing loop (Bimini twist) big enough to pass the spool through. I usually whip a small loop in the end of the fly line and coat the wraps with UVsense glue or similar.
TFO makes a great rod.
DO NOT USE CABELAS PRESTIGE FLY LINE FOR SALTWATER. Go with SI redfish wonderline, pricy but worth it.
Got him!!!
Redtail, all suggestions were good but be aware the bonefish lines by SA are tropical, meaning they get pretty stiff in cold weather or water. I use them in warmer months and they are great lines but there are better all around choices for year round fishing. You want something with a long shooting head to beat the wind and throw long distances. Any of the top manufactures make great lines you want a salt water taper, but I would steer clear of the tropical lines as a starter. You may want one after you cut your teeth and have several lines and reels. As stated by redfisher7 I have used the prestige lines but the floating lines are to light for high wind or long distance. The Cabela’s class VII sink tip line on the other hand has been a mainstay in my fishing for several years. The sink tips go for $30 and wil get you down about ten to fifteen feet pretty quick. Because the sink tip is heavy, loading the rod isn’t an issue like the prestige floaters. As for backing I like to use 50lb braid as I can use a smaller/lighter reel and get more backing on it. Drawback is that braid will cut the heck out of you if a big fish goes on a run and you try to stop it with your hand (been there done that). Like Palmetto Bug I tie a loop with heavy Mono and a nail knot, then use a 3ft 30 lb Mason Hard Nylon for the but section of my leader, to 3ft 20lb Mason, to 3ft flouro tippet. All sections joined with loops. This set up really helps turn over a heavy fly in the wind. Good luck with your new endeaver!
I’m glad TFO is getting good reviews. Just like everything else in our society, rods produced offshore still hold the same quality at half the price. Sad but true. I’m past the stage of denial that the Chinese will own us soon. Back to the rod. Broke mine on a redfish a couple weeks back and had a new one on my door a week and a half later. Pretty good lifetime warranty for the price paid up front.
Well I hate to let you know that TFO rods are Notorious for breaking. They cast very well for the price…but break under lttle stress. You would be better off with a Sage FLI than the top off the line TFO rod IMO. You get the Same warranty with the Sage. Also the Scott Alpha series rods…If you can still find them are supa nice for the money!