Ive been fly fishing for several years now with a beginner flyrod and reel combo my parents bought me a few years ago and now im ready to upgrade. I hooked my first red OTF 2 days ago but failed to land it. So the qyestion is what kind of rod and reels are yall using and what weight is best for redfish? Any help is appreciated.
An 8wt should b fine. Get a large arbor reel so u can hold alot more backing. I have a reddington crosswater 8wt and it suits me just fine
Look for a tfo rod, 7-8wt rod. Lamson, orvis mid arbor or redington reels are fine.
Chris.
1802 Action Craft. 115 yamaha.
I second the TFO… 8wt for reds, plenty of backbone to handle them and What ever reel you get make sure it has a good sealed drag. DO NOT SKIMP ON YOUR FLY LINE… I say again… Do NOT skimp on your fly line. I have a really good line ona crappy rod and I can throw it half a mile… I put the good line on a good rod and I can really throw it… good line makes it easier to cast. I like the Okuma SLV reels… inexpensive and have a dang good drag on them.
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
I fish with a redington crosswater, a guy I fish with throws the redington pursuit, both are awesome combos test out the rods before you but them some have more “spring” to them
There are alot of options. First determine what you want to spend on the set up… that makes a big difference. Once you’ve got that down go to a shop (Charleston angler cough… cough) and test every rod you can get your hands on in that price range… and it doesn’t hurt to try a few that are a little out of reach just for fun. Pick the rod that is the best fit for you, but if your a beginner you want to pick a rod thats just a little “better” than you…
What do I mean by that? Well look at it like this. There are alot of different actions in fly rods, and those actions (Extra fast, Fast, Med-Fast, etc…) will differ from company to company depending on the quality, and grade of materials they are using to achieve said action… within that, the different models within a manufacture will differ depending on the tapers that the company uses in the rod to achieve a certain goal… usually to meet the criteria for a certain style of fishing… Sounds complicated, and it is… but knowing this stuff and trying the different rods will allow you to pick the proper rod. As a beginner the “faster” rods will be harder to cast, but that doesn’t mean you should go to a slower rod right out of the gate… Why?? Because we fish in salt water… we throw big flies (or at least non-aerodynamic flies), we battle wind, sometimes we need distance, and we always need accuracy no matter what combination of these elements are thrown at us.
I don’t care who you are or how awesome you think your cast is, a slower rod is going to let you down when the wind is honkin’ and you need to hit a specific spot at 60’… it just is. So by buying a rod that is a little faster than you may like the first time you touch it as a beginner, and practicing at home (You need to practice) you will learn to throw the stiffer rod and you will grow into it, rather than growing out of it…
People put so much emphasis on buying this rod, or that reel or whatever that they forget the most important part of the whole setup. The Angler.
You mention that you have been fly fishing for several years now, so I assume that you have a pretty good idea of what you like/do not like about your current set-up. Take Mad Mike’s advice and go see one of your local fly shops. Have them line up several demo 8 weights, and then cast different rods. It is amazing how different 8 wt rods can feel/cast. Try your best to be objective when you are demo casting these rods- a very high end (expensive) rod may not be the best fit or have the best feel for you and your casting stroke/style. Then again, you may fall in love with a new NRX or Xi3 and have to have it… Anglers are all over the spectrum, just try to cast as many rods as you can, and pick what “feels” the best to you. Good luck.
@nikonjedi what fly line do you like and how the heck can I get some delivered to Conway? @ Mad Mike, do you know any FFF certified (or good fly casting) teachers that we could contact about possibly coming up here. I am looking into having a fly casting clinic for the Long Bay Fly Fishers club in Horry/Georgetown.
Capt. Seth Vernon is coming September 4th, that will be great! Looking for someone to come later on…
Paul Sasser
Founder, GoFishSC.com
President, Long Bay Fly Fishers
Lots of knowledge here
Captain Jeremy Mehlhaff
The Chalreston Angler has an Online store and ships… We carry SA lines and while not the top of the line I always find myslef going back to them. I also throw an orvis wonderline and it is a really good line IMO… just stay away form the aircel line by SA… it gets gummy real quick and needs a lot of care. Rio makes some great lines as well.
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
quote:
Originally posted by nikonjedi. We carry SA lines and while not the top of the line
Why would one say this??
Jeremy
Because there are better lines than SA lines… it’s called honesty and not blowing sunshine up peoples butts… Scirentific Anglers has some really great lines, I fish them and am perfectly happy wiht them, but in the world of fly fishing, especially the high-end snobby crowd they are looked down on, there are other brands of fly line that are better it’s a simple fact… THATS why I said it…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
I sorta disagree.
The SA Mastery series lines are the benchmark of saltwater lines, and have been since they came out. Sharkskin is junk.
Also use RIO and Monic Specialty lines, but for an all around saltwater taper floating line SA MAstery is hard to beat.
Newman
www.gtownkingfisher.com
ditto on the monics. We took the clear floating Monic to the tropics and it realy made a difference with the Permit. The guide was very impressed with it. I don’t think it would provide the same advantage in our water, but I could be wrong?
For the post… I’d recommend a 7wt for tailing fish and 8 for winter reds. 8 wt if you can’t decide and do both types of fishing
quote:
Originally posted by nikonjediBecause there are better lines than SA lines… it’s called honesty and not blowing sunshine up peoples butts… Scirentific Anglers has some really great lines, I fish them and am perfectly happy wiht them, but in the world of fly fishing, especially the high-end snobby crowd they are looked down on, there are other brands of fly line that are better it’s a simple fact… THATS why I said it…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
Man things sure have changed around this site… Easier just to read and not chime in!
J
quote:This is not a challenge but, just a difference of opinion just to give Bohicket some different fishermen's experience. The places I fish for "tailing reds" are often close to or in thick grass. Once a red fights his way into the grass you have a harder fight on your hands. So, when I am in or near thick grass, I throw a 9wt.
Originally posted by feather thrower…For the post… I’d recommend a 7wt for tailing fish and 8 for winter reds. 8 wt if you can’t decide and do both types of fishing
If you only have one saltwater rod, I recommend an 8wt. If two, then a 7 and 9. Brands, well… I have many of them and my friends own the rest of the brands. 
Buying the highest rated rod won’t make you a great fly fisherman. So, if at all possible, buy a rod after you try it. Don’t worry about the name. Just worry if you can throw it close and if you can throw it at some distance. It needs to do both.
Reels; if you are just catching local fish then reels are usually just line holders. Not a popular opinion (probably) but, it’s my opinion. Even the cheapest reels (my beginning Medalist) have stopped all the reds I have ever caught. Put money in the rod and save money on the reel.
Thanks for all the info…It’s much appreciated. Ill be stopping by charleston angler one day soon to look at some
Check out Scotty at low country fly shop in mt pleasant. I think he has better prices
Prices on rods are set by the manufacturers of the rods… not retailers, so scotty has the same prices on the same rods… if he carries a cheaper line of rods than us (which he doesn’t) then thats one thing. If his rods are marked down from Manufacturers Retail (which I’m sure they’re not) then he would loose his accounts and buisness…
Mad Mike
"to hell with insane… I’m OUTsane!!! "
Well excuse me…then let’s just say I like his store better then yours