Looking to start some flyfishing. What would be a good saltwater combo to start with? 8’ or 9’?, 5/6 or 7/8?, 2-piece or 3-piece, mid flex? Not looking to break the bank. Also, not looking for the cheapest pos to get frustrated with. Want an half-a$$ed decent set-up to learn casting and stuff. Thanks in advance.
I’d suggest stopping in any of the Charleston Angler stores. They have a wide spectrum of gear. Plus, when there aren’t to many customers in the store, they’ll go outside with you and few rods and let you try them. If you haven’t thrown a fly rod, they’ll give the beginners basics. Last time I bought a rod, they let me take a few 8s and 9s out in the grass lawn behind the West Ashley store. Even played with putting the 8wt reel/line on the 9wt rod and visa-versa to see if I could reasonably swap the 8wt stuff I already own onto the 9 wt. rods.
Staff knows their stuff.
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott
I picked up the reddington cross water 4 pc 8 wt from bass pro for 140 plus tax and it was been working fine for me. I can cast pretty far into the wind. Also the cabelas or bass pro brand rods are also good I have a cabelas 4 wt for trout and I love it. But then again I don’t have much to go on because those are thenonly 2 rods I have ever used
TFO signature series 9’ 2 piece 8wt. Lamson konic 3.5 reel. $400 for whole setup with line a backing.
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Originally posted by izzydone…What would be a good saltwater combo to start with? 8’ or 9’?, 5/6 or 7/8?..
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9’ 8wt if you have only one saltwater rod.quote:
Originally posted by izzydone…2-piece or 3-piece, mid flex?..
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>3 piece is just about extinct, these days. 2 piece and 4 piece are readily available. As a beginner (in saltwater) you will not be able to tell the difference. 4 piece will cost more for no benefit to your casting.Flex? Well… you need to see what you can throw better. Cast 1/3 of the line and then cast 2/3 of the line. Don’t buy a rod just based on if you can cast ALL the line. That will do you NO good.
cast em all and see what best fits your style and budget. redington makes a great intro rod. as does tfo. i agree, a 9’ 8wt should be where you begin (and probally end) your search.
4pc rods can go carryon the plane if you travel at all. an 8wt will be the rod in the bahamas, alaska, great lakes salmon, tossin big bass bugs, etc- a very versitile line weight imho
www.flyfishingsc.com
www.lowcountryflyshop.com
A few years back someone on this site turned me on to Albright Fishing. They manufacture, and sell direct. They are having their annual fall sale
http://www.albrightflyfish.com/index.html. It goes on for a couple of months, but they sell out and don’t replenish until next year. I have a 5 wt and a XX 9 wt 4pc (now XXT). I fished 5 hrs yesterday with the 9, and it was a pleasure. Easy to cast. If you go to the site, also look under the Great Deals tab. You can pick up a large arbor aluminum reel for $60, and fly line for $26.
“TFO signature series 9’ 2 piece 8wt. Lamson konic 3.5 reel. $400 for whole setup with line a backing.”
mbfly…didn’t you just break that rod? 
Yes it broke after.3.years and tfo has an unconditional lifetime warranty which is another plus. Paid shipping and get a new rod free. No questions asked.
when lefty was in town he made the point that a rod over 200 is generally wasted on most people. the cheaper rods are slower and therefore easier to learn on and for most non surf fishing distance is less of a factor than in some other formats. of course you need to get one with the spine lined up and reasonably salt tolerant components(no 19.95 combos). for reel okuma slv has withstood my abusive approach for several seasons. get a decent line Weight forward, i like one weight over rod rating. rods 7-9 for flats reds. 6-7 for specs. if you like it you can get into it a second(or more if addicted) one that expands the range is a good way to go.
he’s pretty white for a fly guy