Hey all,

I have done quite a bit of fishing in my life and one thing I have always been interested in is FLY FISHING. I've always been interested in it, but not very seriously. Now that I am a Texan I have been reading all kinds of stories about people enjoying fly fishing for Bass, Trout(of course), salt water specias, Redfish, and CARP. The Bass and the CARP are what got me really interested. When I heard that you can catch carp on a fly rod, I knew I was going to have to finally try it.

I started asking questions and as you can imagine I get all kinds of answers and sometimes I am as confused now as what I was before I started trying to find out how to start.

The first thing is what weight rod I need. I have been told the most that I need an 8 weight, or a 7. If I want to fish for those fish I mentioned, those rods would be the best way to go for me.

The BIGGEST problem I am having is finding a STARTER COMBO that is less than $150. I cant believe that I have to have a rod that costs $100 to learn fly fishing. I am not opposed to buying good stuff, but what if I do buy a really nice beginner outfit and then end up not liking it or not being able to do it? Then I've got an expensive wall hanger. If I like it and have fun, sure, I'll invest in nice gear. To start though I'd like to get something that isn't so expensive.

What is more important....

1. A really nice rod and reel combo from Cabelas, Bass Pro or some online shop.
or
2. A pretty inexpensive rod and reel from Ebay or some other SALE I find with really good LINE that is appropriate for me?

Any other information you care to give me would be appreciated.

Thank you for your time and help.

MUHerd

Welcome to TFF, MUHerd

The problem with your question is not which is more important, but which is the better way to go.
Now i am no carp expert but i have caught a bass or two on the fly, and if your planning on throwing big bass flies than your gonna want an 8 weight (i have a 6wt and its hard to throw big flies). As for carp i'm not too sure on what weight your going to want.

Now as for where you should buy from. If you go look at the Fly fishing classifieds LoneStarCarper is selling a reel for pretty cheap and it is a pretty good deal. And i'm sure Pearow would be happy to sell you one of his rods he has listed there (also very good deals on all of his rods he has posted).

Or you could go and get a Cabela's rod and reel combo like this or get the RLS+ combo. the RLS+ combo is normally $320 but my dad picked one up for $150 not too long ago. I have the Cabela's Wind River 6wt combo and its absolutely fantastic for what it went on sale for. I have used the RLS+ a few times and it is an amazing combo as well.

But don't let me be the overseer of your purchases, if you find a good deal on ebay or craigslist by all means take the opportunity. Just make sure you research the product and look at all the reviews not just the good ones.

Hope that helps!

Open wide, I do mean your wallet!

I can't believe I have the chance to say it twice today! What a bless! hahaha.

My $.02 worth: Maybe the best answer is to line up a casting instructor. AWAYS a good idea. Tell him or her what's going on and have them bring along a variety of say, 8 wt. rods for you to cast...a "test drive" while your learning. A great chance to ask lots of questions. And, for the cost of a couple of lessons, you can decide if you want to go forward and if so what rod/reel combo to go for. A bargain if you don't go for it (avoided cost), and a super bargain (avoided frustration and much reduced learning curve) if you do.

Ah, the venerable 8 wt. I have way too many rods, from 2 wt. to 14 wt. BUT, the ones I reach for when fishing for largemouth bass, striper, redfish, trout, skipjack, etc. is always one of the 8 wt.'s. Maybe once you decide on the weight, consider a more forgiving "flex". Orvis has a pretty good explanation of fast, medium and slow actions. My first rod (also an 8 wt.) was Sage's entry level rod at the time, a DS2. It was a medium action and very forgiving which is a good thing since I had to learn with books and videos. I still fish with that rod on occasion and love it.

For me I have caught more carp on my four and three wt than my eight. But like stated big bass bugs an eight is a good place to start and is more than ideal for carp as well. Tell you the truth what area do you live in this is the tff if you can be good company I'm sure there may be someone on here that has plenty of extra gear if they are like me that might be happy to take you out. If there is a shot you might not like it (doubtful) it will prevent any purchases and if you do it will give you a much better idea on where to start. Just a thought.

buy you an inexpensive 4 weight and start fishing; the 4 will handle the Texas breeze; experience will lead you to your next purchase. In my opinion, an 8 weight purchase will take all the fun out of catching dinks and it'll wind up in the closet.-p-

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Rod-Reel-Combos/Fly-Fishing-Rod-Reel-Combos%7C/pc/104793480/c/104762880/sc/105571980/Cabelas-Three-ForksPrestige-Plus-Fly-Combo/1545673.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rod-reel-combos%2F_%2FN-1104843%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105571980%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRprd734547%253Bcat104762880&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRprd734547%3Bcat104762880%3Bcat105571980 (ROD MODEL 763)

I've said it many times already. This is the BEST beginners option. Unless All you're targeting is big fish or you need a saltwater rod/reel. This is the perfect freshwater rod/reel combo. Yes I have actually fished this model. My son-in-law got one when he was starting out. Plus this rod won't wear you out casting it like an 8wt will. I've seen Robert Hunter stick fish after fish with his 3wt and I've been known to catch a few fish with mine. For around $100 for the rod/reel/fly line, this deal is hard to beat.

I agree more with the last two posts. An 8wt is a great rod to have in your closet once you get serious, but if you are just learning i would go for something lighter. (5-6wt in my opinion). learning to cast for the first time with an 8wt is just no fun, and will wear you out. Plus, while you are getting the hang of it, catching small fish on an 8wt is about as much fun as running a trotline.

IMO, get one of the Cabela's combos mentioned above in a 5wt or 6wt and enjoy learning the ropes.

LL Bean has a great combo for around $100 or under. Great rod, reel, line and tippet attached
I use them for teaching purposes and have 8 of them
Mike

I learned on a cheap 8'6", 6-7 weight. Caught decent bass on it down to bream. I still use it for stripping Boogers for trout and around ponds. It's a rough rod and I paid like $30 bucks for it.

Once I got more into it, I have since got a TFO weight and then added the Redington 9 weight for Bull Redfish, Big Texas size bass in heavy cover/big flies.

I would not want to learn on that 9 weight.

5 weight is the easiest to cast. BUT anything over a 3-4lb bass around heavy cover is scary.

There a lot of good options these days in that price range. Obviously, I'm biased and will recommend TFO.

You mention that you have a lot of fishing experience. So, base your decision on which size fly rod you need on your own experience. Which size casting rod would you choose for the situations you want fish with a fly rod? If you would pick a spinning rod or a L or ML casting rod, then you may be happier with a 4 or 5 wt rod. But if you prefer to pitch large lures into heavy cover with a MH or a H action rod, then might be happier with a 7 or 8 wt.

Pick your fly rod based on where you plan to fish and what size fly you plan to cast. As a general statement, it is easier to cast larger flies and to cast in the wind with the heavier wt rods, but the fishing and catching is more fun with the lighter wt rods. The middle size wt rods, the 4's, 5's, and 6's, tend to be the most popular starter rods, because first rods are often purchased for "general purpose" use.

Good luck!

Ha! I had rather lie about "the big one that got away" than to worry that my rod wont turn a fish. Probably a 5 or 6 might be more an ideal all around rod, but a 4 is just so easy to cast; so light you can hold it all day without tiring;but that is why they make so many weights and sizes; everybody likes what they like, and that's cool-p-

Here's just 2 huge catfish caught with a TFO child's 4wt and a TFO 2wt. Sure, it takes a little skill to play and land a fish this size on light tackle. I was targeting bluegills in every case where something huge took my small offering. I do agree that if you're fishing in a place with ALOT of structure, a 5wt would be a good idea.

Too much hyrdilla, random grass, and lilypads around here. Fish go in and they don't come out nicely. Add a stump field that you could walk stump to stump on and it's a challenge for light tackle. Like the guys fishing for those Calico bass in Cali.....those fish aren't big, but the stuff they catch them in is NASTY(kelp and boulders). They use 10-12 weights.

If I was up at Texoma where it's only rock, then I'd go lighter. Let em run!!

BUT here around East Texas, you let em run, you will end up with no leader and no fly.

(As a side not to my post earlier. I learned and fished that 6-7 weight cheap rod for over 10 years. Got good with it, then got the 5 weight TFO and realized the EASE and distance I never had gotten before.)

BBT I forgot to mention that I use an 8lb leader that I make myself from regular fishing line. I seldom get broken off and when it gets too short, I cut it off and tie on another leader quickly. I carry a spool of 8lb Trilene with me or if the water is very clear an 8lb spool of fluorocarbon. I do not like over priced tippet material.