I'm heading down to the coast (port A) next weekend and I'd like to try some salt water fly fishing. I have a 6 wt outfit that I use in fresh water but I wanted something a little larger to help fight the wind and also be able to cast some larger streamers. I found a Scientific Angler 8wt Steelhead combo set up for $130 at a local Sportsman's Warehouse (they're knocking $20 off for me). I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with that set up and if it would be a decent set up for occasional use. I only get to the coast around 5-6 year and I really don't have the big $$ to buy the best equipment out there.
Thanks in advance for your input!!
SteveO

im sure it will work. i would get some different flies than what the rod comes with.

I have a four piece SA eight weight and its a fine rod. There are probably better rods, but what the heck, 130 for the whole deal?! You will be fishing instead of wishing you were fishing

Don't forget to take and post your obligatory TFF glory photos of your trip

I checked with BPS and they have a Hobb's Creek 8 wt set up for around $110. I was really interested in that one but the salesperson stated that you can't get a rod and reel outfit that will handle salt water for less than $350. The Scientific Angler outfit states it's good for light saltwater. I'm assuming it has some corrosion resistance? I have no problem doing maintenance (rinsing down the line, reel, and rod and relubing where necessary) so is it absolutely necessary to spend that kind of money?

not necessary at all to spend that much money, just rinse everything good, keep the reel out of the sand a wash your line/reel with warm soapy water

honestly i think the 6wt is perfect. you dont need big flies unless your in big fish.

ps, 6wt fast action with a large arbor reel. i caught all kinds of fish in florida with that combo.

i agree 100%. i had a 10wt that i sold because it was way too much. the 6wt is a roller coaster ride. the wind sucks, but i take a spinning set up always.

Well, rinse it off lightly and let the reel sit in a bucket of fresh water every night, use CorrosionX and you ought to be OK. Now if you were going to be a dedicated saltwater angler it might be a different story.

Thanks for all the info guys. I decided to go ahead and buy the Scientific Angler 8 wt combo. I figured for a total of $140 I couldn't go wrong. It even states on the package it's good for saltwater...even though I'll still be careful with it. If I enjoy fly fishing at the coast and can make more time to go often I'm sure I'll upgrade next Spring. Now I need to get out and practice before next weekend and pick up a few flies to use near the Port A jettie. I'm sure I'll need a better leader as well. Any suggestions?

shameless of me

Nice looking leaders. Whats the turn around time to get one in a customer's hands?

On another note- I went out and practiced today with the new fly rod. I could cast consistantly around 40 ft but after that it just got messy. I was having a hard time getting the leader to roll over. More often than not it was falling looped up into a little pile. I suppose I need a bit more practice.

Try shortening the leader.
You can use fluorocarbon; good against toothy critters. Sinks pretty quick, so may be good or not so good, depends on how you want to fish. I did try 4x and 6x tippet, but lost a few flies, so i started tying on a 2ft section of heavier fluoro.
I have an S.A. combo in a 5 weight, and it's pretty good. I swapped the reel out for a reddington one. There was no drag on the SA reel! The action is nice on the rod though. I prefere it to my st croix one, honestly...
Any white or metallic fly will get you bites, even the little shrimpy flies.
Beware the spanich macks ,ladyfish and bluefish...Teeth everywhere. Get them in the net quick.

Sorry about the delay, I get the orders in by email and get them out within 24 hours.



When you hit that wall and the line starts collapsing, lengthen your stroke. There is a natural tendency to simply put more power into the cast. That is not all of the picture. Make it a point to lengthen it out by reaching back on the back cast and more forward. Also, be sure that the line extends all the way out on the back cast and that the rod stays loaded when you start forward. In other words, that you are not having to take up slack when you start forward. That just robs power.

Thanks for all the info! I caught my first fish ever fly fishing last Friday at the jetties in Port A. I was using a small silver streamer and caught a small (10") fish that looked allot like a Popano (sp?). The body was all silver and the head had a bump out front and the tail was split and yellow. It felt great! After that I tried casting on both the beach side and the channel side but no luck. I tried every fly I had! My casting needs lots of work!

I went back yesterday but the wind was blowing a little more and I couldn't cast more than 15' with out the line going everywhere. Needless to say I didn't get a bite. I still can't get the stripping thing down. I feel like I'm not really connected to the fly through the line cause it bellies too much?

I'll primarily be fresh water fly fishing close to home. I'm hoping to find a couple reasonable lessons and get out and practice allot more before I hit the coast again.
Again thanks to everyone for thier input!
SteveO

Hey Steve

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