i have been fly fishing for about a month now....the NXT Outfit was suggested to me...it has been great & i love it....but how do i know when it's time to take a step up equipment wise.

this is the only rod/reel i have ever had...sowhat do i look for in my next rod & reel? any good outfits?

thanks

Instead of upgrading, you might want to consider buying an outfit in a different weight range.

The NXT setup is good enough to fish with forever.

yeah, I wouldn't upgrade that rod, just get a different weight. I was at Backwoods today and checked out the TFO Axiom and TCIrX 5wts and a TCIrX 6wt. So many choices ......

you didnt say what weight you presently have, how can we decide what you should buy without letting us know what you already have (we dont want to spend more of your money than we have to)
you will need a 1 weight & 2 weight for small sunfish 3 & 4 weight for stocked trouts and larger sunfish, 5, 6, & 7 for small bass, carp, white bass, 8, 9 and above for bass, hybrid stripers, carp. so in a nutshell, you need one of each, after you have obtained these check back in & we'll let ya know which you need more of.

Most of what he said is on target. I think a 6wt is heavy for white bass . What really needs to happen is double up your rods. Lets say the fish in the morning are surface feeding your floating rig is perfect. Then about mid-morning they go to deeper haunts. You now need a sub-surface outfit. Do you really want to mess with changing the reels out. Or worse yet there is a mix of top water bites and under the surface bites. You will have to pick just one method to fish. So I say have 2 of everything. I do!! Now folks that is how to spend other folks money

i think you buy a new rod when ever you need to...or want to depending on you marital situation. See if you are married you need it, if not then its when you want it. def do what has been suggested, different weights.

First, it is ALWAYS the right time for another rod.

Second, what do you look for in your next setup? For me, I'm normally looking to fill a specific need (or desire) when I buy an new rod. In other words, am I looking for a new Striper rod, or a trout rod, a pan fish rod, or a 5 wt distance rod? Of course all logic goes out the window whenever I find a great deal on a good rod.

Rex

When ever this question crosses you mind it is time to buy a new rod ASAP!

I think that Rex gave us the correct answer. The only problem is when you realize that you have far too many to keep doing that without feeling guilty. I even found the answer for that...you simply find a kid to give a rod, reel, and line to.

You can do that as often as you wish and then go out and buy another rod. Getting the kids hooked on fly-fishing is the only way there is to grow the sport.

Big Dale

And then of course after you have caught all of the freshwater fish you can stand you will want to venture out into the Deep Blue and catch everything from bonefish to tarpon to tuna and billfish, which will require a whole new barrage of lines (from bonefish/redfish lines to Depthcharge and Leviathan style lines for the big'ns), backing, and leaders as well as a set of new reel (preferably something like an Abel, usually customized with the fish you plan on catching on the outside of the spool - limited edition and collectible, dontchya know...) and a selection of rod weights from a 10wt to 16 (or so), and of course an extra of each because these fish don't mess around and you Will break rods on them in the course of action.

Oh to have that freedom....

Starting out, it seems reasonable to upgrade when fishing situations call for a different set-up. Over time, you will be amazed at how much you "invest" with that approach. Its kind of like buying tools...when you need a tool for a specific task buy it and over time you get a pretty good collection without any one-time large investment on things you may not need.

As you work through the "tool set" it also makes sense, at least to me, to go either even or odd....by that I mean if your current rod is say a 5 wt and you need something heavier for bass fishing then go to a 7 wt. Or go from 4 to 6. That will add to your versatility as well as satisfy immediate needs. Then after filling your tool kit with odd or even numbers, you can work your way through the others, again as situations dictate.

Thats the way I started and it has worked for me. I used the odd numbering system....and still today do not have a 4 or 6 wt and probably never will...just don't need them with 3,5,7, etc.....but did add 8wt, 10wt, and 12wt because of situations.

I will second Meadowlark. This is a very good approach and I followed it myself on the odds.
and after many many years wielding the long rods -- I currently do not have any 4wts or anything over a 9, but I really do not need the 6 wt or 8wts -- just came across good deals.

Totally agree with most others. I would first look into getting another weight rod instead.

If your primary aim is to catch fish, almost any rod will do. Warmwater fish are not as picky regarding anyway, so beautiful tight loops and super long cast are really not needed to put you into fish.

I fish alot, and have both real cheap rods, and a couple of nicer rods. But I'll often still use my cheap rods,and catch fish on them too. You'd be surprised the number and size of fish I've caught with my 6.5ft yellow fiberglass Eagleclaw, that I bought for $16 online.

[When Do You Know It's Time To Move Up Equipment Wise?]

sheeeeeeesh... i'd be better off with cocain addiction