Jose, you asked the key question � the MiniMag series is based on the TFO Bluewater series designed for saltwater big game fish.
http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/products/rods/bluewater.html

I believe the MiniMags were overshadowed by the popular BVK series and somewhat neglected as a very versatile fly rod. IMO it is the best engineered fly rod on the market - the technology is amazing � �S� glass butt section, transitioning into a �hybrid� �S� glass/carbon fiber mid section, with a very sensitive carbon fiber tip section.
Smooth casting fly rod with a tip sensitive enough to feed a blue gill headshake on a 8-10wt MiniMag.

As much as I like the BVK, if I was restricted to only ONE fly rod, it would be a 8-10 MiniMag.
Good luck,
George

Thread moved from http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/7743584/3/6_weight_bvk

They make em in UL's? 2 0r 3 wts?

Good to know George. You are The Man. Thanks. J.

First, let me say that the MiniMag is a great rod, never had a "bad" rod by TFO ever.

However, i'm not sure that the MM is a good rod for the salt, especially the flats. I've fished a lot of the islands in the Carib. & Florida, and most people use 8 wt ( or even 10 wt) rods in 9 ft or 10 ft lengths. You will be flinging heavier flies, and you need to be able to cast 60 to 70 ft in an on-shore wind, which an 8 wt 10 ft rod will do.

Bill

I am looking to buy a 6-8 if anyone has one they want to sell.

Bill:

Length had not occurred to me. You think a 8' is too short for the salt? J.

On our flats you barely have to make a shot longer than 40', so distance isn't really an issue, in Texas any way. I have used the Mini Mag 6-8wt for the past 3 years with no issue. I even use it on the jetties. When fishing the rocks the best thing to do is cover as much water as you can, with the Mini Mag 6-8wt and a 12mph head wind I can constantly cast 80'-90'. Without wind my only restriction on distance is the length of the fly line. I would say the skill of the caster is more important than the length of the rod. The length of the rod will actually help when you have a scrappy redfish or heavy black drum bulldogging you inside 10'

I have noticed most people choose a rod to the wind rather than what rod that fish should be caught caught on. With an 8wt a 25" red, on the flats, might get you into backing, but people still throw 8s at them. I think they're a 6wt fish.

When casting the Mini Mag long distances don't try to carry a lot of line, for me, it's get 40' of line outside the tip of the rod give a good haul on the front cast and shoot as much line as I can. George has said before this rod is also a good shooting head rod and you cast shooting heads the same way, get the head outside the tip, haul, and shoot.

Steve-

If you only intend to fish the Texas coast, the MM probably would be fine.

Personally, I found out real quick on the flats to "bring enough gun." An 8'-6" 5 wt didn't work for me casting into the wind. Most guides have 8 to 10 wts, 9'-6" or 10 foot rods. If you're targeting bones and permit, you've got to be able to cast long distances accurrately. A longer, heavier rod allows you to do that. Bonefish can be caught on a 5 wt once you hook him. But you've got to get the fly to him first. For permit and baby tarpon, an 8wt would be a minimum, with 10wt being the preferred. But its your choice on where and how you want to fish the salt.

Bill

Don't forget "lifting power" on flats with deep cuts - think Key's cuts ...
Jose said he has a 7 wt - he can that use for shallow flats.
Length of rod is not all that important to me - fish are always 10 ft farther than I can cast anyway.

By the way, I have seen Jose cast - he can cast farther than I can with a broomstick..

George is one of the nicest guys I know... There are at least 5 other guys on this forum that can readily testify that I can't cast at all! I do it badly, but I do it with Enthusiasm!

J.

Steve-

Why don't you take some lessons from Rex. Ask him to teach you the "quick cast" which is very useful on the flats and in wind. The quick cast is what you will use the most, as your guide is poling you around in a flats boat. As scout 300 said, you only have the fat line out beyond the rod tip, and you shoot the line out from the additional line spooled at your feet. Different technique than a "trout cast." With good instruction and practice, you can reach out 70 ft. in the wind.

Rex and I differ with the location of the fly. Rex uses the fly in hand method. Most guides that I fished with want the fly in the water trailing alongside the boat. When you sight the fish, roll cast to get the fly and line in front of the boat, and then do your quick cast. Most guides don't want to be hooked while they are up in the air on the poling platform. Your back cast is made with a sidearm cast to keep the fly away from the guide, and out of the wind if possible. The forward cast is an over head cast straight toward the fish.

Bill

Hello Everyone, I'm kind of late responding, but I've been offline this week. My "I'm going fishing" vacation plans became a last minute trip to west Texas. There is no fishing in west Texas, but I did find a fly shop in Midland. Nice shop, but it sure seems out of place in the middle of a desert.

I agree with Bill, there are a couple of ways of doing the quick cast. The fishing conditions seem to determine which version the guides prefer to use. If there is a lot of vegetation or other stuff floating the water, it can foul the line if you have the line in the water. Otherwise, having it in the water is a great way to help load the rod quickly.

As far as using the Mini-Mag in the salt, that rod excels when fishing the mangroves. The MM has the power to help turn a fish before it can get tangled in the roots. It has also been very popular in deeper water situations. Personally, I like the MM as a "load and shoot" casting style rod out to about 60 to 70 ft, especially when using large flies. For sight fishing in the flats, I'd probably pick a TiCrX or an Axiom, but for most saltwater situations, the Mini Mag performs very well.

Rex

So, just for comparison sake, the TFO MiniMag throwers have all compared the MiniMag 6-8 and 8-10 to the Ross FlyStik 6, 8 or 10? My 8 weighs 4.2 ounces, while the MiniMag series come in at a hefty 5.0 and 5.4 ounces. Confounds me, as long as we are talking.

I would hardly consider 5oz rod to be hefty. It's light in hand and casts line a country mile with little effort. The minimag that is. I have the 8/10 and its easy to cast all day.

Maybe it's just me though. I'd rather take an M14 than an M4 to a firefight.

Agreed!
The question was about salt water fly rods - not flats or other....
IMO the 8-10 MM is the closest fly rod to a "utility" rod that I know of, and I use the term "utility" as a compliment.
I call my MiniMag 8-10 an anytime, anywhere, for anything fly rod.