Texas Fishing Forum

Rod weight question

Posted By: Fly Fishing Scout

Rod weight question - 07/06/18 11:15 PM

Ok, let’s start of by saying I have 5wt and 8wt fly rods.

Humorously, the largest and smallest fish I have caught with a fly rod have been with an 8wt rod. I just like the way the 8wt feels and casts over the 5 wt’s, so I use them more.

I recently watched a wonderful video on bass fishing with Clouser and Kreh. They were stating they commonly used 8 & 9 weight rods to fish for bass. 9 wt due to some of the flys they would throw. Well, I have two decent 8 wt rods and feel like I would rather jump to a 10 wt rather than a 9 wt.

The question is this: do I really need a 10wt fly rod.

Thoughts?
Posted By: Jim Ford

Re: Rod weight question - 07/06/18 11:24 PM

Assuming similar actions, there would be little difference between the 8 and the 9. If you need to throw flies too heavy for your 8, step up to the 10. Rod weight is about what you are throwing, not what you're throwing at.
Posted By: Glitchmo

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 12:11 AM

Probably not, no. Unless you’re throwing whole chickens.

Why do you think you need a heavier rod?
Posted By: karstopo

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 12:36 AM

These are hard questions with so many variables. I use my 7/8 weight CGR rods as my heavy bass rod, but I don’t normally cast anything bigger than 1/0 deer hair divers which are pretty streamlined. It just depends on what you want to cast fly size. I have a 10 weight and have never needed it for bass or even considered using it for that. I don’t particularly like casting the 10 weight for long periods and it’s just overkill for when I want to fish for Largemouth bass.
Posted By: Fly Fishing Scout

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 01:00 AM

Jim, you nailed the question and thank you.

1) I get the principle of matching the lure weight to the line weight, and subsequently, the rod weight. It’s the practical application that throws the kink into things. LOL.

2) Not much difference between a 8-9. Good to know. One of the reasons I am asking this question is because I have heard to stay evens or odds. Or in other words, diversify with a 4-6-8 and don’t buy a 4-5-6. (Ironically, I went with the 5’s and 8’s.) Sense some of the streamers I have are large and more difficult to throw, I am simply asking questions.
Posted By: Fly Fishing Scout

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 01:04 AM

Glitchmo

What if I want to throw turkeys??? LOL

Because I have streamers and large fly lures they feel like they are difficult to throw on an 8 wt rod.

In the awesome video of Clouser and Kreh, they blatantly said that they utilized 9wt rods to throw the larger bass flys. I think they know more than I do about fly fishing.

The next problem is I want to make sure I understand why they are usin 9wt rods...
Posted By: Fly Fishing Scout

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 01:08 AM

Karstipo,

Great advice, exactly what I am looking for.

A 10wt rod will throw the heavier fly lures in question, however, they are not fun to cast for long periods of time.

From what I read out of your post, you just limit the size/weight of your fly.
Posted By: Fly Fishing Scout

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 01:12 AM

FWIW, my main fly rod is an 8wt rod. I don’t know why, I just favor the 8wts. An 8wt fly rod is what I practice with every day.


Duane
Posted By: RexW

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 01:33 AM

You're asking this group if you need a 10 wt?

The answer is always "yes, you need a 10 wt and a 3 wt and a 4 wt and ...."

roflmao
Posted By: Fly Fishing Scout

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 01:44 AM

Rex, I was waiting for someone to say that. LOL
Posted By: karstopo

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 02:00 AM

You may need or want to use bigger flies where you fish. That’s just one of the variables. I would certainly defer to the late Lefty Kreh or Bob Clouser as true authorities on most if not all things fly fishing. All I can share or know anything about is my preferences and tastes and limited experiences. I love fishing basically 3 or four flies for LMB, deer hair divers, Balanced Leeches, woolly buggers, and clousers. There’s a world of other patterns to fish and try.
Posted By: Fly Fishing Scout

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 03:16 AM

Brother, that is exactly the reason I am asking questions.

Ya know, my first tuba instructor played a Miriphone. My second played a Yamaha. My third, well, he played a Conn. All were respectable players. I saw the same delima here when I asked about rod manufacture. The more important factor was just buying a quality rod.

What I am seeing is suggestions of different maritals or designs to offset the need for a larger rod. That is a awesome suggestion and viable option. I really appreashiate your feedback.

THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES!!


And Rex, you are still encourageable.
Posted By: Linecaster

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 12:36 PM

To throw a cat amongst the pidgeons. Consider OPST Commando heads. This method is designed for casting large/heavy flies/lures or as light as dry flies. The lightest head is 150gr for casting with a three weight. I am currently experimenting with a 2 weight CGR.I can easily cast 60 feet plus with a 2 weight TFO 8' Professional. The method is very useful in restricted back casting situations.
Posted By: Fly Fishing Scout

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 03:14 PM

Linecaster, awesome info!!!


That actual leads me to my next question.


What about using a 9wt line?
Posted By: Linecaster

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 05:08 PM

Commando heads/shooting heads are short,10-15feet. Add a tip or long leader, that's it. Must also have a running or shooting line. Either Amnesia or Slickshooter. For a lighter rod 15 or 20 lb. This set up casts like a dream. 60 -80 ' casts. Spey casting is done with longer lines designed for big rivers ie Salmon type fishing. For local lakes and creeks Micro Skagit.
Posted By: Linecaster

Re: Rod weight question - 07/07/18 05:21 PM

Look up OPST Commando heads/Micro Skagit. On YouTube.
Posted By: jrod88

Re: Rod weight question - 07/10/18 02:34 AM

I've been looking at the OPST heads, look like fun, I mean useful.

Something else to consider is rod action, when I was looking at 8wt Helios 3s the manager was telling me he found the F series threw his large flies better than the D model due to the deeper loading. I'm starting to play with +1 line weights and seeing how the heavier line loads differently and turns certain flies over easier.
Posted By: 4Weight

Re: Rod weight question - 07/10/18 03:40 AM

I overweight all my fast action rods plus 1. Note the new Rio lines are plus a half anyway especially the Perception lines which are my favorite lines going.
Posted By: fshng84

Re: Rod weight question - 07/10/18 04:16 AM

Really like the OPST Commando Head on a 5wt-9ft rod I use. Made a video to demo why...
Posted By: BoPro

Re: Rod weight question - 07/12/18 11:58 PM

I love the spey/skagit casting game. I only use my OPST heads for single hand skagit casts with sink tips. I tried it a few times in stillwater, but for me, if I could set my anchor in moving water, the cast was way more fluid. I can't say I enjoy overhead casting shooting heads that are less then 30 ft on any rod.
Posted By: Linecaster

Re: Rod weight question - 07/13/18 02:23 AM

For ponds and creeks, for me, I love the pick up and shoot. The head must not be too long or you then have do a false cast. If you are standing in water the Skagit/Spey cast is the enjoyment and as BoPro said with a sustained water anchors the cast is so enjoyable.
Posted By: Fly Fishing Scout

Re: Rod weight question - 07/31/18 03:15 PM

Originally Posted By: fshng84
Really like the OPST Commando Head on a 5wt-9ft rod I use.


Awesome video. I need to file this on my computer for future referance.

My back is my issue, not the shoulder. When I wake up in the morning and it’s really stiff, castig the fly rod helps more than you can imagine.

With a little help from an awesome instructor, I can achieve 60-70 feet with a 9ft 5wt and 70-80 feet with a 9ft 8wt. Considering the majority of the fish I catch is between the 40-60 foot range, this is good.

Thanks for al the responses!!!

Duane
Posted By: Fly Fishing Scout

Re: Rod weight question - 08/16/18 01:18 PM

Ok, I ended up putting a 9wt line on my 8wt rod to help through the larger bass lures I have. So far it is working very well.

Thanks for all the feedback and input!!!
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