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I'm wanting to get started in fly fishing. I'm wondering what I should get as a startup. I want to limit it to about $200. And it has to be from Bass pro. I have a gift card. [sly] I'll mostly be fishing for smallmouth bass. I don't think there are many places for trout in the state I'm in. Indiana. So far I've found a set that has everything, but I'm wondering about quality.
[url "http://www.basspro.com/Wright-&-McGill-Plunge-Fly-Fishing-Rod-and-Reel-Outfit-with-Accessories--9-7/8/product/10210938/"]Wright & McGill Plunge Fly Fishing Rod and Reel Outfit with Accessories - 9' 7/8[/url]
Then this
[url "http://www.basspro.com/White-River-Fly-Shop-Classic-Rod/Classic-Large-Arbor-Reel-Fly-Outfit--Model-WR9084/CLA78/product/10211671/"]White River Fly Shop® Classic Rod/Classic Large Arbor Reel Fly Outfit - Model WR9084/CLA78[/url]
[url "http://www.basspro.com/World-Wide-Sportsman-Deceiver-Rod/Kingfisher-Reel-Complete-Fly-Outfit--9--8-line-weight--4-pieces/product/12091805081411/"]World Wide Sportsman® Deceiver Rod/Kingfisher Reel Complete Fly Outfit - 9' - 8 line weight - 4 pieces[/url]
I'm just wondering what length rod, weight of line and really any info I can find.
Thanks for any help.
Jason
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Jason,
Welcome to the site.
If you look on the second link you posted you will see several links on how to select a fly rod and reel. Looks to be good basic information.
What you get really depends on what you are fishing for. In your case you say small mouth bass. Im guessing that small mouth are not the only fish in the waters you will fish so you want a rod that will handle anything that may come along.
At the least Id say a 9 foot 5/6 wt to start with. I think the 7/8 you posted in the first link might be too heavy.
A lot of these combos do a good job of matching a rod to a reel but where they can lack is a good line. The general consensus is next to the rod the line is the most important part of your set up.
Several of the folks on this forum can give you better detail on what line to use. I generally rely on FG for advice on that and she has not failed me.
If you live near a bass pro go there and ask the people in the shop what works in the areas that you will be fishing. They are probably one of the best sources of information for a start.
Next would be to check and see if the local fly shops pros can give any advice. They are usually one of the best sources of up to date information and what is and is not working in the way of flies.
Lastly but certainly not least check to see if there are any fly clubs in your area. These are the guys in the know and can give you invaluable advice on most anything you have a question on. In particular a lot of them offer free or low cost casting classes and often have group trips to area waters where you can get a lot of help on casting, reading the water, reading the aquatics in the water etc...
Hope this helps.
MacFly
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I would guess any of those would do however for Bass, I feel a shorter rod is better. These are all 9' to 10' in the 6 to 8 weight.
The line is going to be an issue too I think. I use a shorter 6 wt with bass line which is a shorter heavier front taper...not a must but it sure makes it easier.
Not sure how big the bass are you hit but I think 6 is good. the last outfit does offer a 7, that could be nice.
And this line is awesome on a 6 or an 8 weight:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/sage-la...r~p~4209d/
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Thanks for the advice everyone. I probably can't make it to bass pro until Feb or so. But probably won't fish until later than that anyway.
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I feel your pain. I got as basspro card for christmas as well, but no store around for miles so I can't see and touch the stuff[  ]
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from looking at their site, it looks like the money will be spent on the reel. I'm not finding any reels for under $100. Found a few nice looking rods in 6 wt in an 8'6" and a 9' Didn't see any shorter than that. But those were around $90 or so.
Jason
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Actually, the reel should be the least $ of the set up. That White River Intruder would do just fine at $29. It is a just a place to store the line however a fair drag is good. The Line should be the most important thing. You can cast a good line with a broom stick, but I have tried to cast good rods with crap line and it is a nightmare.
In fact, this outfit with a top notch line could be just the ticket
http://www.basspro.com/Bugger-Fly-Outfit...170501027/
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If that setup is good, then can't beat that price. I was willing to go up to $200 for the whole thing. If I match that with the line you posted earlier, then I could almost do the whole thing for under $60
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I do think people get caught up in the extremes of fly fishing. There is a place to start and it can be done for a fair price.
Don't get me totally wrong though. I do believe you get what you pay for. I like the expensive gear for its weight, and beauty, but it is not necessary to catch fish, but a good line and proper presentation is.
Later on down the road, if you really like fly fishing you will be looking into the nicer gear. Just like tools.
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I do like tools. [bobhappy]
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fly fishing is like the flu... once you catch it .. it never goes away... :-)...
btw... you can use the money that FG just saved you and get some good flies.. and tippet.. and leaders.. :-)... see what I mean... :-)
and dont get us started on tying your own flies... :-)
MacFly
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Yeah I like going to bass pro and cabelas and looking at the flies. Some of them are very cool. Just never had anything that could throw them before. I've been watching a bunch of fly fishing videos and I'm really starting to hate winter now. I also found a store not far from me that has a bunch of fly stuff. Little local shop. Now for the sounding stupid part. I know what backing is. I know what line is and leader is. What is a tippet? I notice a lot of these videos seem to be in open water or a place with few overhanging trees. The rivers around here have a lot of trees hanging out over the bank. With my spinning gear I can skip a tube under the limbs and way back by the bank. I'm not sure I can do that with a fly as it seems to be overhanded casting.
Jason
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Tippet connects to the leader then to the fly. Reason is you attach a leader, then attach 12" or more tippet to the end. You can now (and trust me you will) change out flies several time. By the time you hit the knot connecting tippet to leader, time to tie on more. A leader can last a whole season doing this. You need the taper of the leader to turn over the fly properly.
Try asking the specialty shop what flies (BASIC) you will need to target the species you want so you are not buying a bunch that will not produce.
Oh, and to attach tippet to leader, a Triple Surgeon's Knot is easiest, or a blood knot if you have the tool and the time.
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Basically the sequence is backing is attached to the reel .. fly line is attached to the backing... leader is attached to the fly line.. tippet is attached to the leader.. and finally the fly is tied on to the tippet... :-)... only took me about 6 months to learn that sequence.. LOL
Just an FYI .. here is the perfection loop I use for the leader to tippet connection..
[url "http://www.animatedknots.com/perfection/index.php"]http://www.animatedknots.com/perfection/index.php[/url]
and the triple surgeons loop as FG said.. and I think I am switching to this one it is so easy to tie.. :-)
[url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tGA3bzBElE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tGA3bzBElE[/url]
MacFly
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Actually, I don't use a loop to attack tippet to leader. Might cause hinging.
But a little fact, I do use a loop to secure a fly and I do use the Surgeon's because it is so easy as you mentioned.
BUT, to put a loop in a straight line situation, the Perfection is the choice. So if you have a Mono butt section on your fly line, you will want to use the Perfection because it forms a straight loop. A Surgeon's loop kicks to one side.
FG
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Redington makes some great complete outfits. They are balanced and of pretty good quality. Look at the Model 690-2 at this link; if you can get one from Bass Pro, it would be an excellent choice.
http://www.redington.com/fly-fishing-outfits/pursuit/
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I was always told that the perfection is the best connection for leader to tippet connection?? did I get told wrong. :-)
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For Leader to fly line, but tippet to leader, I prefer one knot, no loop.
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Im really embarassing myself here but what knot??
.. all this time I have tied a perfection loop to connect the leader to the tippet ??? no wonder I never catch fish.. >... :-)
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