How to Choose a Fly Rod

Every now and then I get a request from the readers to get back to my roots and write something about fly fishing. Well, after thinking about that for a while, I thought of a topic that might be of some interest to the angler new to the world of fly fishing...the fly rod.

There are several facts of life that every one must grasp- one being that nobody can escape death and taxes and another one being that a fly fisherman cannot cast a fly line much less catch a fish without a rod. And, because Texas has so many species of fish to pursue, it is difficult to get by with only one rod. The choices available or of course unlimited, but if I had to narrow the playing field down to three setups I would have to say that anglers wanting to sample all of the opportunities that Texas has to offer should carry three outfits- 6wt, 8wt, and 11wt. The 6wt and 8wt would be for most of the inshore species; redfish, trout, drum, flounder, and sheepshead. The 11wt is for fishing the bigger inshore species such as tarpon, sharks, and jacks, as well as several of the species that might be encountered offshore. These three rigs should cover most situations on the Texas coast however, there is one other rod that has its place and that is the 9wt.

While it is the one rod/line weight that I do not personally own, it is probably the most versatile. It is not so big that playing a redfish is not fun and it is, in a skilled angler's hands, able to land jacks, small tarpon, and even decent sized cobia in offshore waters. The 9wt does have its downfalls of course. The heavier line weight makes it difficult to deliver a fly in the calmest and skinniest of waters (where the 6wt excels) and it is not quite tuff enough to tackle the big boys such as a 50 lbs plus tarpon (where the 11wt is necessary). It is also a good choice for fishing the jetties when an angler is limited to carrying only one rod and does not know what he/she might encounter.

With these things in mind it is time to go shopping. For the experienced angler that fishes a great deal and travels a considerable amount, this might not mean more that opening up the tackle closet or going out to the garage. But, for the angler new to fly fishing or has been fishing trout streams all of his or her life, this probably means a trip to the fly shop.

I have several rules that I live by as a fishing guide and two of those rules, as they apply to tackle are- I will not buy a fly rod that I have not cast first and I will not own, promote, endorse, or fish with a product that I do not believe in. With this being said, I will always try new products and be looking for something that is better than what I am currently using. I personally own rods in sizes ranging from a 4wt up to 12wt and are made by several different manufactures such as Sage, Scott, Loomis, Orvis, and St. Croix. They are all quality products and I have chosen specific rods that fit my style of casting and feel good to me. Also, because they are made by companies that are reputable and established they all have exceptional warranties- something that I feel is important.

When choosing a fly rod, the most important thing to consider is- will the rod be able to land the species pursued and then will it be ale to deliver the size fly necessary to dupe the fish?

While I have already mentioned the rods that I choose to fish with, I realize that there is a matter of personal preference as to what rod to use, so I have posted a chart below to cover all of the bases and to help anglers determine what rod is right for the conditions and the fish they will pursue.

---------------

6wt- Use for most inshore species up to about 10 lbs when the breeze is light or when a delicate presentation is needed. I do not recommend a 6wt for summertime fishing because the extended fight on the lighter rod will often stress fish in the hot water to the point that they will not survive after being released.

7wt- A good all around rod for redfish, trout, sheepshead and smaller drum on the flats and is a good choice in place of a 6wt or 8wt.

8wt- The perfect rod for fishing all inshore species except tarpon, jack crevalle and sharks. It handles the breezy days well and is still light enough to make a somewhat delicate presentation.

9wt- Good for fishing for bull reds in the bays but still not too heavy to take to the flats. Also good for fishing sinking lines at the jetties and in the surf for bull reds, small jacks, and small tarpon. It is also good for some light offshore action.

10wt- Great for fishing for larger species at the jetties and for casting large fly patterns for 25 lbs plus jacks and large redfish in the bay. Also a great choice for kingfish and cobia when fishing offshore.

11wt or 12wt- The rod of choice for fishing tarpon, large jacks and sharks.

---------------

Once the angler has chosen a rod size, it is time to start casting rods to find one that suits the angler's style of casting. I personally like rods that have a slower action for fishing under most conditions, however I will move to a rod with a faster action when it gets breezy. As for what other anglers like, well that is totally up to them, although I do recommend a slower rod action for the beginning fly caster.

Before I go, I do want to mention one last thing. If you are new to the sport of fly fishing, I highly recommend seeking the guidance and help of a qualified casting instructor or tackle rep before making a purchase of an expensive fly rod. These individuals will be able to assess your abilities and recommend a product that is appropriate.

Anyway, hope I was able to help.