Fly Fishing - Fly Rod, 4 Weight

Fisherone

I'm looking for a new "all around" salt water fly rod. I say "all around" because I do NOT have the money to buy more than 1 rod at this time. I will, I think, primarily be going for stripers, blues, and bonito.
What weight?
What line? Sinking? Intermediate?
What difference does the number of pieces make?
Which rod?
Which Reel?

This doesn't have to be ( indeed... since I really shouldn't break the bank right now ) the rod of my lifetime. It doesn't have to be the absolute cutting edge. I'm just looking for something sturdy and fairly light that's nice and responsive. I don't want to have to worry that I might break it if I hook a big fish... Should I go a little heavier? 9 wt?
I'd love any and all opinions on this. I'm new to buying gear. Thanks in advance.

gerry · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject: Salt water Rod

First of all, ask yourself what kind of fishing am I gonna do?. If your looking to general duty type of gear i.e. most anything but Surf Casting, then look for anything between an 8 wt and 10 wt rod. I use a 9 wt. Orvis silver label rod ( a few years old) with a Tibor reel . I have separate spare spools for floating line and sinking tip. Any decent outfitter will set you up with a balanced outfit. You want something with a fighting butt on the rod and a reel that'll hold up to the exposure of sand & salt(sealed bearing dis drag). If your gonna do heavy fishing than go for something 12-14 wt. That'll give you the "punch" you need in windy surf conditions. You can get real good stuff that'll hold up for about 300 clams. However many pieces the rod is , is up to you. If your traveling a lot &space is an issue , than get an 8 piece. If space doesn't make a difference four or two is fine . We're talking 9' rods. In the big stuff you can go as high as 14'. Get appropriate line for where your fishing & what you're fishing. Again, a good shop will put you on that. I always try to work with a customer within their budget,

Zeebaars · Newbie Joined: Jul 17, 2008 Posts: 10

consider a 9-weight TFO TiCr X rod. a good pricing , not the best you can get , but for the money a very good rod.

Zeebaars

gerry · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:30 am Post subject: Rod Recs

Bean's sells a 9wt "Streamlight" outfit for under 200 bucks. Rod ,reel ,& line. These are the rods they use in their Fly Fishing Schools. I tried one, cast pretty good and a decent reel, for the $$.

jeremy · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:49 am Post subject: fly rod tool

Hey .. You may find this tool useful .. pretty sweet technology ... It is a "fly rod selector" tool that orvis built where you can choose a rod based on combinations of various factors such as price, species, line weight etc... might be helpful?

http://www.orvis.com/fly-rods

Fisherone · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject: Thanks

Hey guys. Thanks for all the insight. I guess it just comes down to personal preference. Much appreciated.