Fly Fishing - Fly Rod: Best Rod For Snook, Redfish & Sea Trout?

EMARF · Location: Sarasota.FL

Hi what weight rod would I need for these fish ,I was thinking 8 or 9 weight any help would be great

MarshallD · Location: Naples, Fl

emarf,

You'll be fine with an 8 or 9. Fast action rods may cast better in the wind, as there is little leisurely open loop slow casting that is successful at delivering a fly into a pocket in the Mangroves....etc. Wink

Good fishing!

EMARF · Location: Sarasota.FL

thanks for info I'm a new-b to fly fishing changing over from spin any help would be great thanks

EMARF · Location: Sarasota.FL

Two of the rods I'm looking at are the St Croix Imperial T909.2 fast action and the St Croix Rio Santo rs 908.2 med fast
plus what size flies would I use for trout , snook, redfish thanks again

MarshallD · Location: Naples, Fl

keep in mind that a 4-piece will travel easier on a plane....and, I don't think you will notice any difference in action between 4-piece and 2-piece.

there is NO substitute for casting practice except going fishing often, and going fishing doesn't always improve your casting. I still practice and i'm 63. I have noticed a huge improvement in my casting since I have been actively practicing.

hit targets at 20, 30, 40, 60 feet and go out and do this when it's windy. You'll push the rod and improve.

Best of luck.
Marsh

flymaw · Location: SC

I would go with the 4 piece. In terms of weight I like the 8 but I have a 9wt Loomis in the boat too. I have a Legend Ultra 8wt it costs a little more but I love it. Also when you buy a reel consider getting an extra spool. I use intermediate for trout and it out fishes the floater. I am in the process of getting a large arbor for a 6wt I have and putting either a sink tip or intermediate on it and making it my trout stick.

Another tip while your making the transition is that when you fish leave your spinning rods at home. Cause a lot of people i meet trying to get started will bring spinning rods and get frustrated with the fly rod and put it away for the day.

gunner · Location: Monmouth, ME & Hudson, FL

I posted some links to Tampa Bay area flyfishing clubs in your question about flies. All of those clubs have casting classes. If you are just getting started in flyfishing, do yourself a big favor and take a class. It will help greatly, plus you'll get to make some friends that may show you some good spots. Good luck and let us know how you do; I'll be looking forward to your posts; I go to that area during the winters.
Joe

biscayne · Location: Miami Biscayne Bay

EMARF,
If you’re just starting off, I would look into the TFO rods. They are relatively inexpensive and they are a great rod for the money. Try the TICR or the TICRX 8 wt rod. There is no need too spend six or seven hundred dollars on a rod when you’re starting off. I would check out E-bay, you can always get a good deal on there.

I highly recommend taking Casting Lessons and practice as much as you can.

Capt Raul Montoro
Biscayne Bay, Upper Keys, Flamingo

EMARF · Location: Sarasota.FL

thanks for all the info - biscayne I'm also looking at TFO RODS , professional and TiCr X, the professional has a med fast action and the TiCr X has a fast action which would be better thanks

biscayne · Location: Miami Biscayne Bay

All my rods are fast action tapers. A fast action rod will help you with larger flies and windy conditions.

Keep in mind that one rod is not going too do it all for you, but an 8 wt is a great size rod too start off with.

Capt Raul Montoro
Biscayne Bay, Upper Keys, Flamingo

c-hip · Location: San Diego, California

For the best value look into Diamondback/Flawless rods, and the new Echo3. Flawless rods will be discontinued but if you can find one they are less than $300 and perform comparably with high end rods costing twice as much. I have an Flawless 10 weight that I have caught tarpon in the 10K islands with. No problem! Casting with it is awesome, and has enough backbone to turn fish. The Echo3 rods are the best for your money. I had a chance to cast them and their performance was nearly as good as my Loomis rods. I have put thought into selling my Loomis rods and buying twice as many Echo3's... In all honesty, if I had cast the Echo3 first, I would have gone with it. Similar performance at nearly half the cost. By the way, my casting ability is such that I am very good 65 feet and closer, and enough line speed to throw 90 feet but without enough juice to lay the line out, just collapses at the the leader. Find a place to test drive the Echo3. You won't be disappointed.