Moving into saltwater fly fishing can sometimes seem a tall order for anglers who have spent time fishing fresh water. Not only are the techniques a bit more demanding (casting, fish fighting, etc.) but also the task of gearing up with the proper rods and reels can seem overwhelming. However, I’m here to suggest that getting set up for the saltwater fly fishing game is really not that complicated. The key factor is choosing a well balanced and versatile saltwater rod and reel for the type of saltwater fly fishing you’ll be doing. For example, the east coast striper fly fisherman will require a different outfit than will the west coast surf perch fisherman, and the guy interested in catching redfish in the Louisiana marsh will have a different rig than the angler casting to bonito off a jetty in Southern California. Here are my suggestions:
The Rod
Starting with the rod. A 7 or 8 weight rod is the perfect starter rod for the beginning saltwater fly fisherman, heavy enough to punch a saltwater fly into a stiff wind, yet light enough to cast all day. There are many great rod manufactures on the market today. Sage (sageflyfish.com), Loomis (gloomis.com), Hardy (hardyfishing.com), Scott (scottflyrod.com) and the very affordable Temple Fork (tforods.com) all make outstanding product and should be considered when purchasing a saltwater fly rod. However, the new Orvis (orvis.com) H2 9 foot 8 weight stands out as an outstanding casting and fish-fighting rod. The H2 has an excellent casting range and really hits its stride when making a cast 40 ft or longer. I prefer the mid flex model because it give me more control of my cast however, the H2 tip flex stands out for its speed and accuracy at longer distances. The H2 as a fish fighting tool has the power to put some serous heat on fish once hooked. I’ve landed a number of very large fish (over 30 lbs) on the H2 and found that for an 8 weight it performed like a 10 when matched against bigger game fish.
The reel
So many choices…
I believe selecting a saltwater fly reel is more difficult than choosing the correct rod! Remember, the reel is the most important link in successfully landing a trophy saltwater fish. The reel needs to be 1) light enough to balance out a fly rod. 2) The reel must have components such as a well place drag knob that can be easily reached and manipulated. 3) An oversized reel handle for better leverage while reeling in a fish. 4) Finally and most importantly a strong and smooth drag system.
The drag system is the checkrein of a good saltwater reel; it is essential in controlling the powerful surge of a game fish determined to escape in a hard-fought battle, a situation that would quickly destroy even the most expensive and best-designed fresh-water fly reel. I suggest going with what is tested and trued! A sealed disk drag system of either rulon or graphite will stand up to the saltwater elements and long strong fights often made by the saltwater game fish. Many of the stacked-disc-drag fly reels on today’s market are outstanding and require little special maintenance. The two companies who have really produced great product in recent years are Orvis (orvis.com) and Hatch (hatchoutdoors.com). The Orvis Mirage is an outstanding sealed drag system at a very reasonable price. Hatch was one of the first companies to produce a very reliable and outstanding sealed drag fly reel. While they may cost a little more they are well worth the investment.
Used by many of today’s professionals, the cork-drag reel is a most powerful drag system; however, this reel requires a bit more TLC. Oiling and lubricating the cork-drag is essential to the retaining of the drag’s excellent action. After the purchase of one of these excellent reels, it is advisable that the buyer pay close attention to instructions to ensure the reel’s upkeep. If you are considering purchasing one of these reels no company does it better than Abel (abelreels.com) and Tibor (tiborreel.com).
The fly rod and reel are a life time investment. Try out as many products as you can. Don’t be hasty with your purchase. Once you find the perfect salt water rod and reel, the fishing part becomes a little easier—just a little!
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