[Hipshot]

Hi Guys, I'm not a new fly caster, have been fishing for trout 20yrs. I would like to have a salt water set up ready if I hit a school of ****tail blues or rat stripers. QUESTION-I have a South Bend Finalist model 1144 (over 20yrs. old but new) which has a 3'' diameter spool and a nylon drag. Can I use this with an inexpensive rod (maybe Cortland) in 8 or 9 wt. I was thinking a 9' rod. I don't want to get crazy with salt water fly fishing, I just want to have a usable, inexpensive setup handy!
Thanks in advance!
Hipshot

 

[grouse789]

hey there,
well, if your reel can hold about 100 yards of backing then by all means go out and get some 9 or 10 wt fly line.. i say 10 wt because 9 out 0f 10 times its windy on the salt , and that 10 wt helps get your flies thru the wind. now about rods.. fenwick makes some good low end rods, and they back them up in warranty(ive busted a few) also go to e bay ..there are ppl there that build rods and sell them, and there are some great ones out there..stay away from G loomis..it was my biggest rod and all but broke 4 times on me..but they always replaced it free..lol well good luck

 

[strip]

Hipshot...

As far as the reel doing the job on "****tails and rat-bass" ....no problem......now should a good fish come along .....
I don't know the reel ,but, knowing South Bend I wouild venture a guess that the salt will eat it up real quick.

But hey I have I've been there and done that and had alot of fun til it was time for a new reel.

 

[Hipshot]

Thanks for the replys guys! What type fly line would you recommend? Can I get away with a plain floating weight foward line or do I need something special? Remember, this will only be used to cast to breaking fish! If I get the bug I can always upgrade later. I have no problem laying out money for good fishing tackle as long as i'm sure i'm going to use it!
Hipshot
P.S. Grouse789,
I have two G.Loomis trout rods and I love them, but I baby them-no problems so far! I've had them about 15yrs.

 

[Jaiem]

A weight-forward (WF) line should be OK but a saltwater taper line would be best. It's designed more with the weight better distributed for the ususllay larger flies we use in the salt. Like a bass bug taper is made for casting larger bass (freshwater) flies. I don't think you need a specialty taper (like a striper taper) line just yet.

Get a floating or intermidiate line. That will handle most casting-to-fish situations.

I agree about the backing. However, be sure to use 100 yards of 30# backing. Don't use 20#! It's just too light.

Jaiem
ArtsNFlies.com

 

[Hipshot]

Thanx for the comeback Jaiem,
I was going to ask about the backing! Should I use dacrom, mono or if they even make it nylon? I know what you mean about heavy flies-I alwaus had a bit of a problem casting weighted nymphs and streamers! How about leaders-what# test?
Thanks in advance Hipshot