I've been fishing the beach on the southern Outer Banks (Emerald Isle, NC) for a few years now, all with spinning equipment. As I contemplate retirement early next year, and associated plans to spent more time at the beach, I'd like to get back to some fly fishing -- I used to do quite a bit of it here in central Pennsylvania. As well as the different type of fishing, it would give me an excuse to build some additional rods.

I was looking at the MudHole sale site referenced earlier today on the forum, and am wondering about the suitability of the Cascade RXF9012/13 9' 2pc. 12/13wt. fly blank they're selling for fishing the beach for blues, spanish, and false albies. I know nothing about the blank or what lendth/weight is needed for surf fishing.

Advice please? Thanks in advance.

Bilgee

I fish the OBX North of you. imo, a 12/13 wt would be unnessarily heavy for the beach - both in terms of power and rod weight. I usually fish an 8wt (9' Allstar Austin) or 9 wt (an old T&T factory that won't give up the ghost so that I can justify building a replacement). I like the 8wt for just about every inshore species, plus I do not kill my arm (too much) casting it over the course of the day. If the wind is high and/or I'm chucking and ducking really big Clouser, Decievers, etc, I'll move up to the 9wt.

Some other things: Buy the best reel you can afford (or barely not afford) it is what will bear the brunt of the big fish, buy or make a stripping basket, string a high quality intermediate sinking line, keep your spinning rod for searching for holes and sloughs and days the wind is blowing 30 knots right into you face.

Bil,
I build a lot of flyrods here in New England for surf fisherman, and more and more are looking at a 10' rod that can be handled almost like a spey rod. We have a line of rods that allows our clients to choose a 2 handed extension or fighting butt for the large stripers that are starting to make their fall migration south. 2 handed casting allows a good caster to get 100 feet of line into the water for fish that aren't in the breakers hitting the bunker up here.
A 10' rod gives the angler just enough additional height to get the cast over heavy surf if need be.
9-10-11 wgt rods are the norm for striper, SBFT's, etc. up to 70 pounds.

Steve is correct about the reel and the stripping basket

Hope this helps

OK guys..... I'm gonna jump in here and ask a couple of questions. I have built 2 rods and am in the process of gathering materials and tools to build more at home(I built these through a local fly shop).
I have a friend who is going to Southern Florida this winter for a couple of weeks and he asked if I would build him a fly rod suitable for sea trout, red fish, snook, et al.
Being a new guy, can you give me some ideas of what would make a good flats rod? I would like a couple of ideas if possible, something I can suggest to him so I at least sound semi-intelligent!!!
Sorry Bil, don't mean to bust into your thread, but I thought perhaps both of us could gain something here.
I see from your email you are a Lion....too bad! I am a Spartan!! I only wish I lived closer to PSU so I could take advantage of the fly fishing classes there. I hear they are excellent!

Thanks for any help any of you can provide.

Denny

Thanks Dave and Steve for the info -- to bad to hear what you had to say though, 'cause a $10 on-sale blank would have been great to get. However, I'll listen and wait until a suitable 8 or 9-wt blank appears on sale somewhere in the future.

This forum is great -- there always seems to be someone out there who has the information and/or experience you need and is willing to share!

Bilgee

Dave - thanks for bringing up the 2 handed option. I fished with a guy a couple of summers ago off Charleston SC who was fishing a 11 7wt set up 2 hand. He could put a Clouser on an oyster bar that I could barely see, pick it up if no strike and place it a few feet down the bar without false casting or spooking he fish. Your post brought back up a project to replace the T&T factory with a new 2 hander. I just have to learn to cast it.

Denny - I also get to fish SW FLA and the Keys. In any flats skiff you will usually find a whole arsenal of rods strung and ready to cast. But I think most guys down there would say that if they could only have one rod with them it would be a fast action 9' 8wt (some dedicated Bone guys might say 7wt). This is one of the reasons I built my Austin. I included a REC AL seat with fighting butt and used Fuji SIC Ti frame guides. imo, it is a great set up for Snook in mangroves. The only times it is not what I use is when the wind is really up or bigger Tarpon are being targeted.

Steve...
Thanks for the input. This certainly helps! This gives me something to suggest.

Stupid question.... would I change the guides away from single foot to something different? Is there a style of guide that may be better than another? I would suspect the handle and seat would be more personal preference for him than something "standard" so I am not too concerned about that.

This is a great site...I am learning something everytime I come in here!!

Bil - sorry.... I should have said Nitnay Lion!!

Denny Fosburg