I know there are a ton of experienced anglers and rod builders who regularly use this site so I am curious to see what your opinions are.

I am going to build a fly rod for my father who would like a rod for large mouth and small mouth fishing (and occasionally northern pike). He currently has an 8.5 or 9 foot 8 wt older fiberglass rod. Needless to say it is quite heavy in comparison to the newer graphite rods. The two main considerations for picking a blank are weight and action. He likes to cast large poppers and such and would like a fast action rod. Is a 7 wt to light for these large flies? I would like to build a lighter rod but not if it compromises his ability to fish these larger flies

So I guess my questions are as follows:

Would you recommend a 7 or 8 wt?

Do you have any blanks you particularly like and would be willing to recommend?

By the way, he almost alway fishes from a boat so for length should I go with a 9 foot blank?

Thanks to all.

I am building a rod for a friend in Florida. He fishes from a Sit On Top Kayak in a nearby lake where the Bass are healthy and run up 8 lbs and more. He has fly fished for years for Stripers and freshwater Bass and was specific in requesting a 4 piece rod in the 7-8 weight class. I chose to build on an Allstar Elite 908-4 which I bought from Andy Dear at the Charlotte Show last year. I really should run the CCS on it but I can tell it is faster than a Forecast of the same designation. The blank is very straight and I am confident the rod will give my friend the advantage he needs to turn the head of those Bass. If Andy (Lamar Reel Seats in the Sponsor List ) has more of these blanks you can't beat the bang for the buck.
Dave

Personally I like a slower action 7 weight rod for bass fishing. I find it easier to cast large flies with them. I like a rod made using IM6 graphite if I can find one. PacBay used to sell an inexpensive blank but I think now they have done away with the IM6 and gone to an IM7 blank. What I am telling you is only my opinion and the IM6 works well with my style of casting. I do own a couple of fast action blanks which I use when it is windy. I tried a TFO factory rod which was a 7 weight but the rep had it loaded with 8 wwight line. The day we were casting it was somewhat windy and it was very easy to cast. I think TFO now sells their blanks.

OOPS!!!
I meant to say the Allstar Elite Blank is a 7 weight ... not an 8 weight. Sorry for the confusion.
BEF 907-4
Dave

If he wants to fish pike with it as well, go with the 8 wt. The flies we use for Northerns are much more problematic to cast on windy days in open water when you're shooting for distance than the poppers we use for largemouth. The 7 wt would be fine for most large mouth poppers. For smallies I like something lighter but it depends on the average fish size that you will be encountering. Just remember that you can use a larger rod for smaller flies but you can't easily use a smaller rod and line wt. for larger more wind resistant flies. A 9 ft in fast to moderate fast action would be ideal.

Ellis, a lot of the TFO rods tend to run on the powerful side and such work well when overlined by a weight higher for most normal casting distances. That rep knew what he was doing.

I agree with Dave Gilberg on the Allstar 7's. I got two from Andy. I have tied up one for myself and am making one for a good personal friend. We will use these to fish for redfish or bass. It is my favorite fly rod at the present time. I checked Pac Bay and they still make an IM6 in the Tradition II series. It is an inexpensive blank with the action similar to the Allstars, moderately fast. I am comparing them with an old Loomis which is a canon.

I made a 9'6" 8wt for salmon/steelhead on big rivers with long heavy sink tips. Found it was perfect as well for big bass poppers. It is a St. Croix SCIV, fast action, very powerful, and shoots those big poppers like a bullet with pin point accuracy.

I would be going with the 8 weight. Especially if there are going to be Pike in the mix. For big bugs and bunnies I really think you need a 8 weight. Bunnies get heavy when they're wet.

Look at the Scientific Anglers Pike taper line. Its got a heavy head and really delivers the groceries.





Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

If northerns will be thrown into the mix, and some are particularly large in your area, I would negate the 7wt completely and look more towards an 8 or 9wt. I live up in PA (Erie to be exact) right on the lake. I fish a lot of my time on presque isle, particularly the bay side. We have a tremendous smallmouth fishery, and a majority of those fish some into the bay to spawn. They average anywhere from 4-8lbs and are tough as nails. Springtime is the best time to target northerns as well as the weed growth isnt bad yet. I'll only throw a 9wt during this time. The 4lb smallies even give the 9 wt a workout. in the summer ill transition to an 8wt for top water bass. Its probably worth noting that we throw some pretty big bugs for both the smallies and northerns usually nothing smaller than size 4 flies. Most often its 2/0 clousers and bunny leaches. Take a look at the Dan Craft FTs as part of your selection. Awesome blanks and you can toss these big flies a country mile pretty easily w/ em.
Kyle