I'm going to make a 7 or 8 wt fly rod for bass(largemouth). I'm looking at the rainshadow RX7 or Five rivers FT. I currently use a St. Croix sc iv 6 wt(before ipc) and when there's wind (almost always where I live) or casting bigger bugs it makes casting a little more challenging than I'd like. Any thoughts on either of these two choices or any other ideas would be appreciated.

go with the 8wt it will help throw the big bugs...and cortland makes a bass taper line its in their precision line that has a heavier front taper that makes it even easier to make good casts with. I'd also use double strippers to try and eliminate line slap. redid a 8 wt I built a few years back and put 2 strippers on it and I can tell a difference.

I too like the 8 wts better, in really tough conditions I use a 10 wt. The RX7 would be more like your St Croix, but the FT would give you much more reserve power when fighting the fish. My favorite way to fish LM is with sliders in the pads, followed by a deadly technique of a full sink line and a floatant soaked hair bug. Let the line pull the bug under than let it rise back up off the bottom. Something I picked up from Homer Circle fishing in Florida.

Either and 8wt or 10wt will work great; if wind is a consistent problem give the 10 a serious thought. I really like the idea Spencer gave, the sinking line + floating bug! I am already anxious to try it next summer.

To add an idea to this conversation, try using a foam bodied minnow imitation, I think it is one of Clouser’s, the Clouser Floating Minnow or something like that, I forget the actual name.

It is supper east to put together: tie in a clump of your favorite tail material at the bend, and then whip finish immediately. The original fly used buck tail, I like marabou for the extra movement. Next take two of the small pre-shaped floating foam bodes that bluegill fisherman use to make beetle and cricket bodies and glue them either side of the tail clump. You can leave the ends pointed or rounded for a slider; or trim them at an angle for a popper or floater/diver action. It takes less time to construct the fly than it took me to type this message. If you get into pickerel they will leave teeth marks in the foam, of course, but even then the things hold up remarkably well, and they never loose buoyancy. I can’t wait to try this out with Spencer’s Idea!

Randy,
Use the FT 907 4pc - not the 8wt. The rod works best with a 9wt inter line or a 10wt floater - I use recoils for running guides and, very important, REC recoil tip-top also.. The 8wt needs a 10wt inter and an 11wt float to load.
The 7wt is the sweetest of the FT line. I have them all from 5wt to 10wt. If you want to throw an 8wt with an FT go with the 5wt. The 6wt's tip is too soft for bugs.
Herb

I prefer a 9 foot 9 wt. The absolute best of both worlds, especially when the wind comes up and you have to throw a big Dahlberg. The 7 WT may feel inadequate. But with your choices, go with the 8.

Paul

Years ago, somewhere around the 88-90 I was assisting some friends at the Sportsman's Show in San Mateo, CA. The fish tank had a bunch of nice bass, but as usual they were really off the feed.
Just for kicks I went to the Umpqua Feather Merchant booth and talked them out of a bumble bee yellow hair bug popper and cutting off the hook I threw the above set up in the tank. I had 6 takes in one pass and a little 13 incher grabbed to bug and wouldn't let go, I had him completely out of the water for a few seconds before he released the bug. The people there couldn't believe it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/08/2007 09:00AM by Spencer Phipps.

Are there any other blanks I may want to check into?
Spencer, I'm going to have to try out the floatant soaked hair bug.

My preference is the Rainshadow RX8-unbeatable performance for the $$ in my opinion.

paul

Check out the CTS Affinity MX 9' - 4 pc. - 8 wt. I think Fishsticks4u still has one in stock. I've got a 7 wt. that I've used on the New River throwing some big bugs for big smallies. The 8 wt. might be better for big largemouth. Fantastic bass rod. Lighter and better performance than anything I've ever used.