okay, so I want to build myself a fly rod for bass. Obviously the flies are on the large side. I'm thinking that I want a rod under 8 feet. Distance of cast isn't a concern. I'll be using this on a farm pond. I'm partial to lighter tackle, but I need something that can handle those big flies and wind. Suggestions?

Give Bob at Custom Tackle a call. He's very knowlegable and will talk your ear off, but listen to every word. He knows his stuff.

Bob at Custom Tackle got me into a St Croix SCIV 9 foot 7 weight that tyrned out to be a very nice rod for bass.

Call Bob alot of knowledge at the other end of the phone line

Sean,

For 'all around' small waters:

6 wt rod.

8 wt. line if there is wind or larger flies for your farm pond.

8 foot is a good length for an 'all around' pond bass rod.

Since I do a LOT of fly fishing for bass, I treat it just like I did when I fished with conventional tackle...I have about fifteen rods, many of them for specific techniques. Rods from 6 1/2 to 9 feet, weights from 2 to 10. Each serves a purpose.

Now, if I was going to fish a farm pond,I'd use a 3 wt. most of the time....but I like light tackle bass fishing.

Buddy

I'm partial to light tackle too. I have casting rods that most bass fisherman wouldn't touch. I have 3 wt. and 4 wt flyrods. I've never had much luck with small flies (I know this is a rod building site, but maybe some help with what flies you are using on your light tackle would be helpful). I don't have anything to handle those large bass bugs, so I was thinking a 6wt.

btw, the farm pond I fish on has lots of bass over 8 lbs. I've hooked some big catfish on my 3 wt. rod. That's a blast. Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm sorry. I didn't notice the name on the previous post. I'm excitedly awaiting the offerings you mentioned in another thread.

Sean,
Have you looked at the www.byrdultrafly.com site? Bill has a lot of light flyrod bass info there.
Stan Fagerstrom here on the west coast has done a few articles on bass fly fishing and the fly patterns used. You should find them with a Google search probably. If not let me know and I'll see if I can come up with something.

Thanks. Those are great resources.