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Fly rod for Pike
Posted by:
Joe Douglas
(---.static.vsat-systems.net)
Date: July 17, 2009 04:54PM
As you know, I build tons of fly rods...for trout. I have a client who wants a fly rod for large Pike. Any suggestions on blank, line weight, setup, etc, would be appreciated.
Thanks, Joe Joe Douglas Re: Fly rod for Pike
Posted by:
Bob Riggins
(---.se.biz.rr.com)
Date: July 17, 2009 05:09PM
The best saltwater rod I have is on a Batson Rainshadow RX8+ blank. It should be perfect for pike. The blank is fairly expensive, but I know of one supplier that has some 8wts for 50% off. At that price, its a steal. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/17/2009 05:10PM by Bob Riggins. Re: Fly rod for Pike
Posted by:
les cline
(---.dsl.kscymo.swbell.net)
Date: July 17, 2009 07:53PM
I've built pike fly rods on St Croix 8 and 9 weights. This is a good weight rod for pike to throw some heavier flies and leaders. (It is a misnomer, IMO, that you must use large flies for pike...in my experience I have caught my largest on 4-inch Clousers and Deceivers, and bunny flies no longer than 6-inches.) There are times when it is good to use a sink tip section and the beefier rod helps throw that, too. I might go with a 9 weight if I were going to be fishing more with a sink tip. Either weight will handle the largest pike you can trick into biting.
I used doublefoot stripper #12 with singlefoot #10 (both SIC) with TiCh singlefoot guides #8 out to and including the tip. I think it would have made a better rod to have used singlefoot ceramics instead and smaller ring size, AND the addition of a 'line tamer' guide, but that's what keeps me coming back. I used eleven guides with a progressive spacing to follow the natural rod bend. A note about the TiCh singlefoots is that they sit so low it is easy to have the epoxy run into and through the guide itself. This happened on my 8 weight and I can see some wear where the flyline has rubbed...but it seems not to affect the rod in any other noticeable way. For me, I like a little larger handle (19 to 20 mm) because it is less tiring to grip when false casting all day. Using a fly rod for pike can be killer...especially when they are up on a shallow point or in the grass...I can present a lure to them much better, and slower, than someone throwing a spoon or spinnerbait. Its a blast!! Les Re: Fly rod for Pike
Posted by:
Spencer Phipps
(---.ptld.qwest.net)
Date: July 18, 2009 01:14PM
I agree with Les, my 9 wt works better on pike. Dahlberg divers in the lengths Les mentions also work well. Suprisingly, to me, the smaller Dahlberg Diver in purple and purple/black worked very well on big rainbows in the same waters. Re: Fly rod for Pike
Posted by:
Joe Douglas
(---.static.vsat-systems.net)
Date: July 18, 2009 04:54PM
Thank you. I'll make it a 9wt and see how that works for him.
Joe Joe Douglas Re: Fly rod for Pike
Posted by:
les cline
(---.dsl.kscymo.swbell.net)
Date: July 20, 2009 12:49AM
He'll like a 9 weight and also have it to use if he goes for bonefish, reds, or permit someday.
Good luck with your build! (Post a picture of it when you are done...I'd like to see it) Les Re: Fly rod for Pike
Posted by:
Paul Rotkis
(---.gci.net)
Date: July 22, 2009 01:09AM
I would like to echo the 9 foot 9 weight choice. Anything less than an 8 in a 15 knot wind throwing a Dahlberg and the customer will be hating life.
Paul Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
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