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

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.

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

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.

Thank you. I'll make it a 9wt and see how that works for him.

Joe

Joe Douglas

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

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