I asked for advice a few weeks ago regarding a friend interested in occasional trips to bonefish. He has injuries that prevent fly fishing, but still wants to use light lures. I built an 8 wt. fly blank set up as a spinning rod. It will cast 1/8th ounce 80ft. Is this all I can expect? Was this the wrong approach? If you guys can get me squared away I would really appreciate the help.

IMO, using a 8wt to cast 1/8 ounce is about right. Two reasons, that is a pretty heavy blank for 1/8 ounce AND it is difficult to get too much more distance with a lure that light.

I wouldn't have used a fly rod blank for that application. A very light popping rod or the lightest hot shot rod might have been better, although as Jim said, with just 1/8th ounce, you're only going so far.

...............

The problem I had is keeping the sections under 30 inches. Tom, if you can point me towards a multipiece light popping or hot shot blank, I would love to try that.
thanks

I understand. In that case you may have done all you can do. I think a lighter fly blank might do better with such a small amount of weight. I'm guessing that your 8-weight is going to do better with about 3/8th to 1/2 ounce.

...................

There are several sponsors that offer three piece travel rods that are rated for that weight. Most will be 7' or less. Forecast SB series as an example. Line weight from 6# -12#

Charles -

IF I remember correctly, you needed REALLY short sections ... less than 24". My favorite bonefish travel rod only breaks down to 29" and with the case 32".

I agree with Tom, you have most likely done all that can be done. IF you dropped to a 6wt, for example, you most likely wouldn't have enough strength to handle the bigger bones of the Keys - not to mention other possible catches.

Jim -

Jim,
I mught be able to work with sections of that length. Would you mind sharing your blank selection?
thanks
charlie

Ditto on that too Jim. I need a new UL rod. That is if I can find a true UL spinning reel (150 yards of 4# mono) that will last in the salt.

My favorite light inshore travel blank is the St Croix SC2 Inshore 2SW70MLF3, the matching case is RC32.

As far as a UL travel blank ... what length, there are plenty out there.

With respect to a "saltwater" tolerant UL spinning reel, the new Shimano Stradic CI4 1000 at 6.2 ounces is tough to beat at the price. Another option without totally smashing the piggybank, the Team Daiwa Fuego 1000.

As stated above, 1/8 oz is a pretty light lure weight to cast long distances, and the further from the rod tip the lure travels, the more line it is dragging behind it. This will, of course, limit the casting distance because the light lure does not have enough mass to sustain its forward momentum.

The larger the line diameter, the more drag, and the shorter the casting distance.

Personally, I think 80' is a pretty decent cast with a 1/8 oz lure. You can get a longer cast by going to a lighter blank and smaller line, but you are going to sacrifice the ability to turn a large fish.

One possibility would be to look at a rod's action. Some members of this board (far more intelligent than I) could probably tell you the optimum action (fast, ex. fast, med. fast, med., slow) to deliver the most casting distance with the same lure weight and line diameter. That might also be something to think about.

Russell, what is your definition of a true UL reel? I think there a number of reels that will fit your requirements. Daiwa Fuego 1500. Or is that too heavy at 6.5 ounces or so? Many similar sized reels, or even smaller.

Charles, depends on what type of 1/8 oz lure you are using, and line type/test. You may want to try Fireline 4 lbs with a thicker leader if you need it? 8wt seems a bit heavy but then, he may be really whipping that rod hard so that it loads on itself....

Mo

Thanks guys. I didn't mean to thread steal. More of a comment on how digusted I was after taking apart a reel (Abu) I recently purchased.

I guess I'm too cheap for my own good. I gets my goat to have to pay more for a decent little spinning reel than for a serious deep sea convential reel.

Take a look at Shimano. I got a little 500 I use for UL fishing. Loaded with 4 LB braid Love it

Bill - willierods.com

IMO your blank selection was correct for the weight.
Multiple piece blanks can't be expected to be as efficient as a single piece but if the requirement is a short length you're forced to use them.
An 80 foot cast is respectable with an 1/8 ounce weight but if it falls short you could reduce the weight and number of guides and use the lightest tip top available. This may shorten guide and line life but nothing come's for free.
The goal woul be to increase tip velocity at release to achieve the most kinetic energy.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2009 08:03PM by Eugene Moore.

Well...that got me going. Could you explain the part about multi piece blanks not being as "efficient" as a one piece? My 3 piece travel rods catch just as many fish just as "efficiently" as the one piece. Maybe it's just a choice of wording, but what do you mean? Not a hijack, just curious.

Also why are builders asking for mulity piece rods ?? [rodbuilding.org]

Another good read: [rodbuilding.org]

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2009 10:12AM by bill boettcher.

Grant,
The 1-piece rod is the most efficient because there are no couplings between pieces.
This creates a rod that's lighter and more efficient at transmitting torque from the butt to the tip in the straightest possible path.
Couplings add weight at fixed points in the blank that add to the total energy lost from the cast.
Connections aren't 100% efficient. Nothing made by man exists at that level of accuracy. Even a rigid connection has energy losses.
Ever had a rod seperate at the connection ? This is the result of energy being transmitted from one section to the other and some being lost in the process. Inefficient.
I understand the need for convience but opt for the minimum number of pieces my customer will allow.

If you wish to pursue this further, Please open another thread

Eugene Moore

I find myself prefering multi pc, myself. I have found no "detectable" difference and neither has anyone that has fished with mine. I'm beginnging to classify that as a Mmyth" I'm sure there is a minute difference but, IMO, it's imperceptable in todays blanks

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

My preference for sales and personal use ... ABB rods (Already Been Broken) or Multi-Piece rods. This seems to keep the clients, and myself, from feeling the need to reduce the overall length for transportation and storage.

IF the rods/blanks were connected to the right testing equipment, I am sure that measurable differences exist. However, in the bare hand ... nothing is detectable in my experience. To date, no client has returned a multi-piece build OR labeled it as inferior.

Jim -