I (think I) know that for the smallest and most delicate flys you would want a 1-3 weight. I know as the flys get bigger and more wind resistant ,and the conditions more windy, you need to step up in size. It goes without saying that if the fish gets big enough you need something with the back bone to handle him.

But what about the other side of it? What happens if you have a 12 weigth and want to cast something normally fished on an 8 weight? Does it become a matter of the line over powering the fly to such an extent the line slaps down on the water and ruins the presentation? I would imagine there is a range one could get away with. In short will a 12 weight let you cast something suitable for redfish. I understand my shoulder might not like it and the fight won't be as fun but what range can I cast?

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

A 12 or 14 foot leader puts enough distance between fly and line so a heavy rod can effectively fish a small fly, but it's a lot like hauling around a box of tissues in your turbocharged diesel one ton dualie.

Fly fishermen have long argued about whether you should chose a rod based on the size fly you intend to cast or the size fish you intend (hope) to catch. There is no right nor wrong answer. You just have to figure out what your priority is.

You can certainly throw a small fly on a heavier line. If you size your leader/tipper correctly and have reasonable decent casting skills, there is little downside to this scenario. No - the line won't "slap" down on the water unless you make it do that. Conversely, it's hard to throw a large, buggy, air resistant fly on a very light line.

My personal preference is to size the rod to the fish I plan to do battle with and line it for the range I plan to fish. If I plan to throw such a big or buggy fly that I need more line weight, I'll up-line or move to a heavier rod/line combination.

What are you fishing for? Where? A little more information and maybe we can be of more help.

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

How about a switch rod that would allow you to use a double handed overhead cast if your shoulder is a concer? With a shooting head you would be suprised what you can toss on a fly rod.

Tom, I bought the blank as a closeout. I felt it was too good of a deal to pass up. I do live in an area that has big tarpon and permit as well as sails and marlins. So I could have use for such a beast. On the other hand I have no immediate plans to fly fish as I don't have a suitable reel and have never fished the flats in the keys. For that matter I have never fished a fly rod in salt water and big tarpon probably aren't the right fish to start with.

I'm looking into the feasibility of adding an extension and fishing it as a spinning rod but preserving the ability to use it as a 12 wt. for tarpon and such at a latter date. So I don't really have much info to supply.

Mostly it was a question I felt I didn't have an answer for. I could see with the winds we have down here and the big streamers (etc) used it might not be all that much of an overkill for something like permit.

It doesn't strike me as all that powerful of a rod. A little less power than the "3" power hot shot (HS1023F) and a little slower (more parabolic). Nice blank though...very light in weight.... but I was expecting something a bit faster and more powerful. Point is it isn't such a beast than you couldn't have fun with a big bonefish (10#+). A 80# sail would be fine but I can't see a 300# marlin.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

If you plan to fish with a 1-3 wt fly rod for Tarpon - forget it. That rod will make a nice crappy, panfish , trout rod . Any thing larger as in your last post no.

Do a Google Search for - Fishing for tarpon - and you will get a lot of suggestions on the size of fly rods to use.

Bill - willierods.com

In fly fishing ,you are casting the line and the fly ,or lure ,goes along for the ride .With conventional or spinning rods you are casting the lure and the line is carried along for the ride. A 12 wt.rod is intended to cast the weight of a 12 wt. line. You can cast any fly with your 12 wt. from the lightest to the heaviest so ,yes ,you can use it for reds,snook,permit ,tarpon,sails ,sharks,or whatever. Yes, it will be more tiring to make repeated casts than a lighter weight rod. I would say build it out ,put an 11/12 reel and 12wt.line on it and have fun with it or sell it or both.

"For that matter I have never fished a fly rod in salt water"

You have just stumbled onto one of the greatest things life has to offer!!!!

Thanks guys. Good to know a 12 weight line won't "over power" a smaller offering.

Ed, you are right. I should pick up a fly reel and give it a try. Is there any such thing as a good reasonable priced reel? When I looked many years ago 3M seemed the best bet. I'd imagine other names have come along over the years.

Keith, I did enjoy it a lot for fresh water fishing and found it very productive. I suppose I need to invest in a class or some books. Pretty sad comment from someone who has fished for so many years. But hey, the fly fishing crowd has always been exclusive.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Pfleuger Trion is a super buy for a quality reel at an affordable price. A 12-weight rod is not something you want to cast repeatedly all day long. It's a task specific rod in most instances. So don't get discouraged if you find it tiring. There are plenty of good fly rod blanks suitable for run of the mill saltwater fly fishing in the 7 to 10-weight range that will be a lot easier on you over the course of a long day.

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

Totally agree with the Trion suggestion. You can find them on troutlet.com for $112 for all sizes but the biggest, which is $132
[www.troutlet.com]

Never done this before. Hope it is ok to post a link to a non-sponsor.

If not, please remove it, or if someone informs me I will edit it out.

oh...the Albright closeout reel probably work too. $80.
[www.albrightflyfish.com]

Jim

I have three flyfishing friends who have undergone surgery to repair rotator cuffs which "acted up" after an extended fly casting session.
Each of these unfortunate sessions involved a 12 weight rod and line. I'm guessing readers of this site have friends with similar experiences.
Perhaps the readers were unfortunate enough to have suffered such a problem themselves?

I have three flyfishing friends who have undergone surgery to repair rotator cuffs which "acted up" after an extended fly casting session.
Each of these unfortunate sessions involved a 12 weight rod and line. I'm guessing readers of this site have friends with similar experiences.
Perhaps the readers were unfortunate enough to have suffered such a problem themselves?

I agree with Mr. Viburs. Suggest you consider a two hander. Not as hard on the shoulders. Perfect timeing. Albright has 13', 14', and a 15' two handed rod on sale. You can purchase either one of the three for $80. Perhaps the 8/9 with their GP reel.....I have no stake in Albright at all. But I don't think you can buy components and build a single hand rod for $80. These are "two handed" rods already assembled and come in a cloth covered tube. Get both a rod and reel for $160. Probably at that price get free shipping. I got a free 9'-6wt fly rod and free shipping......I think. I may be remembering wrong. Check out the price of two handed rods. You may then think Albright is a nice deal.

repeat...I have no connections with Albright. Just very difficult to overlook those prices. And from what I have read a two hander is much easier on the body and shoulders.

Jim