Afternoon gentleman,

Ok, I am a little out of my comfort area as I typically build panfish and bass rods. I haven't done too much with fly rods and during my recent move to NC I broke my coveted HMG....... Oh well not the end of the world, I can repair it and put it up on the wall.. My question now is what is a good 8-9ft 4-5wt for pond panfish? I will typically throw mostly dry flies and the occaional size 12 popper... mostly black gnats and some misquito's.(none smaller than a size 14).. I like to use a floating line and normally by double tapers since when one end wears out I can flip it around and use the other side... I am not looking to get extravagent and really don't wont to get over 100.00 for a blank. I will pick this up a the show (along with the ton of other stuff I need for the year.) Fly line suggestions for it also if you have them as I will need a new line for the rod.

thanks for your insight and suggestions,

Tom Kaufmann



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2011 12:37PM by Thomas Kaufmann.

I have been VERY impressed with the MHX blanks from MudHole . They'll be at the show and will likely have an extensive selection from which to choose.

Ken, I have use a BUNCH of them... mostlt the MB lineup and and recently the S781's my clients LOVE them and I too have been pleased... I didn't even think of em to be honest.

Tom

This may be out of your hoped for price range (I don't want to assume, however) but the new St. Croix SCIV/SCIII combo blanks have very fast tips. In a 4-weight you'd have a pretty fun rod due to the extra leverage you're handing the fish in that length and action.

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Tom,

Funny you should mention those, I was just looking at them...Hopefully they will be at the show as I would really like to get my hands one one. The price range isn't set in stone but I don't want to get overly crazy with it.

There should be plenty of them there, along with most other popular fly blanks. I'm sure you can find something that'll suit you.

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The TFO professional series or even finesse series could be good options as well.

I second the St Croix 4/2 fly series. I have a 7'6", 4-weight, 4-piece that is ideal for ponds, rivers, etc. I like the shorter length, but it is available in longer models. IMO, it is a vastly overlooked series of blanks ... the price tag is NOT indicative of the actual quality within.

Jim,

My Fenwick was a 7'6" 4-weight so I am definately not against this length... obviously on ponds lengthy casts really aren't a huge priority for bluegills and the occasional crappie I have put one on the list to put in hand.... I thought that by going with a little longer length I might open up the options.

Tom

It should. Push on to 8 or 8'6" and have more fun at the same time. A long rod means the fish can fight you harder.

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Don't forget to check out the new North Fork Composites fly blank model # CTF 905-2. Stop by my booth at the ICRBE to check it out.

See you in High Point

Karen
Bingham Enterprises

Sounds great Tom,

I will look in the longer ranges as well..... might just have to get one longer one and a shorter one.... can you ever have enough?

Tom

Karen,

look forward to seeing you again this year.. I will definately check it out.

Tom

Karen, I'd say the CTF 864 might be the stick. I'll have some made up for casting at the show, so have your customers bring their reels and lines.

Karen,

Could I ask that you bring one of the CTF 864's with you when you pack up ??

Thanks,
Tom