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Fly Rod for sunfish
Posted by:
Chuck Mills
(---.mpls.qwest.net)
Date: October 30, 2013 06:22PM
My son and I are going to build a couple fly rods this winter. They will be used primarily for sunfish. We have always liked to throw a popper and casting bubble on spinning gear, but it often tangles and is not very stealthy when that bobber splashes down. If the rod could do double duty and throw a larger lure for bass that would be alright. I tried a bit of fly fishing over 40 years ago so we are total newbies.
Based on input from a few years ago I think a 5 wt was recommended. I was able to pick up a few blanks for a good price. I have two Tiger Eyes. One is 8' 6" 6/7 wt and one is a 9' 3/4 wt. I also have a Forecast 8' 6" 5 wt. Is the 6/7 just too much rod for my intended use? If so, what is it good for? Thanks _________________________________________ "Angling is extremely time consuming. That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane Re: Fly Rod for sunfish
Posted by:
Josh Coburn
(---.byu.edu)
Date: October 30, 2013 06:37PM
The general wisdom would say to use a light rod. Probably a 3 or 4 weight for sunfish. If you need to cast a popper a "country mile" (40+ ft.) into a stiff wind you might want a 5wt. for sunfish. I believe that people going after bass are generally in the range of a 6 or 7 weight. That said you could use any weight you want it mostly depends on the experience you want. A lighter weight rod will make smaller fish feel much larger and can be more delicate in the presentation. A heavier rod will quickly over power a smaller fish but will do much better in the wind. I've caught bluegills on a 5wt and it was fun but the fight would have been more challenging on a lighter rod.
I'd probably keep the 6/7 weight specifically for Bass. It would likely over power all but the largest sunfish very easily but it would be a perfect weight for throwing bass flies. It could also be used as a streamer rod for large trout or other fish in that size/weight/power range. Of course when a bass eats the sunfish you are trying to pull in a 3wt. things quickly get very interesting. :) Re: Fly Rod for sunfish
Posted by:
Tom Kirkman
(Moderator)
Date: October 30, 2013 06:57PM
I'd probably go with something along the lines of a 9' 4-weight, 5-weight at the most. That keeps it fun and the length maximizes the power of the fish against you.
.............. Re: Fly Rod for sunfish
Posted by:
Jim Gamble
(---.res.bhn.net)
Date: October 30, 2013 07:37PM
I use an 8'6", Fast Action, 4 weight, but anything close should offer plenty of fun. Re: Fly Rod for sunfish
Posted by:
Ellis Mendiola
(---.lightspeed.hstntx.sbcglobal.net)
Date: October 30, 2013 08:09PM
I have a Tiger Eye 5 wt. which I dearly love for pan fish and small bass. It is a dream to cast. Re: Fly Rod for sunfish
Posted by:
Chuck Mills
(---.mpls.qwest.net)
Date: October 30, 2013 09:13PM
Thanks for the input. I'm going to put them on the test fixture and hang some pennies on them. _________________________________________ "Angling is extremely time consuming. That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane Re: Fly Rod for sunfish
Posted by:
Greg Foy
(---.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net)
Date: October 31, 2013 11:26AM
I bet that 8'6" 6/7 will be a lot of fun casting poppers and divers to largemouth. Greg Aptos, CA Re: Fly Rod for sunfish
Posted by:
Gabe Neal
(---.dot.gov)
Date: October 31, 2013 02:49PM
Talk about fun….Try it at night with a full or medium moon with a glow-in-the-dark popper. They are made by Betts. You hold the popper under a flashlight and then lay it out close to the bank or stump. All you hear is a pop when the big bulls hit it. Back to your question fishing so close to the bank you get hung on a side of a tree or bush. That is why I like the 6wt. It is easy to roll cast to get the popper un hung. Especially when you have 30-40 foot of line lying out. Re: Fly Rod for sunfish
Posted by:
Chuck Mills
(---.grenergy.com)
Date: November 01, 2013 10:12AM
Gabe Neal Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------- > Talk about fun….Try it at night with a full or > medium moon with a glow-in-the-dark popper. They > are made by Betts. You hold the popper under a > flashlight and then lay it out close to the bank > or stump. All you hear is a pop when the big > bulls hit it. Back to your question fishing so > close to the bank you get hung on a side of a tree > or bush. That is why I like the 6wt. It is easy > to roll cast to get the popper un hung. > Especially when you have 30-40 foot of line lying > out. Sounds like a blast. We'll probably be in a boat most of the time. Thanks! _________________________________________ "Angling is extremely time consuming. That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane Re: Fly Rod for sunfish
Posted by:
Eugene Moore
(---.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com)
Date: November 01, 2013 09:01PM
Chuck,
I normally build the rod for the size fly I'm throwing. Poppers can be used with a #4 but an #8 makes it easier. Keep the rod short and the line heavy and you can cover a lot of water from one spot. The difficult part is getting a soft presentation from a heavy line but with practice you can fish drys delicately. My go to is an 8' 8 weight. Makes casting poppers or streamers with indicators effortless. Gene Re: Fly Rod for sunfish
Posted by:
David Dosser
(---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date: November 01, 2013 09:05PM
I use an 8'6" - 4wt. with 5wt. floating line on it. My father used a 3 wt until recently. He claimed that the 3 wt was just a tad too light, especially if you get into some nice crappie or large red ear. I would go with the 4 or 5 wt. David Dosser Coshocton, OH Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
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