Most like to incorporate additional stripping guides (SiC or nanolite) then either go ringed fly guides or double foot snakes for the remaining guides. The reel is the most important piece of the equation for big fish so either way you go on the guides should be ok. Sage uses 3 strippers on that rod then double footed snakes the rest of the way up.
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For value tough to beat the MHX or the Batson lineup. You can find some St. Croix deals out there too. Both MHX and Batson need to come up with heavier weight, 4 piece, fly rod blanks though (11wt and up). What weight are you planning on building up to start?
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Unless you are fishing around or under bridges, the longer rod out of the yak is the way to go. For WFF lines, especially being a newbie to the long rod, check out the Rio Tropical Outbound Short. Very easy to load and cast. My personal preference is the Rio Saltwater Tropical Clouser. Turns over big flies with ease and shoots like a rocket. Can't go wrong with either. One thing to keep in
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For an 8' blank, also look at the Batson RX8 Popping blanks. They list the action as mod-fast, but may want to compare CCS vs. St. Croix and others as it feels faster than what they publish. The rod I tend to gravitate to every time I fish for specks and reds is the St. Croix 3SW76MF. Have caught reds up to 20lbs on it with no problems. Friends who fish with me always try it for a few casts.
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Ed, I have built a few of the 9' 8wt's for reds/trout/striped bass and love them (ERN 9.38). Cast really well, are extremely light, and can handle pretty much anything you can throw at them. Check out REC's RFTS reel seat as the butt is removable. Great seat! Where are you fishing for reds? Shallow water or deep water? Any reason for the extra length? You fishing out of a yak or in the
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If he wants light, then graphite is the way to go. The best compromise would be to go with a mix like Batsons RX4/composite SWS series. These blanks are quite durable as are their E-glass SWB series (much heavier). I know Calstar and Seeker also make comparable blanks but have not built on those so cannot offer real world experience. I have been playing around with MudHole's MHX L905 recently
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I just built (2) of the Batson1087-4's and they look and feel great. Guys are using them for shad and stripers here in the James river and are throwing Skagit type line systems, 300-400 grains I believe with a 15' sink stip. I liked them so much I decided to build one for myself. Batson has a great handle system for the switch and highly recommend it. If you go to Batson website you can get a
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the 8 will do exactly what you want. Definitely do not need the 10wt. Save the 10 for cobia or big ocean run stripers. I have bullt a few of the MHX-890-4's and they cast extremely well. Rod is very light and won't wear you out after a full day of casting. Absolutely perfect for trout, reds, flounder, croaker and other inshore species. Have thrown sink tips up to 350 grains with them and n
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Excellent!
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Am tack titaniums are great! Almost all of my sw fly rods have these now. Strong, corrosion proof and slick. Not sure a K series is needed for a fly rod other than look in my persoanl opinion. Fly line diameter doesn't behave like braid so might be overkill but if it is a look you are going for, rock on.. 9 wt and under titanium with nanloites or Fuji's with alconite, 10 weight and higher
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Agree with Jim, check with Karen from Bingham Enterprises.
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Kevin, Check with Dave at Angler's Workshop. Think they have some stand up 50 blanks, probably Calstar and Seeker since on West coast. Merrick may have some of the Lamiglas as well as the previously mentioned brands. Also thought Batson had a FSU60 line that may fit the bill but don't know who may be carrying them currently in stock. Good luck!
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Second the #25 as your first guide. I have a few of the 3SW76MHF built and all start with a 25. Most have stradic 4000's or 5000's on them loaded with 20lb braid. I went 25, 16, 10 in Fuji TYSG's then drop down to the fly guides for the remaining. Cast a mile and is very smooth. One of my favorite rods to fish.
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If fishing from a boat, why a short rod? If you are trying to get down 20', a 350 grain line or T-14 head system will do exactly what you want. 9' 8-9 wt rod is what we use for the Chesapeake Bay when targeting the 20' depths for stripers etc... 8-9 weight has plenty of backbone to pull fish away form structure. Lowest weight rod I would go would be a 5wt and load it with a 250 grain head. J
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Most are a tad longer, roughly 9'9". Really just another term for high sticking so the added length helps with controlling drfit especially without an indicator. Have thrown the Sage 99 and is a very nice stick. Not sure it would be on my "need" list. If you short line nymph fish more than 80% of the time, maybe a good option dedicated to just that.
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Cure time was longer for me but ended up coming out nice and smooth in the end. If strapped for time and are trying to knock out a high number of rods, might be an issue. I had some other issues wth it that were my fault. I used to pre-warm my Threadmaster a bit on candle warmers to get it runny. I did the same with the Pro-Kote and think it may have gotten a bit over heated even though it wa
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I know the NFC blanks are designed to be trimmed so it might take some tinkering to find that fast action tip you are looking for. No issue with warranty being voided either.
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At first glance it looks like he is trying to bring the casting dynamics into the equation in combination with the CCS and more specifically use of the ERN. Not sure how you can quantify parts of the casting stroke and effect on the rod objectively though. My feeling was that the CCS was an objective comparison tool.
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Thank you Karen, really appreciated your hospitality and all your help.
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I threw the 5 wt. NFC and it was very nice. Very light and quick. Not sure when the 4 piece models or the larger weights will be coming out but know they are trying to dial things in to make it one of the best options out there. I meant to speak with Vic but only had one day and lost track of time on Saturday. I did throw some of the Batson RX8 and old RX8+ wands with Gary Lamb and loved the
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Thanks for a great time Jon, Gary and Karen. Was a pleasure to share some tme with you all and hope you have safe travels home.
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Great show Tom so thank you for all your effort in making it what it is!
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Great Jon- thanks for the info and look forward to stopping by at the show.
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I usually soak (jungle cock) feathers in alcohol for 15-20 min. Once you remove and then let dry, dip feather in CP and place on blank. Then use a brush and align the feathers as you want to have them.
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Any fly blanks making it to High Point?
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Those look great Kevin! Look forward to seeing you in Highpoint.
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