Saltwater Help

[Thursthouse]

Hi All,

I moved up to New England about 8 months ago and knew it was only a question of time before I'd try my hand at salt water fly fishing. My buddy recently got the keys to a condo on a creek in Cape May where stripers apparently spend their winters. We are going to give it a shot and figured this was a good opportunity to try out SW Fly Fishing.

I'm looking at rods and have read all different kinds of opinions on what I should get, and I'm stuck between getting an 8wt or a 9wt. I don't see myself surf casting all that often as I don't live close enough to the beach to be able to chase the bite. However, I would like to mess around a little bit and possibly hook into some stripers or blues.

What is your preferred rod for the salt and why?

 

[tomfly]

I currently have a 9' 8 weight switch that I use. I mainly use it for fluking in the surf. The only problem I have with the rod is the onshore wind. I have to pick my days on the wrong days the 8 weight line does not have enough mass to push though the wind. The next rod I buy for salt water will be a 12 weight or bigger.

 

[trico mike]

Use a 10 weight with an intermediate line. 8 weights are OK until you hook a big bass then you'll wish you had a rod with more balls

 

[gurban]

Hi Guys,
I also want to give saltwater fly fishing a go. Particularly surf. Can someone recommend a decent rod and reel setup that won’t break the bank? Also, what are some of your favorite spots ?? Thanks

 

[Rusty Spinner]

If you are only chasing schoolies, a 7 or 8 weight rod is fine. If you encounter larger bass, I've always felt a 9 or 10 weight rod does the trick much better. For the surf, I use a 2 handed CND rod that is an 11/12 weight. You can double your casting distance once you learn the two hand cast.