Fly Rod Weights ?

[King Fish]

I've always used a 5 weight rod.. I fish mostly trout now, but used to go after smallies and largemouth on rivers/ponds.. always felt a 5 weight was very versatile.. and I've had No trouble with small flies #18-20 or throwing # 6-8 streamers but I have some fishing buddies that are using 3 weight rods. and see it more in the trout parks now.. what is the general opinion of you all... putting a 3 weight in my hand after throwing a 5 weight is different no doubt.. just looking for some input.. I'm thinking of getting a 3 weight now thx,,,,

PK

[Terry Beeson]

My ex use to wonder why I had to have 26 different guns in my collection and granted, one good 12 ga shotgun will hunt most anything you want to go after. The same could be said for fly rods. If I had to narrow my collection down to one, it would probably be a 5 wt which is pretty versatile alright...

But I have 3 wt up to 8 wt rods. I love my li'l 3wt for small creeks and bluegill fishing. And hanging a nice trout on it is a good challenge. And honestly, you should be able to land larger fish on a good 3 wt. My 4 wt I got at a Conclave auction and turned out to be a really great nymphing rod for high sticking.

I have a couple of 5 wt rods and am looking at upgrading to another. These are good general fishing rods that I usually use for trout fishinig during the day when I may change from nymphs to streamers to dries. But I want the third one to be a 9 ft mid-fast to fast action rod (I'm leaning towards Sage FLi for this...) for a good streamer rod.

My 6 wt is a shorty that I am saving for smallmouth fishing. It has a 6 wt line on it, but casts 5 wt lines well and can handle 4 wt on short casts. I gear it up according to where I'm fishing and for what.

I have two 8 wt TFOs that I'm thinking of deciding on one to keep and then replace the other with a 7 wt... Just to complete the lineup... These are mostly for my night fishing for the big gals on Taney stripping bigger streamers.

So, in answer to your question, I think you'll find that it's not just the line weight of the rod, but a combination of things like length, action, etc. that makes a rod what it is. In other words, go for the 3 wt, but think about what you want from it and gear the other specs to that. Don't just go out and buy any ol' 3 wt that comes along.

[King Fish]

Thanks Terry.. Yes I do believe I'll be picking up a new 3 weight here soon.. I got my eye on a Sage.. Thx for the input

PK

[OKFlyFisher44]

I agree....I have a couple of 5 wts (Orvis and Martin) and they are a good all-around rod for sure. Both cast pretty well and handle most anything I want to catch but I like the "feel" of the lighter rods. I also got a 3wt and 4wt (Scott) that I use 99% of the time and love them! My lil' 3wt is an absolute blast at the trout parks and on smaller streams as it makes catching those 12-14" stockers a lot more enjoyable and it casts the smaller stuff perfect! Its also a ball if you hook into a good fish!

Like Terry said...do a lil' research and shop around to find the rod thats going to fit your needs! I think you'll love fishing a 3wt....they are a ton of fun!

[zsmith62]

If it works why change it?

I have a 6 weight and an 8 wt. but i rarely use the 8 because I am more comfortable with the six, and anything I want to throw out there can be used with the 6 wt.

I'd say just go with what you're comfortable with, but don't be afraid to experiment.

[brittsnbirds]

Kingfish-

A 3wt is a niece little piece to have. I currently have 2 Cabela's LST rods, 1 is a 9' 3wt and the other is a 9' 5wt. I also have a 9' 4wt TFO. I have found myself rigging the 5wt with my full sink line and the 3wt for drys and nymph/midge fishing. The 4wt is my backup in case the camper door decides to eat another rod. I have the reels on my LST's loaded the GPX line that is a 1/2 size over weighted. They are fairly fast tips and the 3 wt actually handles big fish pretty well. The best part about the Cabela rods is you can take them back with no questions asked!! My TFO broke 2 times last year and cost me 50 bucks (plus shipping) to get it replaced through Temple Fork.

Rumor is Cabela's is going to be having a sale on one of their upper end rods in a week or so. They told me it was a dead ringer for a Sage. I don't remember which one they were talking about but the price with a new large arbor reel was around 300. The reel is a new one that they came out this year with. It is a full aluminum milled out unit!

Pat

[Gavin]

3wt & 4wt rods are fun toys, but they arent very versatile.....good for small flies, small fish, small streams, and sometimes a long 3 or 4wt can be fun on bigger water when the wind doesnt blow. They are capable of landing some nice fish, but most of the time I prefer to fish with a 9' 5, 6, or 7wt.

[jvmorton2002]

I have a 6 1/2' 3 wt. W.W. Grigg rod with a Pflueger Medalist that I really enjoy using for chasing the local panfish and small, stocked trout in the local county park stream. It casts nice, and the price was very nice at 35 bucks at Sportsman's warehouse.

The rest of my arsenal consists of a guide series 9' 5wt/shakespeare reel, A st.Croix 9' 6wt/Fenwick reel, and a St.croix 9' 8wt/ Pflueger summit reel that get used for harassing bass, carp, and other things that grow up to be big and pull hard.

But my 3wt sees more action than all of the others of late