Rod Length

[KC Angler]

Hello all,

I am a newcomer to this site and to the sport of fly fishing. Although I have been an avid angler for many years, my first foray into fly fishing was last December at Taneycomo and Roaring River. That outing was with a borrowed outfit (a 8’ 5wt Redington), and now I’m looking to purchase my own rod/reel. I will be using it primarily for trout in southern Missouri, but suspect I’ll try my hand at fly fishing for panfish and small bass in ponds and lakes around Kansas City, too.

I’ve received helpful advice and info from local fly fisherman and forums like this one. Most have recommended a 5wt--but I’ve received conflicting opinions regarding the most versatile rod length for fishing Missouri trout waters. It seems to be about a 50/50 split between an 8 1/2’ or 9’ rod. I’m curious as to what the members of this forum recommend (and if there is a significant difference between the two lengths)?

Thanks,

Jeremy

[Trout Stalker]

A good 8' 6" or a 9' 5wt would be a great rod for trout in Missouri. The 9 footer will make mending the line easier. Also alot of people say that a 9 foot rod is easier to cast. An 8' 6" rod is alittle bit easier to cast in tight places. My suggestion is to go and cast a 5wt in both lengths and find out which one feels better to you. Remember that casting a rod in the parking lot is different than on water. Different fly lines will change the rods performance also. When it come to a fly line most people use a floating weight forward or double taper. Depending on how much your willing to spend on a rod, reel, and line. I would first put my money into the rod, then a good fly line, and then look at reels.

[duckydoty]

I would spend my money on a good fly line first. Then worry about the rod, then the reel. If you dont have a fly line that will cast good, then it doesnt matter what kind of rod you have, you still wont be able to cast it good. The most important thing in the whole operation is a good line that is castable, mendable, and floats when it is supposed to float. The rod just lifts it out of the water, and you can do that with just about any rod.

There are alot of people starting to use 10 ft rods on Taney and at Roaring River. Excellent for mending lines and high sticking in some of the faster runs at Roaring River. Rod length is really up to you and how you will be fishing. Most people probably start out with a 9 footer. Also alot of people find it easier to cast further with a longer rod, but you dont need to cast a whole fly line any where around here to fish. The best way to learn to cast distance is with proper casting techniques and practice.

[vanven]

I am still fishing a 9 footer. I think my next rod will be shorter. I may just step down to an 8'6" rod. I get frustrated with some of the little things about a 9 foot rod. Things like pulling line out when the last eye is just out of my reach. The longer rod also makes it slightly more difficult to handle fish up close. These are very small details in the grand scheme and I am pretty sure 5% difference in rod length wont matter much. I would put more weight into the rod itself. my current rod is very fast action and most of the flexibility is centered in the tip. My next rod will be a bit slower action and flex more towards the handle.

Jerod

[ness]

I think I'd focus on the rod. No significant difference between 8-1/2 and 9, all else being the same.

If you plan on fishing bigger water, like Taneycomo, or bank fishing for panfish, the longer rods will help and a shorter rod (say, 7-1/2 foot) would be a hindrance at times.

A good, generic rod for what you're describing is an 8-1/2 foot 4 or 5 weight, and I'd probably go for the 4.

You don't mention what your budget is, but you probably already know rods are priced all over the board. The guys at Cabela's in KCK are usually quite helpful. They stock everything from rod/reel combos at around $100 to the high-end stuff from Sage, with a lot in between.

[KC Angler]

I appreciate everyone's advice.

My budget is $150-$200 for a rod and reel. I’ve already done some research online and talked with several people at Kansas City-area fly shops. K&K carries a Redington Red.X outfit for roughly $180, and Cabela's and Bass Pro have several combos in my price range. I've cast a Cabela's Three Forks rod and liked it fine. However, a very friendly gentleman at the KCK location recommended the Traditional II rod--paired with a Prestige Plus reel--over their other entry-level combos. I’ve also been looking at Echo rods, though I haven’t had the opportunity to cast one yet. I noticed there are good deals to be found on the Echo Classic since that model is being discontinued. Also, the new Echo Carbons look great and are within my budget (barely).

I’d welcome feedback from anyone who owns or has fished one of the above rods--especially the Red.X and Traditional II.

Thanks,

[ness]

I appreciate everyone's advice.

My budget is $150-$200 for a rod and reel. I’ve already done some research online and talked with several people at Kansas City-area fly shops. K&K carries a Redington Red.X outfit for roughly $180, and Cabela's and Bass Pro have several combos in my price range. I've cast a Cabela's Three Forks rod and liked it fine. However, a very friendly gentleman at the KCK location recommended the Traditional II rod--paired with a Prestige Plus reel--over their other entry-level combos. I’ve also been looking at Echo rods, though I haven’t had the opportunity to cast one yet. I noticed there are good deals to be found on the Echo Classic since that model is being discontinued. Also, the new Echo Carbons look great and are within my budget (barely).

I’d welcome feedback from anyone who owns or has fished one of the above rods--especially the Red.X and Traditional II.

Thanks,

I bought a Traditional II for my son last summer. First, I was really impressed with the fit and finish for a rod at that price point. And, it's a very nice casting rod - a moderate action, which is what I prefer (and therefore, so shall he ).

The Prestige Plus reel is pretty nice too. I like that it's aluminum rather than composite.

You should be able to get setup with a rod, reel and line for under $200.

[Greg]

Jeremy

I own both 8.5 ft and 9ft rods. I greatly prefer the 8.5 ft length. I'm not sure why but they just feel "right" to me. Try to cast both if you can and compare. I haven't cast a cabela's traditional. Probably a good rod though. My first decent fly rod was a cabela's 3 forks. It was a nice smooth rod. A couple of others to consider are the TFO Pro ($150) and the Bass Pro white river rod ($110).

Greg

[drew03cmc]

I still can't understand why you would find a 7.5' rod a hindrance for bank fishing for panfish.

I started on a 7.5' 3wt Three Forks, then bought a Redington Crosswater 8'6" 5wt. I won't own another rod longer than 8'. I currently own my LST 2wt and am eagerly anticipating the arrival of a 6'9" 2/3 Fitch Purist. I don't like how longer rods feel, and personally, if I were teaching someone, or suggesting a starter combo, it would have to be an 8' 4wt St. Croix Triumph combo. I caught two 11" redear sunfish on a 4wt St. Croix Prestige rod two Octobers ago, and if I hadn't sold it, would still be abusing that rod today! Use the Prestige Plus reel, and the included line. It is a sweet little rod and comes in WELL under $200 for the combo. At that length and weight, you will have plenty of guts for casting in wind, yet still having the ability to fish rather stealthily for spooky fish. It will also toss a darn good sized woolly bugger into some structure for bass.

That rod size is largely overlooked for the most part, but don't believe that you should start with a 5 or 6wt, regardless of what someone says. Also, don't write off fly fishing for bass and panfish in ponds, creeks and rivers, namely, the Blue and Little Blue in the KC area. You can get into any combination of fish in those streams including channel cat, common carp, drum, bluegill (I caught one about 11.5" from the Little Blue), green sunfish, largemouth, and whatever else is in there. Since I started fishing for gills, I have spent much less money driving to trout water. In my mind, the sunfish species as a whole fight harder than trout, and catching large gills post spawn is just as tough as chasing large trout, if not tougher.

This is all my opinion, so take it for what it is worth, but I do know there are a lot of trout snobs in the KC area that refuse to fly fish for warmwater fish. Please don't be one of them.

[Gavin]

I'd go with the 9' rod and make it a 4pc if you can....I have plenty of rods to choose from but I use the 9' 5 & 6wts most often. Cheers.