8Wt

[joe2011]

I was thinking about getting me a 8wt fly rod that i can use to fish for bass with, but also want this to be my streamer rod so is a 8wt too big to be throwning streamers on the ozark tailwaters, tout fishing is what i do 90 percent of the time. the other reason i ask is i found a used 8wt the the price was pretty good on, just wanted to seee how much diffence there was bewteen 7wt and 8wt and if it was usable on the tailwaters. thanks!

[Outside Bend]

An 8 weight is generally overkill for tailwaters (and even most MO bass, unless you're only targeting bruisers or fishing very weedy/brushy structure). I have a fast 7 weight that works well fishing for largemouth and smallies, as well as pitching big streamers for trout during the fall. It'd be my recommendation- a little more responsive, and won't wear out your arm nearly as fast.

[Gavin]

Have a bunch of 8wts collecting dust....but my 7wt's see allot of use.

[Jack Jones]

I use a 6th for bass and have used it in the tailwaters for trout too with any problems. I would think that unless you're looking for a rod to eventually travel with to the on bigger fish in other locales, I don't think that an 8 wt would see as much use as you'd think. It would certainly allow you to horse the fish but to me that cuts down on the fun of playing them.

[RSBreth]

I hate to be part of a chorus but if Trout is 90% of what you do then the 8 better be a smoking deal - otherwise I'd go with a 7 like everyone else has said. Just more versatile.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Go for it. There isn't that much difference, especially when you consider that some 7 weights throw 8 weight lines well and some 8 weights throw 7's well. I use 8 weights for smallies and big streamers without feeling like I'm overdoing it. Unless the rod you're looking at is a Sage or a Loomis it will probably handle a 7 if you so desire.

The myth that you should match the rod to the fish prevails for some mysterious reason, match it to what you want to throw most often. Bass flies can be notoriously hard to throw under some conditions and wind in the tunnel below dams can be a real hassle also.