Looking For A Flyrod

[Buzz]

Cabelas has some nice combos that are reasonably priced. That's where I bought my 3WT fully rigged with backing and fly line for a little over $ 100. If you want a workhorse that's reasonable, Academy has a few 5/6 WT combos for about $100 or less. My Okumas I bought are great combos for the money and I've never regretted buying them.

[Muddler4]

A lot of good advice in the above posts. I wouldn't put your 8 wt in storage just yet. You didn't say where and what you want to fish for. The 8 will throw the largest of Bass bugs and mongo streamers if you are into that sort of thing. As podums / jdmidwests comments point out, if I were to buy one rod for MO it would probably be a 8 1/2 ft 5 wt, big enough for a lot of Bass situations and still enough finesse for typical trout, Crappie, Bluegill, etc. It would be a little long for the smallest creeks and a little light for the biggest flies. But if I were to buy two rods to complement your 8wt they would be a 4 and a 6 wt. With those you've adequately covered just about every fly species / environment in the state.

If you fly fish the Gulf you probably have plenty of line management skills. Reels in MO can be whatever you want them to be. Simple and inexpensive to the latest drag system derived from Formula One technology. By in large it will be a line holder..

[txdave]

Muddler4,

Thanks for the information. I am still a rookie fly flipper. Most of the redfish I caught were at 30 ft or less. I have a camp in Texas that allowed me to spend a lot of time stalking shallow flats. Also the mouths of fall outs from the back lakes. When bait is streaming out from the back lakes I have seen the fallouts turn red there were so many fish. I have a very good friend who does nothing but fly fish who was with me for some of those epic trips. He would just look at me and tell me this is just not right you fish this and think nothing of it. People fish all their lives to get in this situation and you think nothing of it. We have stood side by side on more than one occasion catching reds until we got bored and left. I do plan on keeping my 8wt for the trips back to Texas.

Thanks for the info.

[podum]

Strangercreek: I've got the ATS on a 3 wt; both sizes of the trout II - one on a 4 and one on a 6; and the Kraken on an 8 wt that has handled 8lb hybrids easily. I own the whole gallery.

You can check in with Brian Wise on the Eleven Point forum - he is a sponsor I think.

I love the reels. If you bide your time, Allen has sales/deals that make already reasonably priced reels ridiculously cheap.

[Plastic_worm]

I've owned rods from Cabelas, TFO, and Orvis. Lots of great companies out there but it comes down to Customer Service for me.

Cabelas - 9'5wt, good starter for me (I broke it this yr - 6yrs of hard use) and great customer service. Replaced with TFO purchased from them and it was damaged in shipment...they overnighted my TFO and I used the new box to return the damaged rod. No questions asked!

TFO Pro. II 9'5wt - very happy with it, very smooth and nice flex...just my speed. It's may newest. Haven't had to use CS yet, but hear great things about it.

Orvis Encounter 9'8wt for trips to SELA to chase redfish, and my local bass/carp. Orvis makes quality products, if you want a good set-up can't go wrong with them. I've been very happy with Orvis. Best CS I have experienced. They made a mistake on 1 order, that totaled $25....and they refunded the order but didn't ask for the merchandise back. They also sent the correct items a few days later. A month later I received an apology letter and $25. gift card. Top notch CS!!

[Al Agnew]

Since when did Cabelas replace rods??? I had a 6 wt. for about five years, and it was a sweet streamer rod, but I broke the tip section. Called their customer service and was told they did not replace rods like that. That was about 10 years ago. Haven't bought a Cabelas rod since, even though the quality of that rod was very good.

[brittsnbirds]

They have replaced 2 of mine even after I told them the Pop up front door at one.

As a matter of fact they gave me a better one because they discontinued one of them.

FWIW

[podum]

Cabelas has always replaced my broken rods.

[rhondafish]

Try an 8.5 to 9 foot 5 weight, but put a 6 weight line on it. We like double tapers. Most cats are short, and this will load your rod better.

[westbranchfly]

Get a 9' 5wt. Between that and your 8, you can cover 95% of your fishing. Manufacturer is doesn't matter in my opinion, just check their warranty. A rod is only as good as the person fishing it.