[crockerag]

Currently I have a Sage VT2 8wt but am looking at getting a lighter rod for fishing in freshwater for bream and bass in Texas but also pull double duty with the rod in the lights at night. Don't know if I should get a 5wt or a 6wt or if there really is that big of a difference between the two.

[hsmith1313]

I do a good bit of fishing for bass and bream on farm ponds. A couple of times I've tried using my 5 wt. and had trouble casting the larger poppers that I like to use for larger bass. It works great casting foam spiders and ants and most of the small poppers, but I only end up catching bream and really small bass on those smaller flies. My only success catching larger bass (3 to 5 lbs.) is with the larger flies that are either too heavy or wind resistant for the 5 wt. to cast effectively. Maybe a 6 wt. could handle these larger flies, I don't know.

I'm not sure if that helps you any, but I've taken the time to write this so I'll send it.

[RDRogers]

I would go with the 6, then later on pick up a 4 for bluegill!

[BigCliff]

I'd get a 5, and then later get a 3 to have fun with the panfish and small trout. It'll throw peanut-sized poppers reasonably well and those are plenty big to catch good bass.

Hell, I throw them on my 4 all the time.

[Joe D]

crockerag,

Since you only have an 8, go with the 6. Later if you want something lighter you can go with a 4. Something heavier, 10.

[axle27]

I got a 4 wt. for panfish and my 5wt is for trout (stream). I'd have to say a 6wt. without knowing the type of flies you're gonna fling.

[crockerag]

Also, anythoughts on shorter rods? I fish out of a kayak a lot and want to use this rod on lakes around Dallas, in the Hill Country, and on the coast for schoolie speckled trout. There are no fly shops in my area currently (Louisiana) that have short rods to throw so I am unsure if I should take the short rod approach but I am interested in them. Thanks again.

[Jose]

I have an 8.5', 6/7 wt which I sometimes use for bass and trout in streams, rivers, and lakes. I take it in the canoe and I've fished it in a kayak. It's long enough to mend across fast waters, and I find I can make delicate presentations to worry fish. It also throws big bugs pretty well. I have a bunch of rods now from 2 wt through 8 wt, but I really like the 6 wt range, a step up from a 5 and not an 8. It's a good wt rod to have when you might fish small water and big water in the same day. The only issue is that small trout aren't as much fun on it, b/c there's no real play, like with a 2 or 3 wt, but try to cast a big bug on one of those.

[BigCliff]

If you plan to mostly fishing from your butt, I wouldn't go shorter than 8'6". Being seated brings the line down closer to the water, and a short rod adds to that still more.

[dmwphoto]

Your line selections are greater with the 6wt. I would go with that.