[scoobydue4]

Hi, I have a couple of questions for you guys. But first I would like to say hello to everybody and thank you for having me in this awesome forum! This will be my first year fly fishing but I am definitely not new to fishing. After lots of reading on the net, I am thinking my first outfit will be a Sage Launch 690-4, 9' at a 6 Weight, and a Sage 1650 reel (Unless you guys change my mind on the 6 weight). My primary target on this rod will be Largemouth up to five pounds. I am hoping the 6 weight will be enough because I will be learning to cast on this rod and to my understanding it might be difficult for me to learn on something heavier. I was also wondering what would be the largest size popper you would be able to cast with the 6 weight. I'm sure I will have many more questions to post. And hopefully someday, I will have some answers to post on NAFFF.
Thanks guys,
Brian.

[BigCliff]

A 6wt will work fairly well for bass, though you're not going to pull a 4lb-er out of heavy cover with it. You'll be able to cast poppers up to about the size of an average grape with it, though deer hair flies in that same size will be tougher due to their higher wind resistance. I'd suggest you stick to flies no bigger than a blueberry, as they'll be easier to cast, can be cast farther, and still catch plenty of fish.

Welcome to the sport, BTW. ECHO's classic series would be a similar performing rod with an equal warranty, and a bit cheaper. fly fishing - fly fishing gear can hook you up.

Cold as all hell up there?

[tbrillinger223]

ScoobyDue4,

Welcome to the forum and the sport. youll find some excellent knowledge here. looking forward to your questions and input.

[aroostookbasser]

Hi there SD4,
I like Cliff alot, but for bass I go with a 7/8 outfit and cast monster streamers and poppers. The biguns will break your 6 wt. If all you want to tussle with is "blueberry" eating bass then go 6wt. Personally I like the watermelon eating ones.

[scoobydue4]

Hmm... I would be pulling bass out of weeds and lily pads. Let's say I started out with an 8 wt, would it really be that much more difficult for me to learn on? I went to my local Gander Mountain last night just so I could see what size flies and poppers I would like to use (because fly hook size means nothing to me unless I can see it in person) and the poppers looked right at about a size 1. I couldn't find a number on the streamers but those are something I will definitely be casting out for bass. I am a fishing pole junkie and I'm sure I will end up with at least three fly poles eventually, so would it be easier for me to start out with a 5 wt. and fish for pan fish and small trout, and eventually move up to heavier poles for bass, steelhead, and salmon?

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Brian,

You will have a much easier time learning to cast with a 5wt than you will with an 8wt. However, you can learn with an 8wt but you might need some casting lessons. It would also have to do with how stiff your 8wt is. If you have the option of fishing for trout and pan fish that is the very best way to learn. You will learn how to cast, line management, leaders and knots. You will be much more satisfied fishing for 5lb bass with an 8wt than you will with a 6wt. That is not to say you couldn't do it. As a beginner you might get discouraged if you tried to cast too large of a popper and you wouldn't know if it was your casting skills or the popper.

Frank

[scoobydue4]

Good point Frank! I would probably be trying to over power it with heavier gear during casting too. I'll start on a cheaper 5wt. Maybe a $200. set up.

[BigCliff]

Poles are for flags.

[MacFly55]

... I am by no means the big expert here but I do have some change to throw around.. so here goes..

.. I started with a cheapy walmart shakespeare rig.. after a lot of chatting and a million questions a good friend convinced me to save my money for a good rod and reel combo.. so..

I got the 6wt 9 foot sage launch and have not looked back since.. this rod is sensitive enough that I can feel the line and tip doing what they are doing.. on the shakespeare I couldnt...

I coupled this rod with an orvis rocky mountain turbine reel .. I also bought a spare spool for this reel so I could alternate lines.. I have one spool with a wf-6-f line from orvis.. and the other spool is is set up with a med speed sinking line.. (type II I think)......

I have used both lines for different reasons..

I have cast flies up the the size of a clouser and down to a pt nymph.. I have cast popper up to about 1/2 inch in size..including the mice made from hair (elk??).. the largest fish I have caught on the combo is a cat that was about a pound..

I am very satisfied with what I have and it works great for my situation.. I dont think anything lighter or heavier would of worked as well for me..

..btw.. most of you know the person who gave me all the advice and help I needed to make what I think was an excellent decision on my part.. here she calls herself Joni.. ..

MacFly

[MacFly55]

uuhhmmmm I would consider the 5/6 wt shakespeare combo I got from walmart a pole.. lol.. I learned a lot on this rod (pole) and dont regret making the purchase..

MacFly :-)