[vicman]

I’m fairly new to fly fishing. I took a fly fishing class in Iraq a few years ago due to the generosity of Cabelas, TFO (donated equip.) and more importantly to Navy LT Stewart who patiently shared his knowledge and passion of the sport with us. Currently own a moderately priced Cabelas 6wt and a TFO Pro 8wt (really like this one), I’m an ok caster. Right now I’m in the Mid East again (hopefully my last Hooa!) and should be retired and home in the Caribbean in early 09. I’ve been considering getting a quality rod that can handle the salt and big fish, probably an 11wt for fishing in the Islands, but I’m not sure I’d be able to handle a really stiff rod. Apparently the G Loomis CC seems to be the best, but I’m not too excited about the price, I was looking at the Redington CPS (appears to be an excellent rod and excellent value) and St Croix Elite and Ultra. My question is, What would be a good quality rod (preferably for less than $500) for saltwater for a not very experienced fly fisherman? Thanks in advance!

[Frank Whiton]

Hi vicman,

First let me thank you for your service. You guys and gals are doing something that could change the course of history if successful.

If you are going saltwater fishing you need high line speed to fight wind and to get more distance. While you might have a problem with a fast or extra fast action rod it is not something you can't learn to handle. You will be better off with a fly rod designed for saltwater. If I was you I would be looking at the used market or find a active saltwater dealer and buy last years models. There are a lot of Cross Currants out there and you should not have a problem buying a used one. What fish will you be targeting with an 11 weight? Will this be your go to rod for most fish or is it just for the big stuff like Tarpon?

Frank

[shorthaul]

Hi Vicman,
Im assuming youll be fishing for tarpon or sails with the 11wt.

Unfortunately all the new high end rods are huddled around the same price range like that of the cc loomis.

My progression was from a st. croix to an orvis to a scott and THAT was expensive.

The reel is another story---there i went from a smallish orvis dxr to a smallish fin-nor a/r to a correct sized tibor billy pate and THAT was expensive.

There are a few(6 or 7) lines thrown in there for good measure.

If you are not sure if you will like it, my advice would be to find a mid priced rod and cast the hell out of it ---buy a good reel that can handle the correct amount of backing either new or off ebay. Then upgrade if you like it.

If you know that you want to do it, my advice would be to cut to the chase and go for the top of the line rods (new or used) and a first class reel (new or used). You would save over a thousand dollars over the way that I did it.

A recent article in saltwater flyfisherman on Andy Mill say that his preferred combo was a Loomic cc and a tibor reel---you can also look at the IGFA records and see what rods and reels took the most fish in the record books.

hope this helps

[bonefish41]

V:

Agree with Frank..look used...11wts are somewhat like 16 ga shotguns...but there are good ones...in old models...Sage RPLX I have one but it's really a 12 wt....instead I would look to a 10 wt RPLX....Loomis GLX in three piece or if you are not traveling a two piece...Winston XTR three piece which is my favorite keys tarpon rod...since the 11 wt is a bit of an odd wt you probably will be able to find excellent used high end rods.

However, if you find an excellent used Sage Xi2, Loomis CC GLX, in 10 wt for less than $400.00 that would be my choice...or also Loomis GLX for less than $300.00...

[vicman]

It really is an honor to serve.
It’ll be mostly for dorado, barracuda and tarpon. I'm sure a 10wt would work and might take that option but I'd rather be over spec than under spec. Also I noticed there is a big price difference between the Loomis CC 4 section and 3 section. What causes this price difference? Thanks again for the advice.

[bonefish41]

Originally Posted by vicman

It really is an honor to serve.
It’ll be mostly for dorado, barracuda and tarpon. I'm sure a 10wt would work and might take that option but I'd rather be over spec than under spec. Also I noticed there is a big price difference between the Loomis CC 4 section and 3 section. What causes this price difference? Thanks again for the advice.

V. ... the Loomis GLX is the three piece old standby and the Loomis GLX Cross Current (CC) is the four piece different taper and graph...the latter being pricer...another 11 wt would be the sage Xi which preceeded the Xi2...

[BigCliff]

Thanks again for your service.

I'd say your best bet is to get a 10wt for the big stuff and then find a 12 wt later when you're really jonesin to hook into a monster. An 11wt is overkill for most Permit and a bit light for offshore and large tarpon.

Be sure to get a great reel too. Tibor, Nautilus, Waterworks, or an older Ross Canyon would be great choices.

[vicman]

Sorry I didn’t reply earlier. After taking on various recommendations and a little research, I decided to go with a custom rod based on a 10wt Dan Craft FT blank. The builder is going to use quality components and the price is about equal to the main production rods, so decided to give the small business guy a chance. I’m trying to decide on a reel to go with it; on the upper level (of what I want to spend) I have the Nautilus N10 and the Bauer M6SL RT. Below those previously mentioned, I placed the Ross CLA , Lamson Velocity VO4 and Teton Specialist 12. Right now I think the Nautilus and the CLA are my best options, but I have only experience with Ross. What do you guys/gals think? Thanks again!

[Frank Whiton]

Hi vicman,

I think you are smart to have settled on a 10wt. You will be well served with a Nautilus NV 10-11. It is Nautilus's newest reel. It is light weight for its size. They don't come cheap. If you can find a used Nautilus CCF they would be a lot cheaper. The problem with the CCF is they are about 2oz heavier than the NV. They are a very good reel. I think Nautilus has stopped making the CCF and there may be some that dealers are holding. You should go on line and order a catalog from Nautilus.

Since you like Ross you should take a look at the Ross Momentum. They are about the same weight as the Nautilus CCF.

If you want a reel that will do a good job and doesn't break the bank, I don't think you can do better than the Teton. The Saltwater sizes have a new Teflon finish that is supposed to increase protection from saltwater another 1000 hours. That may be a little marketing hype there.

Frank


Ross


Teton

[bonefish41]

Vic...

Do you know who makes those blanks...if you are doing a custom rod with REC components and/or Struble saltwater seat/cork my suggestion would be a loomis, sage, scott or st croix blank