[BigCliff]

Another reason to go with a better rod is the warranty. You snap the tip off a Martin and you're simply SOL. I used to tell people not to spend over $100 on a rod that doesn't have a good warranty, but now those without one are so hard to find, I don't really need to issue that suggestion.

It sounds like you are concerned about the "trout" in the line's title. It really makes no difference. It means that the front taper will be a bit longer than one they would call a "bass" line, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a "bass" line in a 5wt anyway. The longer taper on the front of the line will give a more gentle presentation than one with a shorter taper. This can mean that it won't work ideally to turn over bigger floating flies, but this can be easily remedied. Just try a shorter leader and those flies should kick over just fine. A leader over 8' long really is needed for trout most fishing, but anything over 6' is fine for bass and usually for panfish as well.

[JBinUTAH]

If I could back up the clock a few years...I would have started with a Temple Fork PRO $139 or thier TICR $199 rod 5 weight, Orvis Battinkill Mid Arbor III Reel $90, and the line would be Scientific Anglers Mastery GPX or XXD 5 or 6 weight $45. Thats a great setup most everywhere I fish. I am an Ebayer and could probably do better on the prices. But these guys are correct as far as getting something you can cast. Otherwise the frustrations will drive you away from the sport.

[freeze69]

as one guy i work with asked why so many different ones? i asked him why there is so many different types of golf clubs? this is one example i can think of.

just wish that i would have joined the site before i bought my el-cheapo. learned all the wrong habits and trying to unlearn them. just bought the diamondback americana and can't wait to try it out. going to bigdon's wed. and going to compare to his st. croix's for the fun of it.

buy a good set-up the first time around. unlike me and many others. hours of frustration and new line later.

[BigCliff]

There's so many because there are so many different manufacturers and most of them want to make sure they are not missing out on part of the market. Some manufacturers are making rods that seem kind of redundant to me, but they have the market share to support that. There are tons to pick from, but I view it as more of a good thing than a bad thing.

[tie one on]

Welcome Chuck145,

What you have asked is an ongoing debate among fly fishers & probably will remain that way. However, if you noticed from the responses you've received, all of us who have been doing this sport for any length of time would recommend spending a little more of that precious $$. Equipment for fly-fishing is no different than a chevy vs. mercedes, you get what you pay for.

If I could give you any advice on buying a rod(s) it would be :

1. Determine what fish you are going after. (Bigger fish, the heavier weight rod you'll need. You don't want to fish for pan-fish with a 9wt salmon rod)
2. How much can you afford. (better rods have better warranties & cost more)
3. If it grabs you like it has grabbed most of us, spending more for rods makes it so much easier while in the water, especially if you are out for a better part of the day. A good rod can cast so much easier & with less effort.
4. If you want a rod you could fish for numerous fish, I would recommend a 5wt 9' rod &
a disc drag reel spooled with a good 5wt floating double taper fly line. You can cover a multitude of species with this type of rod.

This is a great website to learn from so don't hesitate to ask for help.

Tie One On

[Curtis]

Well, I would say to go for quality but I don't think you have to have $100 rods to meet that objective. Cortland makes a couple of rods that are some of my favorites. The first (actually discontinued) is the GRF-1000. One of the smoothest rods I have ever used and you can find them on Ebay for around fourty bucks. The other is the replacement for the GRF-1000 and it is the GRX. This too is a very nice rod with great components and unconditional lifetime warranty. I would put both of these rods up against the big names and feel just fine doing it.

On the other hand, some of the higher end rods don't do it for me. I for one do not like the Scott V2 at ALL and think for a "beginner" rod it is clutzy and hard to use.

I guess this is why this fishing thing is so fun. Everyone likes different things.

Of course, I still love the old glass fenglass's and a lot of the other glass offerings out there.

[freeze69]

after years of regular fishing i can say one thing holds true: A GOOD ROD WILL LAST A LONG TIME.

back in 91 i spent about $75 for a spinning rod. my dad told me i was a jerk.(kept clean) 3 or 4 reels later and that rod still performs as good as the day i bought it. dad's been through at least 5 complete rod and reels. (the reels that i've gone through on this is because of bigger fish hitting it than expected)