Should I get a spey rod for lake fishing?

[busbus]

I am getting this bug again. I don’t live close enough to any decent streams where I can get to in less than, say, an hour and a half. That makes it rough if I want to fish at the spur of the moment or just for a couple hours in the evening after work.

But there is a nice but smallish lake about 15 minutes away that I go to a lot. I fish from shore 100% of the time. I have kicked around a tube but I can’t swim and it’s probably not a good idea to use one.

I have a good enough time fishing from shore, I guess. I even use my Tenkara a lot because its fin with bluegill. But there are sooooi many times I see a bass hit something about 60-70 feet away and I drool to get my line out there. There are a few open spots where I could get my 5-wt out there if I were better than I am. There are many other spots where a roll cast is the only way.

I was thinking again of a two-handed rod in this situation. Now I am an average caster in my best days. Plus there is this urge to present dry flies along with streamers. For some reason, I just want to see a bass hit a dry way out there. It may be goofy but it intrigues me.

I have zero clue about these rods and how to cast. Is this a pipe dream I should just give up or is it possible? What would be a good rod? I don’t see me using it much but maybe I would use it on the stream? Never know until you try!!


Thanks,
ray


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[mcnerney]

Ray

I have taken my switch rod out to the lake, just for casting practice, but I think a better approach is to get some small pontoon or kayak. The mobility that a small craft will give you is just amazing. That said, everyone is different. I have a friend here in town that enjoys wading the shore and casting into the lake. He owns a pontoon but doesn't use it much, I've only seen him out in it once. I have two friends from Rock Springs that are stillwater specialists and both use pontoons. Besides the mobility they provide, you can mount a fish finder on them, not so much to actually find fish, but they are incredible at finding structure, drop offs, etc. They also allow using multiple rods. I usually will have a rod setup with a floating line, an intermediate and a full sinker.

 

[huronfly]

Spey and switch rods are great for casting with no room behind, so I would go for it. I wouldn't expect to hit 60 or 70 feet for a little while though.

 

[rodneyshishido]

I used to fish the small lakes in Washington with a float tube. Lot's of fun. Your concern for your safety is a good one. I would suggest a self inflating life vest. The vest is flat and does not get in the way.

 

[flav]

I've being casting spey and switch rods for almost 20 years, and some of it has been on stillwater. I'm going to assume you're talking about spey casting, not overhead casting. The problem with a 2 hander is that it's difficult to cast while standing on shore because you really need to place your line on the surface next to you, not out in front of you, and also because your D-loop is going to form a little behind or even with you and low to the ground so shoreline vegetation like long grass will catch your line. If you can stand on a point or dock with open water to your side, stand on a rock out in the water, or stand out in the water you can cast fine, if not, it can be quite challenging. So if you're going to be wading in the pond a 2 hander is a good tool, if not, it's not so great.

 

[busbus]

I do plan on standing in the water and I was talking about spey casting. I know it will take me a while to get the line out as far as I would like it.

It’s just that I feel so limited at this point. I mean, I could get my old spin outfit out again but it just isn’t “fun” to use any more. And the challenge is another reason I want to try this.

But it is a somewhat expensive thing to try only as a challenge. I could use a bubble on my spin rod and cast it a country mile. That setup will present dries just fine, as long as I don’t wrap up the tippet around the bubble.

The thing is that the reason I have used my fly gear exclusively for the past four or five years is that I enjoy the casting as much or even more than catching fish. The rhythm of the cast relaxes me for some reason whereas I don’t get that same feeling with my spin gear.

I may have to stick with what I have snd just learn how to double haul better and fish like that in the one area where there is room to do that. Heaven knows I could use the practice at that, too. But I don’t need to double haul on any of the streams I fish but I could see me using the spey rod snd cast at times.


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[gpwhitejr]

I think the first thing you should do is learn to swim. On a list of life skills everyone should have, I would put that pretty close to the top. Aside from the safety aspect, that opens up a lot of fishing options.

 

[busbus]

I think the first thing you should do is learn to swim. On a list of life skills everyone should have, I would put that pretty close to the top. Aside from the safety aspect, that opens up a lot of fishing options.

I agree wholeheartedly with learning how to swim. I have taken lessons on numerous occasions throughout my life--and by numerous, I mean about a dozen times. I just can't do it. I mean, if I really, really had to, I might be able to swim 25 yards but that's about it. I am not afraid of walking into the water and falling but if I am in anything that is deep, say 10-15 feet, I simply go into panic mode. That said, I am not afraid to ride in a boat. And I even went whitewater rafting (in somewhat gentle waters and on a guided tour) and have fallen out. If I have a life jacket on, I am not terribly scared but I think I wasn't scared those times because others were there and a rope was tossed to me. I don't have the guts to do this all by myself.

I will be 59 years old this year and I don't think I am ever going to be able to get over my fears nor my inability to swim. I honestly tried hard all those times but I simply cannot do it. It must be something deep within my brain. It is not unlike a person who climbs up a ladder then freezes because they are scared of heights. It is something that other people cannot comprehend. My son has a fear of heights (which is weird because he is 6' 4"). If I have him go up four rungs of a stepladder, he is as worthless as t^ts on a frog and I would honestly have to help the kid down. That is how I feel when I am in deep water.

So a pontoon boat is out of the question. I agree with Larry that it is probably the single best way to do what I want to do. It seems like this idea isn't so hot after all. I will have to just stick to what I have been doing. It is still loads of fun.


ray

 

[gpwhitejr]

I understand.

 

[flav]

If you can get into the water and get 5 or 10 feet of room behind you there's no reason a 2 hander couldn't work for you. Instead of laying out a bunch of cash to buy a setup that may not work that well for you I suggest another option. Buy a line designed to perform spey type casts with your 5 weight, learn to use it, then decide if a 2 hander is worth your while. I'd look at the royal wulff ambush in a 5 weight, it's designed for roll and spey type casts on a single hand rod, can cast big, wind resistant flies with ease, will reach the distances your interested in, and can still be overhead cast fairly easily. I love 2 handed rods, but I honestly think this is a better option unless you decide to wear a PFD and get out in that float tube, but that's a lot of fuss for a quick session on the water.

 

[busbus]

If you can get into the water and get 5 or 10 feet of room behind you there's no reason a 2 hander couldn't work for you. Instead of laying out a bunch of cash to buy a setup that may not work that well for you I suggest another option. Buy a line designed to perform spey type casts with your 5 weight, learn to use it, then decide if a 2 hander is worth your while. I'd look at the royal wulff ambush in a 5 weight, it's designed for roll and spey type casts on a single hand rod, can cast big, wind resistant flies with ease, will reach the distances your interested in, and can still be overhead cast fairly easily. I love 2 handed rods, but I honestly think this is a better option unless you decide to wear a PFD and get out in that float tube, but that's a lot of fuss for a quick session on the water.

That is an awesome idea! I happen to have a spare old Medalist that I could line up. I will be using a 9-ft 5-wt Orvis Clearwater rod. Do you think I should line it with the 5-wt (215 grain) or the 6-wt (235 grain) line? Not much difference but I don't know how that rod reacts using a heavier line as I never tried to overline it. I think it will take it and it might make it easier to get out a few more feet.

I am not opposed to wearing a PFD at all. I have thought about that a lot, actually. But I remember thinking about using a pontoon boat in the past. I asked that question here once, actually, and I got talked out of it. The response that convinced me was from a guy who said he had a friend who was just like me and he almost drowned even wearing a PFD because he panicked when he got too far out and he got himself all messed up because he was flailing like mad to get to shore and he somehow flipped over the side of his float tube. Now, I know a float tube is not a pontoon boat but still. Plus using that other line is a lot less work.


ray

 

[flav]

I would go with the 5 weight ambush. 215 grains is about the same as an 8 weight standard line and you usually want to go up about 3 line weights when you're spey casting with a single hand rod. You certainly could go with the 235 grain line, but I don't think you'd gain much, and it might be a bit harder to learn with.

 

[busbus]

I would go with the 5 weight ambush. 215 grains is about the same as an 8 weight standard line and you usually want to go up about 3 line weights when you're spey casting with a single hand rod. You certainly could go with the 235 grain line, but I don't think you'd gain much, and it might be a bit harder to learn with.

Thanks a lot. I am going to certainly give this a shot. I can't wait!


ray

 

[Rip Tide]

I am not opposed to wearing a PFD at all. I have thought about that a lot, actually. But I remember thinking about using a pontoon boat in the past. I asked that question here once, actually, and I got talked out of it. The response that convinced me was from a guy who said he had a friend who was just like me and he almost drowned even wearing a PFD because he panicked when he got too far out and he got himself all messed up because he was flailing like mad to get to shore and he somehow flipped over the side of his float tube. Now, I know a float tube is not a pontoon boat but still. Plus using that other line is a lot less work.


ray

I remember that thread very well and those of us who actually knew what we were talking about disputed that report of someone flipping their tube.
It doesn't happen like that. Those things are amazing stable.

 

[mcnerney]

I may have to stick with what I have snd just learn how to double haul better and fish like that in the one area where there is room to do that. Heaven knows I could use the practice at that, too. But I don’t need to double haul on any of the streams I fish but I could see me using the spey rod snd cast at times.
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Ray, one thing I failed to mention in my earlier post was that my friend that likes to wade from shore rather then use his pontoon boat is that he is an excellent double haul caster and has no trouble reaching out 70 ft or better. Maybe the cheapest option is to put some time in perfecting your double haul.

 

[busbus]

Ray, one thing I failed to mention in my earlier post was that my friend that likes to wade from shore rather then use his pontoon boat is that he is an excellent double haul caster and has no trouble reaching out 70 ft or better. Maybe the cheapest option is to put some time in perfecting your double haul.

Larry,

Again:I agree. But there is a lot of vegetation around this lake. I can get out about 25 feet before it starts to fall off real quick in a lot of places. I don’t have all that much room behind me *except* at the far end. There is a long area—maybe 150 yards—where I can double haul...maybe. I would have to make sure I keep my backcast high and watch for people because it’s a very popular place for people to walk.

All in all, I am better off being in the water 20 or 25 feet and then use the spey cast. Heck, I would be 25% of where I want to be just wading out that far!

The idea of lining my extra reel with that Royal Wulff line. It certainly is the cheapest option and it may open up whole new territory for me. I want to learn how to do things like spey casting. The more I get into this sport, the more I get into this sport.

So after I said all that, it also means I should take the time to practice my double haul, too. Not too many places nearby where I can practice but I do know if one place where it’s open and I won’t hook other people....


ray


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[busbus]

I remember that thread very well and those of us who actually knew what we were talking about disputed that report of someone flipping their tube.
It doesn't happen like that. Those things are amazing stable.

I believe they are stable. I talked to several guys on that particular lake who had them. Two had float tubes and one a larger inflatable pontoon. They did seem very stable and they all said there are multiple bladders in theirs, so you don’t have to worry about complete deflation.

But I will tell you one thing: I was able to identify with the fear part. If I am suspended in water that is 30 feet deep, like this lake, I may have the tendency to panic.

If I remember correctly, there was another non-swimmer who had one but every time he went out on the water, he would end up chickening out and simply go back and fish from shore.

I might be able to pull it off if I find another who will go with me. But I don’t know of anybody. If I went 6-8 times with somebody and slowly go out further and deeper, I might think about it.

But I will say I don’t have a big vehicle to haul anything too large and, oftentimes, I have two hours or less to fish. I don’t want to spend too, too much time getting ready or packing up. I guess I am greedy.

I do think of all this a lot. One thing at a time.


ray


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[fr8dog]

I ran into the same problem at a couple lakes that I fish. I kept decorating the trees behind me no matter what I tried. The schools of white bass were just out of reach and I swear I could hear them laughing.

I had an Echo spey rod fall into my lap dirt cheap so I gave it a shot. I need to be a couple feet from the bank, but I was wading anyway. Watched a lot of videos and practiced a bunch. Got to where I could throw far enough to get out to them. They weren't laughing anymore.

The single hand spey cast or a switch rod would have been the better option, but the price was right and I don't use it much.

 

[biker1usa]

A switch rod or spey rod are both good on lakes. Both wading and from a float tube/pontoon. I also use a spey rod from a canoe and have caught quite a few fish this way.

 

[fr8dog]

A switch rod or spey rod are both good on lakes. Both wading and from a float tube/pontoon. I also use a spey rod from a canoe and have caught quite a few fish this way.

Once I learned the mechanics and how to let the rod do the work it's great fun. I only use it from the bank, but it gives me another tool to use.