nickyfins Posted January 8, 2015 Posted January 8, 2015 I read this rod review and am going to buy a new scott tidal but don't know weather to get an 7 weight or and 8 weight? Anyone have any thoughts? Really new to fishing for bass with a fly rod having mostly just been a trout guy for the past 15 years. Thanks! 1 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted January 8, 2015 Super User Posted January 8, 2015 Then you know the weight of the lures you plan on using help determine what weight rod to buy. Either will work fine for bass. Quote
nickyfins Posted January 8, 2015 Author Posted January 8, 2015 I think the flys are going to be the sae, mainly dont know which fights bass better Quote
ChrisWi Posted January 8, 2015 Posted January 8, 2015 I'd go six or seven. 8 is a little much to me. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted January 8, 2015 Posted January 8, 2015 Either is plenty powerful for bass fishing. The thing with fly rods is that you cast the line not the bait, so it's not as easy to change during an outing. I'd talk to someone familiar with the rod you're interested in and see how they cast. It's common to under or over-line fly rods to get the best performance. 2 Quote
CaptMikeStarrett Posted January 8, 2015 Posted January 8, 2015 For turning big bugs an 8 is best.. In the pads and heavy grass 8 is best ... short precise cast to small 6 inch plate targets 8 is best... providing you can cast all day with an 8 it is a good choice. A 7 will feel so light after several hours with an 8. If you wade fish rivers for those brown bass a 7 is a better choice. But from a boat in heavy cover an 8 with short leader and maybe the tip of the line cutback will out perform a 7 and turn fish out of heavy cover. Capt Mike 1 Quote
cyclops2 Posted January 8, 2015 Posted January 8, 2015 A maximum weight rod WILL cast anything in a wind. The lighter the weight the less conditions you can cast EASILY in. I have only kept the #8 rod & reel. Pfleuger Reel with fully spooled spare spooles from level to a shooting head. It is fantastic with loops on the lines & tapered leaders. Quick changes that way. The level line is the good part of a old shooting head line. All the spools have full backing of Dacron. You can use a cheap braid like Cajun Braid now as backing. Quote
0119 Posted January 8, 2015 Posted January 8, 2015 I started with an 8 but now don't use anything but a 6wt. I've never felt undergunned but I don't use deerhair surface stuff I'm strictly a streamer fishermen, sometimes a gurgler. Quote
cyclops2 Posted January 8, 2015 Posted January 8, 2015 I just carry a 1.5" and a 4" Muddler Minnow. The 4" has a trailing hook with the fur tied to it. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted January 8, 2015 Super User Posted January 8, 2015 For turning big bugs an 8 is best.. In the pads and heavy grass 8 is best ... short precise cast to small 6 inch plate targets 8 is best... providing you can cast all day with an 8 it is a good choice. A 7 will feel so light after several hours with an 8. If you wade fish rivers for those brown bass a 7 is a better choice. But from a boat in heavy cover an 8 with short leader and maybe the tip of the line cutback will out perform a 7 and turn fish out of heavy cover. Capt Mike Sounds like excellent advice to me. Quote
OntarioFishingGuy Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 I would probably go with a 7, but I have caught everything from gills to big carp on a 5. Really depends on the size flies you will be throwing. Quote
Super User Alpster Posted January 9, 2015 Super User Posted January 9, 2015 I like a 6wt for most bassing conditions, but I have a 9wt that I like to use in thick lilly pads & grass. Quote
FrankW Posted January 10, 2015 Posted January 10, 2015 HI Scott Tidal, The Tidal is a new rod getting good reviews but is intended for salt water fishing. Did you pick the Tidal because you might be fishing salt? Or did you pick it because of the reviews? If I was buying my first Bass fly rod I would be looking at the Sage Specialty rods (Bass II) designed for Bass. They are a bit shorter and well designed for Bass fishing. The rod comes with a line that is designed to match the specific rod. Frank Quote
cyclops2 Posted January 10, 2015 Posted January 10, 2015 Nicky Will you wade or boat mostly ? If wading Pick a LONGER rod if possible. You lost 3' of height already. The 8 & 9# lines are heavier & tire me faster doing lots of roll casts. I am 6' 2" Boat ? Anything will be fine. The long rods can get heavy for the first few days / weeks, until your muscles build up. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 10, 2015 Super User Posted January 10, 2015 Go cast it if at all possible before you make a call on which weight to get. I personally prefer 7wt for smallies and go with my Sage Bass II LM for largemouth in any type of cover. It really boils down to what type of cover and what type of flies you will be throwing. As far as rod length, it is completely preference. Find what you like to cast and use that...i have rods from 9' on down to 6'6" and have no issues casting while wading or from my kayak. Quote
Jon G Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 I use a 6wt for all my bass needs except if im using larger poppers around grass then I use an 8wt Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 11, 2015 Super User Posted January 11, 2015 I wave around a 7wt St Croix Bank Robber - I like it a lot. A-Jay Quote
Bass2124 Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 I use both a 6 wt and an 8 wt. I use a 6 wt for throwing poppers and the 8wt for throwing clousers. My wife loves to troll for bass with a flyrod. Trolling the 8 weight carolina rigged with a lizard 150'ft from the boat doing s turns will land you more bass than you can ever imagine. Though not conventional, it is a great way for kids or anyone for that matter to catch a boat load in a day and have a ball doing it. Quote
cyclops2 Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 Bass I will take your wife fishing ANY DAY. I troll that way also. SAME RESULTS. While trolling, I cast the ultra light . I occasionally rig the flyrod with a 6" to 8 " Rap or Rebel. A big pike on the fly is a reel workout. No barbs means boat stays in gear & some fast cranking those non geared reels. Worth every second. Quote
Bass2124 Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 Bass I will take your wife fishing ANY DAY. I troll that way also. SAME RESULTS. While trolling, I cast the ultra light . I occasionally rig the flyrod with a 6" to 8 " Rap or Rebel. A big pike on the fly is a reel workout. No barbs means boat stays in gear & some fast cranking those non geared reels. Worth every second. It works. I have used every lure imaginable this way. Trust me nothing works better than a 6" lizard. Falling on an inside turn or taking off on an outside turn is too irresistible for them. I have caught them this way on a every body of water I have fished. This is my go to method on days when the bite is slow. Great search method as well though obviously not legal in tournaments. Quote
cyclops2 Posted January 12, 2015 Posted January 12, 2015 Would not want to come in with a heavier weight total than the pros & sponsors ??? Quote
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