Fly fishing equipment?

[Rio Maverick]

What fly fishing equipment do you recommend for fly fishing on east Tx lakes?  I want to try something different from bait casting.

[NewAngler]

What fly fishing equipment do you recommend for fly fishing on east Tx lakes? I want to try something different from bait casting.

Fishing for bass? I've heard an 8/9 wt will suffice. I bought mine (5wt) in hopes of it being enough, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I will definitley need something more when I finally get the basics of fly fishing down.

[Stasher1]

What's your budget? Fly rods range from $20 to the absolute limits of your bank account...and beyond.

[Flywatersmallie]

Depends on HOW you want to fish them. Big fat hair bugs and bunny leeches are tougher to throw than say, a small unweighted streamer. I have 2 rods I use for bass, smallies and largemouth alike. First is a fast action 9' 6 weight. I can throw most any fly with this rod. Definitely tricky to turn over a big weighted Clouser minnow but it can be done. The big nasty stuff gets thrown on one of the Sage BASS "smallmouth" rods. Equals out to about a 9 weight. A good all around stick would be an 8 I suppose.

The Ross FlyStik rods are pretty decent for not a whole ton of money, if you can get past the color. Check them out.

[BassThumb]

This would be a nice little setup to get started with. Not many people use dry or wet flies, and you don't see many streamers either. Many of the flies you'll likely be using for bass will be deer hair bass bugs, rabbit strip divers and cork popper, so sensitivity is not crucial with topwater flies. I own 2 of the Avid fly rods, and they are nice, but expensive. These St. Croix Triumph rods are a great starting point, and they're discontinued and cheap. I've used them before in two sizes. The would recommend the 9' 8 wt, 2 piece, but it's sold out. There is a great bargain on the 4 piece.

908-4:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=&id=0044052320007a&navCount=0&podId=0044052&parentId=&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=&indexId=&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=st%20croix%20fly%20rod%20combos&cm_ite=netcon&rid=2146251080&hasJS=true

The place many people skimp on is the line. Thats a big mistake, especially in hotter climates, because cheap line gets sticky in the heat and doesn't shoot on the cast very well. Treat it well and it will last a long time.  The combo I linked comes with some Cabelas line, which is pretty decent stuff.

He's my favorite line for bass bugs.

http://anglerhangout.com/product/1/1543/Discounted-Cortland-444-Series-Tropic-Plus-Redfish-Fly-Line-On-Sale.html

[Stasher1]

If you're looking to get started for cheap, check out the Eagle Claw "Granger XG" in a 9' 7/8 wt. (I know, I know, just ignore the brand name for a minute). You can pick them up for less than $40 and they are very highly regarded cheap rods. Google it and you'll find nothing but positive reviews, many from people used to using much higher-priced gear. I have one and honestly prefer the way it casts over the Sage I replaced it with.

Granger 9' 7/8 wt. on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/9-GRAPHITE-FLY-ROD-7-8-WT-FIGHTING-BUTT-NEW-WARRANTY-/110520364687?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bb86ee8f

For an inexpensive reel, take a look at the Okuma "Airframe 7/9". It's not exactly a high-end reel, but it has the same drag as Okuma's nicer reels and is butter smooth. It's a large-arbor graphite and stainless reel so it'll work for bass or light saltwater, and is also a fairly well regarded inexpensive product. Okuma has replaced the Airframe with a new model called the Cascade (appears to be the same reel), so the Airframe can be found for dirt cheap.

Airframe on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Okuma-Airframe-7-9-reel-/110421790161?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19b5a6cdd1

That seller has them for $15 plus shipping, but they have been accepting offers of $10.

I have a Granger/Airframe combo as a backup/loaner setup, and wouldn't hesitate to grab it off the rack right now and hit the local lake. As a matter of fact, if my Granger had been a 4-piece model, I probably wouldn't have even bought the Sage.

[VolFan]

Take Stasher's advice and fish it for a while.  Then, when you have some experience, work towards a better outfit that fits what you like to fish. You should just mail me your wallet now for safe keeping. 

[RandySBreth]

Texas? I'd go with a 9' 8-weight combo. I will not recommend a specific brand, because you really need to cast one first.

I consider a 9' 8-weight a basic "big Bass" set-up.

[flechero]

Depending on which east texas lakes, I use between 7 and 9 weights.  (and am considering a short 10 weight for the gunch!)  Casting short distances with big flies is not hard so match the rod to the cover you plan to fish and expected size of fish you encounter. 

I like Stasher's advice...  for that cheap you can fish an outfit until you develop some real preferences and not be "out" money when you buy another.

[Rio Maverick]

Thank you all for your input, it is a big help.

[Rio Maverick]

Ok, this is what I elected to go with.

Rod - Cabela's 3 Rivers 9', 8wt, 2 piece

Reel - G-Loomis Venture 7

Cabela's installed the backing, line and leader.

Total - $150.00

Now all I have to do is practice and fish.

Thanks everyone for your help.

[Sam]

Rio, the last time I went fly fishing was when I was in high school in New Orleans and I was trying to get the fly across the Audubon Park lagoon when I fell into the water.

My cousin fell down in hysterics.

Have not picked up a fly rod since then and have no plans to do so.

Good luck and have fun bass fishing with your fly setup. 

[Hooligan]

Bar none, the best "Bass" rods on the market are the Sage Bass series.  The Largemouth rod is the perfect rod for chuckin' hair bugs and splatting big flies around.  They're spendy, but worth every penny.

I really don't like a 9' rod for most of the bass fishing I do, the exception is smallies on rivers.  The 7'11" Sage is much more powerful than the average #8 and far more accurate than a 9' rod.  If you're casting for distance, it's a different story altogether.

[onefishtwofish]

sorry about the late response but I just registered yesterday. I'm actually switching from mostly fly-fishing to conventional tackle so maybe my experience can help. I see the other writers suggest an 8-wt rod and it will definately work, but I would go one heavier. With modern fly rods you typically throw one line weight heavier than the rod weight to load the rod faster and the extra weight of the rod and line will take wind more out of consideration when choosing flies. The big, bulky top water flies are actually quite light (all hair or foam) and the turn over becomes easier with the higher weight line. Be sure not to use a tapered leader with big flies and stiffer works better for getting the fly in front of the leader. When you fish on top this is critical because if you plop the fly down on a bass and  trigger an immeadiate strike, the slack will lessen the chance of a good hook-up. If you are casting for distance, get a fly-line type running line (not braid or mono) and three different shooting heads- fast sink, medium sink and floating (use the floating for shallow depths and top water). If you're throwing to tight spots, a rocket-taper floating line is the one you want and remember, straight mono, 10-12lbs will work best for turning big flies over and you don't need more than 5 feet of it. I like Scientific Angler and Rio for manufactures. As far as rods go, I use 9ft Scott in 9wt but most people like faster action rods and they are easier to cast if you are just learning. The Loomis and sage make great rods but they are $$$$. I like the Temple Creek rods for the price and cabella's upper end rods are good too- so are St. Croix top end but I'm still mad that they jumped their prices up so much. In fly-fishing, price is king and most are snobs so if it doesn't cost at least $600 it must not be good- not true. Try several rods in the $150-$300 range and you will find one you like.

Over all, my most productive fly has been the clowser minnow under the surface and pencil style poppers on top but the big epoxy flies work well and with the big fly rods you can throw pretty heavily wieghted tube jigs that will out fish most everything if you can live with the stigma of not being a "purist".   

As for reels, my experience has been that this is the most over-rated and over-priced piece of equipment in the set up. If you are bone fishing or permit fishing, you need a great drag and high line capacity because the tippet you are using is outmatched by the catch. It is not the same in most other situations and certainly not in bass fishing. No bass is going to run 300 yards to the drop-off. The reel should have a drag you can tighten down fairly tight and get one with an exposed spool so you can palm it down if you need to, but if there is one place to save money it is here. I hope that helps, let me know if you need anything more specific.

-Keep your lines tight

[Dave P]

There's a lot of truth in that post right there!