Fly rod for smallies

[bugman]

I fish a few of the Lake Erie tribs here in the Cleveland area for smallies. In the past I have been using a ML spinning rod but after the spawn the only smallies that stay in these tribs seem to be between 10 & 14 inches. I'm looking for a fly rod/reel combo that would be good for these (small) smallies. Any suggestions would be appriciated.

[SteveFinMD]

Cabelas has some good deals going on right now on combos.  I would look for an 8-9 ft rod in 5-6 wt.  The best thing about the combos is that you get the rod, reel and a hard case for a decent price.  I have bought four of them over the years and the quality is very good.  Good luck.

[Tenka]

maybe i was miss informed,  but i was told that for a 2lb or bigger largemouth bass you wanted a 8 or 9wt flyrod.  so wouldn't that mean you need to same thing for 1lb smallie?

[MickD]

I agree with previous posting recommending 5-6 weight.  I would go for 9 foot.  #9 would be too much rod (unless streams are very large and you are casting large streamers) and would be more tiring on the caster than necessary.

I don't happen to have a  #6 so use my #3, and it handles the fish OK (~2 1/2 pounds) but is not quite enough rod for the olive wooley buggers that are the best smallmouth fly around here.  I have an #8 and a #9, and they are just too much rod for stream smallies.  They are good light salt water rods.

Go to a store and handle a #5-6vs a #8-9 and I think you will be able to tell right there that the #5-6 is right in comparison to the heavier rods.

[fireandice]

Bugman,

I've been flyroddin' for bass for a while now.  Here's what I've learned so far.

It's fun to catch a 2-3lb. fish on a 5wt. but it's not going to give you much pull to keep them out of the trash if they want to run and try to break you off.

A 9ft. 7-8 wt. is much more suited to what you are trying to do I'd say.  The only consideration I'd have you look at is the size of fly that you'll be throwing and the wind.  I like using a decent 7wt. rod and overloading it with an 8wt. WF(weight forward), or a special bass tapered flyline.  The overloading helps punch a big fly forward in the wind.  You'll also want to use a tapered bass leader that will help turn over your large flies for a good presentation.

I have some fairly expensive trout rods, but for bass I agree with going with a Cabela's combo unit for price.  I'd try to find a 4pc. rod if you can.  It makes throwing it in a trunk or small space so much easier.  I know in the traditional bass world, the one piece rod is king, but they're not 9ft. long either.  The 4pc. rod will work great and have better feel than you'd expect.

I could go on and on so if you would like to discuss it any further jut PM me or reply on this thread.  I love fly-roddin' for bass.  I just did some today and caught a couple of small largemouths on a white beadhead bugger.

[SteveFinMD]

9 wt are typically used for VERY large fish in the 12 plus pound range, think salmon in Alaska.  I have caught hundreds of small mouths and large mouths in 30 years of flyfishing on 5-6 wt rods w no problem.

[justfishin]

Although I just started fly fishing for bass early last year, from what I have caught I think a 7wt is perfect.

[MickD]

Keep in mind the string started asking about catching 10-14 inch smallmouths, so erring on the light side might be better than erring on the heavy.  

I still think a 6 weight is plenty unless the rivers are big, the casts have to be especially long, or the flies have to be big streamers.   None is likely for 10-14 inch fish.

[bugman]

Thanks to all who took the time to give me such good advice. I've made up my mind to get the St Croix Avid 9' #5 (AF905.2) that is on clearence at Gander MT. I will match it with a (#6 LA) Tioga by Teton reel. This combo is well balanced and light enough to still have fun with the smaller fish that stay in the streams all summer. I have not gotten into much trout fishing yet but think this combo will be good when I do.

[MickD]

Don't look back, just enjoy.  There is no such thing as too many fly rods, so if it isn't right, buy another.  I think, as you do, that if you try stream trout, it will be just right.

[SteveFinMD]

Good choice.  Let us know when you wet a line.