new rod ideas

Coming to the board for your expertise again.

Time to get a new rod. I'd like to get something in a 7 wt...for steelhead, bonefish, redfish, and bass.....and maybe salmon someday....I like the idea of a 10 foot rod for better drifting, but some have suggested that 9' or 9'6" would be better. My other rods are all medium flex, with which I am comfortable, and I'm 6'2" if that makes any difference.

What do you think the proper length should be for an all all-around 7 wt? Or is there such a thing? Also, is there really much of a difference in salt vs freshwater rods?

Hi Bill:

You should tell all what experience as a caster you have, and what your budget limit is.

If it were me I'd get a Sage TCR 9 ft. 3 or 4 piece or the Redington CPS in the same size and pieces. I doubt you can get anything but a fighting butt in that rod weight.

Migs

Your looking for one rod to do to much. For bonefish your gonna want a 9' rod in either a 7wt or 8wt. It the Bones are big, or its windy you NEED an 8wt. You do not want a long rod for bonefish.

For Steelhead you want a longer rod, preferably no shorter than 9'6". The weight depends on where your fishing. The most popular Steelhead rod is the 9'6" 8wt. A 10' 7wt is a great summer steelhead rod, but not big enough for bigger winter fish, or BC steelhead.

If you want a light fast rod checkout the Winston BIIx, or a GLoomis GLX. There are a lot of great rods out there, not knowing if youlike fast rods, or your budget makes it hard to make a good reccomendation.

Bill,

I'm with JC on the 9 ft in 8wt.

If you think seriously about a 10ft, you really should try one for a day. The heavier rod in 10ft makes for quite a beast over a long day for Salmo salar.

I use lots of 10 ft's in 6 to 10wt, but that's my preference. Many friends have tried the 10ft and just don't prefer it.

my 0.02$ anyway.

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Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://www3.sympatico.ca/chris_chin/:a28d4]http://www3.sympatico.ca/chris_chin/[/url:a28d4]


[This message has been edited by fcch (edited 22 April 2005).]

I'm voting with the majority on this one...8 wt x 9 ft. Yes, there will be a significant difference in saltwater vs. freshwater; but, in that size you will be in the saltwater fittings. A rod in this size should have an anodized aluminum or titanium reel seat, larger diameter guides (sometimes titanium or ceramic or other very hard wearing metals) and most likely would have a small fighting butt. No fancy silver and burled wood fittings typically found on a saltwater rod.

Take a look at the St. Croix legend elite. A little less expensive than the Sage Xi2; but, casts like a dream.

I have a 5pc 8wt. Redington Wayfarer that I would part with if you have interest. Nice rod and would meet your needs.

jed

...just like me to post a question and then be offline for a couple of weeks. a house move, change in IP companies and telephone services, and then knee surgery.....sorry I dropped off the map for a while.

I guess my budget would be under $300 if I can get away with that amount.

I'm not sure how to answer the question about my casting ability other than to say I think I'm improving and don't hurt myself nearly as much as I used to, but wouldn't enter any contests. The expression about "old lady shooing away a bumblebee with a broomstick" strikes a chord.

Perhaps I am just trying to get too much use out of one rod. Do you folks think I should be looking at both a 7 wt AND a 9 wt to cover everything I want to do?