I recently purchased a St Croix Avid. 9' 5weight rod using 6 weight line. Casts real smooth.
Will this rod be able to muscle large bass and catfish or will it break? Say 5-8lb fish.
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I recently purchased a St Croix Avid. 9' 5weight rod using 6 weight line. Casts real smooth.
Will this rod be able to muscle large bass and catfish or will it break? Say 5-8lb fish.
You won't be able to "muscle" them, but you'll definitely be able to land them. The fish won't break the rod, and you won't either if you match it to a suitable tippet.
I ask because a friend told me that a 5 weight can land the fish, but not be able force them in a certain direction, like away from brush.
orion
I think what your friend told you is true. You can certainly catch them on that weight rod. But as db4d said, you won't be able to muscle them. Which if there is any type of cover around, you certainly may need to do. That is why you will see an 8wt rod recommended for fishing for large mouth bass.
Dave
orion;
It's not the "rod" that "horses" them out of brush, grass or branches....it's the rod operator....
I've landed LMB on a 1wt,but, much easier with a 3wt. on 5X tippet....you gently steer the fish in the direction YOU want, not him. However, this comes with practice and learning, and the right instruction. Ever hear of Lee Wulff? Oughta see what he could do to an Atlantic salmon with a 6' 5wt. cane rod!!!
Jim
Your rod won't break unless yoy abuse it.
We use an eight or a nine wt in the spring when we catch the biggest fish in heavy cover
If you use the butt end of the rod, not the tip to apply pressure you won't have a problem. They are not "Ugly Sticks" and can't do a 360.
jed
Orion,
It's the tippet strength that determines how much 'pressure' you can put on a fish (given that the rod can break the tippet).
You ALWAYS want to be sure that the tippet is the 'weak link' in the chain, NOT the rod.
So, first find out what size tippet your rod can 'break'.
I find that my 3 wt. can break 3X without seeming to be too stressed, so that's as heavy as I'll go with it.
My 6 wt. can break 0x, again, that's the 'heviest' I'll go. You can do a lot of 'horsing' with that amount of pressure, provided you know how to apply it.
Still, I'd say that 'horsing' a bass, especially on it's initial spurt (can't really call it a 'run' can we?) is difficult with ANY fly rod. After that, they tend to be pretty easy to land.
In any event, I've had bass wrap me up and get away with a 9 wt., and I've landed bigger ones in the same cover with a 3.
Sometimes the fish wins.
Besides, most bass caught are in the 10 to 16 inch range anyway, and you'll have no trouble with those on a 5 wt.. The bigger ones are supposed to be harder, right?
Good Luck!
Buddy