Cabela's Glass?

Has anyone fooled with the Cabela's line of glass rods? Thinking about something to throw bass flies. I'm going to be hitting a shop in the next couple weeks. Hope they have one I can put hands on. Any guidance?

Thnx.. g

Got the 7'6" CGR 5/6 weight rod and fished it most of last summer and fall. Before I bought it I did some lawn casting in the parking lot. I also tried the 7' 4 weight and knew immediately it was not enough rod for the bigger smallies I'm after. The 5/6 puts out a lot of line and is a very nice rod. The cork is decent, the workmanship good and the case it comes in is just an extra bonus. I wish my rod had just a bit more butt to it but I have never regretted my purchase.

Have not handled one personally, but I've heard good reports on them from guys on other boards.

Just got one in but I haven't played with it yet. I'll have to get back to you. I hope to give it a chance to show off this weekend.

Ed

Thanks guys. Just checked my bookmark on them and they are on sale + $2 shipping. Dang, I'd like to put my hands on one before I pull the trigger.

Turvy.. sounds like you may have answered one question for me. Probably going to want the 7/8.

thnx.. g

I have the 5/6 and the 7/8. I have used the 5/6 with 4,5,6 and 7wt lines, matching the line to the flies I want to cast. I tend to use a 6wt line most of the time for tossing bluegill size poppers or foam bugs. It is a fun rod. I have used the 7/8 with 7 and 8 wt lines. This rod feels a bit slower to me than the 5/6. For me it seems the best match for this rod is a WF7 line with the 8 being useful for close in work with hair bugs and poppers. I like this rod too but not as much as the 5/6. The 7/8 is still my preference for most bass bugs and weighted streamers like Clouser Minnows.

If you haven't fished much glass they may feel like they are a bit weak in the butt section but they are sufficient for most situations. I do find them a bit soft for hauling fish from thick cover but no surprise there. One situation where I do not like these rods is when casting into tight overhanging cover. I find it a bit more difficult to generate sufficient line speed and create the tight loops necessary to get the fly into tight spots. This applies to other glass, grass, and slow graphite so isn't specific to these Cabelas rods.

I like the rods enough that I often have one with me along with my Sage BASS rods. Sometimes I just take the glass rods, depending on my mood or the expected conditions. For the price the fun quotient is high.

The 5/6 has a tight fitting reel seat and it seems that most reels that i have tried with cast reel feet do not fit. My Medalist reels dont fit but an old Ocean City does. Most reels with a machined foot fit fine. There are lots of reels I haven't tried though. The 7/8 has a nice aluminum reels seat that will fit just about any reel. I have a 1495 Medalist or Orvis Battenkill 7/8 Disc reel mounted on it.

I have the 6'6" 4 wt. Sweet as candy.

I have the 7'6" 5/6 and use a 6 wt line and it cast great. It has been my go to rod so far this year. Caught bass up to about 2# and lots of crappie and gills and have been very happy so far. Next is to test it on carp.

Hidehunter: I wasn't trying to mislead you on my 5/6. I target large smallies and am lucky enough to have access to water that holds a good number of them. I landed and released many smallies over 5 pounds on this rod...I just wonder if the 7/8 would be overkill. P.S. just remembered I also landed a 9 pound carp this past fall on this rod. It was a good battle but the rod handled it.

The 7' 5wt (really a 4/5) has been surprisingly good even for average natives in the VA mountains. A 9" brookie will put a good bend in it. Bought this as more of a spring creek rod but it's quickly proved its utility in many scenarios. E-glass - 'nuff said.

Great help folks.. Good stuff and just what I was hoping for.

Thanks Turvy... I have to admit .. when you said "smallies" - I wasn't thinking *five* pound class smallies. Color me jealous. ;) and a 9# carp should certainly be a test. My 8wt *graphite* rod *is* over-kill for the majority of bass I catch here. I mostly only throw it when I'm using really big baits (most would consider Pike-sized) But I digress - as usual :oops: .

Thanks again everyone.

Keep 'em coming.

I think you can land a big fish with smaller rods if you fight with the butt of the rod like we are suppose to. The problem with light gear as I see it, is not good for C&R and limits the size of flies needed.
I have been catching Bass on 4" bunny flies. Something I am not going to cast well with a 5 wt. let alone an E glass...maybe an S or a Hybrid.
Just my feeling. I was seriously thinking the bigger Cabela's for this reason, but I have a McFarland already and a nice Hardy blank.

I totally agree Fly Goddess. I've landed two catfish, 25 and 27" on a 3 weight this year.. I do cast a lot of 4-7" flies and many tied on 1/0 hooks. Not only do you have to cast them but, even with a 6wt graphite, it takes a decided (and sometime exaggerated) strip-set to get the hook set - especially on topwater stuff.. Like everyone - I'm looking for that "perfect" rod. ;)