Hi all,

I hope this question hasn't been asked a million times. Will you please offer suggestions for the following situation?

Bass up to 4 pounds. Most will be in the 1 - 3 range. Open, still water with light wind. Small poppers and wet flies with hook sizes up to about 4. I'll be using a floating line. And I'm a poor to fair caster.


I have:
  • a 3 weight outfit that I use a few times per year for bluegills
  • a 5 weight outfit that I use a few times a year for panfish and small trout
  • an 8 weight rod I've never casted
  • a 9 weight rod I've never casted

My first thought was to buy a 6 weight line and load up the extra spool I have for the 5WT. However, while looking at the Orvis site I happened upon a weight chart that seemed to suggest a 7-8 weight rod for bass. I started thinking that maybe my flies are too heavy for my line and that's why I sometimes have trouble with the leader piling up on itself.

I don't want to start off on the wrong foot when going after bigger fish. Do you recommend the 6 wt line on the 5wt med/fast rod? Or a new rod/reel/line? Or to complete the 8Wt outfit?

Thanks for any suggestions.