Before I start I must say that I thought more than once before asking this question…I feel kinda dumb asking something like this but you guys seem to have a good head over your shoulders and I enjoy reading you’re opinions.
Ok, here we go. Before I moved to Socal from AZ I thought to myself “I’m going to need a saltwater rod and reel” I asked around (use to live 15 min to Cabela’s and Sportman’s warehouse which I miss like crazy) and I was told that saltwater meant big fish so I should get a descent rig…well, I found somebody selling a Pflueger Trion combo, line included for a price I could afford. I didn’t know much about saltwater fishing other than the water is salty, that’s it.
As soon as I got here I went to try it and it was VERY challenging standing there in front of the ocean trying to cast. Needless to say I caught nothing and then I found out that I could do just fine with a 6 or a 7 wt…these guys told me that using a 10wt for the SoCal waters was a little bit um massive.
Now it’s there in my closet collecting dust. My question to you guys is, what can I use a 10wt for here in Socal? At this point in my life I don’t have the luxury of taking a fishing trip, that will happen when the kids are old enough to be my fishing buddies but that’s in around three years. Right now I’m mommy’s babysitter. lol
I’m one of those people that hate to waste and I feel like I wasted my dineros ($$$) on something I can’t use just because I made an uniformed decision.
A 10wt would be useful for yellowtail, and dorado and small tuna like football yellowfin or skipjack tuna when they show up. A 10wt is a little heavier than I prefer for fishing the kelp forests for Calico Bass, but would still be useful if that is what you have. I know people that do use a 10wt around the kelp because that is what they have or they want the extra muscle to keep fish out of the kelp.
My salmon/Steelhead rod while living in Washington State was a 9’ 7wt. Likewise my bass rod out here in NJ is the same, and it doubles as my saltwater rod as well. Unless you’re going to be hitting boats and bringing up big fish consistently, I wouldn’t go any bigger than an 8wt personally.
I’m kind of the reverse of you’re situation - moved from So Cal to Arizona. When I fished So Cal it was always a 9’ 6wt or 8wt depending on the species.
Hey Panfisher, where do you live in AZ? I can give you a list of Urban parks that have good fishing. There is a local website also where you can find a lot of info. Let me know if you want it…btw, how’s the weather treating you over there?
So it seems like I did purchase something I’m not going to use all that much, hmm, kinda makes me want to sell it now. I wonder if there is anybody out there interested in a 10wt…
Two websites I hit every day sometimes more than once - FAOL and AZFlyandtie. Both are excellent sites with great info.
I’m on the east side I usually hit Water Ranch, Desert Breeze, Red Mountain, Papago Ponds, Riverview, or Kiwanis Park. For non-urban lakes I hit McKellips Lake Park and ASU Research Park. I think that covers most the city fishing opportunities on the east side.
Unfortunately I don’t make it to the Whites quite as often as I would like. Oh how desperately I need to spend a week or so at Big Lake
Well, that’s the website I was going to suggest. A lot of good people there. Bighand fishes papago ponds a lot, he’s a good guy, he is my friend, my fishing buddy and my mentor. I know what I know thanks to him. Easy to spot him, you’ll know if you see him. lol
You can try Pleasant lake which is not too far from where you are. Chaparral lake in Scottsdale is a good place too.
Later
