Hey, I haven’t been posting alot of dumb questions lately, because my wife has finally started school, and we really bought this computer for her. I don’t really understand her, but for some reason she thinks her going back to school and hopefully landing a good paying job is more important than me learning to fly fish. We have been married 8 years, and all this time I thought she was pretty level headed and had her priorities in order. I don’t know what has gotten into her.
Anyway, I mostly fish small streams and was wondering if you could only have one rod and reel outfit for bass and panfish, what would it be?
I am sure you will get many different answers to this question but I would suggest a 9 ft / 5 wt, a quality reel loaded with a weight forward floating line.
I have a much different take on this than Tim :rolleyes:
I like using big bass bugs and poppers so a 8wt works much better for me
Often, a 6wt comes along for the ride, but it’s the 8 that gets the most use.
As for the reel, the old adage that “a fly reel is just a place where you store your line” , is never anymore true than it is in bass fishing. IMO. I use a Medalist myself and it has never been a handicap.
I like a ‘bass taper’ line too. They turn over the bulky, air resistant flies much more easily
For small streams I like an 8 to 81/2ft 5 or 6wt.You dont really need a 9ft rod for bass.If you plan on throwing large bugs in weedy ponds,an 8wt would be better.
Hey HNT. Glad you could hijack your wife’s 'puter long enough to contact us for help. I guess there are about as many combos to get for bass as there are any other species. Probably depends on where, and what more than anything. My son lives in central Texas and only fishes for bass. I got him a St.Croix 8wt in a 7’6" length. Spooled up an old Cabelas 8 wt reel with wf8f. He seems to like it. It’s a little overkill for most of what he fishes for but heavy enough to handle the tough ones. Chances are, whatever you have in your arsenal will land a bass. My penny’s worth. Jim
ANY ‘trout’ weight rod will do just fine for panfish and the majority of pond, lake, stream bass fishing. A lighter rod will lessen the size of the flies you can throw, but you can catch lots of bass on smaller flies.
So, if you have a 4-5-6 wt. rod, you are pretty well set. Can’t ever have too many rods, though, so if you already have one of the lighter weight rods, picking up a decent 8 wt. for throwing bigger flies wouldn’t hurt any.
If you are only going to use ONE rod for bass AND panfish, get a 6 wt. It will do most everything pretty well.
HungNTree,
First, I’ve noticed a lack of posts regarding your primary issue. I reckon it’s because none of us understand our wives either. You could always use the “I’m the man of this house” approach, but that would most likely land you in the hospital. Begging and pleading and hoping for sympathy may be an option assuming you can swallow your pride (oops, you’ve been married for 8 years, forget the pride comment). The other option, and the one I use most frequently, is that she has to sleep sometime. You can use the computer when she’s sleeping and, unless you accidentaly delete some paper she’s been writing, she’ll never know the difference.
Now, back to your other questions, if the water in your area of Tennessee is anything like the waters I’ve fished in Kentucky, most any fly rod you have will work just fine.
Depending on my mood that day, I use a 9’ 5wt, a 9’ 4wt, and I’ve even been known to go out with a 7’6" 3wt. Now, if you do hook into a larger bass with a 3wt, you’ll have your hands full (personal experience here) but the pumpkinseeds and other panfish will be a whole lot of fun.
I forget what you said your outfit is from some of your other posts, but if you have anything in the 4wt to 7wt range, you’ll be set. If you’re going out to buy something for your area, a 5wt or 7wt would be my choice and I would lean toward a 5wt. For bass, bluegill and crappie here in Northern Kentucky area, I use the 5wt probabl 3:1 over any other rod.
I agree with Buddy. I’ve caught some pretty good sized bass on a 6wt rod. Playing them and getting them in isn,t the problem, if your not pulling them out of the weeds. The 5 or the 6 is’nt over kill for panfish or stockers in the Obey and just about right for smallmouth in Dale Hollow.
just my 2 cents.
Flex of the rod is as important as weight.
For bass you want a fast rod (tip flex) for hook setting. Remember you set the hook on bass and panfish HARD. A fast rod will handle bass bug taper line easier as well.
A softer mid-flex will be easier to cast overall, but unless you are going to put out 40’ of line (doubtful on a small stream) you won’t need the mid flex.
As for the weight of the rod, an 8wt will cast a kite shaped bass bug, but isn’t much fun on panfish. A good fast 5-6 wt will do just fine.
Rod length depends mostly on your locale. A 9 foot rod is easier to lay out a roll cast and mend line, but will require a larger diameter casting circle. On the other hand, a fast 7’6" rod can feel like it’s got no flex at all. I’m not a real fan of 8’6" rods because it seems like I’m sacrificing something just to take the middle ground soooo… overall I’d recommend the 9 foot.
I have a 8’ 5-6wt Shakespeare that my little brother gave me. He tried fly fishing a few years ago and gave it up. When I mentioned that I would like to try flyfishing he gave me his stuff. :oops:I am sort of embarassed to mention this, but at first I thought he had a left handed reel. I thought that was odd and I really don’t know how long I practiced with it when it finally hit me. Once I took the line off and turned the reel around it worked just fine. Since he is right handed too, I am definitely planning on rubbing it in, I will just conveniently forget to mention that I didn’t notice it for a month or so. Of course I can’t rub it it too hard, he might decide he wants his stuff back.
Jason,that rod sounds perfect for what you want to do.As long as you like the outfit,go ahead and fish it.I have fished for bass with 7’4wt to a 9’7wt and I like the mid-length rods best for small streams.
Jason,
That 5/6 wt Shakespere will work just fine for you. If you’re like most of us here, after a year, you’ll want to get a 3wt, and a 7wt, and a bunch of other stuff you really don’t need but you want in the worst way. When it comes to collecting gear, there are a bunch of enablers on FAOL who will be happy to help you figure out all the stuff you want. Trust me, I’ve been there and am now in a position to pass it along.
Those flies I sent your way will cast just fine on the rod you have and if there are bass and bluegill in the water and they are hungry, you will catch fish with them.
im right outside of jackson mississippi. if you are ever in the area let me know. i can take you to my private lake for some serious bass and bream fishing. i also have access to alot of large farm ponds that i am close friends with the owners. take care
It took me until the second page to learn what you now have for equipment, but I agree, your current rod is just about perfect. I have 12 rods myself, and about 8 more have passed thru my hands. But for bass (6wt) in smaller waters (8’ rod) you have the right combination IMHO. You are now free to buy other rods for JUST panfish or bass IN LAKES, and bring the current rod (which will become the OLD rod) as a much loved back-up. In the meantime - no worries.