I found a fly shop near me, but it is only for saltwater. After talking to the guy for a little while, he sold me on saltwater fly fishing. I know that saltwater fly fishing can get expensive, with people spending $1,000 on a rod and reel. He showed me a $99 St. Croix rod, and a $99 reel. The name of the reel started with an F, and the name was funny looking. He kept saying that that would be a great setup, if I approved after testing it out back. It was an 8 wt. I thought that a saltwater combo was way more expensive. Mabey it is the fact that I will only be going to fish for white trout, specs, the occasional red, and mabey a mackeral or two. Does this sound fishy to you?
Zak,
It doesn’t sound shady to me. It does sound a little like he sold you a beginners set-up, but other than that and 8wt is fine to fish those species. But if you get into the sport more, you’ll most likely want to graduate to something heavier, say a 10-wt. I fish for striped bass directly in the surf and I started with an 8/9-wt Reddington. It was fine to learn, but then once I got serious I knew there were tools better suited to the job and bought a really fast 10-wt. Bottom line, I think you did fine for a for just getng started. St. Croix is great stuff and there’s no rule saying SW flyfishing has to break the bank.
sounds like you did fine. keep an eye on the reel–clean it good after every outing.
I started out with the fresh water gear that I would fish the lake and reservoirs with. Have specialist tackle now but the rod and reel I used in the salt for the first 18 months is still looking good years later.
As Dave said, look after it and rinse it off. Still do this with salt gear.
JME
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Member of B.A.S.S [url=http://www.ukbass.com:258f7]http://www.ukbass.com[/url:258f7]
Hi Zak,
Welcome to the affliction 
Fly fishing gear comes in all price ranges these days and with the improvements in manufacturing technology and techniques…as well as less expensive off-shore labor, equipment is pretty reasonable.
It does sound like you got a beginner’s kit and that’s OK. As others have suggested, keep that reel clean and salt-free to prevent corrosion.
Have fun!
sounds ok to me as you will usually find shop owners helpful, but not always, so stay awake and don’t get taken advantage of. if i was looking into a good first salt outfit, then i would look into temple fork outfitters, who is a sponsor on this site. they make affordable rods that cast well and they have GREAT customer service. i broke my 9 wt. ticr and sent it back to them and had a brand new rod on my doorstep in a week, all for $25, which is just for shipping. now a reel is where you will want to spend a little more. i have an ll bean orion large arbor that goes for $200. i know it is a lot of money, but definitely worth it. for the salt, you will want a reel with a good drag and good backing capacity. with a 9 wt. you will probably want 30 lb. backing and at least 150 yards of it. good luck and welcome to the addiction!
I went to look at some more rods and reels. I am considering either a St. Croix rod or a Temple Fork Outfitters rod, both 8 wts, and either a Lamsen Velocity or a Lamson Lightspeed, both 8 wts. I cannot make up my mind. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
The lightspeed is very light, it has a reliable drag system SEALED FROM THE SALT. It is easy to clean and comes with a lifetime warranty. Both St. Croix and TFO make some nice rods, but the TFO’s have a tendency to cast better than they should for their price. I have witnessed there service and i think that they make the better rod.
P.S. Talk to someone about the lamson velocity because i have never used it.
Good Luck,
Chris
[This message has been edited by CJR (edited 22 August 2005).]
I have, and enjoy using, two TFO rods in 6 and 8 wt. They will out perform any thing I have ever owned. They tend to be a bit on the heavy side and some people dislike this. If you can test cast one and it sings to you, you won’t go wrong.
aka Cap’n Yid.
Stev Lenon, 91B20 '68-'69
When the dawn came up like thunder
MY next Saltwater rig will be a 9 wt Temple Forks and an Okuma reel. that combo works so good on my 6 wt. I’m ready for more.
Rusty <><
I would stay away from the Okuma’s. I have 2 Integrity 7/8 reels and the drags will disappear without warning and the reel will go into free spool, which is not what you want in the salt. Just my .02 worth… Rob
I am a newbi to SW flyfishing. I am trying to buy one set of Rod and reel for bone fish and striped bass. I will have two fishing trips for bone fish in flats a year. And I will try for striped bass in Chesapeake Bay (close to me)5 times a year. It looks like I need 8 or 9 wt tackles. For my purpose, can I live with in-expensive gears?
Thanks.
wa the real by chance a pfleuger supreme?
i have the trion 1990 it it seems to to do ok for me, matched with a st croix rod, im just partial to st croix lol.
but my setup is in 9wt
J Castwell,
I read your suggestion. I am going to buy 8 or 9wt rod and reel. I am going to spend $200 for used rod and reel. This web site will help me on that. Thank you.
Mdram,
Thanks for the suggestion. I am reseaching pfleuger supreme reel and St. Croix rod.
I love my pfleuger trion, hasn’t let me down yet. I don’t saltwater fish that much though, only when I get deployed. BTW, I’m heading to Guam in January, wish me luck