I posted this for the crew over at theBassPond as well, so forgive me if you’re seeing this 2x. But I realized there might be a little more traffic over here so I thought I’d enquire about this again…
I’m interested in finding an 8wt fiberglass rod for bass bugging. Can someone suggest models that they have found to be worthy of the task? I’ve been using a fast action graphite rod for my bugging and it’s leaving me looking for something else. Just not enjoying the casting much.
I guess what I’m after is a model # recommendation. Let’s start with the Shakespeare Wonderods as they seem to be affordable, relatively common and well respected-at least certain models/versions.
Any recommendations?
Have you tried the Clouser 8wt by St. Croix? It may be just the flex action your looking for.
Yep, I’ve owned the St Croix Clouser model. Same issue. I’m starting to wonder if it’s just me and my lack of familiarity with tossing 8wts and big flies as most of my fishing is small streams and 3wts. I’ve owned a few good 8wts and seem to run into the same issues over and over again. Test casting without a fly, they’re cannons and I’m bangin’ out lie, but put a heavy Clouser or bushy hair bug on there, I feel like I’m really working hard to get that fly out there. As a reasonable used glass rod ought to be somewhat more affordable than even a midrange graphite, I thought I’d try one. Not having any glass experience, here I am…
Take your Clouser down to a good fly shop and try different lines. I know I had to try 3 different lines for me to feel comfortable with mine. Also, leader/tippet combination can make a HUGE difference. Have someone knowledgeable and experienced with these types of fine-tuning and you may find that Clouser much more to your liking. Your mileage may vary.
Hey Bubba,
These other guys missed the point. You wanted a Wonderod Number.
Here’s one with a pedigree.
In 1969, my sainted mother worked as a bookkeeper for a Hamm’s Beer distributor. Hamm’s got the motivational religion and gave mom a lot of Plaid Stamps as a reward for her flawless performance. Mom gave me the stamps and the promotional catalogue which listed a “fly rod” for xxx stamps. We got the rod. The rod turned out to be a 8’ 6" 9 wt Wonderod. I upgraded the guide spacing. By dumb luck, that turned the rod into a great performmer.
Between 1970 and 1975, Wonderod produced some beautiful Smallmouth Bass for me from Basswood Lake.
Numbers:
Standard Taper
NO. FY.B 110 8"-6"
RECOMMENDED LINE NO. 9
EGB
Wonderod,
Mike
Mike
Thanks for the model #.
Son,
I was casting a Clouser 8wt line on my Clouser 8wt Legend Ultra. I ended up selling it to another FAOLer earlier this summer.
I was dissapointed, and not in the rod. I trust St Croix and Bob Clouser and Rio as reputable names. I need to learn how to cast, I suspect. I can toss my 3wt with a #20 BWO on it as far as I can manage to lob a #1 Clouser on my 8wt. I realize that a different rod probably isn’t the best route for me, but I love fly rods and am anxious to learn a bit about glass as it relates to buggin’. So here I am.
LigonierA1
It may be that leader/tippet need to be reevaluated. A bigger, bulkier fly would require a different amount of mass in order to overcome the added weight and wind resistance (overall drag) and get a decent turnover. Just one thought.
I have an old Shakespeare fiberglass rod from 1968. All the numbers are rubbed off so I cannot give any details. But one thing I have found is that fat, open loops seem to work better; both for casting that rod and for tossing bigger bugs.
A tip was given me that has worked well with slower rods and fater loops “pull the line instead of pushing the rod” That firmly in mind and my bamboo and fiberglass and open loop casting has vastly improved.
Thanks to [url=http://www.geocities.com/rrdoctor/:96ede]Al Crise[/url:96ede] for that tip