Line/rod weights and types of fish

"Oz" wrote in message
t...

Let me follow your great comment up with what may seem a silly question.
You wrote that 6 wt is a little much for bass. So, I'm guessing that you
feel that 5 wt is better for bass (asking because I really don't know -
I've always used a spinning rod and reel and have never had a problem
bringing in any fish with, say, a 20 lb test line). What is the largest,
weight wise, fish that you can land with a 5 wt line in fly fishing? I
guess that was what my original question should have stated.

It just doesn't work that way Oz. The line is pretty much a moot point,
since it will virtually always be stronger than your tippet. Figure out
what you want to *cast* first, then figure out the line wt from that. You
won't have a problem catching any size bass on a 5 wt rod, but you will have
a problem casting some of the larger flies you'll probably want to use. A 6
wt is by no means too big for bass. In fact, most use 6-8 wt rods for bass.

"jeffc" wrote in message
m...

"Oz" wrote in message
t...

Let me follow your great comment up with what may seem a silly question.
You wrote that 6 wt is a little much for bass. So, I'm guessing that you
feel that 5 wt is better for bass (asking because I really don't know -
I've always used a spinning rod and reel and have never had a problem
bringing in any fish with, say, a 20 lb test line). What is the largest,
weight wise, fish that you can land with a 5 wt line in fly fishing? I
guess that was what my original question should have stated.

It just doesn't work that way Oz. The line is pretty much a moot point,
since it will virtually always be stronger than your tippet. Figure out
what you want to *cast* first, then figure out the line wt from that. You
won't have a problem catching any size bass on a 5 wt rod, but you will
have a problem casting some of the larger flies you'll probably want to
use. A 6 wt is by no means too big for bass. In fact, most use 6-8 wt
rods for bass.

Okay, I think I get it now. It really has nothing to do with the size of
the fish you are trying to land and everything to do with the fly you are
presenting. And, the fly is dependant upon the fish you are trying to land.

Gotcha.

"Oz" wrote in message
...

"jeffc" wrote in message
m...

"Oz" wrote in message
t...

Let me follow your great comment up with what may seem a silly question.
You wrote that 6 wt is a little much for bass. So, I'm guessing that
you feel that 5 wt is better for bass (asking because I really don't
know - I've always used a spinning rod and reel and have never had a
problem bringing in any fish with, say, a 20 lb test line). What is the
largest, weight wise, fish that you can land with a 5 wt line in fly
fishing? I guess that was what my original question should have stated.

It just doesn't work that way Oz. The line is pretty much a moot point,
since it will virtually always be stronger than your tippet. Figure out
what you want to *cast* first, then figure out the line wt from that.
You won't have a problem catching any size bass on a 5 wt rod, but you
will have a problem casting some of the larger flies you'll probably want
to use. A 6 wt is by no means too big for bass. In fact, most use 6-8
wt rods for bass.

Okay, I think I get it now. It really has nothing to do with the size of
the fish you are trying to land and everything to do with the fly you are
presenting. And, the fly is dependant upon the fish you are trying to
land.

Gotcha.



Also looking at a new 8wt, as tip broke off mine in the tube. Lost about
10". I use the 8 wt for stripers and shad. Looking for a resonable priced
rod.

"Oz" wrote in message
...

Okay, I think I get it now. It really has nothing to do with the size of
the fish you are trying to land and everything to do with the fly you are
presenting. And, the fly is dependant upon the fish you are trying to
land.

Exactly! Um.....well, mostly. The selection of the rod actually DOES have
something to do with the size of the fish you are trying to land. Fishing
for, say steelhead, for instance, with a 2 wt. rod is not only absurd but
also irresponsible. As others have said, the tippet is the weakest link in
the chain between you and the fish. This is true not only for reasons
having to do with casting mechanics and presentation, but also as insurance
to protect more valuable elements.....which includes almost everything else
in the system. A 2 wt. fly rod is a fragile thing; light tippet helps you
prevent snapping your rod by putting too much stress on it while fighting a
fish. Now, if you want to land a five pound steelhead with terminal tackle
appropriate for a 2 wt. rod you are going to have to be very gentle, which
means taking a lot of time to tire the fish, which greatly increases the
likelihood of killing it. Of course, you may intend to kill it anyway, but
your chances of landing it successfully, however careful and gentle you are
with your equipment, are very low. So, you end up with a very good chance
of losing the fish.....and killing it anyway.

Wolfgang