Equipment Help

[nnflyfishing]

Hello! I want to get into fly fishing and i have done quite a bit of research in the last two days.

Here is some background info… I fish in SoFlo and I want to primarily target bass and peacock bass (maybe carp and snake heads too). With my bait casting set ups i typically like to fish with rather small presentations (worms & flukes)

So now into the equipment… i saw a lot of ppl recommending lamson liquid and i saw on Sierra that they had it but doing further research and what not I decided on the remix -5+

So I plan on doing the remix -5+, 6wt rod, and as for line i’m not sure what brand yet, BUT Sierra does have some SA 6WF… and i believe i wanna fish dry flies, small poppers and small streamers.

Does everything sound right? Is there any advice or questions? And last and maybe most important am I on the right track?

The only thing I’m not 100% sure about is maybe doing a 7wt rod to be a bit more versatile, but i think I would have to get a -7+ reel which cost a bit more and it doesn’t come in gold on sierra (i rather save money IF i can, yes no cheaping out on line).

Thank you in advance if you made it this far.

Edit: any rod recommendations? preferrably in the $150 range, i saw some temple forks for ~$110 on sportsman warehouse, if they suffice

 

[DimeBrite]

Visit your local south Florida fly shops before buying anything. Chosing the correct fly lines are just as important as fly rods. A 7 or 8 weight rod/reel will give you the most flexibility in your area, especially if you start fishing for redfish, snook, juvenile tarpon. Buy warm saltwater fly lines appropriate for tight casting in your area, Scientific Anglers is very good.

 

[krusty]

I've had great luck with all my TFO rods...which I generally overline or use a line mfg that runs heavy anyway.

Sent one BVK for repair that I had an accident that tore a guide off and they had it back to me in less than 2 weeks...during the height of fishing season.

 

[nnflyfishing]

Visit your local south Florida fly shops before buying anything. Chosing the correct fly lines are just as important as fly rods. A 7 or 8 weight rod/reel will give you the most flexibility in your area, especially if you start fishing for redfish, snook, juvenile tarpon. Buy warm saltwater fly lines appropriate for tight casting in your area, Scientific Anglers is very good.

wouldn’t i need to upgrade reels to fish saltwater?


and SA GPX wouldn’t be sufficient for salt i’m assuming since it’s labeled freshwater

 

[DimeBrite]

wouldn’t i need to upgrade reels to fish saltwater?


and SA GPX wouldn’t be sufficient for salt i’m assuming since it’s labeled freshwater

Yes, if you are sure you want to consistently fly fish south Florida a saltwater reel with a decent drag is a good idea. Ebay, Facebook, etc has good ones on discount like Galvan Torque, Nautilus CCFX2 6/8, etc.

Look into SA saltwater lines like Grand Slam, Bonefish, or Redfish. Choose a taper that fits what you will fish for most often.

 

[nnflyfishing]

Yes, if you are sure you want to consistently fly fish south Florida a saltwater reel with a decent drag is a good idea. Ebay, Facebook, etc has good ones on discount like Galvan Torque, Nautilus CCFX2 6/8, etc.

Look into SA saltwater lines like Grand Slam, Bonefish, or Redfish. Choose a taper that fits what you will fish for most often.

wait lol i don’t plan on fishing saltwater with this set up, i have a spinning set up for inshore already

this set up is strictly for pond bass/ peas/ and maybe panfish

like fishing around my community and pond hopping

 

[DimeBrite]

wait lol i don’t plan on fishing saltwater with this set up, i have a spinning set up for inshore already

this set up is strictly for pond bass/ peas/ and maybe panfish

like fishing around my community and pond hopping

Then just buy an affordable 6 weight fly rod and reel with a warm water bass fly line.

If you start to enjoy fly fishing, you will want a saltwater set-up sooner than later.

 

[Merle]

quick question if the combo is about $190 and the line needs to be replaced anyway

would it make sense to get a remix for $120 + the echo lift rod for $100?

i like how the echo rods come with a tube and there 4 piece, not sure which reel is better tho, even tho 80-90% of the time they will probably just be line holders

I'm not super familiar with the Remix, but I just googled it and it seems like it's likely a better reel than the Echo Base. It's metal versus non-metallic. I think the Echo Base reel is probably comparable to the Lamson Liquid reels.

 

[nnflyfishing]

Then just buy an affordable 6 weight fly rod and reel with a warm water bass fly line.

If you start to enjoy fly fishing, you will want a saltwater set-up sooner than later.

that is very true, but wouldn’t that also be in my favor maybe?

if i get a 6wt now like you said, fall in love with the art of fly fishing and then get a 8wt dedicated salt combo… so now i can cover most bases of fly fishing

also for the line, i see most ppl like SA, the only SA line i see from a quick search is

SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS MASTERY BASS BUG​

 

[DimeBrite]

that is very true, but wouldn’t that also be in my favor maybe?

if i get a 6wt now like you said, fall in love with the art of fly fishing and then get a 8wt dedicated salt combo… so now i can cover most bases of fly fishing

also for the line, i see most ppl like SA, the only SA line i see from a quick search is

SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS MASTERY BASS BUG​

Solid choice for a start. Pick a decent 6 weight or 7 weight fly rod that can cast it next. Again, visit or call your local fly shop for advice. Fly casting lessons will greatly increase your enjoyment of fly fishing. Look up a certified casting instructor and/or a fly fishing club to shorten your learning curve. Good luck!

 

[nnflyfishing]

that is very true, but wouldn’t that also be in my favor maybe?

if i get a 6wt now like you said, fall in love with the art of fly fishing and then get a 8wt dedicated salt combo… so now i can cover most bases of fly fishing

also for the line, i see most ppl like SA, the only SA line i see from a quick search is

SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS MASTERY BASS BUG​

edit: how long should i expect fly line to last, specifically the SA brand?

 

[DimeBrite]

edit: how long should i expect fly line to last, specifically the SA brand?

It depends on how often you fish the fly line. 1-2 years at least if you care for the fly line.

 

[nnflyfishing]

It depends on how often you fish the fly line. 1-2 years at least if you care for the fly line.

and by care you mean rinse, wash, and dress?

and i’m assuming you can tell the fly line is going bad when it starts to crack and what not?

also thank you for your help so far, im going to see when i can make a trip to one of the fly shops and look around/ get help

 

[DimeBrite]

and by care you mean rinse, wash, and dress?

and i’m assuming you can tell the fly line is going bad when it starts to crack and what not?

also thank you for your help so far, im going to see when i can make a trip to one of the fly shops and look around/ get help

Correct. Just occasional cleaning and dressing, while avoiding damage on sharp rocks, etc

 

[Matt B]

wait lol i don’t plan on fishing saltwater with this set up, i have a spinning set up for inshore already

this set up is strictly for pond bass/ peas/ and maybe panfish

like fishing around my community and pond hopping

View attachment 119266
Solid choice for a start. Pick a decent 6 weight or 7 weight fly rod that can cast it next. Again, visit or call your local fly shop for advice. Fly casting lessons will greatly increase your enjoyment of fly fishing. Look up a certified casting instructor and/or a fly fishing club to shorten your learning curve. Good luck!

Pretty much what I said since they said they’re going after smaller freshwater fish. Not lunker bass, redfish, snook or tarpon. This is why I think a TFO Pro II 6 wt and a SA line will do them just fine to start, for about $200. The reel really doesn’t matter much for what you describe. I just landed some bass and big bluegill and redear sunfish yesterday on a TFO Pro II with a Pfleuger Medalist and I think a RIO Gold line. The line is the least good part of that setup, but with a popper and short leader I was throwing 50 feet+ from the canoe under trees and into boathouses which was MORE than enough distance. ECHO Lift would also be a solid, proven choice from a great company with good customer service and warranty support.

I’m about to go do it some more, actually. Wish I had that bass bug line!

Oh—You can use freshwater stuff in saltwater but be sure to rinse it well. Some parts will still probably eventually degrade with rinsing, but it can take a long time. When you get to bigger stronger saltwater species it is important to have a decent drag on the reel. I rarely clean and dress my lines but I am glad after I do. They cast and fish much better when clean.

 

[nnflyfishing]

Pretty much what I said since they said they’re going after smaller freshwater fish. Not lunker bass, redfish, snook or tarpon. This is why I think a TFO Pro II 6 wt and a SA line will do them just fine to start, for about $200.

So where i fish ponds and stuff most of the bass are small, maybe some 2-3lb, very very few in the 4-5 range…

i’m assuming this is still okay on the 6wt, but i was also reading a bit more and i see like two sides to a coin… the ppl who pick rods more so on what they wanna catch vs people who pick rods more so on what they wanna cast…

i was also reading that some ppl slightly mix match rod wt, reel, and line… which is something i’m going to discuss with the fly shop when i get the chance especially since some of the fly lines say weighted a weight down or weight up etc

heard it’s possible for instance if i do the -5+ reel, 7 weight line, and 7 weight rod, but i’ll see more so when i speak it over with them

 

[Pink Nighty]

So where i fish ponds and stuff most of the bass are small, maybe some 2-3lb, very very few in the 4-5 range…

i’m assuming this is still okay on the 6wt, but i was also reading a bit more and i see like two sides to a coin… the ppl who pick rods more so on what they wanna catch vs people who pick rods more so on what they wanna cast…

i was also reading that some ppl slightly mix match rod wt, reel, and line… which is something i’m going to discuss with the fly shop when i get the chance especially since some of the fly lines say weighted a weight down or weight up etc

heard it’s possible for instance if i do the -5+ reel, 7 weight line, and 7 weight rod, but i’ll see more so when i speak it over with them

This is a better option than a 5 or 6wt in my opinion. You hit on the thing, about getting the gear to cast the flies you want to fish into the environment you want to fish. For bass, that usually means large flies in heavy cover. Just like a bait caster set up for punching mats is a lot heavier than the actual fish will require, because you gotta throw a heavy jig and dig them out of cover.

I caught a 4lb smallmouth on a 6'6 3wt fiberglass noodle in open water once. Took a tiny bluegill popper. But I couldnt have landed a 1lb bass on it if it had found the weeds.

For bass, it pays to be overgunned.

 

[nnflyfishing]

This is a better option than a 5 or 6wt in my opinion. You hit on the thing, about getting the gear to cast the flies you want to fish into the environment you want to fish. For bass, that usually means large flies in heavy cover. Just like a bait caster set up for punching mats is a lot heavier than the actual fish will require, because you gotta throw a heavy jig and dig them out of cover.

I caught a 4lb smallmouth on a 6'6 3wt fiberglass noodle in open water once. Took a tiny bluegill popper. But I couldnt have landed a 1lb bass on it if it had found the weeds.

For bass, it pays to be overgunned.

so i just called and the cheapest rod they have is like $250 lol and besides the liquid i think the cheapest reel they have is $300

they did say they would spool a reel for free if i bought the line there, which i expected, but it would definitely help a lot

either i get my 6wt set up, save a bit more and splurge on a 7wt or wait for some deals to arise

 

[adamcu280]

If cost is a huge issue you could put together a starter 7wt rod and reel setup for $45 via the classifieds here. Look for MCourtney posts. LLBean rod and SA System 1 reel.

You could also probably find a suitable line in there too. Rickrosner has a couple new SA WF7F lines listed.

Edit: there is nothing wrong with a Liquid for the use you’re describing. I’ve got an arsenal of them and they work great.

 

[nnflyfishing]

If cost is a huge issue you could put together a starter 7wt rod and reel setup for $45 via the classifieds here. Look for MCourtney posts. LLBean rod and SA System 1 reel.

You could also probably find a suitable line in there too. Rickrosner has a couple new SA WF7F lines listed.

Edit: there is nothing wrong with a Liquid for the use you’re describing. I’ve got an arsenal of them and they work great.

i heard they are great that’s what i originally wanted, but the whole foot thing got me on the remix, since the liquid if the foot breaks then the whole reel is done for… BUT idk how common that is… saw it somewhere and a lot of ppl were upvoting it

edit: how do i get to the classifieds on here?

 

[adamcu280]

i heard they are great that’s what i originally wanted, but the whole foot thing got me on the remix, since the liquid if the foot breaks then the whole reel is done for… BUT idk how common that is… saw it somewhere and a lot of ppl were upvoting it

edit: how do i get to the classifieds on here?

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