Re: looking to get into fly fishing
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 5:41 pm
Most of the people who get world records get it fishing without the expectation of getting a world record. Am I saying he'll hook into a world record? no. But if he wants to fish an UL setup I'm guessing he won't be using a 12 wt rod for LM. You're probably right about not having a reel that has a decent drag. I don't normally fish for LM but when I do think of it, the norm people who fish for them use way heavier gear than needed, like 12 LB leaders, and then horse the fish into the boat and/or on shore. I say get a 2x4 and tie some 50 lb mono on to the end, you'll save money if you're only fishing for LM.Bronzeye wrote:The original poster, heretofore an ultralight fan, didn't say anything about chasing world records, and in his post before your last one said he wants to start with an inexpensive rig for bass. He previously posted that he wants to buy the entire outfit for $100 or so, so that if he doesn't like it he hasn't spent that much.
Bass don't run fast or far. With a 9-foot spring, the ability to apply drag directly to the fly line with one's fingers, and a leader tapering from maybe 40 lb. test down to 12, I am guessing that an experienced angler like ecu daniel should be able to land most of the bass he hooks without relying on the reel's drag. If he does need a drag, I don't think of bass as fish that will punish him for buying a cheap reel without a top-of-the-line drag, and even the cheapest fly reels probably have a drag of some sort.
Personally, I'd put more of limited dollars into a slightly lighter rod (which matters at 9 feet of length) and go cheap on the starter reel. Seems to me that since he'll spend much more time casting than fighting world record fish, he's more likely to find he enjoys fly fishing if he puts the majority of the money into the rod.
Just my view.