Char_Master
Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2016
- Messages
- 129
Hey, guys. Looking for some suggestions on a new 8wt setup. I got my first 8wt last September (initially for steelhead, been used for various species since then), and after fighting a multitude of large 5-15+ pound fish of various species on this rod, I realized I need something different. The rod I'm using now is a 9' 8wt redington Crosswater. It's nice overall, and was a great first 8wt for only $90, but I have some complaints about it too. Among those include the swing weight is too heavy, it doesn't have enough backbone to really put the breaks on larger 10+ pound reel burners, and it's truly a chuck-and-duck rod when I throw weighted streamers on it.
For a new rod, I'm thinking bump up to a 9'6" or 10' rod for that extra line control and a few extra inches between me and the rod when I've got those size 2/0 meat flies on the end of my line haha. Also thinking I want a fast action rod, as opposed to the mod-fast action of my Crosswater. This new rod will have to be very versatile but I'll mainly be using heavier/bulkier flies with it, so I think a fast action would be easier to cast with and less, well, dangerous to my neck!
Applications for this rod, like I said, various larger species of fish and various types of flies. Steelhead, Brown Trout, random/rare Erie Salmon, shallower water Lake Trout, smaller Esox like Chain Pickerel and little Pike, Bowfin, Longnose Gar, Common Carp, Buffalo, Redhorse, larger White Suckers, large (or big water) Black Bass, Channel Catfish, Drum, and big meat flies for smaller inland Trout. So yeah, when I say multiple species, I mean a LOT of species LOL. And as for the flies, everything from big nymphs and berries for Carp and Buffalo, poppers and streamers for Black Bass, articulated streamers for Pike and Channel Cats, heavy nymph/egg rigs for Steelies and Suckers, and lots of other stuff.
I will be using it for a few smaller fly applicantions too (like the steelhead and sucker rigs), but not as often as the big stuff, and I'm mainly concerned that this rod has the backbone to chuck very large flies and put the brakes on a 30 pound Carp or Buffalo, while not feeling like I'm holding an Uglystick all day.
I'd prefer to stay in the $100-200 range but could go up to $250 for a nicer rod. Whatever it is, I'll be pairing it with my current dedicated 8wt reel which has been working very nicely for me, a Sage 3280 with WF8F line.
Thanks for the help, all!
-Sean
For a new rod, I'm thinking bump up to a 9'6" or 10' rod for that extra line control and a few extra inches between me and the rod when I've got those size 2/0 meat flies on the end of my line haha. Also thinking I want a fast action rod, as opposed to the mod-fast action of my Crosswater. This new rod will have to be very versatile but I'll mainly be using heavier/bulkier flies with it, so I think a fast action would be easier to cast with and less, well, dangerous to my neck!
Applications for this rod, like I said, various larger species of fish and various types of flies. Steelhead, Brown Trout, random/rare Erie Salmon, shallower water Lake Trout, smaller Esox like Chain Pickerel and little Pike, Bowfin, Longnose Gar, Common Carp, Buffalo, Redhorse, larger White Suckers, large (or big water) Black Bass, Channel Catfish, Drum, and big meat flies for smaller inland Trout. So yeah, when I say multiple species, I mean a LOT of species LOL. And as for the flies, everything from big nymphs and berries for Carp and Buffalo, poppers and streamers for Black Bass, articulated streamers for Pike and Channel Cats, heavy nymph/egg rigs for Steelies and Suckers, and lots of other stuff.
I will be using it for a few smaller fly applicantions too (like the steelhead and sucker rigs), but not as often as the big stuff, and I'm mainly concerned that this rod has the backbone to chuck very large flies and put the brakes on a 30 pound Carp or Buffalo, while not feeling like I'm holding an Uglystick all day.
I'd prefer to stay in the $100-200 range but could go up to $250 for a nicer rod. Whatever it is, I'll be pairing it with my current dedicated 8wt reel which has been working very nicely for me, a Sage 3280 with WF8F line.
Thanks for the help, all!
-Sean