First saltwater Fly outfit..advice needed

[striperlouie]

Ok Guys,

I'm new to the board and would like some advice on a S/W fly outfit..I've been Fresh water flyfishing off and on for about 20 years.. But now I bought a 21' Parker CC and want to try my hand in the Salt..

I would like something light weight and durable. And If I could buy the outfit for under $250 that could save my marriage--125-3 ...I just want to give it a try for a season and if it's for me I'll upgrade with better gear later on... So 9wt or 10wt? reels? Line? I'll mostly be fishing Long Island Sound and the south shore and a little montauk mixed in

Thanks for all your advice in advance!:D

Striperlouie;)

[PhilDKreal]

I don't own one, but I fished with one last year and liked it. I understand they are somewhat less expensive than the "big name" rods. St. Croix is also a good choice to check out.

I would start with a 9wt, with an intermediate line, but I think what you will discover once you've done this a little, is that you are going to want a 10wt as well, maybe with a full sinking line.

You're going to have to spend some money on a reel, since a good drag is important, and of course resistance to saltwater. I don't think your are going to get away with less than $200.00 on a reel.

One of the most important things you can do is get some casting practice in. If you've only fished freshwater, you've probably casted mostly a 5 or 6wt floating line. Casting a 9wt intermediate is a whole other ball game. A half hour at a local pond or football field a few times before you go out will be time well spent.

[saltyflyguy]

Temple Fork rod or maybe one of those Jim Teeny rod's adv. on RTs front page. SciAngl reel or maybe Okuma ( I have a 5wt FW Okuma and very nice indeed. Also check eBay; I've gotten some nice f gear from the FF auctions.
Just checked the Okuma Integrity Large Arbor: $80 for the 10/11
Temple Forks 10 wt: ~$160.
Can't beat it.
I've got several rods and lately I find myself using my Sage 10 wt most of the time. And it's not like you're signing a marriage contract with the gear; you can always upgrade. One way to save on rodds is oreder blanks or kits and build your own. It's not hard.
Oh- consider the Rio Striper shootoing head system with interchangeable tips. Cheaper than buying a set of full lines.

[zimmjas]

I agree... you'll be heard pressed to get the entire outfit for $250 or less. I guess the Parker ate up the budget? My advice is go to e-bay and look for equipment there. You can find some pretty good deals that might keep you in the $250 ballpark.

[stevec]

FWIW

I brought a rod that I grew out off in two months because it was affordable at the time. Had I saved my money just a lil longer, I could of gotten better quality that may of made learning a lil easier.
I got a 10wt Shakespear 2 pc I'll sell ya for $40 ducks.:p

[MKDeceiver]

Flyfishing is Flyfishing. No matter where you do it. If you have fun in the fresh, I bet you'll have fun in the salt.

If your going to skimp anywhere, I'd do it on the reel. I think a powerfull stiff rod is most important. Yeah, If you buy a cheaper reel, it may be heavier and have a suspect drag. But you'll be alright for a year or two. Since your new to Salt, you'll probably not get into too many large fish that will test your drag. However, if you have a flimsy rod, you'll get very frustrated tring to cast in wind.

St. Croix has decent cheapstuff.

for $160-180 you can get an imperial...But they're flimsy.

Spend $220-240 and you can get an Avid series a good stiff rod that will throw in wind.

Line...Yes...You get an intermediate...I say Cortland CLear Camo, they work good and are like $50.

A reel?......Tioga is the cheapest I know that will perform for years....$160-180

But There is a place in Marlborough...FlyRodOutfitters...That sells these crazy saltwater reels for like $50....They're very durable and simple. I think they're made of some high tech cheap stuff, not aluminum though. THose Okuma's are okay but a little more money....


Hey, remember, you can always sell on EBAY....

[John Wade]

Phluegar (sp?) Medalist. Gonna do ya fine. Temple Fork okee dokee.
J

[striperlouie]

oops........Sorry I forgot a little detail....a close friend of mine is willing to sell me tackle at wholesale prices ...

I can get the Okuma Integerty 8/9 or 9/10 for under $50 is it a decent reel? thanks for your help guys

SL

[canalyaker]

As you may have noticed these replies are leaning toward 10 wt. This is good advice. Rods are getting lighter and lighter so 10's of today probably weigh the same as 9's of yesterday. I think you will appreciate the extra beaf of the 10. I first purchased a 9 then 2-10's. The 10's get most of the use. A friend just found some Ross Big Games on ebay for a good price.

[striperlouie]

Zimm , your right after the Parker I'm just plain busted!:(

Yes, I see you guys are leaning toward the 10wt so thats what I'll get! I'm a Big Fella so it shouldn't be a problem.

I have 3 St. Croix Ben Doerr(sp) rod that I use in the surf and have been very happy with them thus far. So maybe I'll take a look at St.Croix and a few others.

[striperlouie]

Saltflyguy, Thanks for the tip on the okuma!:D i think I'll give that one a shot...now i just need to decide on the rod
thanks.SL

[Pauper Piscator]

you can get an entry level outfit and be fishing for about $250. The whole shmear and lifetime guarantee to boot. Nicer rods out there? Of course but for the money?

Upgrade if you go banannas fo rthe sport like all the guys here.

[saltyflyguy]

i'd go with the Temple Forks. Hey, Lefty likes 'em but they probably threw some $$ at him but two of my buddies got them and like them and I friend from the UK got 2 and likes them as well. Like I said, you can always upgrade.

[Quicksilver]

No they did not throw $$$ at him, period, end of story, listen to the words like they are coming from the burning bush.

[saltyflyguy]

Sure- just like Moses!