Salt water Spey

[ScopeJockey]

I fly fish for stripers on the North Shore, off of some of the beaches. I have heard of some folks using 2 handed (spey) rods to get really long casts over the breaking waves. I think the rods are used more with an overhand casting motion rather than with traditional spey techniques. I'm starting to look into getting a 2 hand rod for this type of surf fly fishing.

What models of 2 handed rods do you folks have experience with or would recommend ( 8 or 9 weight line) and do most or only some of the rods have "salt water safe" hardware? Thanks for any help. :)

[Ray]

You should contact Cape Cod / New York guide Randy Jones. He uses Spey rods for Striper fishing in Chatham frequently. I'm sure he can give you some helpful info.

www.yankeeangler.com

[Forelle]

Depends on what you want to spend. A lot of the guys are using the TFO (http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/rods/ticr.html) 12' 12-weight (TFO 12 12 4 T) $300, Thomas and Thomas has a similar configuration, and Sage's TCR's are condusive to this application as well. 12-weight may sound heavy, but remember, a 12-weight spey is equivalent to a 9 weight single hander. For lines I think people are generally most happy with the new Rio Outbound, I'm thinking it was the 450 grainer, but you will have to scope around for this more. There's a good string on http://www.kiene.com/messageboard/ in either the spey or striper section. Go get em'!

[dudley]

I'm certainly not an authority on this but I have never heard about a 12wt 12'spey being the equivalent of a 9' 9wt.
I was just speaking to someone about this the other day. He uses and suggests a 12' 7wt. That seems a bit light to me. I think I might go with something in between. Maybe an 8 or 9wt.
I was thinking of building myself one of the forecast kits from hook&hackle this winter.

The 8wt is $81, the 9wt is 90, the 10wt $100

[masssalt]

Er, I think that is backwards-A 9-weight spey is similar to a 12-weight single-hander, not the other way around.

The TFO 1212 and T & T 1212 are not built to the spey rod standard, they are built for overhead casting lines with the AFTMA WF line standard. Specifically, the T & T was designed around 30' WF12 shooting heads, and the Temple Forks was built around a standard SciAnglers WF12 saltwater taper, ( 37.5' head.) Both rods are very stout and short for spey casting, but will match up with 8/9 or 9/10 spey lines.

I am not certain about the hardware on other rods, but I know that both of these were built for saltwater.

Jay Horton
Advisory Staff
Temple Forks Fly Rods

[C. GIll]

I am interested in this subject also but am now thoroughly confused. Is there a book and/or video/dvd, or other source that explains how to get started in two-handed overhead casting? How about a shop that has people with expertise in the subject? Thanks--CG

[Tord]

Hi guys

If I may give some advise... I use both one-handed and two-handed rods, the latter for application areas = rivers/salmon. In the river where I fish, two-handed rods are the only practical option since overhead cast are nearly impossible due to obstacles.

This said, in addition to the possibility to make long roll casts with ease, two-handed rods offer other advantages. You will make much longer overhead casts for sure, and much with less effort. Line control/mending is much easier, but that is not an issue for still water. Playing and tiring a big fish is easier in particular in fast water.

However the drawback is that two-hand rods, are not design to retrieve a fly as smoothly and as enjoyable as with a one-handed rod. Yet I'm not saying it won't work, on the contrary. You will cast like no tomorrow. But at some expense of the "fun factor".

If you give it a try, then I would go for a short rod. Say 12' - 12'6", #8-9. These short rods are more pleasant to handle and can be fished (held) with one hand with a decent ergonomy. I would stay away from the "heavy guns" (14-15-16' #10-12) which are more for deep and fast rivers. Furthermore, landing a big fish on your own without assistance, or from a boat, can be tricky with a long rod because of the sheer length of the road. The usual way to land a big fish is to walk up the shore while your pal assists, or if you are alone, pull the fish into shallow water while walking backwards, then handle the fish after leaving the rod on ground.

/Tord


PS
I have a friend who uses a two-handed rod for still water (northern pike) fishing, but the main reason for this is that he suffers from rheumatism, and using both arms means less strain and less pain.

[SSPey]

I built an 11' 7 wt T&T for overhead in the salt. The rod takes 9 wt single hand lines, as well as a fairly deep bend. This rod is fine on the flats but insufficient for most beach fishing. A 30" fish is a trial on the rod, too much, as the rod really has the power of a 7/8 single hander even though it casts 9 wt lines. Thats due to the loading characteristics of 2 vs single handed rods. Most two handers that cast 8 or 9 wt single hand lines lack guts for real surf fishing, but are great sport on schoolies and snapper blues in more favorable conditions.

The CND 9/10 wt all rounder has a bit more guts and would be a fine choice off the shelf. Takes WF10 lines nicely with noticeably more power than my T&T. With a careful hand it would be a fine beach rod except for heavy conditions.

Stepping up, the 12' 12wts (TFO and T&T) and CND Atlantis (11' 11wt) are quite suited to big beach fishing in heavy winds and fighting fish in rolling surf but probably a bit much for many calm estuary situations and flats situations. Think 12 or 13 wt single hand lines for these rods. That's what it takes to access the power zone and get long casts.

At least that's my appraisal. Many other rods 11'-12.5', in the 8/9 wt spey-typical category, are serviceable. naturally try them if you can, and plan to overline spey-marketed (non-salt) rods by 2 to 3 line weights to cast overhead effectively.

a few lessons will go a long way, and have fun!