Line Weight/Rod Action/Reel for Long Island

[redge]

Hi,

I'll be spending a good deal of time in New York City starting this spring, and I'd like to do some saltwater fly fishing. I currently fish freshwater rivers, streams and lakes, for which I use 4wt and 7wt rods.

I'll be based in Jackson Heights, so Long Island is convenient. I expect that I'll mostly be fishing from the shore/beach or in waders, but I hope to get out on a boat occasionally.

Some questions...

What are people fishing for on Long Island during the spring and fall, which is when I'll be there? I'd certainly like to fish for striped bass, which I think is a great eating fish.

What line weight(s) do people generally use on the island, or to put it differently, what would you recommend? 8wt? 9wt? 10wt? more?

Should I be looking at a rod action on the fast side? What about length? To put this a bit differently, what casting distance and mending ability am I going to need, particularly in surf? Is there a benefit to using a spey rod?

Finally, I use Hardy reels for freshwater fishing. Should I be looking at their saltwater models, or at something like the new Mako Charlton?

Thanks.

[tommat]

9wt or 10wt. Either would be fine. If I could only have 1 it would be a 10wt. 9' for length. Forget the Spey rod. If you go this route you might as well just use a spinning rod.

You don't need a Charlton reel. Tibor, Scientific Angler, Bauer, Lamson, Ross to name a few would be fine. I also like the new Colton reels for the price and quality. I own two of those right now to go with my Tibor and Bauer.

Hope this helps...

[redge]

tommat,

That helps a lot.

Since writing my post, I've stumbled on the 2007 fishing summary on this site, which has given me a good idea of the fish and seasons.

Would be delighted to see additional suggestions from others on the tackle questions.

Cheers

[teflon_jones]

I'd go with a 10 ft 9 wt to give yourself a little extra distance from the beach.

[PhilDKreal]

If you're going to be fishing "ocean surf", then the 9ft 10wt is a good choice, but there are also plenty of opportunities in bays and other "smaller" water, as well as flats type fishing further east in "skinny" water where an 8wt would be better. 9wt is a good compromise, and 9ft is the length you're looking for.

Intermediate sinking lines, fast sinking lines and floating all have there place depending on location and conditions.

You definitely want a saltwater reel. I use Ross BG 4 (7,8,9) & 5 (9,10,11). Ross is sort of "middle of the road" in price between Lamson (lower) and Tibor.

If you are completely unfamiliar with the water and this type of fishing, I recommend you check out some of the local guides. Money well spent.

Oh and get yourself some chartreuse & white clousers, sized 1, 2, 1/0. 2/0.