Need help with 9 wt. rod/reel selection

[FishingFamily]

Hello,

I have fly fished for a couple years and I thoroughly enjoy it. My husband, my sons and I fish at the Texas coast frequently and are planning our first trip to the Keys.

Currently, all my fly rods are sages....2 XPs and 1 TXL. I plan to purchase a 9 weight for primarily saltwater use. I could really use some suggestions. I have read earlier posts about the GLX and Xi2 rods, but would appreciate any additional help.

Also, I am considering a Nautilus reel, any others that I should look seriously at.

Thanks so much for your help.

-Angie
New Braunfels, TX

[Ray]

Angie,

It sounds like you're prepared to spend a pretty good amount for this 9-weight outfit. The Loomis GLX and Sage X12 would be my top choices. Most of my rods are St. Croix and Loomis. You may want to think about the St. Croix and Loomis CrossCurrent rods. The CC rods are about 1/2 the price of the GLX CC rods. I don't think the performance difference is worth the price diffence for most anglers. The St. Croix Legend Elite SW rods are very nice and about 75% of the price of the premium rods you mentioned.

The Nautilus reels are great. You may aslo want to consider the Tibor Riptide and Able reels. At nearly the same price point you'll end up with the one of the best reels available.

Sage x12 rod:
http://www.saltwateredge.com/Sage-990-4-Xi2.html

G Loomis GLX CrossCurrent rod:
http://www.saltwateredge.com/GLoomis-FR1089-4CCGLX.html

G Loomis CroosCurrent rod:
http://www.saltwateredge.com/GLoomis-FR1089-3CC.html

Tibor Riptide reel:
http://www.saltwateredge.com/FR07.html

Able Super Series:
http://www.saltwateredge.com/FR26.html

[Onshore]

My goto flyrods are an 8wt. Sage XP and an 8wt.St.Croix Ultra Legend.
My preference for saltwater reels are the Billy Pate Bonefish and the Tibor Gulfstream
and Riptide. I used them in NE for Stripers and Bluefish and have been using them here in Florida for Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, Spanish & King Mackerel and Seatrout.

I have a St.Croix 9/10 rod I only use in the surf. I should say that here, in the central east coast our Tarpon do not get much bigger than 75-100 lbs. - usually. Also, I'm fishing from a kayak in the lagoons and also from the surf when conditions allow.

[Tarpon41]

I would agree ...would add...a reel: check the old model round hole abel big games and demo tibors to save money...as well as the used market...a rod before buying I'd give various rods a try at Sandy Moret's shop in Islamorada when you are in the Keys. If you are considering just one rod for keys fish I'd consider a 10 wt... you can do more with that wt IMO...and for me the sage and loomis 10 wts in all models are the easiest casting heavier salt rods and also scott and st croix...in 10 wt

[NHA2005]

Angie,

Make this easy on yourself: Sage Xi2 with a riptide.

[hatidua]

While I have my favorite series of rods just like everyone who has posted so far, I think it would be a great disservice to point you in any direction other than saying that if you are going to spend what these rods cost, you need to cast a bunch of them and see which one suits YOU best. All of the rods listed so far are pretty nice but it's hard to find an overwhelming consensus on any single model on online fishing forums. For every Sage fan, you'll find just as many that love their Loomis sticks. Similarly, Abel has a following just like Tibor does. We're lucky to have as many choices as we do, just go to a fly shop and cast a bunch of them. I highly suspect you'll like one over the others. And there isn't a wrong choice in the mix.

I do think your goal of a 9wt rod is appropriate for general saltwater use in the Keys. I fish the lower Keys at least once every ten days from March to September and tarpon is the only species I reach for any rod heavier than an 8wt for. A 9wt will be a nice compromise rod that will be a tad heavy for bones and a little light for the largest of tarpon but would be a great choice if you are only taking one rod and the perfect choice for permit, kings, cuda, etc.

[FishingFamily]

Thank you so much for the information.

I plan to call a couple of the shops in Austin and San Antonio to see if they have the Xi2 and CC. I will cast them both.

In researching the Abel Super 10 and the Tibor Riptide, it is difficult to understand the difference....except for the price. What do you think?

I really appreciate your time and input.

-Angie

[Onshore]

Angie,

While my preference is the Tibors; both reels are excellent choices.

[NMB]

sounds like you're on the right track with the rods. however take a look at scott rods. as for reels, i think that your first choice, the nautilus is the best choice. while many folks are enamored with tibor and abel, in my humble view they are excellent but over rated and over priced. i do not see any difference in substance between them and the nautilus. for a little more than the nautilus and a lot less than the abel and tibor (they sell directly to the consumer)you can get a dannielson. in many people's view it is superior to all three-by a long shot. i' have fished it and cannot disagree. good luck

[Tarpon41]

I would compare the abel big game 4N and its progeny the Super 9 and 11 with a spool diameter of 4.125 with the big game 4 and its progeny the Super 10 with a spool diameter of 3.90 faster pickup with the larger spool but if you are going to pay retail and only consider the abel super models I would sugggest the classic tibor in a spool diameter comparable to the abel 4N ...both the classic tibor and the abel big game have solid backs...whereas the super series have ventilated backs

[smcisaac]

I don't think you can go wrong with anything that's been mentioned. They are all high end products. The only differences will be how well one rod fits your casting stroke vs. another (which you can only tell by trying them out) and how big a hole wll be left where your wallet used to be.

At somewhat lower price points, you could look at the St Croix Legend Elite, Redington CPS, or Albright XX rods, and the Lamson Velocity 4, Lamson Litespeed 4, Tioga Magnum 10 LA, or Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor V reels. In fact, you could probably buy two of those rigs without leaving any bigger hole.

[tommat]

what is your budget?

[gseries69]

Angie,

I would also add Islanders to your list of reels. The biggest difference between the Tibor, Able, and Islander reels and most other reels on the market is that those reels utilize a cork drag system that is not enclosed. Some folks like the enclosed drag system reels because they feel it is protected by sand and the elements. Others prefer the simplicity and reliability of the cork systems because they are made of very few parts and are easy to clean and maintain, though not always easy to take apart.

[sweet+salt]

Many first rate brands have been proposed for your fishing and now you go out and try them...it is the only way to determine what is right for your casting ability and style. I will add, though, that in the Keys the diversity of major game fish is legendary and most anglers will be rigged with an 8 or 9 weight (or both) for bones, a #10 for permit and a #12 for tarpon. Of course it depends upon when, where and with whom you will be fishing.

And (allow me to indulge myself) the discrepancy expressed on reels - oft repeated in these threads - reflects that, like the rods, there are many good ones and not one ideal one (or the rest would be out of business). I will not knock the sealed drag models and will even add the Hatch Reel to that mix, but those of us who have been at this sport for a long time tend to favor the draw-bar actuated, cork drag surfaced reels like the Able, Tibor and Islander because they are powerful, robust and linear in their drag adjustment and they are user maintainable. Any one who tells you that the Tibor or Able is better than the other is expressing personal preference not fact - they are equally excellent and costly. They do have a different look, feel and sound and you can legitimately base a purchase choice on aesthetics and not go wrong. It is the rod that is the more difficult and critical performance enhancer.

[tightline]

If you'll mainly be using the rig for the TX coast, you might consider moving down to an 8wt if reds, specks, and flounder are the main species you'll be going for. I've been fishing 8wts here on the TX coast (bays) for 15 years now, and I've never been in a situation where I needed anything more than an 8wt.

I DID fish with one of my buddy's 9wts. one day (Scott S3s), and my arm got tired after only a half day.

I fish a Sage Xi2 8wt., and I have been more than happy with it. But like others have said, cast as many rods as you can before you make the purchase.

[Kuskus68]

Thank you so much for the information.

I plan to call a couple of the shops in Austin and San Antonio to see if they have the Xi2 and CC. I will cast them both.

In researching the Abel Super 10 and the Tibor Riptide, it is difficult to understand the difference....except for the price. What do you think?

I really appreciate your time and input.

-AngieIf you go the Abel route get the super 11 the ten is too wide.