Newbie Question

[SeaPro238]

Okay I'm going to give in to the call of the fly rod!!! I'll be fishing for reds, sea trout, and anything else I see in the shallows around the Wilmington area, what would be the best wt rod and reel combo to start out with? Also what types of backing, line, etc should I be looking at? Sorry for all the questions but the fly game is a whole new animal to me.

[rarhomes]

To sart:
1. a reasonablely priced 8 - 9 weight rod and reel. one that holds 150 -200 yrds. of 20# micon backing.
2. 8 - 9 weight floating line - weight forward
3. learn some simple knots - blood knot - nail knot - double surgens loop etc.
4. practice your casting - Lefty has a great tape
5. a hand full on simple flies - Clouser minnows - small streamers etc. Bass Pro has a wide selection.

Once you start you will be a fly fisherman forever.

LOL

[SeaPro238]

I was looking at a Colton TW 9 weight Rod with Colton CRG-II 7/9 LA reel $350.00 that's in one of the previous posts, compared to my offshore and inshore rods and reels it's not too bad. I'll have to research the rest of the stuff I'll need.

[rarhomes]

You know when you buy something and how in about 3 months it isn't what you really wanted. That's what you are fix en to do. Don't bust your ass trying to figure out what you need for now, it will all come with time. Buy a cheap rod and reel on e-bay. Use it and figure out if you like or not. You will also figure out what you are doing and what you need if you like it. For Red fish and Trout it will just be the basics, in most cases a bass rod will do. You most likely don't even need any backing.

After you decide you like it then jump up to the good stuff. You will learn a lot more about it after the first year.

[SeaPro238]

Sounds like a plan to me!!!! I'm on it like a fat kid on a cupcake.

[rarhomes]

Sounds like a plan to me!!!! I'm on it like a fat kid on a cupcake.

That's funny.

I have fly fished for some 35 years and guided in the the Keys, Biscayne Bay and Everglades National Park for about 5 year (15 years ago). I am not really up on all the newest greatest tackle but some things just don't change, if you need any help with leader, flies (especially bone fish / tarpon stuff) just let me know I will be glad to help.

LOL

[SeaPro238]

I grew up fishing Biscayne Bay, I waded the flats at Matheson Hammock for 18 yrs, fished the Keys and Flamingo a lot too. I wish the inshore fishing in NC was comparable to those areas.

[rarhomes]

I grew up fishing Biscayne Bay, I waded the flats at Matheson Hammock for 18 yrs, fished the Keys and Flamingo a lot too. I wish the inshore fishing in NC was comparable to those areas.

You lived in the fly fishing capital of world. Why did you wait so long to start fly fishing?

[SeaPro238]

Don't know why I waited so long to tell you the truth. I'd watch the guys out on the flats chasing bones and permit, watched them over in Flamingo catching tarpon and snook and thought "man that would be cool to do" but I never put down my spinning and plugging gear long enough to learn. Now it's time.

[rarhomes]

Them guys was probably me. Yep, those were days.

If you leave the spinning rods at home, you got to fly fish.

It is the only way to catch a bonefish or tarpon.