[splitshot-bk]

Sounds like there are a few fly tossers here. (Felix, Donna Sea, etc.) What do you guys recommend for Striper. I know the size range for striper probably warrants having 2 or 3 different set-ups but I'll probably start with one ($$$). I was thinking of a 9wt?

Any suggested reels?

[Mega Bite]

It really depends what your after,Huge 35 to 45 lbers rolling on top in Feb.are going to require a 10 but the schoolies in the rocks you could go as low as a 6 weight.

[splitshot-bk]

Mega & Donna,

Thanks for the advice / info.

Yeah, I know I'm embarking on a whole new set of rods/reels. I still need a lot of offshore gear too. I may just get one fly set up and see if I really like it or not. My dad & brother are my main fishing partners and they are not into it, so I may have a hard time finding cooperative company in the boat. It seems like it would be hard to work a flyrod when the others on the boat are casting conventional tackle? Is it?

I think that it may feel really neat to strip the line and hook a fish and then play the fish on simple gear. In some ways fewer fish but more rewarding experience maybe? Striper seem to be a great first foray into fly fishing because they are so plentyful. I used to kayak fish on the west coast back in the mid 90's when it was relatively new. I can still remember every Bonita & YellowTail (like AmberJack's) I caught because it was so difficult and primitive. One fish was a great days reward! I'm glad to have a boat now and prefer it to yak-fishing for sure but I'd like to catch a few on the fly rod and have hopes that flyfishing may produce some of those same "simple but rewarding" experiences................

I'll be sure to hit you up for more advice if I pull the trigger. Thanks!

[Mega Bite]

When you fly cast like me one is all you can have casting on my 23`er.Thats an area of fishing that I havent spent a whole lot of time on.I just keep a 10 weight on my boat during the late part of Striper season incase I catch them rolling on the surface.I fish once a year in Colorado catching Trout smaller than the Baits I use for Cobia.It still gets me excited but I dont like having to look over my shoulder to see if a MT.Lion is getting ready to take me out.

[splitshot-bk]

Thanks for the info guys.

[2thfixr]

Blake,
I might be sellling my offshore stuff. Depends on what we do with the boat in the next 2-3 months. I have those custom rods that Bryan Ellis put together and Penn International reels: 2-30's; 2-30TW's; 2-50T's and 1-50TW. I'll let you know first if I decide to sell but if nothing else you're welcome to use them now as much as you want. Winner had them for a year or so (and returned them in great shape I must add).
Trey

[Lord Spadington]

Good quality rod and reel is important. But remember, just because you buy a light rod and reel for schoolies, say a 6 weight, doesn't mean by happenstance there wouldn't been a monster lurking as well. I've been fishing on Martha's vineyard and seen 2lbs fish and 30+lbs fish swimming in the same curl. I've seen it not just in flyfishing, but in all fishing. guys goin super light to try and have some fun, which is fine, then they tie into a horse and have a hell of a time trying to get them in and without proper backbone in a rod, can't move the fish, have to tire it out and ultimately kill the fish in the process.

I'm not saying thats going to happen, but it is always better to be slightly overgunned, then under. i am from Philly and travel up and down the East coast for stripers and feel that too long of a fight on too light of tackle kills more fish than most people believe.

I like to use a 9 wieght Sage and a Penn International. I am currently looking to move up in the world (hopefully after my bonus clears) and get a Abel # 3.

PS Larger arbor reels are a bonus too. Its nice being able to take line onto the reel without a million cranks.

I also agree that a good quality drag system goes a long way. Lamson is good middle of the road price.

But saving up to buy the best and spending a little more helps in the long run. Life time warranties and highest quality workmanship mean not having to replace down the road.

Just my 2 cents

tightlines
G-

[going coastal]

I've been using 8 and 9 wt rods for small to medium size stripers. They really don't take much line off the reel, so you don't have to have a $300 reel to catch them with. I've been using the Orvis Battenkills (regular and large arbors) and have caught fish up to about 20 lbs with no problems.

I have some old fly rods that I will give away to anyone wanting to get started.
You can buy the Orvis reels used on ebay for about 50-80 bucks.

[kinggargantuan]

i just started fly fishing and will be fishing mostly the surf/saltwater. I'm on a budget and using my dad's old 6-8wt so hopefully that'll still catch something without breaking!

nice thread.

[beawolf]

For what is is worth;

I have fly rods from 6-12 and mutiple reels for each (floating line sinking etc..) the 9 weight is the king I have had a blast with 5 lb stipers to a 44 lb cobia on a 9wt. For the $ I am convencened you can not beat the ROSS Big game reel. I have cheaper and more expensive both and the ross is my favorite. I have used my 6 and 7 a bit for stripers around the islands but I find it can be a problem in the wind out on the bay, so I use my 9 even for smaller fish. If I were a better caster I would use the smaller rods more, but I'm not. I think the 9 is the way to go.


kerby/beawolf

[gus]

i think the difference that u will pay in a reel will basically tell u how well itll hold up to the saltwater. i got my saltwater stuff off ebay (10 wt loomis gl3 and teton tioga magnum large arbor reel). if get get a less expensive reel id make sure to clean it well after each use.