I'm pretty heavy into saltwater fishing, and have some Sage freshwater fly gear, but looking to give saltwater fly fishing a try.

Does anyone have recommendations on a decent starter rod and reel? I'm thinking around a 9 weight?

Thanks,
Hall

A 9 wt is a good starting point. You do not need to spend big $$. Get one in the mid range with a good return policy. Go to a store and try out the rods. They vary greatly in regards to stiffness. If you are fimilar with a certain action with freshwater stay with it.

For a reel, look for the best you can afford. It should have a good drag system. Look at the frame and spin the reel look for any wobble. If it does stay away.

Good luck and have fun!!

There are good options at all price points like Teezer eluded too.

The Echo Rods are VERY NICE for the price. Team that up w/ a Teton Tioga reel and you've got yourself a combo that WILL get it done but WON'T break the bank.

If you can spend a little more, spend it on the reel. Bump up to the Ross Momentum, or better yet a Nautilus. Then if you ever do decide to upgrade your rod or get a 10wt Sage or Loomis (or something like it) you'll already have a sweet reel.

Just 2 cents. Again there are great options at all price points when it comes to fly.

I had thought I'd posted a response last night, but looks like it disappeared and never made it.

I was looking at the Orvis mid arbor online, and like the price, but not sure it will be large enough. I'd LOVE to be done with the combo for around $300, not including line, but not sure how realistic that is for a setup I'll keep a long time. I don't see myself spending $300 for just a rod or reel though.

There is an Orvis store nearby my office so I'm going to head down there during lunch to just take a look, and maybe go shopping tomorrow. Know of any sales online for any decent 9-10 weight equipment?

google "fly shop close outs". They usually have a pretty good selection also you could try cabela's or something like that but I like to give money to local guys.

TFO rods are a good choice. Try to cast one if possible. In my opinion they cast as well as or better than rods 2-3 times their cost with different models to suit your casting style and budget. That will leave you about $100 bucks for a reel and line. Not much but a Medalist 1498 and about $60 remaining should buy you an intermediate line. I like Cortland or Airflow clear intermediates. Buy 1 line size over your rod rating. Later you could upgrade the reel. Spend the bulk of the money on the rod and not the reel at first.

Tuition, check these guys out. I know Bob, the owner, and he's a straight shooter. Great tackle at good prices, and he loves to talk fishing, call him and you'll see. Just my 2 cents! Whatever you go with, get on the water with it and have fun.

http://www.coltonfly.com/crgReels.jsp#

Hi, I just got my first fly rod so I'm Nooo expert, but I got a 9'St. Croix 8wt for around $100 then the Lamson 3.5 Konicle reel for $140 so with the line and taxes it was just a little over $300.
I got free backing from Dave at Rip Tide Anglers (thanks Dave) and an invitation to come back and get some instruction using their practice rods.

Where did you end up buying?

My father has a 10-15 year old top of the line graphite Orvis 9ft 9wt rod that he said I can "use" matched with a pretty nice (can't remember spelling) Mayatts? reel, but was purchased for freshwater originally. He's used it a few times in the Salt, but I think I'll spring for a large arbor reel in the mean time.

Does anyone have feedback on this cheap Sage reel? Suprisingly cheap to me. http://www.reelflyrod.com/product.sc?categoryId=24&productId=619

Also saw the Cabellas SR reel on closeout at $99 from 200. Any feedback on this? Looks heavy at 9.1 oz for the 9-10 wt version. (link my not work) http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0023379317120a&type=product&cmCat=door_saltfly-search_redir

TFO rods are a good choice. Try to cast one if possible. In my opinion they cast as well as or better than rods 2-3 times their cost with different models to suit your casting style and budget. .

I second this.......I have a TFO that is great...I also have a Orvis PM10 that is also great, but was bout 3 times as much! I would go TFO...

Which model TFO? I've looked into them a bit, and really seems like they are the brand to go with.

I am still looking for a reel to match with it now. In all honesty, I dont have luck with HUGE fish, so I may be able to get something a bit smaller (lighter) to handle mostly schoolies... Or maybe I'll be optimistic and just get a large arbor.

I have a two piece Orvis PM 10, 9 wt (like $400.00).....I was looking for 4 piece to travel with. I ended up with the TFO 8wt 4 pc for like $149.00 or something. I use the same reel (battenkill large arbor) between the two rods. I actually like the TFO better. You might want to take a ride up to First Light Anglers they have a great feild behind the store and will let you cast any of the rods........FYI Sometimes you can go to seirratradingpost online and find close outs on reels......I bought a 14wt (for tuna) for short change.....Good luck


check your pm

I'm sold on the TFO Pro rod, going with a 9ft 9wt, which I think will be a good allaround rod from shore or boat. I'm looking at a reel (still) and not sure to just go cheap for now or what.

The package I'm looking at is with an Okumo Integrity reel. I dont want a piece of garbage, but I'm a weekend warrior and realistically won't be catching lunkers on this setup. I know I want an Intermediate line, and will get a spare spool now so I can add a sinking line later on. http://www.burfish.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=09904P-2244&Category_Code=_C9WT

Final question, assuming I ever find a decent reel, is what lines should I stick to. Rod will be about $160, and if possible, I'd love to stick under $200 for a reel and line, and a cheap spare spool.

I'm sold on the TFO Pro rod, going with a 9ft 9wt, which I think will be a good allaround rod from shore or boat. I'm looking at a reel (still) and not sure to just go cheap for now or what.

The package I'm looking at is with an Okumo Integrity reel. I dont want a piece of garbage, but I'm a weekend warrior and realistically won't be catching lunkers on this setup. I know I want an Intermediate line, and will get a spare spool now so I can add a sinking line later on. http://www.burfish.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=09904P-2244&Category_Code=_C9WT

Final question, assuming I ever find a decent reel, is what lines should I stick to. Rod will be about $160, and if possible, I'd love to stick under $200 for a reel and line, and a cheap spare spool.


Try an intermediate weight forward (WF) line, should cover lots of situations, easy to cast, pick up, etc. Just my HO...

Tuition
The day you downsize your equipment because you don't have luck with "big fish" is the day that you will hook a 65lb pig fighting her just long enough to get a glimpse and hating yourself for the next 20-30 years (I have about 15 years of hating myself left).
If you are used to Sage you might have a tuff time settling for some of the less expensive brands mentioned.

Tuition
The day you downsize your equipment because you don't have luck with "big fish" is the day that you will hook a 65lb pig fighting her just long enough to get a glimpse and hating yourself for the next 20-30 years (I have about 15 years of hating myself left).
If you are used to Sage you might have a tuff time settling for some of the less expensive brands mentioned.

So true. Last weekend I was absolutely slamming fish all morning... just not on a fly rod. I'm going to give the TFO a try, just hoping to match it with a good reel, cheaper than the Orvis battenkill IV. Well over $300 with a 2nd spool. :crying:

That sounds like a good decision. I am on the pro/guide team for both Sage and TFO and love the 9-10 weight TFO stuff, but there is nothing like a big fish in the rips burning 100+ yards of backing off your Sage 3500, I love the sound!

I picked up a orvis zero gavity rod this spring and like it a lot. (9wt) I keep it in the vehicle and take it out when the conditions are ripe for fly rod ( light winds and fish right on the beach) otherwise it stays in the truck. I hate fighting the elements with fly gear, that is what they make surf rods and 3.5 oz plugs for. I have gotten a few decent bass on them and they seem to hold up OK to the elements.

I only own 4 fly rods/reels, and I am not really a hard core fly guy...the first stick I grab is a 10' surf rod... but I have to say catching albies on fly rods are such a hoot and I think anyone who hooks a good size albi on one gets hooked on flyrodding pretty fast. It is a lot of fun.

If you don't want to break the bank,go with the Orvis Clearwater2 with the battenkill L/A. i broke the rod 3 times and the 3 times Orvis has sent me a brand new rod. that means a lot to me. i like to work the rocks and all 3 times i slipped on the rocks and damaged the rod.within 4 days have a new rod.
Warranty is key.what are you getting with the price you're paying for such rod besides the rod? i bought a Scott,needed repair and i had to pay an arm and a leg to fix it and i said no way.it all depend on how hard you fish.if you fish this fall run hard ,go everywhere,in my opinion orvis is the way to go.there's other rods better,but a UNCONDITIONAL 25 year WARRANTY is hard to find.:fishin: