Flyfishing question

Depends on the fish and the guy fishing. I’ve never gone trout fishing but a friend of mine in Washington goes a lot and he puts fish on the reel all the time. I almost never put fish on the reel unless it’s a fish that feels big for whatever my tippet is because the drag will protect the tippet better than me.

I only fly-fish for bass and bream so I always hand strip the line

quote:

---

all work done is with rod and hand, the reel is just to pick up extra line you dont need

---

So when trout fishing or LMB fishing on a lake, the rod is the most important thing.

The reel is just the line holder.

That tip can save ppl money.

If the fish is" fish enough", it puts itself on the reel. Otherwise it'll get stripped in unless I'm just bored and goofing around.

quote:

---

So when trout fishing or LMB fishing on a lake, the rod is the most important thing.

The reel is just the line holder.

That tip can save ppl money.

---

Other than small creeks a fly rod is always the most important thing in fly fishing. In small creeks you are basically using a cane pole but if you casting any distance at all the ability for the line to load the rod properly is necessary to get the line to roll over. Using the wrong rod that is not loading right or casting in a manner that does not allow the rod to load right will result in the line hitting the water like a brick and most likely your fly will be between you and the line/leader junction because the leader usually will not roll over if the rod is not properly loaded. It will almost feel like the rod is going to snap if done properly...does not take strength, its all about fluid motion and timing. Even for experienced fly fisherman it is damned difficult to do, especially when fish are actively feeding.

quote:

---

If the fish is" fish enough", it puts itself on the reel. Otherwise it'll get stripped in unless I'm just bored and goofing around.

---

In my experience fish that are going to get on the reel do so with alarming speed LOL. In most cases, in my experience, they are on the reel before I realize they damned thing took the bait, let alone had a hook in it. There is a LOT going on between the time a fish takes a fly and is on the reel, 99.9% of that stuff is out of the fishermans control, which is a good thing because, in my case anyway, I am momentarily amazed something took the bait...in the split second it takes me to recover the fish is on the reel.

Those saying the reel is just a line holder haven't
1) fished for big trout with fine tippet
2) fished for even bigger fish that make your reel scream.


But yeah.. for most fishing with a 4-6 weight, you don't necessarily need a great reel. But when you need it... (above scenario with a big fish on fine tippet), you'll be crying when the fish makes a run and breaks off because your "drag" wasn't smooth or you fumbled the line while hand retrieving.

Grab the line let the rod do the work and strip the fish in. I usually have so much line out using the reel you would have an issue, unless you have one of the self reeling reels that are spring loaded that will take up all your slack line, but I have never used one.

quote:

---

arent they replaceable parts from what i understand?

if so, swapping out the friction pads is all it takes, i wouldnt say the reel was destroyed


i just stick to using the basic cheapo reels with no drag at all. my best so far is a 24" redfish

---

Yes, a medium priced reel has replaceable drag discs. When I said destroyed I meant at the moment. I have never leadered a big Tarpon on a fly rod...about 70-80 pounds is the most I ever leadered. That size will almost smoke a drag. I have had BIG...125 pound plus...Tarpon on for as long as 15-20 minutes but never leadered one that size. A 40 inch snook will come close. I know that people catch multiple tarpon on the same reel and line...it is no easy thing to do without damaging the drag.


I use a 12 weight for almost all saltwater fly fishing. It is a little much for redfish and snook but it will handle big flies and wind. I have caught some MONSTER cubrera snapper and grouper in 3 feet of water on a 12 weight fly rod. I have caught 20 pound dolphin on the same rod. Its a bit overkill offshore but I can handle large flies and wind with it. The exception is bonefish...I use 5-6 weights for bones. They will flat out smoke a 5-6 weight. They say a sailfish is the fastest sport fish but nobody ever told a 5 pound bonefish that shite. I have caught permit on a 12 weight and have had them hooked on a 6. I ain't sure what is right for permit because the damned things are so picky in shallow water. On a reef they act just like the jacks they are, in shallow water all of a sudden they become picky.