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Starter Fly Fishing setup

Posted on 1/15/19 at 11:29 pm
Posted by GeauxHouston
Houston,TX
Member since Nov 2013
4362 posts
Posted on 1/15/19 at 11:29 pm
So I’ve been wanting to get into Fly Fishing for a while... I have done it a few times on different trips (Belize) and have loved it. Didn’t do too bad the couple of times I did it, but I still wasn’t good. Wanted to get a cheap starter kit and am looking for recommendations? Any good brands?
I have found a this one..
Pflueger Medalist Fly Fishing Combo Kit
But that looks cheap.
Posted by Jeff Goldblum
Gardner, LA
Member since Nov 2004
1038 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 12:31 am to
That Pflueger setup is TOO cheap. You'll be frustrated in no time.

Do yourself a favor and get an outfit from a brand name. For example, Orvis Encounter, TFO Pro, Redington Path, Echo. These rods come with a warranty also. Break for any reason, send it in with a replacement fee, and they repair or replace.
Posted by celltech1981
Member since Jul 2014
8139 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 4:39 am to
I've had this one for a couple of years. I like it, but I just fish for bream with it.
LINK
Posted by Head1
Member since Dec 2009
396 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 5:52 am to
What will be the target species?
Posted by 257WBY
Member since Feb 2014
5559 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 5:57 am to
Don’t do it. Too cheap. Go cheap on the reel and spend money on rod and fly line.
Posted by 257WBY
Member since Feb 2014
5559 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 6:01 am to
LINK

This Orvis combo for $169.
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
23847 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 6:05 am to
What species do you want to target? Do you mainly want to fish Fresh or Salt water?
Posted by MrJudgeSmails
B Wood Baw
Member since Jul 2011
298 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 6:43 am to
Can anyone recommend a decent inshore rod/reel combo on Amazon I can try? Been wanting to get into it for some time.
Posted by wrongRob
Tampa FL
Member since Oct 2017
919 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 6:59 am to
I would encourage you to check out Lefty Kreh this guy is a legend. I learned a great deal about casting and the sport from his information.
LINK
I have done a bit of fly fishing on the flats in Florida targeting Tarpon, Snook & Redfish.
I used an Orvis set up, I purchased in the 90's "pricey" breakage guarantee won me over. However comparing a Sage in a similar weight class made me regret the purchase a little bit. The Sage had a quicker action so to speak.

A good friend of mine taught casting classes at a shop here in Tampa. Classic situation husband and wife come in for lessons. Wife picks up the technique pretty quick while the husband is fighting himself with brute force. This is where the tutorial's from Lefty's information will pay dividends providing you're serious about learning the craft of casting.

Good luck have fun! btw: tying flies and catching fish with something you made is extremely rewarding.
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
16534 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 7:41 am to
I say this every time but buy used from EBay or other second hand options. People are gentle with a fly rod and reel because they cost so much. A lot of people buy nice gear only to store it and resell it later at a much cheaper price without even using it. Resale market is strong.

This will enable you to get much better gear at a discounted price.
Posted by GeauxHouston
Houston,TX
Member since Nov 2013
4362 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 8:52 am to
Is there one that will do both?
Posted by GeauxHouston
Houston,TX
Member since Nov 2013
4362 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 8:53 am to
Great response. Appreciate it
Posted by 257WBY
Member since Feb 2014
5559 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 8:56 am to
Yes, but it depends on what you want to target. A six weight will do a lot.
Posted by 257WBY
Member since Feb 2014
5559 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 9:02 am to
Do yourself a favor and fish with this guy. Super positive and enthusiastic. Get him to help you set up a rig.

LINK
Posted by Clyde Tipton
Planet Earth
Member since Dec 2007
38719 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 9:12 am to
I'm a St. Croix rod man myself.

I don't have one but fish with a guy that has a TFO (Temple Fork Outfitters) rod and it is nice. There is some back story about G. Loomis helped design them or something, but without his name on the rod they are much more reasonably priced.
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
16534 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 9:21 am to
quote:

one that will do both?


You're not going to want to fish the same rod for perch and redfish.

As mentioned above a six weight is a good cross over rod that could be used for bass, big river trout, medium redfish/drum, and speckled trout.

If you find yourself doing a lot of pond and small stream freshwater fishing then you can get a full 2-4wt set up for less than $150 then step up to more expensive and better quality 8wt later on after you've saved some money.

I wouldn't recommend cheaping out for your salt water set up. I would factor $250-300 for rod, $250 for reel, and another $80 for line/backing.
This post was edited on 1/16/19 at 9:22 am
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
23847 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 9:40 am to
quote:

Is there one that will do both?


quote:

Yes, but it depends on what you want to target. A six weight will do a lot.


quote:

You're not going to want to fish the same rod for perch and redfish.

As mentioned above a six weight is a good cross over rod that could be used for bass, big river trout, medium redfish/drum, and speckled trout.

If you find yourself doing a lot of pond and small stream freshwater fishing then you can get a full 2-4wt set up for less than $150 then step up to more expensive and better quality 8wt later on after you've saved some money.

I wouldn't recommend cheaping out for your salt water set up. I would factor $250-300 for rod, $250 for reel, and another $80 for line/backing.


^^^ Good post, Saskwatch.

As Saskwatch mentioned, no one rod will do everything, that's why they have different weight rods. The question you really have to ask is how much cold water fishing are you going to do? I personally fish a 6wt, and have used it for everything from western trout, to large mouth/small mouth bass, wipers, to VERY LIGHT duty salt water fishing. When (mountain) trout fishing, I definitely give something up when fishing small flies at short distances. However, I get that back when throwing big flies into the wind (and it's windy here alot). With a 6 wt, you'd be a little under gunned in the salt and with larger bass. If it were me, and I never fished cold water, I'd probably start with a 7 wt, but that's just my opinion.

And again, it's just my opinion, but if money is tight, I think I'd spend a little more money on a reel up front and get a good middle of the road reel (nothing crazy expensive). They cost you a little bit more, but last you WAY longer. Starting off, you likely won't be skilled enough in your casting to be able to distinguish a high end rod for a low end rod. But you'll be able to recognize the difference in a solid reel and a cheapo reel.

Here's two video's you should take the time to watch. Both are by trout guru Kelly Galloup.

Choosing the Right Fly Reel with Kelly Galloup

How to test a fly rod with Kelly Galloup
This post was edited on 1/16/19 at 9:44 am
Posted by theCrusher
Slidell
Member since Nov 2007
1130 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 9:52 am to
Orvis offers a free fly school. I took my son to the one in BR and you'll learn a ton.

Orvis 101 Fly Schools


I started with the Pflueger (it might be the same combo) and it was very hard to cast for a beginner (my son practices with it now). I ended up with an Orvis as my second and it's much easier to cast and place the fly.

I have a wetfly now for redfish and trout.
Posted by stewie
Member since Jan 2006
3948 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 11:03 am to
quote:

I wouldn't recommend cheaping out for your salt water set up. I would factor $250-300 for rod, $250 for reel, and another $80 for line/backing.


I’d also recommend staring off with a 2 or 3 wt. if you want to do some perch fishing.

Or is Bass is an option, go with a 4 or 5 wt. at first. Cabelas has a great Three Forks complete reel and rod set up for under $100 that is a blast to cast.

If you want saltwater for reds, get a 8 or 9 wt.
Best bang for the $$ is a TFO rod.
Here’s an example 8 wt set up that will last a long time for a great price.

Lamson Guru II 3.5 Fly Reel - $126

TFO Pro Series II Fly Rod - $170

Orvis Hydros 8 wt Bonefish Fly Line - $50

That’s a great casting/working saltwater set up for $350 and will last a long time.

Just be careful not to cheap out on the fly line for whatever rod you choose. A premium fly line can give an average rod excellent performance.
A cheap fly line can make a premier, top end rod cast like crap.

Edit
Behemoth Fly Reel - $109 ... Great value reel that’s tough
This post was edited on 1/16/19 at 11:21 am
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
16534 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 11:13 am to
Stew I think your link and price is only for the lamson guru spool.

Redington Behemoth can be had for that price though.
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