Striper Setup
- This topic has 11 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated May 2, 2012 at 1:00 pm by
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Ok all you east coast striper guys I need some help. I have the unique chance of getting a huge discount on some saltwater gear and need some expert advice. I’ve only gone saltwater fishing a few times so this is all pretty new to me.
What would an ideal weight rod be for someone is will probably never be in a boat, but only surf fishing? Am I wrong in assuming more is always better in this case. There is a chance I’ll get into tarpon or bones down the road and if this rod can handle those as well that would be great. I was thinking 10wt, anyone think differently?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Zak,
Unfortunately, one rod doesn’t fit all when you’re considering stripers, bones, and tarpon.
You’re typical saltwater setup is an 8wt rod with a reel that has a sealed drag system that can hold ~150-225 yards of backing.
I say 8wt as you can fish a lot of species with it: stripers, bones, redfish, snook, largemouth bass, atlantic salmon, baby tarpon, etc.
You can get away with a lot of those species with a 7wt, but if you’re dealing with any sort of wind or bigger flies, you will appreciate the extra oomph of the 8wt.
For adult tarpon, you’re looking at rod weights from 10-12wt. Mind you, you can fish for stripers with a 10wt, but you will get a workout. trust me. I use a 10wt for muskie and they call it the fish of 10,000 casts. I have about 7000 more casts to go, and my shoulder gets friggin’ sore.
That’s my two-cents on the matter, others might feel like tearing holes in my theories, so it’ll be good to hear them out, too.
Mat
For stripers I use a 9.5′ for 8wt most of the time and rarely go to a 10wt, and quite often a six, I do not fish the surf much, but I used to, and I used an 8wt then also. The line Ive settled on is a TT with an intermediate tip.
JCMy stripers are in rivers, not the ocean, but I have a significant amount of surf casting hours for other species as well.
Think about narrowing down your fly rod considerations to what you want/need to fish the conditions you are actively pursuing.
You can deal with “the chance of other opportunities down the road” when it presents itself.
Which stick do you handle most proficiently? That in itself should have an influence on your decision.
If you are truly getting a great break on price for your gear purchase could you pull the trigger on two sticks?
You can never have enough fly rods you know… 😉You can never have enough fly rods you know… 😉
You say things like this just to get me in trouble…
No, I am limited to 1 freshwater (10′ 4wt – love it to death), and this new salt rod. I’m a young (poor) professional stuck in NYC apartments. I can barely fit my fishing gear as it is, but am moving to saltwater regardless lol.
The ramblings of the locals at my shop indicated a 9wt was ideal for striper fishing around me. That is what I’ve done saltwater with in the past. The 8 seems fine, but I think I want to throw some heavier sinking lines and might want the extra power. I guess what I’m thinking is I would rather err on the side of too much stick rather than not enough.
Sinking lines, that changes things in overall assessment, at least IMHO. A 9wt. is an excellent choice.
I was lucky enough to fish in SA and in certain areas we were throwing sinking lines as the top water was dead. I was using an older RPLXI 9 wt. and it threw the sinking line with a heavy fly beautifully.If you are not in love with purchasing brand new gear there are some excellent offerings in used fly rods out there that perform every bit as well as the new models and cost a fraction of the new model price.
Let us know what you end up choosing.
I’d check out the fly fishing forum over at stripersonline… lot of guys from your area.
I’ve done quite a bit of surf fishing – in TX, FL, NC, ME, MA for stripers, blues, jacks, mackerel, reds, etc.
What would an ideal weight rod be for someone is will probably never be in a boat, but only surf fishing? Am I wrong in assuming more is always better in this case. There is a chance I’ll get into tarpon or bones down the road and if this rod can handle those as well that would be great. I was thinking 10wt, anyone think differently?
Thanks in advance!
Can’t help with bones and tarpon, but have done a fair amount of NE saltwater flyfishing, almost all of it from the surf.
My advice is to start by talking to the local shops where you plan on fishing and asking them what is the bait present when you plan on fishing.
Any 9wt fast rod, 350 grain integrated shooting head in intermediate and sink, and floater. Reel is a matter of personal choice just don’t skimp.
Ditto on the 9wt but get the best reel you can and go for a premium line as well.
I use a Scott X2S 9wt with a tibor riptide spool 2 and a rio coldwater multi tip line. I dont mind the Multi tip line as long as I have the entire 30′ of the head out of the rod as it can be annoying to feel that loop to loop connection go through the guides.
If you just want one line for stripes go with Mikes suggestion of the 350 grain sinker.
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