Solitario Lupo
Moderator
I think I’m moving on to a 10 to 12wt. My 8wt has no backbone to hook into those toothies. Any suggestions.
Done with the 8wt
- Thread starter Solitario Lupo
- Start date
Melvinp
Well-known member
I think a lot of this has to do with the action of the rod and not the weight don’t get me wrong I’ve seen a lot of big fish landed on a 8 and a 50ld musky would definitely push the envelope but a 12 should be able to land a marlin of course be pending on situations what ever weight you feel you need make sure to buy exactly what you want and with flyrods it could sting a little.And get a good warranty I guess after all that I would go 9/10 but fast action and I say that manly just for throwing heavy or very wind resistant flys and of course I’ve never landed a musky lol
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Solitario Lupo
Moderator
Not sure what action the 8wt but was thinking a fast action would help.
Melvinp
Well-known member
Where’s the problem area the cast or the fight
HenryDavid
Well-known member
I was going to mention action. My river smallie 8wt. is a Scientific Angler, pretty much a fast action tip but the butt end of the rod is slim. I picked up a used Fenwick 7 wt. a few years back that I had to repair the reel seat, it's very slow action and too whippy for me. Then I have a super cheap South Bend "Black Beauty" 8-ft. 8-inch 8wt. that is more like a broom, lol. The action is very fast and the butt end of the rod is super thick. I've only used it a few times, I really don't like it but I haven't used it very much, might make a good rod for throwing big streamers. Neither the Fenwick nor the South Bend have fighting butts, my Scientific Anglers rod does.
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Solitario Lupo
Moderator
Got the cast down pack but it’s the setting the hook then keeping them on.
Solitario Lupo
Moderator
My 8wt gotta be a slow action. Don’t think that cuts it when I get the bigger ones on. My buddy had a 8wt and I saw how it held up to a 20lb salmon. So I’m guessing the action has a lot to do with it. As his was a thicker rod. Figure if I gotta get a new rod then I’m going bigger so I can really muscle those fish around in the stronger current.
Melvinp
Well-known member
Perfect example.You can have a fighting butt put on most rods if you know a good rod builder I had one put on my 7wt fenwick
Solitario Lupo
Moderator
Question why do you need a butt on a fly rod. Mine has one and I never use it. I can see two handed casts. Also they can be great for spin or centerpin but a fly rod that's fast action.
Solitario Lupo
Moderator
As expensive as I can get a good sale on them. If you know someone who builds them let me know. Anyone on the site want to do it let me know.
Melvinp
Well-known member
Store bought rods are truly cheaper and have a better warranty(they can afford you slamming them in a car door) but custom rod are 100% what you want and usually done in a matter in which the rod builder would want his own to be.If you want a custom rod you really,really need to know what YOU want.
HenryDavid
Well-known member
I stick the end of the fighting butt against my body and just lean back to keep pressure on a strong fish.
Melvinp
Well-known member
They can be a life saver when your arm is about to give out
Solitario Lupo
Moderator
Looks like pretty much every big game rod I look at had them on. Don’t think it would get much use musky fishing since your holding the line with the other hand playing tug of war but I could be wrong.
Solitario Lupo
Moderator
I love doing that with my spinning rod. But I’m starting to learn not to stick the rod tip in the air straight up and down I’ve missed a lot of musky doing this when they jump the hook/lure goes flying out their mouth. Learning how to bow to the fish. So most of the time my rod tip is pointing down at the water.
HenryDavid
Well-known member
I have zero experience with musky on the fly, it would be interesting sor sure. I had a long toothy type critter chase my wooly bugger once on the Susky, one chomp and the line was sliced, I was told the area I was fishing in Falls, Pa. was known for pike. I would think it would be difficult to get a good hook set with a beast like that, do you use a steel leader?
Solitario Lupo
Moderator
It’s a wire that you can run your own leaders and put your own knots in it. Can’t remember the name but if I think of it illl post back. Melvin told me about it and works great.