Saltwater Set-Up - California Fishing

sharkbait7 · 06-15-2005, 10:26 PM

does anyone have any suggestions for a saltwater fly fishing set up under $200? (an okay set-up, it doesn't have to be that good, i will be getting limited use out of it) i would use it off of the beach and possibly in harbors. Also, one of my friends just uses his freshwater setup, what do you guys think about doing it that way?

DementedFish · 06-15-2005, 10:47 PM

Ive heard not to use freshwater fly gear in salt. Apparently salt really affects fly gear. I know Okuma makes some nice, affordable fly reels. I saw them at fred hall, and they're set up like regular star drag reels. They have a star drag on the side of them, and they're really cool. Check them out. I would prolly get an 8wt rod.

tunakid · 06-16-2005, 12:25 AM

sean like everything okuma

sharkbait7 · 06-16-2005, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DementedFish

Ive heard not to use freshwater fly gear in salt. Apparently salt really affects fly gear. I know Okuma makes some nice, affordable fly reels. I saw them at fred hall, and they're set up like regular star drag reels. They have a star drag on the side of them, and they're really cool. Check them out. I would prolly get an 8wt rod.

i looked at them on the okuma website and they look pretty cool. do you know how much they are?

Nick Velvet · 06-16-2005, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tunakid

sean like everything okuma

He must be getting kickbacks somewhere

DementedFish · 06-16-2005, 04:41 PM

Okuma Helios: $139.99-$149.99
Okuma Magnitude: $59.99-$99.99
Okuma Integrity: $69.99-$79.99
Okuma Sierra: $35.99-$46.99
Okuma Carina: $27.99-$29.99
Okuma Airframe: $39.99
Okuma Aventa: $149.99

sharkbait7 · 06-16-2005, 05:27 PM

thanks for the prices. are all of them saltwater reels?

DementedFish · 06-16-2005, 05:31 PM

Not sure, but I'm sure they will all work in saltwater.

Cuban_Fish · 06-16-2005, 06:57 PM

I cant aid you much with price ranges but i can tell you an 8 weight would be a safe bet for beaches and harbors. I have a 10 weight which i use to fish from the beach and offshore in mexico. The reel in my avatar is what I use but it is a little more then $200

check out the okumas and see what you think. i havent really heard any negative feed back on them. the only thing i would recomend is not buying a BRAND new model, let the company work the bugs out of the models before you purchase one, you know what i mean?

PlatinumHooks · 06-19-2005, 06:20 PM

Be very selective with your fly reels, even more so than conventional reels. I've found, as well as heard from others, that regarding fly reels, there's "good" and then there's "no good"....pretty much no in between like conventional or spinning reels. Also like Andrew(Cuban Fish) said....a 6 to 8 weight rod in the surf and harbors sould work perfect.

NulodPBall · 06-21-2005, 11:42 PM

I have a couple of Okuma's and I like the Integrity's. Stay away from anything that costs less than the Integrity's unless you want lightness, and just a place to put your line.

My Integrity's look like they should be light, but when I compare them to something like a Galvan Torque, they feel heavy. If you can't afford something better, then don't worry, but if you can...trust me, try fishing a river for 14 hrs straight, with a heavy 9 wt setup. You will pass out at the end of the day, and not wakeup early enough to fish the next day.

Don't get a click-drag reel. Most of them use spring steel that will rust if you use them in salt water. I have been lucky (?), so far, enough to be able to land everything I've caught in the ocean without going to the reel, so I care more about how the reel (with line) balances out the rod.

I believe Ecco has some combo setups that aren't too expensive for what you get.

Whatever you get, don't skimp on the rod...skimp on the reel...dont' skimp on the line. Buy the best that you can afford for your rod.

Everyone has their preferences. I have some friends that have tried buying cheap, but eventually get the top-of-line setups just because it's cheaper in the long run (excellent replacement policies on broken gear), so they prefer Loomis, Sage, or Winston. My budget is a little lower so I like TFO (Temple Fork Outfitters). I can get a pretty good rod for about $140.00 and they have a $25.00 no questions replacement/repair warranty.

Reddington also as a decent replacement policy. I like the St. Croix's also.

Don't get a wood insert on your reel seat. Get something that doesn't soak up water.

I have done surf fishing on a 5 wt but I wouldn't recommend it. 7 to 9 wt would probably be perfect. Some people believe in only having a floating line and the either attach splitshot, or a sinking head to get the fly down (use Looong leaders). Other people believe in a fast sink line (My new one is a type 6, my old line was an intermediate sink). Don't spend money on more than one line, unless you're going to use the rod elsewhere.

Be sure you rinse off your reel, and your rod, very well and let it dry if you can, before putting it away.

Good luck, and happy catching

Ray

Eric · 06-22-2005, 09:18 AM

I need to give surf lfyflishing a try... One day.
Eric
That would mean another fly rod and reel. How much flyfishing gear can a guy have..(not enough)

PlatinumHooks · 06-22-2005, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NulodPBall

I have done surf fishing on a 5 wt but I wouldn't recommend it. 7 to 9 wt would probably be perfect. Some people believe in only having a floating line and the either attach splitshot, or a sinking head to get the fly down (use Looong leaders). Other people believe in a fast sink line (My new one is a type 6, my old line was an intermediate sink). Don't spend money on more than one line, unless you're going to use the rod elsewhere.

Be sure you rinse off your reel, and your rod, very well and let it dry if you can, before putting it away.

Good luck, and happy catching

Ray

Ray, I agree. I know more people that use floating line with a fast sinking leader for surf fishing applications here in California (with our particular species), as opposed to say Gulf states where most beach applications consist of fishing flats, and floating or intermediate sinking leader would be used.

surfyfisherman · 07-05-2005, 10:30 PM

redington combos are around 150 and are decent. they perform thier purpose.

NulodPBall · 07-06-2005, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfyfisherman

redington combos are around 150 and are decent. they perform thier purpose.

===
Yes, their reels aren't bad and I have a Redfly (5/6) that's served me well, but I'm getting rid of that (and another one) because I have too many 5 wt rods.

Ray