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Topic: New to kayak fishing, fly rod a bad idea?  (Read 1925 times)

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Kiriesh

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Hey guys, I'm pretty green to kayak fishing as a whole. I got into fly fishing earlier this year but my experience is limited to fishing the Truckee with a trout rod. I'm heading down to Monterey this weekend to do some surf fishing and some kayak fishing in the kelp beds and was considering picking up a cheap 8wt rod on the way. I know fly fishing is pretty tricky from a kayak but even with no bites I find it so much more entertaining than spinning reels. Any input for a newbie? Am I getting in over my head? Either way I really want to get into surf fly fishing, as I can get to beaches locally a helluva lot faster than the nearest trout streams.


reelfish

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No, you are not getting over your head fly fishing from the kayak. There are some folks who fish for lingcod with a fly rod here I don't remember who they are, hopefully they will chime in. Orvis at Santana row has lessons and trips to the beach for surf fishing for perch for that matter probably for stripers also. And don't forget there is some good striper fishing in the Delta and at San Luis Res. and its forebay. Large mouth bass in the delta also. The only thing wrong with your post from my point of view is to get a cheap rod. But an 8wt rod should be ideal for all the species mentioned with a reel you can change out the spool for different lines types you would need. Good luck and I say go for it.


Vermillion

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I wish I had my fly rod on board a few weeks ago. The olives were up top and boiling. Would have been a blast. Bump up to a 9wt. For the wind.
I only fish on days that end with Y


Kiriesh

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Thanks for the feedback guys. As for the cheap comment, its unfortunately either a cheap rod or no rod currently. I'm a college student and the kayak + the accessories I've had to buy (hoist, new handles (old ones were dry rotted), leashes, anchor, car mount etc) hit me hard in the "fun budget" category. Plus I'm still fairly green in the fly fishing category too so the finesse that comes with a higher quality rod is almost guaranteed to be lost on me. I found an 8wt at bassproshop that I think I can get set up for salt water fishing for around the $100-140 mark.


reelfish

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Thanks for the feedback guys. As for the cheap comment, its unfortunately either a cheap rod or no rod currently. I'm a college student and the kayak + the accessories I've had to buy (hoist, new handles (old ones were dry rotted), leashes, anchor, car mount etc) hit me hard in the "fun budget" category. Plus I'm still fairly green in the fly fishing category too so the finesse that comes with a higher quality rod is almost guaranteed to be lost on me. I found an 8wt at bassproshop that I think I can get set up for salt water fishing for around the $100-140 mark.

I hear what you are saying. I agree a inexpensive rod is better than no rod. Well good luck to you and watch the hookup section hopefully we will get to fish together in the future. :smt006


bink

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I took up fly fishing for rockfish and lingcod about a year ago.  It is a blast catching rockfish on a fly.  I would definitely say it is not a bad idea but a great idea!  Just make sure you either have a way to leash or float your rod if you capsize or lose the handle on your rod for whatever reason.


Michael



Kiriesh

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Thanks again for all the feedback guys! I'll be honest, I knew that the rod I was eyeing was low quality but it was even too low by my lowered standards so I ended up passing. I did get my first ever baitcaster though, which I figured is a bit more of a necessity (all I've had up until now are cheap hand-me-down spinning rods). I'll definitely be keeping an eye on sales and used ads, I really do want to get a nice salt water fly rod soon. As for fishing together, I'll never turn down the opportunity to go out with someone experienced!


Tinker

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Don't overthink what you need to go fly-fishing.  It could have been done with your trout rig.

Yeah, an 8wt would be great, a 9wt would be even better, but a five weight will work.  Fly lines are built around a 24 pound braided core, so unless you have an unusual fly line, a 5wt line is the same strength as a 12wt line: 24 pound test.

Heavier rods let you use heavier sink tips to get the fly down faster, but 8 feet of T11 on a 5wt sinking line with a weighted fly would get you down to the fish.  And you'd have had the better adventure getting the fish back to you.

Have fun on your trip!


reelfish

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Vermillion

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30 ft shooting head backed with braid works well for the surf. It might work well from yak. 30 ft might be a bit much though.
I only fish on days that end with Y


Tote

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You will absolutely drill the blues, blacks and olives with a fly rod if you fish it no different than if you were fishing a lake with a weighted fly.
Just be super careful when chucking a heavy fly and the wind you will encounter.
I was double hauling and a small gust of wind came up as I was on my forward cast. The fly hit me right in the back of the head and damned near knocked me out.
Yet another reason I always fish barbless.
Oh yea, I use the same 6wt I've had for close to 30 years.
<=>


surf12foot

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A + 1 on what Tote says! Get out there and start slaying them with the rod you have. Just make sure that you rinse the crap out of it when you get back on land.
Scott


 

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