Fly fishing...

Okay I'm checking out the SA packages - any opinion on number of sections in a rod. It looks like more pieces more money and easier to store but is there anything else important there that I am missing? I am thinking for storing on the kayak a four piece rod sound like a great idea but will it lack something I don't even know about yet?

Yes, make sure you get a saltwater rod--bigger stripping guides, stiffer butt section, fast action. You'll need that to punch heavy terminal tackle into the wind, work with the heavy lines you'll need in surf, currents, and to go deep. Make it 9-feet no shorter becaue you are low in a kayak and need to keep the line off the water. One other thing--the rod and line are the keystone in saltwater fly fishing, the reel is only important for two things: capacity and a good drag that will hold up for big runs in saltware environments. Personally, I'd spend the most on the rod as it has everythign to do with the casting.

I am fairly new to fly fishing and acquired a mid grade rod for just this sort of fishing. Reddington 4 pc. 9wt. that I throw with lead core and is what I now fill comfortable with in salt and fresh water (stripper). I haven't really got the knack for casting in my Kayak but I know it is just like anything else...practice....pratice....practice. Now have a couple of other rods that I use to make even the trout fill like big game.
Jeff you have found a great group of people on this board. I found that I only need to ask and someone usually chimes in with great advice.

Reddington rods are a good choice--great value for the price. the top tournament fly caster in SJ FLycasters--wins natinal tournaments--prefers Reddington rods. I own their 7-piece Wayfarer travel rods: 2 5's and 2 7's. Great rods for travel, bu a bit slow and thin in the butt section for salt water game fish.

A good quality 4piece rod is and excellent choice for storage in a yak. I said this before I hate casting LC 13 in a kayak.

Paddle and Lines,
Explain:
 Is it the welts it leaves on your back? or a preferrence to lightrer tackle on the kayak? I confess I need more practice in my yak and am taking my rod with me this Monday to San Pablo hoping to use it when I come across the boils. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I prefer the streamer express by SA over LC. I don't have to have so much line laying on the cock pit before I can cast. plus LC can kink.I prefer the streamer express commercial shooting head by SA over LC. I don't have to have so much line laying on the cock pit before I can cast. plus LC can kink. One last thing. The one thing LC13 does besides get down quick is get you some distance. I get close enough with the express and quiet paddle strokes. Also it's great for those suprise boils because you don't
have to have your shooting line completely out to make a quick shot.
As far as light tackle preference , I use 9wts for LM  and stripe bass.

I've been using T-14 and have yet to try a combo line. Not because I don't want to, but because I cannot figure out what to try. every time I go to shop, I find too many lines and weights to choose from and give up.

Paddle, Thanks for the explanation and I get the fact that we do not have to cast so far. I am hoping to try the silent approach this nex monday at SP Bay really starting to get fired up about this. What do you suggest for Salmon?

Dan, I feel your pain  about combo's so I will have to do what I have done so far, ask

To walk into any fly shop looking for a shooting head system set up, paticularly a well stocked one can be insane.
I tried a few before I discovered the streamer express . this is a line I have clients use when they've never used a shooting head before. I do hope I'm clear on this line we're talking about. shoothing head and running line are all one complete line , no loop to loop connections. Bunch of info below. hope this helps.







Rapid Sinking Tip Fly Line
Applications:
*   Ideal for fishing streamers
*   Delivers flies deep – fast
*   Small-diameter running line helps keep line deep throughout the retrieve

Sink Rates:
*   5.5-8.0 ips

Taper characteristics:
*   30' tapered sinking head for easier casting
*   Optimum diameter running line for increased durability and reduced tangling

Core:
*   Single strand monofilament nylon

Coating:
*   Exclusive blend of 3M PVC formulated with patented AST – Advanced Shooting Technology – and industry-leading Mastery Series sinking-line technology
*   Graduated-density between sinking tip and handling section allows smoother casting and straighter fishing for more natural drifts, enhanced sensitivity, better strike detection, and easier hook setting

Colors:
   
Dark Gray/Yellow (200)
   
Dark Gray/Surf (250)
   
Dark Gray/Green (300)
   
Dark Gray/Orange (350)
   
Dark Gray/Blue (400)
   
Dark Gray/Red (450)
Delivery: Strong
Stiffness: Moderate
Matching Leader:
Mastery Series Fluorocarbon
Rod Weight Guide:
*   Grain: 200/Rod: 6-7
*   Grain: 250/Rod: 7-8
*   Grain: 300/Rod: 8-9
*   Grain: 350/Rod: 9-10
*   Grain: 400/Rod: 9-12
*   Grain: 450/Rod: 10-13

Rickey, thanks for the clear explanation of the line you settled on. That will save me some aggravation trying to figure out waht to choose.

Thanks for the info. P&F will diffinitely help. Hey will be in your area for a competition on the 18th and 19th where your shop?

I don't have a shop other than my on line shop. I do highly reccomend the San Jose Fly Fishing Shop. I going to miss the Forebay Tournament as I will be on my way to Washington for a week.

What is the total length of the streamer express?????

Hey Tote, 100 feet of which is 32-ft is sinking tip.

This thread is an interesting read... I've been fly fishing for a long time but I'm a newB to the kayak angle on it. Since I've had the yak I've fished flies several times and the main problem I wanted to solve was line tangle. I came up with a simple fix that seems to work just fine; I cut a piece of foam from a backpacker's sleeping pad that fit between my legs ( actually under the legs so it stayed put ), and put about 9, 3" loops of weedeater line through it in a " V " shape from crotch out to the knees. Coat the knots in the line and the holes in the pad with contact cement or sealent. Fished the fly rod a lot the last time out and this little set up seemed to work great.     As for lines, rods and reels, just start with what you can afford. We all know what happens from there! Tom