Winston Air Salt 9’10wt.
Best Rod for Baja Roosterfish?
I'm planning a trip to Baja California later this spring for Roosterfish, and need a new rod.
Last year, I used my Sage RPXL 12wt from the boat and it was too heavy for the job. I also took a Winston 9wt and it was a bit too light. Still managed to connect with the fish (see below)!
I'm thinking perhaps a used Sage Xi3, Salt, Salt HD, or newer rod in 10wt. What do you think?
Anyone have such a rod collecting dust in their locker or closet? Please let me know if you might be willing to part with it!
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Last year, I used my Sage RPXL 12wt from the boat and it was too heavy for the job. I also took a Winston 9wt and it was a bit too light. Still managed to connect with the fish (see below)!
I'm thinking perhaps a used Sage Xi3, Salt, Salt HD, or newer rod in 10wt. What do you think?
Anyone have such a rod collecting dust in their locker or closet? Please let me know if you might be willing to part with it!
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Salt HD 10 for the win.
So basically you want a new rod. You have a 9 but a 12 is to heavy that leaves a 10-11. Maybe your 12 needs to be replaced with a lighter 12
There is a Scott Sector 11W for sale in the classifieds for a good price, great casting rod!
I fish for roosters in Baja regularly and I recommend a 10wt for the boat and an 11wt if you’re fishing from the beach. I’ve fished a lot of 10wts and my favorite is the Beulah Opal series, it was designed specifically in that fishery.
Good point! I have a Beulah Spey rod and love it. I'll check out the Opal series.I fish for roosters in Baja regularly and I recommend a 10wt for the boat and an 11wt if you’re fishing from the beach. I’ve fished a lot of 10wts and my favorite is the Beulah Opal series, it was designed specifically in that fishery.
The owner of Beulah has guided for roosters down there for almost 30 years. To me that Opal 10 is the perfect rod for roosters, dorado and the tuna that you'll target from the panga.Good point! I have a Beulah Spey rod and love it. I'll check out the Opal series.
Beulah is based in Medford, Oregon, where my parents lived for years. Their rods are great but challenging to find a good used one for sale. Seems most people buy them and keep them!The owner of Beulah has guided for roosters down there for almost 30 years. To me that Opal 10 is the perfect rod for roosters, dorado and the tuna that you'll target from the panga.
I fished Baja Roosters with a 10wt, and had no issues. I had a Winston Boron, but a faster rod would have been nice to have- but not necessary. Used from beach and boat.
Slightly off topic but do the experienced folks have recommendations regarding best time to target roosters in Baja
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Check out the advice from Yellow Dog on this subject. I've always gone in the late spring or early summer months.Slightly off topic but do the experienced folks have recommendations regarding best time to target roosters in Baja
Thanks in advance
Hey @drew_3541 ! Can you add some details around why you would use the 10 for the boat and the 11 for the beach? Size of the flies, lines, casting distance, size of fish, etc?I fish for roosters in Baja regularly and I recommend a 10wt for the boat and an 11wt if you’re fishing from the beach. I’ve fished a lot of 10wts and my favorite is the Beulah Opal series, it was designed specifically in that fishery.
Considering a Rooster trip in the future myself so I would really appreciate your insights.
The 10wt.Echo Boost Blue offers mighty bang-for-your-buck at [email protected]
I like a 10wt from the boat because you’re going to be making a lot of casts, the sardina flies aren’t big or heavy, and the casting distance isn’t that far, usually within 60 feet. It’s more important to be quick and accurate. Plus if you do hook a grande rooster, you still have the ability to follow it with the panga. In addition to roosters, depending on the time of year there are a lot of other fish like dorado and tuna and jacks that can be around and most of those are suitable for the 10wtHey @drew_3541 ! Can you add some details around why you would use the 10 for the boat and the 11 for the beach? Size of the flies, lines, casting distance, size of fish, etc?
Considering a Rooster trip in the future myself so I would really appreciate your insights.
From the beach you’ll be using much larger flies and will need to cast further. With much less casting throughout the day.
Hope that helps.
I’ve never fished for roosters but it’s on my list. I’m curious what kind of fly line you would use with that Beulah opal in the surf? (I use two-handed rods for Spey casting steelhead, trout and salmon, but also use those same rods for overhead casting on jetties/surf fishing in Texas).I fish for roosters in Baja regularly and I recommend a 10wt for the boat and an 11wt if you’re fishing from the beach. I’ve fished a lot of 10wts and my favorite is the Beulah Opal series, it was designed specifically in that fishery.
I have always been curious if a shooting head and small diameter running/shooting line would be effective in an overhead casting scenario with a two-hander in the surf? Have you ever tried that?
thanks
I use a floating line with an intermediate tip or a full intermediate line. I like the SA Titan tropical line but have seen a lot of people using the Rio outbound tropical. I’ve messed around with the Beulah Opal two hand surf rods which are pretty different than using a Spey or switch rod, very different action. The surf rod bombs it out there very easily. I just prefer the single hand since you’re not really blind casting. If I had to blind cast a lot off the beach then the 2 hand surf rod would be very helpful.
Oh ok, that’s all good to know. Thanks!I use a floating line with an intermediate tip or a full intermediate line. I like the SA Titan tropical line but have seen a lot of people using the Rio outbound tropical. I’ve messed around with the Beulah Opal two hand surf rods which are pretty different than using a Spey or switch rod, very different action. The surf rod bombs it out there very easily. I just prefer the single hand since you’re not really blind casting. If I had to blind cast a lot off the beach then the 2 hand surf rod would be very helpful.
It does - much appreciated!I like a 10wt from the boat because you’re going to be making a lot of casts, the sardina flies aren’t big or heavy, and the casting distance isn’t that far, usually within 60 feet. It’s more important to be quick and accurate. Plus if you do hook a grande rooster, you still have the ability to follow it with the panga. In addition to roosters, depending on the time of year there are a lot of other fish like dorado and tuna and jacks that can be around and most of those are suitable for the 10wt
From the beach you’ll be using much larger flies and will need to cast further. With much less casting throughout the day.
Hope that helps.
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