I’ve spent most of the last 30 years fly fishing in the Rockies but I recently moved to the Florida panhandle, bought a boat and a bunch of spinning rods. I fish for reds and trout 99% of the time. I also go to Louisiana whenever I can. Years ago, before the fly fishing addiction, I used to fish for bass with a casting rod. I remember lots of backlashes. But I see people sight fishing with casting tackle. Is it much better for sight fishing? Has it gotten easier to use?
Why Would I Want a Casting Rod
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Baitcasters are all I use as far as conventional sight fishing gear. Just like fly casting, it’s a skill that has to be learned through practice. The newer reels have much better magnetic braking systems than the older ones. If you want to cheat you can buy a Shimano Curado DC (digital control) reel that has a waterproof digital controlled braking system that makes backlashing almost impossible. I use Lew’s and older Shimanos for my baitcasters.
Spool it up with 20# 8 strand braid, I like Sufix832 and Diawa J-Braid 8. If you go smaller than that it will dig into itself on the spool due to the tiny diameter compared to monofilament.
Spool it up with 20# 8 strand braid, I like Sufix832 and Diawa J-Braid 8. If you go smaller than that it will dig into itself on the spool due to the tiny diameter compared to monofilament.
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But control in casting ie your thumbs always in contact with the line more natural hookset in my opinion and everything Smack said.
No. I still use it when I can see the fish and it’s not too windy.
I mean I use the fly rod when conditions are right for it. In my limited experience on the panhandle that’s not often.
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There’s nothing wrong with being diverse!
Glad to hear. I fish St. Marks to St. George Is. You'll see me in an old 13 Whaler or a new to me Key West 1520. Hope to see you out there.
New reels are so much better at controlling backlashes. If you think about the physics of casting a spinner the line rubs against the lip of the spool as it leaves the reel. This doesn't happen with a baitcaster so you can cast it further. You can really make some light acurrate presentations.
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It's a tool in the toolbox. If you get casting gear, you will find a use for it. If you don't, you'll never know when it would be appropriate. For me, it's a feel thing. There are times I want my spinning rods and there are times I want my casting rods. I can't even tell you the were/when/how of it. Conditions have so many variables, it truly is just an experience and feel thing. I will tell you that I really only like casting rods while standing on a boat. That doesn't mean I don't like spinning gear in the same situation, but I would never use a casting rod sitting down, especially in a kayak, when I had the option of using a spinning reel.
I’m in a Cayo 180. I’ll watch for you.
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Conditions?
I fly fish in the wind, rain, while it's snowing and been in the river a few times that every once in awhile you had to stick the rod in the water because the guides would ice up to the point that the line would not move...
Now that's diverse to me
That said, I do have 2 black bass casting rods and a boat load of "boat" rods.
Well I did fly fish year round in Montana when I lived there. Some of the days were a little sporty but I knew where the fish were. I think a spinning rod works better for reds when I have to cover a lot of water. But I’ve never fished with a spinning rod in Montana or ColoradoConditions?
I fly fish in the wind, rain, while it's snowing and been in the river a few times that every once in awhile you had to stick the rod in the water because the guides would ice up to the point that the line would not move...
Now that's diverse to me
That said, I do have 2 black bass casting rods and a boat load of "boat" rods.
Conditions?
I fly fish in the wind, rain, while it's snowing and been in the river a few times that every once in awhile you had to stick the rod in the water because the guides would ice up to the point that the line would not move...
Now that's diverse to me
I've fly fished in wind and rain, when the water temp was warmer than the air and there was ice on the rocks. My guides would ice up between casts, and still loaded the net with trout.
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I keep 2 on the boat....1 for casting and a heavier one in case I want to troll a little etc...
I've always preferred levelwinds to spinning reels that one tenth of one percent of the time that I'm not throwing flies. I feel like I have a lot more control. But I use levelwinds and I use spinning reels, and it's all good. Whatever blows your dress up.......
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There is no two ways about it, I've been addicted to fly fishing since 1962. Early/mid 70's I went to Florida because I saw a TV program with guys catching bones and a variety of other fish on spin/casting gear throwing live bait
IN SHALLOW WATER.
Sight casting!!!
To be honest the biggest fish I'd caught at the time on a fly was a little over 15 pounds which just cemented my addiction
In Florida, I learned (already had learned from my dad about water temp/tides/structure/migration/spawning) some about sight fishing. Totally lucky I had met a guy (Carl Hanson) who took a liking to me and told me stories about fly fishing Florida, even fished together once and he showed me how to tie a few saltwater flies.
Whats this leading to?
You make a cast with your spin/casting gear.
I make a cast with my fly rod.
Then I see a tailer, 30 feet to the right. Either I finish the strip already in progress or start a double haul back cast and place the fly with just one, some times two back casts.
You, still reeling in your line
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I didn't read the whole thread. If someone already said it just ignore, you get a little more control over spinning gear, and faster follow-up casts when talking conventional. Accuracy for me under 60' is fly, casting, spinning in that order. Over 60' or windy casting, spinning, fly.
A comment on backlashes/bird'snest/overruns, pull off the max distance you want to cast, now stick a piece of tape on the line that's still on the spool, and reel what you pulled off back on the spool over the tape. Now when/if you blow up the reel, the tangle will only go to that point and will be much easier and faster to deal with.
A comment on backlashes/bird'snest/overruns, pull off the max distance you want to cast, now stick a piece of tape on the line that's still on the spool, and reel what you pulled off back on the spool over the tape. Now when/if you blow up the reel, the tangle will only go to that point and will be much easier and faster to deal with.
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