When I started, no one I spoke to discussed shooting for freshwater, you might do a double haul but it was to help you manage the long line you already had out, not to make shooting even better. Such a game changer in tight places, and it seems like they're all tight when you're fly fishing.
You are now learning that 10 fly fisherman have 50 different opinions. My daily is a GLoomis NRX, but own several TFOs in 5-12wts. I still would have went with a 7wt. Will handle bigger flies and punch the wind better. The 6wt will handle normal pond bass, but you may be undergunned with a big fish. I landed a hot 7lb striper yesterday on an NRX 8wt and it took me around the boat twice. In the future look at the Rio Outbound Short line. 26ft head, made to pick it up and lay it down. Will still throw 65-70 feet on a 6wt. When you transfer to a boat look in to a "stripping bucket" to strip line in to. For stripers I use 30" of 15" pvc with an end cap. Anything to keep the line off the deck.
Got it William, Thank you for those pointers! Even if I don’t grab a bucket right away it’s nice to know the options, and that line sounds great for what I’ve been doing lately, I’m sure I’ll vary things up soon! We shall see
Thanks for posting this series! I'm just getting into the fly fishing myself and your vids are helping me gain confidence as I continue my journey into it.
I definitely want to get with Jon and do some fishing on the fly. Seaborn hooked me up with some rods (newer company) and I may try and switch to theirs instead of the TFO’s just to liquidate and make a little money back. I’ve spent so much on fly gear in a short period of time it’s pretty bad 😅
I witness my buddy Fred 'Hyperman' catch a 40lb class yellowfin tuna on a fly rod on one of our tuna trips over a decade ago. It was the most insane thing I'd ever witnessed! You can see him fighting it in this video at the 5min mark. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xlLIvwGcyxM.html
@@WestinSmith back then, no gopros lol. You should go out and repeat this feat....it would be insane. I bet there are only a handful of guys in this world that tried to tackle a yellowfin tuna on a fly rod off a headboat and actually landed it. Lol.
@@WestinSmith I just think it is because hardly anyone wants to pay more than a couple hundred for a flyrod. Plus in my area about all you'll catch with a floating flyline is a bass or bluegill. Now as for the western part of the state with all kinds of trout streams it is a lot different. I have a 2 weight flyrod that I have not tried out yet. Def not going to find that in a shop around here. The last time I used a flyrod I ended up hooking a person who passed behind me when it looked like they had stopped. That was probably ten years ago. The best flyfishing I ever had was for grass carp in Washington Park in Denver. I put a leaf on a hook and was catching probably five pound carp. My favorite flyfishing is for panfish which is awesome for fish fries. One thing we have here that you guys don't have down there is musky. Imagine catching a forty inch fish on a flyrod in fresh water. Would love to see you fly fish in the ocean sometime. Now when you get really good like I used to be you can switch the rod from one hand to the other with all your line out.
Glad you upgraded. I use 6wt Scott and Sage for all my striped bass and bass. 6wt Rio grand line only! Glad to know you are getting in to it in the DFW area. Hope to join you some time. * Learn to Double haul casting. Trust me you will need it.
You are definitely going down the correct path with the Fly vids!! Especially with the humility of how you showcase them! Feels like you just one of us except we don’t have the sac to put it on YT. Great Job!
Great job Westin! Better reel than my Okuma crapper. Tried the Hydros out and it was smooth for sure. My rod is a Sage "entry level" at $279 but it's a 5wt 9'6", lifetime warranty. If you decide on trout, steelhead, or salmon, you're going to want to look at "centerpin fishing". It's along fly fishing, just a little more spendy. Just a thought!
Incredible video. A ton of great information. Hopefully down the road I can justify an outfit of that caliber. I can’t wait for the next fly fishing video. Keep them coming. Truly appreciate your help for people like me just starting. God bless.
Funny he talked about Colorado and using a Sage because that is exactly what I have been doing this weekend. Visiting Durango, Co and using a Sage rod and reel. Was thinking of grabbing a new combo for bass but after watching your video I will wait until I get home and check out Tailwaters. Great video.
Thanks Chris! So far I’ve found once I got the casting and retrieval down, you can really catch a lot and almost “power fish” 🤣 with some of these streamers and Clouser minnow baits. It’s fun!