Which Weight Rod is For You? Fly Rod Breakdown

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[@abcsandoval]

I like your whiteboard chart. I was never able to understand others trying to explain it. I learned better from your presentation.

[@arthurskim7898]

Outstanding presentation. Providing the information clearly and in just a few words, but comprehensive. You made a very confusing subject easier to understand. Bravo Zulu

[@lornehargis2614]

Good breakdown on weight. Also consider the action of the rod.

[@parkersmith4551]

This was very very helpful. Thank you for making this.

[@fairviewhomestead]

Thanks for continuously putting out great content! This is very helpful. Fly fishing can become a beast when looking at all of the different size flies, lines and rods. I am a novice and I just love to fish period. Getting out there and seeing what works for you is the most important thing. I hope to make a trip or 5 up to Boone early spring so I can come check out the shop!! Thanks again +WildFlyProductions and Due South for great NC content!

[@WildFlyProductions]

You got that right man! Hope to see you up in Boone town soon.

[@danielcannaday2207]

Thanks for all the great information I'm looking at buying a new fly rod I've been using an old Martin reel from the early 50s and a 7'6 three weight rod but the real has finally wore out I want to send it somewhere to get it refurbished but I don't know where so I was looking to buy something new and I thought the rod weight went by the stiffness of the rod to match the size fish you were catching so this helped me a lot

[@NimbusDevOps]

Great videos man. Should definitely make more.

[@ajthebeastsclips7035]

Amazing vid. Learned a lot!

[@scottstubbs9913]

Excellent Video, Great Info!

[@ericnortan9012]

I've always used a 9wt for bass/pike/salmon/steelhead because it was my best choice for a one rod solution for my needs. 6wt for trout but just got a 9' 8wt for streamers, I like the 8wt because our streams are loaded with steelhead in the spring and hold some large browns so I use some decent sized streamers. I'll probably be using the 8 for bass and pike too. Save the 9 for salmon/musky/steelhead. I live in Northern Michigan BTW.

[@manifestgtr]

I do 90% of my fly fishing on streams you could hop across…for whatever reason, small water has always been really appealing to me. An overlined 3wt is just dead perfect for that…so much so that I had a small water 3wt built for me on a st croix imperial blank. It’ll handle a 16” rainbow but it also doesn’t send 6” brookies flying as easily. That’s always been one of my biggest pet peeves about fishing for small, wild trout. Sometimes it’s unavoidable but I like keeping it to a bare minimum.

[@cbwelch4]

I forgot my rod when visiting my father in Waynesville NC, Pisgah National Forest and Cherokee National Park. He had an extra 6 wt. Daiwa rod. I used it to fish nymphs predominantly and did great with it. It did a better job of casting weighted nymphs, stoneflies, etc. I caught a lot of fish on that setup that summer.in some smaller streams. W. Fork of the Pigeon River, Catalouchee, etc. I can get away with a 6 wt.

[@colin1321]

Thank you. Very informative.

[@Mtn_Nomad]

Have a 76 4wt, going to add a 9 5wt soon to take care of everything else!

[@dgilchrist6361]

Good job on a complex subject that can be intimidating for beginners. The beauty and the bane of fly fishing is that it's a lifelong journey of discovery and learning. I have tended to cast and fish a rod for 6 months with different lines and situations before deciding it was the right one for me. Often buying and selling 3 or more rods in each weight class before finding the one I liked best. Pretty happy with the 3, 4, 5, two 7's and 8 wt rods I fish almost weekly now.

[@mch.l.trecords9169]

In all the states I have lived in I used a 9 foot 8 weight rod because the 2 states where I have lived only have big bodies of water so it all depends on the topography of the body of water you have in your area, the wind, and the size of fish.

[@kennethmidwinter982]

Great video, very informative for me. Kind regards Ken, Rutland, England.

[@schadowolf]

Great info! Subbed.

[@martinaddison1461]

wt and action really breaks down to what is comfortable for the user

[@paulhart8842]

Thanku for that info helps me alot

[@nordicothor7717]

Hey guys. Love your videos. I have fished Wisconsin my whole life and have never gotten to fly fishing but always wanted to. I went to Colorado and fished up through the Rockies and SkyPond with my pan fish spinning set up and I was hooked. Trying to venture out to a fly rod. Would you think a vintage one would be worth getting into to test it out? What do you guys think? Thanks again and your recent Alaska video was outstanding! Keep up the great content and you guys should check out the Driftless area in Wisconsin.

[@bigherb4153]

Great vid

[@timop4345]

Kind of Swiss Army Knife…didnt know that exists 👌🏻 Greetings from Switzerland 😎🇨🇭

[@ramboj7924]

5 is king, love my 3 wt for streams and 7wt for streamers but 5 does everything and just feels right

[@chrisb18741]

I have a 6wt rod, but a 8WF line. A 6WF and 7WF didn’t load the rod at all with the first 2/3 casts not pulling any line. 8WF shoots out. I don’t do this with all rods but seems to work with that one set up.

[@aaront5410]

I received a 9 foot 8wt combo Orvis Clear Water. which after looking it up isn't cheap. I went to the local fly shop and they told me to return it well It was a gift. I looked online and people are using 8wt for streamer fishing for trout. I live in Idaho and there are decent size rivers. Considering it is a nice rod and the person that got it for me wanted to get one that could be a Salmon, Steelhead, Or Trout Rod. Well, my question is what do you think about using a rod like that for all-around or am I going to need a lighter rod for flys and 8wt for streamers and salmon and steelhead or bigger trout? I have also read that light rods don't do well in the wind or bigger rivers? I am the type of person that will fish all year round doesn't matter the weather. But now just Bait casting with a saint Croix.

[@tocofishingadventures5712]

hey man this was really helpful i have a 7' ft 11" st croix 2 pieces and i fish a lot for peacock bass where I'm from ( Guyana South America ) so i was looking for a reel specifically for this type of fishing. should i go with the 7/8 Redington fly reel for my 7' 11" rod

[@hillbillysportsman5818]

Thanks again for great information on fly rods. Could you talk about waders an the different type of wading boots?

[@WildFlyProductions]

that's the next episode my man

[@BeetleBuns]

I'm still missing a 00, 0, 1, 6, and 10-15. I think the 1wt is next, followed probably by a 6. No use yet for the really big boys, but I'm sure I'll come up with something.

[@natefidalgo7625]

I get this video good explanation weight number to match the fly fishing main line but how do you match the reel to the pole /rod/ line.

[@parkeryoung8736]

Love my Orvis Recon 8’4 3wt. Rods got enough ass for nymphing and small drys. My go to for stream and creek fishing.

[@parkeryoung8736]

max tas length of rod

[@godan51351]

Super informative! Great video! New sub!

[@TheStratfanatic]

Updated my 5 but still Jonesing for a good 3

[@Tyler-kt8qz]

I'm very much new to fly fishing and I was wondering for a 5wt fly line do I put a 5x leader?

[@djsupream]

I have a few splitcane fly rods that don't show a line weight? my question is how can I find out the correct line wt for these rods ,

[@Gillysaurxx]

What would be a decent all round weight for trout, bass and bluegill / panfish? Thanks!

[@hardtomello364]

I’ve heard a lot about afta is that American fly tying association or is it something else cause I just started fly fishing and I’m kinda worried there’s different rules with fly fishing about barbs and what not and regulations I don’t keep fish so I’m also wondering if there’s specific nets you need to use to land trout I have a small little mesh net and I know to wet your hands and use forceps and crimp the barb on anything your using for trout

[@kush252]

Hello, good video, what do you think is better for a dry fly and dry Dropper Rig with a nymph, a 9.6 ft 3wt or 9ft 4w rod? Thanks

[@Jeff_Fro72]

I'm new to fishing I got given a twin fork outfitters 11' 5wt pole and I want to know if that's a good size to learn with and what fishing is it for? There is a lake by my work that is stocked I wanna know if it would be good to use there?

[@vitbing]

Hello , if i understand correctly , a heavier weight will allow you to cast a larger fly and farther distance ?

[@isaacbull1035]

I have a question where i live we have big bass but i would also like to fish blue gill and crappie

[@SirPraiseSun]

are the lines really strong because they are thick? is the rod strength the power bottle neck? how many pounds do the lines pull without breaking ?

[@ignaciobasoa1505]

Hi 👋, I’m needing fly rood for boat fishing on the Chile river’s (2-4 kilograms trout wt) and Now I have a 4wts but I think its not well for this purpose. So, if buy a new rood would be good 5wt or 6 wt????

[@wickedlokz1849]

I caught a catfish on an ambassadeur 550 c abu sweden with a shakespeare cat rod with 3w 🤷😂 and 2w ..an perfect for small flies and lures 😁 with the same reel lol never broke on me

[@selwynnewson851]

I got a 9' with a 4 w can I have a 4 to 6 w on the sum rod

[@levibruce8322]

I have a 5 and 8 getting a 3wt soon

[@justinferguson5451]

How much effort is needed to set a hook or how hard do you need to set it? I loose about half of the fish hooked. I was told trouts mouth is soft and you can pull the hook out

[@braydonsmedley5652]

It's hard to set the hook too hard if you are using a lighter fly rod (like 6 weight and lower) you HAVE to set the hook to consistently land fish though, so experiment with it a bit

[@thatonebeone]

things change, some 6/7/8 wt rods are as light as 3/4/5wt rods from like 4 to 7 years ago but it will have a heavy price tag

[@MrBowhunter53]

HI PATRICK, WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID, WHAT FLY LINE IS BEST PREDOMINANTLY FOR NYMPHING?. I FISH MEDIUM SIZED STREAMS IN COLORADO AND LOOKING TO UPGRADE TO A 5WT. ANY THOUGHTS? THANK YOU UPFRONT FOR YOUR RESPONSE, KEN

[@Duesouthoutfitters]

MrBowhunter53 hey Ken! I personally have been pretty partial to the rio gold and arc 99plus lines throughout the years- however, line selection will be dictated by which rod you are using. Which rod do you plan on pairing the rod with? Might help me make a better recommendation- thanks for tuning in!

[@dannyingamells6642]

Like your video

[@David-m871]

Fly rod 5feet on which categories weight will it belong.

[@DavidStanleymusic]

8wt or 9 wt work best

[@stanreedy2686]

I would like to get a rod and try it

[@bethpentz1553]

what weight rod reel would you suggest for great lake steelhead in tributary streams

[@finniantallon4532]

I’d say a 7-8 would be sufficient

[@blackflycreations]

This is an excellent presentation! Looking at a new Bass Streamer rod can't decide between a 6 or 7wt. Tight lines Steve @blackflycreations Utah✌️

[@matthewwhite876]

Might be worth looking at a 9'6 7wt

[@blackflycreations]

@@matthewwhite876 Thank you! I'm now debating between a 9 or 10' 7wt. I recently cast both but haven't cast a 9'6. I'm leaning toward the 10 but we'll see. Take care✌️ Steve

[@xeverettx2564]

If anyone can help.....I want a super small leightweight setup for very minimalist native trout in smallish to medium trout rivers and streams. One way to explain it is I really like to ultralight fish from trout up through small mouths running 10-15in. I use a super small Plueger real and a fenwick 4’9 or St Croix 5’2 that’s a little stiffer for bass. I typically use a 2pd test with 1pd leader. For bass usually straight 4pd. I’ve been into fly fishing for about 15 years now and I wanna try to use that minimal approach I use with a spinning reel. Super light, tight spots working a native or a brookie that’s only 8 Inches long for an hour if I have to. Even if it’s the only fish I get while hitting the stream for a couple hours after work. I’ve been using a 4/5wt. On an 8ft rod. But I wanna get down to a 0-3 or 2/3wt with a 7’0-7’6 rod length. So basically I wanna do the fly fishing version of ultralight spinning. Fly is where my heart is truly at! I’m talking me, rod and reel, lite water sneakers, short light weight shorts, tshirts, gator, hat, polarized glasses, a 7x6 inch shoulder pa k that has two tins of flies, forceps, 2 extra leaders, spool of tip, and my Swiss Army knife, oh and can’t for get my net, and a 4 inch fixed blade on my side and concealed Glock 26 (that’s more for protection from nature and vagabonds)! LOL HAHAHAHA!!! HELP ME PLEASE WITH A COMMENT BACK! It doesn’t have to be as detailed as mine I just wanted to make sure people understood where I was coming from, hence the long comment. Really just need a rod and reel suggestions! Thanx!!

[@sdriza]

Get a glass rod like the Butter Stick, but go with a #2 wt - the reel on these tiny setups doesn't matter as much. Just fish slowly as you can't push the glass as hard (but the shortness helps). Good luck.

[@chonchburger9092]

I'm thinking about getting another fly rod for heavier duty. I currently have a 3wt, do you think a 5wt would make much a difference? By heavier duty I mean enough back bone to throw bass flies.

[@WildFlyProductions]

yes, absolutely. 5 Weights are the most versatile rods in my opinion.

[@maxmiko6122]

WildFlyProductions i want to be able to catch some good size trout on the odd occasion i do but on most of the rivers around my area they’re usually around 25-30 cm. Do you think a 5wt would be able to catch a good size fish (a fight is always good aswell) but still be avle to have a but of fun on smaller fish

[@elGringo69]

@@maxmiko6122 I use a 5wt in Ontario for everything from trout to bass to steelheads to carp. You just got to know how your drag system works and use it, know how to turn fish. The only time i bring out my 8wt is either Lake O salmon or fishing the Niagara river. This dude is legit when he says a 5wt is a swiss army knife.

[@alexmmh4051]

Hy, can i use a 5-6wt for pike? Or i can use a 7-8wt for chub? I can broke the 7-8wt rod if i fish chub or trout? Or what is the inconvenient? Sry for my english...

[@richwilliams8285]

I use a 6 weight for pike in Canada. Where I fish a >36" fish is big and we only catch a few that size each trip. Really just depends on what size flies you are throwing.

[@cheffintom]

I love throwing my 4wt for Florida peacock bass and snakeheads

[@thatonebeone]

very light side.. must be fun.. just not when the winds pick up...i also go light but on 6wt and i fish early mornings so the winds are not kicking hard ... just so fun to use light set up catching bigger fish on it

[@cheffintom]

@@thatonebeone yea maybe I'm weird but I kinda enjoy the challenge of throwing in the wind. My next set up is going to be a 3 wt but not sure which rod to go with. I love love love douglas sky g's and scott. My favorite rods for sure. Any recommendations on a 3wt for south Florida fish?

[@Joseywales414]

You can never have enough rod s unless you count your blroken ones? Hmmm,,😉 now the problem is finding a shop for repairs , graphite and bamboo.

[@natefidalgo7625]

I would imagine the reel drag power settings would determine which reel to throw on the rod ? What happens if you want to do ocean fly fishing big fish or just fishing large freshwater fish...etc. Once you got the pole/rod how do you determine the reel to go with?

[@billyhendricks6150]

You can pretty much just get a reel to match your rod based on the size of your rod. A 3wt reel for a 3wt. An 8wt reel for an 8wt. The size of the reel is more about accommodating a particular sized fly line. For the most part, the quality/strength of the drag on a fly reel will be proportional to a combination the size of the reel and the price of the reel. Most 3wt reels will not have much drag, because you won't need it. Most 8wt reels will have a stronger drag, because it will be more likely that it will be needed. The price of your reel, whatever size you pick, will also play a factor. A high end 3wt or 8wt reel will likely have a stronger and smoother drag than a cheaper reel.

[@natefidalgo7625]

@@billyhendricks6150 thanks for the reply so the weight rod number on the rod corresponds to a wt number for a reel. I dont see it on the reel but i have heard that the size of the diameter of the fly reel doesnt matter that much. Only that the bigger the reel diameter the more line your reeling in each full turn... But again i was more getting at reels and there drag strength... Because i imagine the reel are much more drag for saltwater then for freshwater... i dont uses any drag for fresh water flyfishing yet and i am fine. Though if i ever do saltwater or huge freshwater flyfishing i was wondering on that.

[@natefidalgo7625]

Right now i am using a 5 to 6 wt rod thats about 8 1/2 ft long i like that fly rod for all purpose the best so far. But i know they go really long and for the heavy fish you want to go probably with a 9wt or something but this was all freshwater. I have seen some people saltwater flyfish and i imagine its a whole new reel with drag strength meant specifically for tarpoon , tuna ,...etc.

[@natefidalgo7625]

Not to mention your tippet and leader got to be more steel leader or they bite thru the mono of the regular fly fishing rigs. Currently freshwater trout fishing for me its rare that the trout species bite off the tippet and fly. But when you got pike , gar , tarpoon , tuna , shark ,...etc i imagine whole new ballgame.

[@natefidalgo7625]

Not sure if the number wt rod corresponds to a reels drag strength or something. But if not i agree the size of the reel has little affect on what rod you put it on other then how many turns to reel in line it takes and the key "drag" . DRAG is the number 1 factor to match reels and rods because if the drags set off or to high then the pole/rod could snap. If the reel didnt have enough drag then you never utilize the full potential of the rod with that reel.... Anyway i am brainstorming with you sorry for the wall of text but nobody has clear this question fully up. Maybe because my fly fishing rod came in a starter kit that it didnt contain the specifications on the reels to know how to match reels with rods? I know i am overkilling it but i was hopeing that it be as simply as how you match rods and reels in spincasting or bait casting

[@naturalbornkiller4927]

4-6 can I also use for salmon or do I need to get a 7-8 for salmon??

[@reubenreid7375]

I need a answer for this aswell.

[@jifigz]

Decent info, but, a 4 weight can easily throw trout streamers and smaller bass streamers, including slow action 4 weights. A 6 weight would be the only rod that I would own if I had to have just one, with that said, I hardly ever fish any of my three 6 weights. I use a 7/8 fiberglass rod for my smallie duties here in central PA and usually a 7.5 foot fiberglass 4 weight for most of my trout fishing. Learn to cast and you can throw anything on most anything. Also, fish whatever is fun and you enjoy. My go to trout rod at only 7.5 feet is certainly not great for big waters or high sticking/tightlining/Euro nymlhing or whatever, but do I still use it in some of those fashions? You bet! Be a good angler, become knowledgeable, learn the habits of fish, and have fun.

[@BassMaster.454]

I'd say 5wt is the best for you first rod. It's right in the middle if you fishing streams and ponds

[@theoutdoordad7395]

Sorry a 4wt sucks for throwing streamers compared to a 5or 6 that’s just physics.

[@jifigz]

@@theoutdoordad7395 I didn't say a 4 weight is as good as a 5 or 6 for streamers. I said a 4 can easily throw streamers and I still believe that. Life is all about compromises and I'll fish a 4 for trout 99% of the time on every kind of water I have available to me. Do whatever makes you happy.

[@robertrineer1152]

I love my 3 an my 4 weights ! I don’t know anything big fly or nymph wise tho. My go to is nymphs on either my rods.

[@jimelmore9728]

Great information until it came to a stop at 6 wt. someone needs to go through them all.

[@jmyd83]

👍

[@Francois_Dupont]

can someone tell me, ive been searching online for weeks now. i got a 7.5ft 3wt rod set, i want to know the maximum fly weight range i could use with it. i keep seeing i cant use sinking fly (streamers, nymph, leeches imitation) on it and only dry. is this really true??

[@BeetleBuns]

no, you can use lightly weighted flies with it. I even use lightly weighted flies with my 2wt (up to size 10 bh wooly buggers) just fine. The people that say you can't either haven't used those rods, or are using garbage line with them. Use a bit heavier leader and tippet to help turn the flies over, it is much more important to match the leader and tippet to the fly size (Orvis has a really good chart for that) if you want good casts with lighter line weights.

[@Francois_Dupont]

@@BeetleBuns alright, thank you very much for the reply!

[@WeldingForJesus]

I'd say you notice quite quickly when the fly won't turn over. Flies are relatively cheap, just try different sizes and weights until you see where you run into problems. It is your rod, line and technique in combination that sets the limit, not what random people claim on the internet.

[@JoshuaLevy123]

Generally do you find that lighter weight rods have a shorter casting distance? What would you say these distances are? I just tried casting a 5wt and found that it was difficult to cast beyond 20'-25'. Also if I have an Orvis Battenkill 5/6 does that limit me to only using that weight line or would it function with a 9 weight line and just hold less?

[@Aprehended]

You should be able to cast well over 25' with a 5wt rod, I can cast up 40' with my 3wt, and my 5wt can do it easily. I would avoid placing 9wt line on a 5wt rod, and double check the setup of your reel and line.

[@K3Flyguy]

Big river, big Smallmouth, wind, big flies/poppers/streamers. 9' 8 weight with weight forward or rio big nasty line. Occasionally, a sink tip line works everyday all season long. Yes, a 6 weight is easier to cast all day but I have a job, and can't fish all day.

[@rodc4334]

A full set might be a 10 ft 2wt euro-nymphing rod, 9 ft 4wt, 9 ft 6wt, 9 ft 8wt and maybe a 7 ft 3 wt for tiny streams. Take them all. 🤣 For now I use an all purpose 9ft 5 wt and a 10 ft 3wt euro rod. I did hook an 18inch small mouth with my 3wt the other day and boy that was a hoot, and I got him into the net!

[@sunnicide1009]

hi i just started fly fishing do know whats a good flyrod combo for beginners

[@sunnicide1009]

i fish for trout and panfish

[@Im118ish]

I'm in your boat...easy to say a 5wt being "middle of the road"...only thing is if you'll be fishing small streams with lots of trees/brush you're better off with a shorter rod (7'6" or so) if not then definitely a longer rod (9'+) I assume my response is very late,,would like to hear what you settled with,& how that's worked out so far.

[@michaelmcnally4868]

If a swiss army knife only did one thing than a 5wt would be a good swiss army knife, but if you want to be able to cast a long distance, I find that a 6 doesn't cut it, but an 8 does. I've never had a 7. So with the ability to fish short, fish long, throw heavier lures, or even a shrimp caught on that island you talked about, the 8wt is the swiss army knife of rods. It's just that catching typical size trout makes a 5 wt middle of the road. I bought a 4 recently and will probably be using it more than any other rod, but my 8 will always be my swiss army knife fly rod.

[@matthewwhite876]

Yeah i dont think many ppl need an 10'6 00-2wt to catch 7lb trout euro nymphing when they first start 😅

[@jacksonthomas9635]

If fallout 76 came to life you’d be able to survive the fallout.

[@iguanaamphibioustruck7352]

I can take the tip of my Loomis rod and land a 24 inch rainbow without a reel, a weight forward #5 line with a 2 pound tapered leader. I am sure the marketing and publicity people love you. Iguana

[@1148bucknasty]

Very interesting, please share more

[@Kianquenseda]

What island has trout ?

[@rwkfning6707]

Reunion island

[@patphipps9702]

New Zealand and some of the best trout

[@ericfreeman5795]

Rhode Island.

[@jasoncotter1866]

Australia. (Especially Victoria and Tasmania.)

[@anablakp3200]

Why write so small. Write larger so we can see it.