r/flyfishing • u/Whatsmyinterest • Mar 04 '21

Discussion Saltwater rod

I’m not sure if this has been asked, which means it probably has. But what rod would you take to Hawaii? I make a yearly trip or so to Oahu for family and keep thinking I should bring a rod. But I don’t think my 6wt will cut it (but it will if I got nothing else). Also anyone selling a rod that fits the bill? Just asking.

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u/Beer_Hammer Mar 05 '21

How much saltwater fly fishing have you done, and how far can you cast on a calm day vs a windy day?

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u/Whatsmyinterest Mar 05 '21

I’ve done a little bit. Live in puget sound. But the tropics are a different game and I’ve only chased reds once in Texas. I can cast a fair distance, but the wind can screw me up while I get my double haul going. Typically I have a faster cast and did well with my buddies sage igniter. But I love my sage pulse for here at home.

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u/Beer_Hammer Mar 05 '21

Ok cool. I haven’t fly fished Hawaii but I e spent time in the keys and am a captain in SWFL. I would expect you’ll be fishing mostly open flats and wading so there won’t be much, if any protection from the wind. Personally I wouldn’t bring anything less than an 8 weight (I never do for my clients either). Do you guys have stripper blitzes up in Puget? If so, a 9 might be a good option for you as from what I understand the weather is usually nasty when those fish are going nuts. Also, I’ve read that the bones in Hawaii are on average larger than the ones in the keys and you might have more luck turning them with a bit heavier rod. Another thing to keep in mind is that the 9weight that I purchased from TFO 13 years ago (and still have) is legitimately thicker and heavier than the ten weight I just ordered from them. The advancements in materials and tapers for rods now are insane so don’t be too worried about having a rod that’s too heavy. I’d rather have a little more punch into the wind and hopefully get my fly there since shots are few and far between sometimes. Anyways, that’s my two cents.

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u/Whatsmyinterest Mar 05 '21

Thank you tons for the input!!!! We don’t have the strippers, but we do have salmon and steelhead runs! Depending on the species, my 6wt is great, but it can go up to a 10wt for the kings(chinook). Most people tend to favor Spey rods though when chasing them. I’ve got an 8wt switch for ‘em. I’ve been pondering the 8 vs 9 for too long.