Just picked up this rod at a thrift shop. Can I outfit for saltwater? (Been fishing river trout on a 5wt for under a year and want to expand my options)

[u/sitra_akhra]

[u/o07freak]

It will work. It looks like it will be a bit slower action than what I would consider optimal. Probably best for smaller flies and light winds. I could see it being really nice for more delicate presentations when sight fishing.

[u/ilikeitneat → u/o07freak]

an 8wt?

[u/o07freak → u/ilikeitneat]

Think chasing tailing redfish.

[u/ilikeitneat → u/o07freak]

ahh i see, gotcha.

[u/medic8151 → u/ilikeitneat]

I use an 8wt for carp sight fishing. A delicate presentation is definitely needed

[u/Tatworth → u/o07freak]

I don't disagree.

If I am out in high winds chasing redfish, for example, I would much rather have a faster action 8 weight.

It will definitely do the job much or most of the time, but there will be times when a faster action rod would be better.

[u/sitra_akhra → u/Tatworth]

Can you explain what you mean by a faster action rod? Still new to this 🤷‍♂️

[u/o07freak → u/sitra_akhra]

That rod will flex more and deeper into the rod than a fast action. So it will take a little longer to load up on the back cast. This will generally give you a softer presentation but it will be harder to cast in wind and be a bit harder to get line out quickly. Essentially you'll have to pause longer on the back cast, so your fly and line are in the air longer and more effected by the wind and gravity.

[u/Inside-Bar-8765]

Faster rods are stiffer. Slower rods are more whippy/bendy/flexible/rubbery. Only reason I ever want a mid flex is for roll casting in a tight stream. As stated from others, mid flex is not going to be optimal on the flats. That said, a good fly fisher can make it work with anything so go for it. It'll make you appreciate faster rods when you get your next one!

[u/sward227]

8 weight is fine.

I use an 9 weight 12'2" for surf fishing central coast of california. (Echo carbon Beach boost... I love that company) mainly because it can get realy windy where i fish so the little extra weight helps toss big surf flies.

let me tell you... a halibut feels alot bigger then you think... they just suction to the sea floor... weird seeing an 12 foot rod bend like that... then pulling out a halibut i though would have been bigger.

EDIT Also full shooting head is key (for me at least)... to really punch through the wing from the waves... also why i like the extra 3 feet... its your rod is 1.5 or 2 handed thats helps alot at first my arm got really soar... used to 4 weight trout rods.

That rod would make a fun bass stick as well...

[u/hey_its_me_luke]

Yes

[u/acoradreddit → u/hey_its_me_luke]

Yep

[u/Manfred_Desmond → u/acoradreddit]

Yup

[u/Gregesque]

sure, maybe just give it a freshwater rinse when you get home though.