Fly Rod Wt?

I am thinking about trying fly fishing this season for the first time and know very little about the sport. I want to buy a rod sometime in the near future but need a little help. I want to use the rod mostly for panfishing and some trout fishing. My problem is that I do not know what weight of Fly Rod to purchase. What are your guy’s recommendations on a fly rod for this type of fishing. Is it possible to get a little heavier rod that might also work for bass too. Or should I just purchase a lighter weight fly rod as a start to learn how to cast. I guess my main objective is figure out what weight everyone uses for panfish/trout(brooks&browns)and bass. Thanks for the help

I only have one fly rod. I use primarily for panfish about once or twice a year. I didn’t know anything about fly rods and a guy at Cabelas told me to buy a 5 weight for a good all-purpose use. I don’t know, but it has worked ok for me.

Go with a 5 weight and it will cover your pan fish, trout and bass.

Like others have said all ready. A 5 weight will do what you are asking, not a great bass rod but it will work until you want to upgrade to a heavier rod.

Ron

5 weight will be your best all around weight….but for some real fun with panfish, a 3 weight would be more “fun”. But if you only want to get one for now…the 5 will do ya fine.

I was in your shoes about 3 years ago. I ended up getting a 7 weight for bass and pike from Cabelas as a combo and it has served me really well. Landed a 18 inch smallie a couple of years ago. I also ended up getting a 4 weight for trout, which I have only used once, but it worked great. 5 weight will work great for trout and panfish, and should be fun if you get into a bass with it. Good luck

Yep a 5-6 would be the best bet for the panfish/trout needs. I fish my 5 wt for both trout and panfish quite a lot and have zero problems with getting them in, also had a few bigger bass on and it does just fine!

I had 5 wt’s for years got a 3wt Sage Launch last year. Landed everything it hooked up with including 7 lb catfish. Hard rod to put down. The St Croix’s are gonna be up for sale I think.

As so many has already said, a 5wt is a great starter flyrod for all around use. 5wt will be a little light for trying to throw any big bass bugs, but here are a few things to look for.

Get a moderate fast to fast tip. This will help in longer casts with a good weight forward line. Will also help a lot with casting with any wind.
With all the guys I have guided in the tributaries over the years, I see one mistake made. Guys will get a very low end flyrod to start with. Look for quality to make it more enjoyable. I’m not saying to rush out and Buy the top of the line Kistler or Sage. Just look for a well built modulas graphite in a faster tip action. It will be easier to cast, better hooks sets, and a lighter blank to be casting will for long periods of time.
If your looking for more detailed suggestions, shoot me a PM

RW

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I am thinking about trying fly fishing this season for the first time and know very little about the sport. I want to buy a rod sometime in the near future but need a little help

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Here is the help that you really need; run, don’t walk, RUN away from this idea
The story that I tell could likely be told by several other addicts on the site. My simple plan was laid exactly like yours, one rod to cover all, or most of my needs.
Product choices are blanketed with opinions, but the rod wt. advice that you have received in this post is spot on. 5 wt. will get you started very nicely, but beware
The Cabela’s rod/reel/line combos are a modest entry level package that function very well.
Unfortunately, much like musky fishing, lead core trolling walleyes, rigging for big water diver hunting, etc. this stuff is very addicting and gets very expensive.
The old adage that a fly reel does nothing but store your fly line is basically true, until you learn to fight nicer fish with your reel rather than just ripping line.
The actions available in any single wt of fly rod are vast and amazingly different. Try before you buy is a great way to go.
The line you choose, in my opinion, is possibly the most important choice.
I purchased my Cabela’s combo when I returned to the sport of fly fishing, after about 20 years away from it.
Soon I had diversified to a Cabela’s combo in 3, 5 and 7 wt.
I discovered that the same fish in the same stream that I fished with a 3 wt in the summer, were much better pursued with a stiffer 5 wt in the winter.
Soon I was like those crazy knuckleheads fishing walleyes on the river with 15 different rods and a Coleman cooler for a tackle box.
I met a gentleman one year that had traveled from Missouri to fish the winter C&R season in SE MN. We sat on the bank, exchanged a few flies and spent a few minutes in the stream trying out each others rod/reel combos.
This was my fatal mistake.
By the end of the following year, I had offloaded my Cabela’s 3 and 5 wts for a custom made St. Croix and a G. Loomis.
I’ve since gotten rid of my Cabels’s 7 wt and added a St. Croix 7 wt and G. Loomis 9 wt.
All of my reel are Ross Reels now except for one G. Loomis.
Like all types of fishing (and hunting), there is a huge array of quality equipment available.
Yes the Fleet farm, Cabela’s or Gander packages will get you started just fine.
But remember this warning a couple of years from now
Good luck
cheers

Well, not much I can add here. A weight heavier than a 5 weight would help a lot in the wind. I have a 6 weight that I use for trout and panfish and it works very well. I can even throw Bass Bugs with it, in fact if you look closely at my avatar that’s a 22 inch Largemouth I caught with my 6 weight. For most of my Bass fishing I use an 8 weight. Thoe two rod weights will do pretty much anything you’d ever want to do. The lighter weights are fun to play with but can be tougher to use, especially if you are dealing with any wind or if you have to reach out for a little more distance.

Actions….this is where it gets tougher to make a recommendation because it’s a very personal choice. In general, the “fast” actions are capable of longer distances, IF your timing is really good. In other words to see that advantage your casting skills have to be up to par. A slow action rod is a lot more forgiving. Once you get tired after a long day and your timing isn’t so great, the slower action rod will still be comfortable to cast with. My 6 weight is relatively slow (it flexes right down into the handle) and it’s a sweetheart to cast with all day long.

You’ll know that you’ve “arrived” as a fly fisherman when you start watching the sides of the road for fly tying “materials”. Just ask my wife

Good luck and have fun!

Rootski