Fly rods for bream

[Cindy]

Hi Guys,
Are there many members out there who like to flyfish for bream? Would you like to see more of these rods as a product?

[Bear]

Yeeeessss please. Like I need more excuses :D;)

[Fisherman#1]

Hi Guys,
Are there many members out there who like to flyfish for bream? Would you like to see more of these rods as a product?

I was thinking of taking up fly fushin' ;)

I would like to see BD make them, although maybe a budget rod may be included in the line up? lol that's probably just me, I'm always strapped for $$$ :rolleyes: :o :D

It would be good to see some fly rods designed specifically for bream. :)

[Cindy]

Thanks for the input Bear and Fisherman. Yes, we have built a few custom ones for both bream and bass guys. And yes, a budget one as well would be in order. 8'6?

[Bear]

I have 2 from a number of years ago and my 5wt is still may fave, but would like to see something shorter in a 6 or 8wt for bream.

JMO.

[Huggy_B]

A specific fly rod for bream IMO should be 7'6 and 6/7/8wt in 3 or 4 pieces.

[Shortlite]

That'd be a nice tight quarters, short cast "come here" stick Huggy B.

[crusty]

Having done a fair amount of flyfishing (mostly for trout, some for bass and a very small amount for bream), I don't know that there would be one specific flyrod for bream. Would depend where you are fishing. In general a good flyrod for trout in a 5 to 6wt would be a good fly rod for bream, except add saltwater resistance to the fittings (do they make titanium snake guides now).

Flyrods are casting tools and the lines used for bream are going to be the same lines used trout, but probably more sinking lines(???).

I have caught them on a 6weight and they perform well an 8 is probably too much for most of them (might be useful in the racks to have a short 8wt) to bundle them out.

My thoughts are 7ft6 would be on the short side for a lot of bream fishing. I think an 8ft6 rod would be more versatile.

[brad mcdonald]

IMO - the tapper and action of a fly rod for bream is more important than the length.

i.e. 90 % of the fly fishing i do for bream is relativly short casts, so an x-fast action rod capable of turning over a weighted fly on a shortish (9ft) leader and also enough guts to pick up a fair amount of sinking line off the water with out having to strip it all the way back in, is what i look for.

weights - well that depends on how well the outfit is balanced. i mean a well balanced 5wt (like bear mentioned) is just as capable on bream as a poorly balanced 8wt. so i guess you need a range of options there cindy.

for me - the first one i'd grab would be a 6wt 9' 3 piece x-fast action with salt water componants.

i reckon this combo would give the most flexability casting from boat shore or wading the flats....

macca

[Shane]

I been wanting to get into the fly scene for a while, but I can hardly afford another flatsranger let alone a fly rod ;)

When they come out I will put it down on my list of want.

[Cindy]

Thanks Guys. I am very glad to hear your comments. We have been wanting to release fly rods to the bream market. The design does need to be fast to extra fast. From a boat 7'6 would be good. If you are wading, yes, 8'6 - 9. Wt? we were thinking 6wt but yes the others are good depending on other conditions.
Thanks...we are looking to have something made up ( special blank design) and we'll let you know how we go.

[Huggy_B]

Fair call crusty and brad - I was thinking specifically from a boat as 9' rod is a hassle, hence 7'6 would IMO be a more versatile rod as you don't really need the casting distance, especially with 2 anglers on board - have had 2 people throwing 9' rods around on a boat and while it is doable, its not ideal.

For flats and wading, I think a good 9' stick around 6wt would suffice, no need for anything specific for bream. You can under-weight it with 4/5wt intermediate sinking line anyway for more "finesse".

[crusty]

Hadn't really thought about 2 up in a boat. I do recall attempting it on a couple of occasions and kept wishing for a bigger boat.

Most of the flyfishing I have done was from a canoe 1up and although 9ft was tough on storage the extra length helped casting distance while sitting. On a boat you have extra height of a foot or so over the water to start with so extra length may not be necessary.

Don't think I would go and buy an extra fly rod just for boat fishing for bream though. However after a crappy day at work retail therapy can be soothing (until you get the credit card bill) and christening a new rod is always a good excuse to go fishing.

[Fisherman#1]

I have a mate who is a gun fly fisho, it's his favourite kind of fishing for sure.

I asked him about fly fishing for bream and he said a 5wt at about 8' to 8'6" is the most versatile. :cool:

[kamikazeghost]

It is hard to go past the top end rods to be honest. Better graphite, better taper, better just about everything about them and certainly worth the price you pay.

For those who don't know, a 6wt shoot out was held not long ago and overall the Sage SLT (out of production now) and G-Loomis rods were by far a stand out. The new Sage ZXL is looking like the big brother of the SLT. Very nice rod and not overpriced.

You do get what you pay for in the end. I personally wouldn't cut myself short especially when it comes to fly angling. It is not worth it.

No offence intended to BD, but i doubt you will be able to compare them to the top end rods already there. However, people on a budget, I'm sure it will attract first up.

And true enough, there are not enough "budget" fly rods around in that middle-end market....... so hopefully it will fullfil that niche in the market to attract some anglers across to fly.

[Cindy]

No worries kamikazeghost. Although we don't advertise in the fly market, we build top level fly as well as budget. Our product will stand easily next to Loomis or Sage. We have in the past built for Loomis and also Sage. So we know their product and can say the Batson's top level blanks we have used for custom fly rods are equally as good (some have said better). But although it is nice to offer the top level, not everyone can afford that so it is good to offer a midrange that is better than what you'd expect for the price. Many would say our ClearCuts are just that. We continue to surprise our customers who say after getting their CC's " they are even better than we expected."

As for those who may have wondered about the shoot out..I was not involved (my choice) so you can only compare the products that participated.

[bucaneer]

Looks like I maybe one of the few on these forums that actually own a BD fly rod. I have waved a few top line fly rods around over the past few years, and I can honestly say the BD fly rod I purchased (an 8 weight "WildSea") is one of the best rods of any type I have ever picked up. It is probably more at home targeting Salmon, Tailor, Lizards, than Bream, but an 8'6" 5 weight would be an awesome weapon.
Bring it on Cindy :D:cool::)
Cheers,
Andy

[Bear]

I've had 2 that I purchased when I first joined BD. Happy to give people a go with them and make their own opinions. 5wt and 8wt.

[Fisherman#1]

Cindy; how much $$$ are we talking about (approximately) for the "budget" rod? I would be disappointed if there were no budget rods released, as there is a large market for first time fly fishos looking for their first rod. Take me for example. I would not be looking to spend $300+ on my very first rod as I may not like fly fishing at all. But saying that I don't want some absolute bottom line rod either. Maybe around the $150-200 mark? :)

Don't want to sound to harsh here, just trying to voice my opinion. ;):cool:

An 8'6" 5wt would be deadly on bream I rekon. :cool::cool::cool:

[Cindy]

Fisherman:
I can't really tell you just yet as the blank will be something we will have made special to suit bream. We will not be using an existing blank but rather one of our own design. I will have to see the cost once it is made.

Thanks, too, Andy and Sean for your confidence in the rods.

[Acanthopagrus]

I want a multi section fly rod that would be say #5 in 9'6 as say the primary usage where a section can be left out or removed so that the rod drops back to say 7 feet or similar.

The rod has a primary usage length and a secondary obviously less effective loading blank but the ability to get in short under trees and bridges etc.

This enables the angler that may be carrying the one rod the ability to drop in short confined spaces by placing the blank out of the road for a second etc.

Multi tip sectioned blanks seemed to have made market penetration in different disciplines of the fishing market.

Rod markets on say quiver tips where your dealing with 3oz tips have companies now offering easy purchase of new tips as they break very easily.

[Huggy_B]

Cindy; how much $$$ are we talking about (approximately) for the "budget" rod? I would be disappointed if there were no budget rods released, as there is a large market for first time fly fishos looking for their first rod. Take me for example. I would not be looking to spend $300+ on my very first rod as I may not like fly fishing at all. But saying that I don't want some absolute bottom line rod either. Maybe around the $150-200 mark? :)

Don't want to sound to harsh here, just trying to voice my opinion. ;):cool:

An 8'6" 5wt would be deadly on bream I rekon. :cool::cool::cool:

If you really like your fishing and have great passion for it, you'll like fly fishing - it's really that simple. If you are a bit meh about fishing, I wouldn't bother unless you can try someone elses and decide for yourself.

And as a "first time fly fisho" - how would you know what is good for bream?? :eek::p

[Fisherman#1]

And as a "first time fly fisho" - how would you know what is good for bream?? :eek::p

I get advice from a bloke who has been fly fishing for decades and has caught everything from bream to kings on fly. :cool::p:p:p:p

[Acanthopagrus]

Cindy; how much $$$ are we talking about (approximately) for the "budget" rod? I would be disappointed if there were no budget rods released, as there is a large market for first time fly fishos looking for their first rod. Take me for example. I would not be looking to spend $300+ on my very first rod as I may not like fly fishing at all. But saying that I don't want some absolute bottom line rod either. Maybe around the $150-200 mark?

Don't want to sound to harsh here, just trying to voice my opinion.

An 8'6" 5wt would be deadly on bream I rekon.

Do yourself a favor and do one session with a qualified instructor. One who not only knows how to fly fish but knows how to "teach". It ll be a better experience than going to the movies. You'll walk away feeling you've achieved something and have confidence pending you may never even purchase one that you pick one up and have confidence you'll be casting the fly the correct way.

I would go a weight 6 for bream on a first rod mainly because if theres some wind about and you find yourself casting some bigger flies to potentially something different in the ocean you'll be glad you got the 6.

Casting is much simpler than you think. A good instructor will make you realise this. Where you take your casting from there in regards to technique is endless.

The difference between some of the cheaper rods and the more expensive ones can be mostly weight and some super dooper components that don't make any difference to catching fish. I have a cheaper one that I enjoy more than any of the others.

Even if you never touch a fly rod again, a lesson with a "good" instructor will have you walk away with a sense of achievement.

[Fishylogic]

Hi Guys,
Are there many members out there who like to flyfish for bream? Would you like to see more of these rods as a product?

Hi Cindy,

Fly fishing for bream is where many anglers new to fly gear "cut their teeth". If you were too consider a "Bream on fly rod" in a dedicated design then that is a different story.

My recommendations would be to look for a blank from 4 - 6 wt at around 8'6" in a three pc set up, why 3 pc? a medium-fast taper fly rod will always load better in a 3 pc over a 4pc traveller design when a fish is hooked.

The main design difference will be in the hardware used to build it, fittings that will be salt resistant mainly. The mechanics of fly casting a floating line or MD line with a long stealthy leader and a "charlie" with weighted eyes can be a factor in the design though (as the bloke down there is making you a cup of tea, he will tell you) unlike other forms of casting a good fly caster needs to be able to adjust his technique to overcome the weight of the fly and the presentation before he makes a decision to tie that fly on a rod that will cast a heavier line and therefore displace the impact of that given fly.

It has however been a very long time since anyone in Australia has focussed on a "saltwater fly rod" and it is well worth investigation again IMO.

BTW, you can't use the word "Perfection" on the rod designs, that still belongs to me.


LOL


Hope you are well,

G

[jugglerman]

No worries kamikazeghost. Although we don't advertise in the fly market, we build top level fly as well as budget. Our product will stand easily next to Loomis or Sage. We have in the past built for Loomis and also Sage. So we know their product and can say the Batson's top level blanks we have used for custom fly rods are equally as good (some have said better). But although it is nice to offer the top level, not everyone can afford that so it is good to offer a midrange that is better than what you'd expect for the price. Many would say our ClearCuts are just that. We continue to surprise our customers who say after getting their CC's " they are even better than we expected."

As for those who may have wondered about the shoot out..I was not involved (my choice) so you can only compare the products that participated.


Hey to weigh in on the results of the shootout I have heard that all is not as it had seemed with that particular article & report......


I'm currently using a loomis gl2 8wt- at the bottom end of the spectrum when it comes to Loomis rods it's not however the worst kind of rod you can buy. Quite the opposite it's a very nice rod & loads beautifully.

There's so much more about catching fish when it comes to flyfishing than just the gear you are using- it's about being the hunter & honing your technique to entice the fish. I think you would all agree that is what luring is about:D

Top end rod would be great to use but I'm more inclined to say variables such as line type, fly & retrieve are more important to catch fish. If you need more distance- get casting lessons. It's cheaper than shelling out for a new rod.

ANYWAY to answer your question about what I'd like in a rod- Boat 5/6 weight fast action with nice recovery for roll casting into tight spots.

Flats rod would have to be 7/8 & 9ft. Fast action & power in butt incase something bigger comes along.

Sorry If I got carried away on a first post- love the long wand:)

[liquidtensionJP]

I got a 8wt set up with various bream flys for sale if anyones interested, not over the top on price either, and willing to swap for some other bream gear

pm me for details guys

Ill be happy to explain my ideas on fly fishing for blackies

[sucker]

yep it would be choice to see a flyrod for bream, titanium fittings and reelseat mmmm. will you be releasing any twig models say a 3wt?

[Acanthopagrus]

Been using a 6 weight for a while now. A 5 weight is a great Bream rod weight.

The 6 is better for bigger flies and in wind. The 6 also is a good balance for inshore species when you cant afford a few several hundred dollar outfits just for fly fishing.

Would the BD 5 weight be till suited to trout/freshwater?

[blackwater]

Hey to weigh in on the results of the shootout I have heard that all is not as it had seemed with that particular article & report......



In what way?

[jugglerman]

Well I'd rather not insinuate that a magazine or set of journalists had skewed the results to benefit it's sponsors......

[blackwater]

Yeah, hate to do that:rolleyes:

[beno]

hi guys, sorry to stir things up a bit but my preference would be for a 9'6, 10'. i prefer to heave and leave or 'poke' at polaroided fish rather than cast and retreave and the extra lendgth would be great.