Beginners Fly Outfit

[basscada]

Gday all,
I am looking to get into fly fishing for bass and bream. I am looking for some advice as to what to get, budget would be around 500, i dont mind buying decent gear, any help would be much appreciated, cheers

[Bear]

For $500 you're not going to get anything too flash unless you get second hand. 6 or 7wt would be a good start.

Reels wise I would seriously check out the Colton reels.

http://www.coltonfly.com/torrent.php

They also have an Ebay site for good specials.

Rods rise you could look at the Redington or Temple Fork rods to get you going and upgrade from there.

http://www.saltwaterflyfishing.com.a...ead.php?t=9267

[kaleidonova]

pretty sur the exact same question got asked not long ago ill try find the thread i wouldnt personall spend to much on the reel as u hardly ever use it spend 400 on line and rod

[kaleidonova]

http://www.breammaster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38105

here it is yeh ide go a 6wt im gonna get a 3wt for bream and skippy but i like to fish extremely light

P.S dont buy a 3wt

[Bear]

Just took posession of my 2wt that Panda built. Sweet little rod that I'm combining with a 3wt Airflo sixth sense line. Should be fun

[Rayman]

I ended up getting the Colton reel Bear suggested, a TFO BVK and Rio Gold fly line. Came to 450 delivered.

[basscada]

Thanks all for your advice, gav

[4weightfanatic]

Hey Basscada where abouts are you situated ? Try and get a test on some gear if you can as you want to make sure your rod and line can cast (and you) some wind resistant flies for the bass. Generally the flies for bream will be smaller than some of those for bass especially if you want to cast poppers,dalhbergs and other bulky flies so consider a good weight forward floating (WFF) line that will give you the middle of the road. You can't beat going into a fly shop that has experienced sales people that fish for the same species in your local area. Their customers are a great testing ground for gear so they get the feed back. Good luck.-------Bear just for fun have a few casts on your #2 weight then pick up your #9 or better still the other way round its like trying to dent a car with a feather I fished a #2 weight for peacock bass in Singapore and geez was that hard to get used to - like trying to load the rod with cotton. It must have looked like I was trying brush away an annoying fly ('scuse the pun). Here's a pic hooked up on the #2 to a peacock.PAT.

[kamikazeghost]

The greatest mistake people make in buying fly gear, is not trying it out. Rods and so on are suggested and recommended, however, unless you try it out, you will not know whether or not it suits you.

This is most important to understand. Understanding fly lines as well is of great importance. Freshwater flylines are different in make to saltwater flylines as well as how they sit on the surface. Furthermore, coldwater lines are different to temperate and tropical lines.

It is worth noting to find out this information prior to spending your dosh.

The reel is not important if you're fishing targets are namely bream and bass. A solid 6wt or 7wt rod is a good starting point and if you have not done fly casting prior, I strongly recommend a medium action rod over fast action rods first up. This is allow you to understand more comprehensively the casting dynamics and principles of casting as well as you won't feel frustrated when casting either. Getting good foundations is what fly fishing is about and trying not to introduce bad habits.

Because you're targeting fresh and salt, you'll need two different lines and also with that, it is worthwhile to search for floating and sinking lines for both. For the bass, the SA Striper IV is the line to have in your kit as your sinking line to target deepwater bass.

For bream, a floating line will be required on most occasions, and you have a good choice between SA and Rio bonefish and redfish lines being the best performing lines around.

For bass surface, I feel the Rio Trout LT or Selective II is a really good choice line or the SA GPX also being a really good line to have in the arsenal.

Mate, there are other rods around, well within your budget, inlcuding the Sage Flight and Launch rods, Redington as well, furthermore, you can look afield to the Orvis rods or Kingfisher rods. Other rods worthy to note are Wildfish rods.

All are great performers and will most likely suit you, but I would try before buy.

After that, have tuition by a casting instructor in your area. It is worth the money and you will learn a lot by it.

Michael