Big water trout rod

[BirdFish]

My trout rods include a 3 weight and a 5 weight. However, the 5 wt. isn't enough when its real windy, or on a big river or lake. I thought I'd pick up a 6 wt. for times when the 5 wt. isn't enough. Now, I am wondering if I shouldn't go with a 7 wt. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Dave

[fessiewig]

I have a 3wt, 3 5wts and a 7wt and love the versatility they give me.

[RichShady603]

I would have to say go with the 7wt. I don't think you would find much of a difference going only one wt up..

[Steve H.]

I'm in the same boat as you, birdfish. I am dying for a new 7 weight. Right now I have a 2, 5, 5-6 (backup), 8, and 8-9 (backup). My backup rods are inexpensive "extras" that I keep around for friends/family who ocassionally want to borrow a fly rod.

I really feel like I'm missing the 7, especially this summer when fishing some bigger rivers like the Kennebec and West Branch Penobscot. My 5 weight caught fish, but sometimes I felt I was forcing my casts. I'd love to use it in NH for schoolie stripers, brood-stock Atlantics and maybe some smallie fishing. I even have the reel for it, just not the rod.

I'm considering TFOs at this point unless someone convinces me otherwise.

[Rick]

I have to agree with the others...I fish my 3 weight primarily in souther NH because the streams tend to be small and cramped...and it is very effective.

My other rod is a 5 weight and I used it last week to do some bass fishing....and I was really stuggling at getting a good long cast out....maybe the 7 would help with this as well if you considered doing some pond-lake fishing.

[jhicks]

Ok here is my input on the issue. If you are fishing for trout a 10' 6wt would be my rod of choice for bigger water and bigger fish. A 7wt to me is overkill, unless you are of course targetting Steelhead and some bass. If you are surf casting a 7wt would be undergunned and a heavier line would be needed.

A 10' 6wt can cast heavy flies and cutt the heavy winds of a bigger river.

[lowwall]

I am with John, 10ft 6Wght is a great Big water rod. I use it for winter steelhead/monster browns. I do have an old loomis 10ft 7wght for some reason? But have never used it. Was a good deal on Ebay , came with Rod, reel and 2 lines. Could not resist. Probably use it for Salmon on the SR with a 9' 8wght as a Back Up.
Can't have enough Rods!

Mike

[Steve H.]

Hmmmm.....I thought I was convinced I needed a 9' 7-weight. Now I need to consider a 10' 6-weight instead!!! Ouch. Can't get both.

Maybe I'll set up a poll to see what readers prefer for big rivers such as the Androscoggin, Pemi/Merrimack, Kennebec, etc. I need it for big cone-head buggers, weighted stoneflies, etc.

[Flyfish99]

I have (2) 3wts, (1) 4wt, several 5wts in different lengths and actions, (1) 6wt (bamboo), and a 9' St Croix 7wt, which is my rod of choice for extreme conditions, such as fishing the Upper CT this past June when it was running at 723 CFS. Good rod for deep water, big heavy or air resistant flies, and heavy winds. Actually, I seldom use this rod, but when conditions warrant, I'm very glad I have it.

[j_harper]

I also think the 7 weight is overkill. I use a faster action 6 weight for brood stock salmon, schoolies, bass, trout, etc., and only wish I had a heavier rod when casting very bulky flies.

Just a thought....Sage is discontinuing the XP's, so they will be going on sale. A 6 wt XP would do everything most 6 and 7 weights can do.

Steve H., re: TFO rods, in an effort to convince you otherwise, the ones I have cast are heavy in the tip and feel "clunky" to me. My preference would be for St Croix in that price range if looking new. I think they are better rods, less hype, and most are made in Wisconsin, USA.

[Fish_King_7]

I personally would go with the fast action 6wt. In fact that is exactly what I just did. I have 2 3wts (one is bamboo nad Im still workign on it), 4wt, 4 5wts, 6wt, 7wt, 7-8wt, 8wt, and hopefully this week a 10wt. I thought the 7wt would be perfect as well but I find I hardly use mine. SO this summer I grabbed a sweet deal off ebay and now find myself using my Avid 6wt quite often. I like to fish a sinking like with huge streams and this is just the rod. If I were to do it again I would probably look for the xp on dicount but definalty go with a fast action 6wt

Caleb

[bridgeman]

The 3,5,7 weights have covered all my freshwater needs for many years. I use 8 and 10 in the salt. Be aware some rods fish "bigger" that the the line weight suggests. I have stiff, hard driving rods and softer more fine rods in all weight classes. Try before you buy.

[s2ary]

Whenever this question comes up I think two things.

1. Fast action or slow. I think fast action rods are better for me to punch out line. And slow, well I really never use my slow action rods anymore.

2. How’s your cast? Many short game casters find it difficult to lengthen their casts, and vs. versa. My short game is as ugly as a kid with kite string and a safety pin. I think more times than not people go up a line weight to compensate for casting issues. As a salt guy, I like fast action rods and long casts to imaginary targets. I have a hard time in freshwater when I need a less than 60 foot cast to a table top target area. My timing is off for quite a while in the morning, after awhile I settle into the zone and get by, but it still isn’t pretty.

To get back to you question, I would try a fast 6wt and work on refining your long game. A 6wt will cast anything I can think of to throw at trout in New England.

[Gerry]

I would go with a 10' 7 wt. 10' for line control/mending and the 7 wt for bass bugs and weighted flies and/or windy conditions. That is a great rig for broodstock salmon, bass and big water salmon and trout. I have 2 9ft 6 wts and the 10 7 wt is a lot more useful in the conditions mentioned above.
tight lines,
Gerry