Multi-purpose fly rod –Garrick + Mermaids + Largies+ Tigers

[Lichia amia]

Chaps , Chappets and Others
 
 I’ve been thinking of getting a single rod that can hopefully cover all species from say 5 to 15 kg in the salt and fresh.
 
 Is this advisable  and what weight rod would be best  ???

[Wynand13]

Lichia

The most shop owners wont advice this...  But you can do it.

The issue you might have is with lines and reels. But that is always an issue. I would suggest using a 9WT anything lighter for estimate 15kg fish is pushing it. A 10Wt should also be fine if you are targeting Tigers as part of the fresh species my personal opinion is 9 at least preferred 10. It does take the fun out with the smaller fish however. I have from 4WT to 12WT and still want to go down to 1WT for the smaller streams. However you must enjoy your fishing and that is what counts. personally I like to fight with the fish and the lighter the tackle the better the fight but make sure you have enough backing whatever you decide to do.. Just my 2c on it.

[strandloper]

Lichia,

Check out the Scott range (especially the saltwater).

I would opt for a 9wt. Had the pleasure of fishing with one when I lived in the States and it was great for fresh and salt. Pity it got "affirmatively shopped".

Check out the Scott website and look at the S4S series and maybe even the longer rods in the A series.

I currently use a 10/11 wt Kingfisher for my fresh (bass, barbel and tiger) as well as salt. Mostly use it for barbel in Roodeplaat now. Totaly over powers a bass and smaller saltwater species (shad)

[Searaider]

Craig I also recommend you get a 10 WT. the modern 10 WT set-ups are just as easy to cast as an old 9 WT with way more power and you can fish with it all day.I believe it is the most important fly rod for Southern African waters.
You can use it to catch Bass ,Tigers,barbel and all estuary species and even offshore.
The reason I use it for Bass and Tigers is because of the large flies I use.

[Lichia amia]

  chaps and I was thinking 8wt 

[super_daav]

Lichia, I personally would go with a 8wt but I actually fish a 9wt as that is what I purchased initially. 10wt is heavy to throw all day (Even 9wt is) and I think you could tire quickly.
Only freshwater species that need heavier rods would be barbel & tiger while most estuary species I think would be over powered with anything bigger than 8wt. If fishing bulky flies in windy conditions then 9 or 10 maybe better suited.
Each to their own hence why I have almost eveything from 3wt to 12wt... Tackle junky I hear you muttering!?!

[travelmember]

I think you need to consider where you will be fishing and for what most of the time. If you are consistently targetting 15kg kingies, then a 10weight. If it mostly tigers, then an 8wt.
I use a 7/8 in the fresh, 8/9 for tail and snoek and 9/10 for longfin. Casting a 10wt all day is no fun - remember it is not the rod weight, but the line weight that you are casting.

[Lichia amia]

I’ll say 80% of my fishing would be for Large Mouth Yellows and Cats . 10 days a year targeting Garrick of St Francis point and maybe Tigers every other year .

[Poenskop]

I would not go heavier than the 8# for Largies.

[Herman Jooste]

I’ll say 80% of my fishing would be for Large Mouth Yellows and Cats . 10 days a year targeting Garrick of St Francis point and maybe Tigers every other year .

Craig, given the above, you are looking for a 7#.
 
 Something along the lines of a Stealth Bomber, depending on your casting style.
 
If it's a SUPER fast action with enough backbone to land a whale , then it has to be the ELBE 7/8.  The rods are heavy though and casting all day becomes a pain, although I chucked my ELBE 8/9 for 6 hours straight on a LM hunt.
 
The Elbe 8/9 sells for around R400, cheaper at Ganis.
 
For me, the reel on such a rig is WAAAAAAY more important than the rod. The rod is a "tool" to get the fly out there, the reel is the make or break of getting that fish in from a LOOONG way away after the first burst.
 
The reel must have a smooth drag, ( not click and pawl ) and must be adjustable during the fight.
 
The Shimano Biocraft is an exact copy of the ULTEGRA but in a different alloy which is Salt resistant..
 
Damn good flyreels at a good price.

[Lichia amia]

Thanks Herman 
 
 

[Herman Jooste]

Thanks Craig.
 
It turns my mind to the equation of reel vs rod.
 
Light weight fishing the rod is all important. You need a rod that can present a fly on the "tickey" with minimal splash. I.E. A delicate presentation, ( which I may 1 may get around to one day    ) The reel is a line holder, you could just as well wrap the line around your hand ( which is what you do when figure of 8 retrieval anyway )
 
Heavier weight fishing can burn your fingers fighting out of the  hand. ( Personal experience    ).
 
That is when you need a reel with a good drag.  

[Rory]

I think you need to consider where you will be fishing and for what most of the time. If you are consistently targetting 15kg kingies, then a 10weight. If it mostly tigers, then an 8wt......

I would not go heavier than the 8# for Largies.

I'll second the above quotes. In my very limited saltwater experience I have found the biggest issue is casting in windy conditions, so a 10 weight gets my vote. I also believe in fishing and not casting all day, so I only use shooting heads in the salt. The 10 weight is a beastly stick, but if a small oke like me can fish with it all day, you shouldn't have an issue! I can bring it along to the next social for you to have a few casts?

[Lichia amia]

I'll second the above quotes. In my very limited saltwater experience I have found the biggest issue is casting in windy conditions, so a 10 weight gets my vote. I also believe in fishing and not casting all day, so I only use shooting heads in the salt. The 10 weight is a beastly stick, but if a small oke like me can fish with it all day, you shouldn't have an issue! I can bring it along to the next social for you to have a few casts?

Please do kind Sir 

[Poenskop]

Remind me to bring my 8#. Then you can cast it as well.

[Rory]

Please do kind Sir 

No problemo!

[Lichia amia]

Thanks Chaps ,    to both of you