Light Saltwater Fly Fishing Setup Suggestions/Advice?

[WalkersKiller]

Hi guys, please can I have some suggestions or advice here, I am looking to purchase a light fly setup with sinking line for fishing in estuaries and bays for smaller species like Stumpies, Moonies, small Grunter and other smallish fish, was thinking of a 3 weight setup with sinking line, any advice?

[tkei]

3 wt will be too light IMO. fun yet, but you wont be able to cast. a weighted little crazy charlie will be heavier than the tiny nymph the rod is intended for.
the wind always blows a tthe coast and a 3wt wont have the punch to cast. a 5wt will be min imo. its still too light to cast properly but i have seen it done lots and some big fish landed in it, even GT's to 8kgs in the kei.

[Rory]

3 wt will be too light IMO. fun yet, but you wont be able to cast. a weighted little crazy charlie will be heavier than the tiny nymph the rod is intended for.
the wind always blows a tthe coast and a 3wt wont have the punch to cast. a 5wt will be min imo. its still too light to cast properly but i have seen it done lots and some big fish landed in it, even GT's to 8kgs in the kei.

I'll second tkei, 5 weight minimum! 

[WalkersKiller]

Thanks tkei, I understand that, didnt think about it. Will struggle with a 3.

Then with regards to a 5wt, do I have to look at anything specific or would a normal trout outfit suffice (Thinking about rust etc.)?

[WalkersKiller]

3 wt will be too light IMO. fun yet, but you wont be able to cast. a weighted little crazy charlie will be heavier than the tiny nymph the rod is intended for.
the wind always blows a tthe coast and a 3wt wont have the punch to cast. a 5wt will be min imo. its still too light to cast properly but i have seen it done lots and some big fish landed in it, even GT's to 8kgs in the kei.

I'll second tkei, 5 weight minimum! 

Thanks Rory, any suggestions on line?

[Rory]

Thanks Rory, any suggestions on line?

Estuaries and bays? If you only buying one line, I'd suggest intermediate. Unfortunately in an estuary, a floater, intermediate and sinking will all have application. Hows your budget?? 

[WalkersKiller]

Do not have one worked out yet though, what do you suggest?

[Rory]

Do not have one worked out yet though, what do you suggest?

     I suggest you work out a budget!!     Lol, if I was restricted to one line I'd go for intermediate 
 

[WalkersKiller]

Cool, I will do that.

What about taking a trout setup 5wt to use in the salt, will it be effected at all?

[Rory]

Saltwater will affect practically the whole setup!! Eyes on the rod must be properly cleaned after each outing, if the reel seat is metal same applies. In fact as long as you properly clean everything, line included and especially your reel after each outing you should'nt have an issue.

[WalkersKiller]

Ok awesome, thanks bru!!!

[Rory]

I've got a 6/7 weight I use as a light salt and as a bass setup, bought it years back. With proper cleaning its served me well, no hassles.

[WalkersKiller]

Awesome! Now lets talk about a reel Rory for the 5wt intermediate line, Budget of about R800?

[Rory]

Eish now you've put me on the spot, off hand I'm not too sure, I'll need to do a bit of research!    Haven't bought a fly reel in ages, mine are all still good!

[Rory]

Wheres Koos? His fly reel knowledge is brilliant!

[maganything]

 
i would suggest, look at an explorer setup...
Look at the guide or guide 2 with a reel to match..
 
Not to badly priced! i would also recomend and 8/9 wt, so that if you do want to target a big spiecies tou dont have to buy another outfit...

[Ziggy]

Ok awesome, thanks bru!!!

WK - I agree with all the above - 5wt would be the absolute lightest I would go - and intermediate would be the line of choice if you only getting one.


Slat water is deadly on fresh water tackle - so I would be extra careful about cleaning and oiling after each outing. With the reel - remember that you will get your backing wet with salt water, so I would also strip all the line aout and wash....pain in the butt! So, if you are going low budget, see if you can get a good reel that is not metal.


Most importantly, slat water fish are not like trout, so you will go into your backing on some bigger fish, that means a good drag is also a useful thing to have

[tkei]

i would suggest, look at an explorer setup...
Look at the guide or guide 2 with a reel to match..
 
Not to badly priced! i would also recomend and 8/9 wt, so that if you do want to target a big spiecies tou dont have to buy another outfit...

WK only target tiddlers. 
the 7,8,9 would be considered the all rounder, especially int he eastern cape, when targeting skippies, leerie, etc. For the little moonies, blacktail, small kob etc will be wbe a bit heavy. WK what do you currently have?
if you have a decent 5wt for trout etc the rod will be fine, but reel could be iffy. the species you targetiing ar not the long running, species and i guess a 20m run will be long. drag wont be an isuse. i started with an old okuma graphite reel with a "ratchet type drag only. caught plenty of skippies on it until i could afford to upgrade slightly. it must have a spool lip that can be palmed though if you do hook a skippie or leeeries. in all liklyhood your trout reel will suffice, and spend the cash or save up and buy a decent 8 or 9 weight for when you tire of catching "kids fish". lol

[WalkersKiller]

Thanks guys! Awesome advice

  Tkei, I have an awesome 9 weight setup that I use to target "adults" fish on... So thats sorted, the fish I wanna target are the ones that wont run hecticly.

I will use the trout rod, but I honestly dont think I would use any of my current fly reels or line would definitely not be effective.

So what should I budget for to buy a 5wt salt reel and intermediate line.

[christosch]

Saw this on Gumtree
 
http://www.gumtree.co.za/cp-sports-bicycles-fitness-in-bellville/flyfishing-rod-and-reel-xplorer-series-486888416
 
Maybe worth the call?