length of an 8wt

[72Twenty]

So, I think I might try to acquire an 8wt (in the "affordable" catagory) for my quiver this spring/summer. I have been cruising deals, such as STP and I am wondering about the options of 9ft vs 9.5ft vs 10ft; all of which I have found decent deals on. How much more distance would I get out of a 10ft rod vs a 9ft rod, assuming the action is about the same? Would it be an advantage or a disadvantage in the wind? I am really wanting the 8wt for distance casting and fighting wind in some of my local lakes. FWIW, I already have a 9ft 7wt.

[ak_powder_monkey]

the real advantage is the mending ability

[likwid]

put a shooting head on the 7wt before you blow the money on an 8wt

[Happy Fun Ball]

AKPM hit the nail on the head.

I have a 9'9" 8wt that is my go to rod for steelhead fishing. It's amazing what the extra nine inches does for mending purposes.

[schwerty]

3rds on AKPM's comment. I'll add that a longer rod is good for high-sticking and can improve accuracy on long casts.

I'd get a 9.6 or 9.9. Nothing wrong with a 10 footer but they can take some getting used to. Living in WYo, you prolly won't end up using it all that much. ??

[72Twenty]

Yeah, and this would be used in lakes more than rivers. Plus, it may come in handy for the very occasional trip to the salt... Maybe just a 9 foot or a 9'6" would be the way to go. I just want to be able to cast really far out, usually wading and being at least waist deep (another reason I was thinking the 10ft would be an advantage). I want to be able to pick line up and make a cast with relative ease while wading that deep.

Edit: FWIW, these are what I was looking at (price is about right for me...)

Redington RS3 10' 8wt:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...80%99-8wt.html

Redington RS3 9'6" 8wt:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...80%9D-8wt.html

or going really cheap with this:
Redington Redfly 9' 8wt
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...80%99-8wt.html

Obviously I was not looking to spend alot here, just wanted to fill the small hole in my quiver with an affordable rod. I want to stress that this will not be my usual everyday rod. I am just trying to specialize for specific situations here on my local lakes.


One more edit...

I was actually thinking of selling some ski gear in order to buy new fishing gear. I have a pair of 193cm Atomic Big Daddy's with Rossignol Axial 140 bindings that I was going to sell. Anyone interested in them?

[likwid]

line class has no bearing on casting distance. lurn2cast.

[Tap]

get yonskion to build you a custom 8wt

[schwerty]

If you're gonna be in waist deep water or in a belly boat/personal cat type situation than definitely go longer than a 9ft.

[adipose]

You won't believe how much better you can roll cast with a 10 footer.

[yonskion]

what is your intended target species with the 8wt? high wind? big water?
I use to fish a 10' 8wt but once again a 6wt switch will dust any 8wt with more cast and haul in the weight...this is the exact reason I started to fish swtich. more fish on less rod try it you will not go back to the old ways....remember skinny skis
My 10' 8wt was for nymphing steelhead, big water and wind. 4 trout it's an over kill way too much

[Hugh Conway]

You wanna cast really far? Buy a spey rod. Especially at an 8wt. Especially when you live in windy Wyoming

[likwid]

I use to fish a 10' 8wt but once again a 6wt switch will dust any 8wt with more cast and haul in the weight...

Rio Outbound shorthead into a headwind. 8wt will go just as far.

Stupid discussion, I say again, learn to cast.

[yonskion]

Stupid discussion, I say again, learn to cast.

maybe

[ak_powder_monkey]

I don't know why you'd buy an 8 wt if you have a 7wt, get a 9wt or a spey rod but the difference between and 8 wt and a 7 wt is negligible, and you live in wyoming where a big fish is over 20 inches. If you can't cast a good 5 wt into the wind you should get some casting lessons before a shitty 8 wt.

[72Twenty]

I don't know why you'd buy an 8 wt if you have a 7wt, get a 9wt or a spey rod but the difference between and 8 wt and a 7 wt is negligible, and you live in wyoming where a big fish is over 20 inches. If you can't cast a good 5 wt into the wind you should get some casting lessons before a shitty 8 wt.

Actually - getting a 9wt in a trade with a fellow maggot. Problem solved.

[tronacate]

Just put an 8 line on your 7. Most rods cast better overlined a bit anyways.




Likwid doesn't know shit about flyrods.

[72Twenty]

Likwid doesn't know shit about flyrods.

I LOL'd.

[DickDeep]

Likwid doesn't know shit about flyrods.

He knows everything the Magazines taught him.
He should take a lesson from Yon.

[likwid]

He knows everything the Magazines taught him.
He should take a lesson from Yon.

I only know what your mom taught me.
And that had nothing to do with fly fishing.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...8&postcount=14

[tronacate]

"..... no 8'6" 13 wt. made.....".......yada,yada

"learn to cast"......blah,blah

What's this?



Oh, gee, an 8'6" 13 weight....omg......it DOES exist
Guess ol' Likwid is not the fly rod authority he thought he was.

lol