I like an 13' 8wt spey rod with mono running line and skagit heads with whatever tip suits the conditions. It casts a mile into the wind, throws huge flies, and it only needs a single backcast to do it which saves time and covers more water in that time. to qualify my choice I fish for stripers on the West Coast where the surf is rarely small, the currents are strong, and the wind is on average 10 knots onshore so the heavier gear helps. It's still surprisingly fun to play smaller fish with but I've also landed 30+ lb stripers on it. I could play a big striper on an 8wt single hand rod for sure but in our conditions I'd never get the fly to the fish before the current overtook my setup.
New current favorite is the nrx + 9 weight with outbound short lines. It throws these lines with such lightness and power it makes the whole thing seem much easier. Can't wait to give the Orvis Helios blackout 8 wait a try. Great review on that Rod as well Ben.
My favorite tactic when it comes to stripers is to go as light as you’re comfortable throwing. With conventional tackle, I actually use my “saltwater friendly” largemouth bass combos (Shimano engetsu on a medium action jerkbait rod). That might sound insane to some people but it’s light and comfortable to fish all day, strong enough to take the abuse…and even a 7 pound schoolie is like wrestling a bull with that setup. With fly rods, it’s 8wt all day (unless you really love to throw enormous flies). Easy to throw and really maximizes the skill factor when you hook into something over 15lb. The trick is to find an 8-9wt that will easily/accurately throw 80+ feet. If you have to kill yourself to get it out there, it totally defeats the purpose of using light tackle.
It really depends on the conditions too. Where I fish for stripers if I threw an 8wt all day I'd just be watching my line immediately drift parallel to the shore.
? Cumbersome ? I have the 7wt and 9wt PayLoad rods. At 8ft. 9in. I have NO issues with Casting Fatigue - and I'm 71 with "not so good" muscle tone these days, ugh ! They handle both fully integrated sink head/intermediate running (AirFlo) lines just fine, but I actually prefer using an appropriate AirFlo Floating line AND whatever Sinking PolyLeader is needed for any given situation - Beach or Boat ! Recently got a Beulah OPAL 7/8 Beach Surf rod (11ft) that I look forward to using "Scandi-Style-Casting" (again) using an appropriate AirFlo Line . . . I Only use AirFlo mainly for their Durability and they have never let me down (by design) . . . and NO I don't work for them . . . I'm retired Navy ! I AM thinking of getting a 9ft. 11wt. but not sure yet who's !?. Perhaps a Opal or Maverick or EDGE ( Gary Loomis's Newest Creations, super cool IMO ). Keep-'em coming Trident; would love to see a Follow Up reel review of a Waterworks/Lamson COBALT 8 reel ! I got 2 of them, HD style, and felt the drag was WAY TO MUCH for the size o this reel !?. So much so that I had them "rework/adjust" the Torque and they are NOW a "much better" functioning tool . . . again IMO ! BUT, I'd like to know what YOU REALLY think of the reel with out any of the "sales hype" . . . !
No mention of floating vs sinking lines? Many flats rods with soft tips do not handle sunken lines. And the “big sink/stuff” rods like Payload or Exocet SS are cumbersome for regular fishing. Seems the companies have lost sight of making premium all-around salt rods and are targeting shootout rankings instead of real local fishing
Have you checked out the Atlas 8wt? We designed it to be an all-around rod capable of handling both sinking lines for stripers and lighter lines for bonefish.
I've been fishing the California delta and found that a more powerful Rod is a big Advantage. For an eighth wait I would recommend the nrx. Personally I ended up with the salt hd 9 weight as my go-to
Solid Advice. We all want to fish as light as possible, but it doesn't do us any good if the tackle doesn't allow us to adequately handle and cast bigger flies/heavy sinking lines, wind, etc.
I like an 13' 8wt spey rod with mono running line and skagit heads with whatever tip suits the conditions. It casts a mile into the wind, throws huge flies, and it only needs a single backcast to do it which saves time and covers more water in that time. to qualify my choice I fish for stripers on the West Coast where the surf is rarely small, the currents are strong, and the wind is on average 10 knots onshore so the heavier gear helps. It's still surprisingly fun to play smaller fish with but I've also landed 30+ lb stripers on it. I could play a big striper on an 8wt single hand rod for sure but in our conditions I'd never get the fly to the fish before the current overtook my setup.
New current favorite is the nrx + 9 weight with outbound short lines. It throws these lines with such lightness and power it makes the whole thing seem much easier. Can't wait to give the Orvis Helios blackout 8 wait a try. Great review on that Rod as well Ben.
That's a great setup for stripers! Thanks for watching
Redington predator 9ft 9wt with a Hardy Zane reel paired with Rio outbound short and Rio striped bass leader
My favorite tactic when it comes to stripers is to go as light as you’re comfortable throwing. With conventional tackle, I actually use my “saltwater friendly” largemouth bass combos (Shimano engetsu on a medium action jerkbait rod). That might sound insane to some people but it’s light and comfortable to fish all day, strong enough to take the abuse…and even a 7 pound schoolie is like wrestling a bull with that setup. With fly rods, it’s 8wt all day (unless you really love to throw enormous flies). Easy to throw and really maximizes the skill factor when you hook into something over 15lb. The trick is to find an 8-9wt that will easily/accurately throw 80+ feet. If you have to kill yourself to get it out there, it totally defeats the purpose of using light tackle.
Spot on
It really depends on the conditions too. Where I fish for stripers if I threw an 8wt all day I'd just be watching my line immediately drift parallel to the shore.
the igniters are great
Great striper rod, for sure
? Cumbersome ? I have the 7wt and 9wt PayLoad rods. At 8ft. 9in. I have NO issues with Casting Fatigue - and I'm 71 with "not so good" muscle tone these days, ugh ! They handle both fully integrated sink head/intermediate running (AirFlo) lines just fine, but I actually prefer using an appropriate AirFlo Floating line AND whatever Sinking PolyLeader is needed for any given situation - Beach or Boat ! Recently got a Beulah OPAL 7/8 Beach Surf rod (11ft) that I look forward to using "Scandi-Style-Casting" (again) using an appropriate AirFlo Line . . . I Only use AirFlo mainly for their Durability and they have never let me down (by design) . . . and NO I don't work for them . . . I'm retired Navy ! I AM thinking of getting a 9ft. 11wt. but not sure yet who's !?. Perhaps a Opal or Maverick or EDGE ( Gary Loomis's Newest Creations, super cool IMO ). Keep-'em coming Trident; would love to see a Follow Up reel review of a Waterworks/Lamson COBALT 8 reel ! I got 2 of them, HD style, and felt the drag was WAY TO MUCH for the size o this reel !?. So much so that I had them "rework/adjust" the Torque and they are NOW a "much better" functioning tool . . . again IMO ! BUT, I'd like to know what YOU REALLY think of the reel with out any of the "sales hype" . . . !
Sounds like you have some dialed setups for stripers! Good luck this season
No mention of floating vs sinking lines? Many flats rods with soft tips do not handle sunken lines. And the “big sink/stuff” rods like Payload or Exocet SS are cumbersome for regular fishing. Seems the companies have lost sight of making premium all-around salt rods and are targeting shootout rankings instead of real local fishing
Have you checked out the Atlas 8wt? We designed it to be an all-around rod capable of handling both sinking lines for stripers and lighter lines for bonefish.
Only have one stripe bass rod. GLoomis GLX 10#- 9’ 2 pc. Probably 25 years old. 😊Should I throw it out & get a new one?
definitely ... no way that will work anymore haha
I've been fishing the California delta and found that a more powerful Rod is a big Advantage. For an eighth wait I would recommend the nrx. Personally I ended up with the salt hd 9 weight as my go-to
Standard fly is about a 6 to 7 inch Clouser
Solid Advice. We all want to fish as light as possible, but it doesn't do us any good if the tackle doesn't allow us to adequately handle and cast bigger flies/heavy sinking lines, wind, etc.
America's favorite game fish?
Love the way Americans say Raaahhd.