Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Gooey on November 01, 2006, 07:09:39 AM

Title: Strength of an 8wt fly blank???
Post by: Gooey on November 01, 2006, 07:09:39 AM

I don't have a ton of experience with fishing fly rods and I have just built up an nice little 4 piece 9' 8wt blank into a center pin/spinning rod.  The last thing I want to do is have it expolde when I get a chum on. 

What lb leader will be safe?  I rarely fish 12 lb but if there are lots of chums around then its nice to have a little extra protection for those $5 spinners and spoons.  Would 12lb leader put an 8wt to task?!?  ???

Title: Re: Strength of an 8wt fly blank???
Post by: dennyman on November 01, 2006, 08:50:59 AM

Gooey, I am assuming the 8 weight you have is a graphite blank.  If I was fishing with it, I would use an eight to ten pound leader.  This would allow you to break off a big nasty spring or chum if you felt the rod was being pushed to its limit.  You could use the 12 pound leader, but it might make things dicey when you try and break a fish off.  Just my two cents worth.

Title: Re: Strength of an 8wt fly blank???
Post by: Gooey on November 01, 2006, 09:47:57 AM

I never like snapping a fish off and leaving it with a hook in its body...sometimes thats the best solution as opposed a prolonged battle with a brute but if you factor a $5 lure into the equation as well, I will virtually never intentionally sacrifice one of those.

I seem to have this impression that a 9w fly rod could tackle a 35-40lb spring so I cant help but think an\ 8w should be ok with 12lb leader...but I would like to know for sure.

Title: Re: Strength of an 8wt fly blank???
Post by: BwiBwi on November 01, 2006, 10:53:52 AM

For a 8wt rod you'll use fly size not bigger than 1/0 so your tippet rating should be 0x or 12lb.
If you are targeting springs and dogs, use a 9wt rod. you can use 4/0 fly size and it can handle x3 tippet.

Title: Re: Strength of an 8wt fly blank???
Post by: Gooey on November 01, 2006, 11:03:10 AM

The blank was tied up as a CP/spinning rod...so it sounds like 12lb leader will be safe?

Title: Re: Strength of an 8wt fly blank???
Post by: BwiBwi on November 01, 2006, 11:21:47 AM

Yes it would be.

Title: Re: Strength of an 8wt fly blank???
Post by: marmot on November 01, 2006, 11:41:56 AM

I have used 12 lb 3x on my 8wt.  It will be fine :)

Title: Re: Strength of an 8wt fly blank???
Post by: Gooey on November 01, 2006, 12:43:53 PM

thanks boys...I'd hate to break such a purdy rod...I post a few pics once its 100% complete.