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Fishing Megathread: Looking For Big Girls Who swallow


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Posted

Agreed as above.  Although I love my Ross Colorado 3wt as well, it does nothing but hold line.  I overspent on it because it has sentimental and aesthetic value to me.  And it sounds really, really nifty.

If you're staying on a budget*, get a cheap reel and spend that money on good fly line, a lesson this board taught me.




* you're buying fly fishing gear, we all know we're just pretending to be on a budget and are going to buy cool shit because cool shit is cool and we love it.

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Posted

I don't always buy the gobble-dee-gook they advertize with but this is supposedly what makes those sage rods perform so well... 

Quote

LIGHTER. SLIMMER. STRONGER. MORE ACCURATE RODS.

Improved accuracy is a result of smoother tracking and increased line speed and line control... all features of Sage’s revolutionary Konnetic Technology®. Creating an impossibly light blank with enhanced hand-to-fly sensitivity, Konnetic Technology utilizes advanced modulus positioning that places carbon fibers to exacting tolerances. This creates slimmer blank profiles with unparalleled strength and efficient energy transfer throughout the shaft. Konnetic Technology’s highly responsive and robust blanks feel connected, offering significantly enhanced torsional stability and minimal vibration for casts that track effortlessly and accurately.

I mean that sounds right to me. it's a great little rod.

1 minute ago, Damor said:

Agreed as above.  Although I love my Ross Colorado 3wt as well, it does nothing but hold line.  I overspent on it because it has sentimental and aesthetic value to me.  And it sounds really, really nifty.

If you're staying on a budget*, get a cheap reel and spend that money on good fly line, a lesson this board taught me.




* you're buying fly fishing gear, we all know we're just pretending to be on a budget and are going to buy cool shit because cool shit is cool and we love it.

the clicking sound when you pull some slack out is pretty bad ass.

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Posted
28 minutes ago, Damor said:

* you're buying fly fishing gear, we all know we're just pretending to be on a budget and are going to buy cool shit because cool shit is cool and we love it.

I have no idea what you're talking about!

I won $1,800 at poker on Saturday so I'm treating myself. Realistically I can buy whatever I want, but I'm trying to find the sweet spot between good gear that will last and paying way more just for a name (much like buying wine, IMO).

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Posted
44 minutes ago, Damor said:

Agreed as above.  Although I love my Ross Colorado 3wt as well, it does nothing but hold line.  I overspent on it because it has sentimental and aesthetic value to me.  And it sounds really, really nifty.

If you're staying on a budget*, get a cheap reel and spend that money on good fly line, a lesson this board taught me.




* you're buying fly fishing gear, we all know we're just pretending to be on a budget and are going to buy cool shit because cool shit is cool and we love it.

Spot on regarding smaller reels.  I can't even tell you what reel I have on my 3wt.

Posted

So here's what I think I'm going to do.  Let me know if this is asking too much of my local fly shop (which is where I will purchase this gear).  Since I'm set on the reel and line (SA Amplitude Smooth Trout 3wt), I was thinking that I'd have them string up the reel and then try it out behind the shop with the 2-3 rods I am considering and see how they feel.  They carry the rods but don't have them in stock, so I'd be asking them to stock the other 2 that I don't buy.  But I've got to think they can sell a couple 3wt rods over the summer.

Is this a reasonable ask? I think I'm going to have them throw in a Scott G series as well for comparison and see how a $1k rod feels vs a $700 rod.

Posted

It might be asking a lot in this economy, but I'd have to think with summer high country season coming up quick they should be able to sell the rods.

I wonder if the manufacturers have loners they can ship to them...

Posted
20 minutes ago, Jerry Callo said:

Spot on regarding smaller reels.  I can't even tell you what reel I have on my 3wt.

in that way, a tenkara can even be better. and in really tight places I'd rather use that than any traditional set up.

Posted
4 minutes ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

It might be asking a lot in this economy, but I'd have to think with summer high country season coming up quick they should be able to sell the rods.

That was my thought.  Even in a down economy, we get overrun with visitors in the summer.

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Posted
3 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

That was my thought.  Even in a down economy, we get overrun with visitors in the summer.

sorry, not sorry.

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Posted
30 minutes ago, troph said:

Someone tell me about fiberglass v graphite or carbon… not sure I’ve tossed a fiberglass rod. 

I was talking to the guy at the store today about that.  I don't get it and neither does he.  Carbon is better in every way, IMO. I grew up using glass rods.  I didn't like them then and I don't like them now. But to each their own.

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Posted

IMO a lot depends on what you want to do with it.  I fish (poorly) mostly creeks here at home and a lot of smaller streams when in Colorado, and inasmuch as I've found a style, it's what I'd call "contemplative" and my boys would call "slow and boring."  Even my carbon fiber rod is a Scott G.  I'm not usually hucking a bunch of big streamers, and if I'm fishing from a boat I'm with a guide and probably using their gear.  I love the feel of how fiberglass rods load slowly and how they cast, but it fits my personality disorder.

It seems largely a special use case for dry flies on small water these days, and I love having it as a different "flavor."  That said, if that's not what you want it to do and try to fish it in the ways that carbon fiber excels, you're probably going to get frustrated and hate it.

And as far as the demo thing, if the shop has guides they might be able to check and see if any of them own what you're looking for and could let you demo it?

And yes, y'all got me all hot and bothered so I had to go out and scratch the itch with this monster:

PXL_20250428_2215571152.thumb.jpg.c722681be6f7f451d89e8af1bb4e1dc3.jpg

(ironically on the 5wt carbon fiber rod and a Brushy Creek streamer).

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Posted

niiiiiiice.  I've "caught" a tarpon - in as much as I hooked it and it jumped 4 feet in the air before telling me good bye but I've never landed one in the net.

Posted
17 hours ago, troph said:

Someone tell me about fiberglass v graphite or carbon… not sure I’ve tossed a fiberglass rod. 

I've got two friends who bought glass rods the last few years. Both of them really seemed like they got it more for the novelty and/or to win the parking lot competition because they do look cool and are a conversation starter if nothing else. Neither one of them can cast them for shit though. It may just be that their casts are better suited and trained for a graphite rod or they were trying to throw heavier flies when I fished with them. But I don't really get it either.

I need all the help I can get so I don't think I'd buy a rod that needs even more skill to cast well.

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Posted

Was a weird weekend in Port O'Connor. Couple of guys caught a lot of fish and a couple of us struggled. Best of my bunch.

redfish.jpg

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Posted

Anyone experienced with bank fishing at Lake Pflugerville? I've been skunked several times, mostly fishing along the south shoreline and the dam.  Would I have better luck on the north side? Or that marshy area on the west side, along Becker Farm Road? Thanks for any tips...

As a side note, maybe my eyesight isn't so hot, but I never see a lot of aquatic life there. (Minnows, perch, frogs, crayfish, etc.)  I also rarely see bass jumping or feeding, compared to other lakes I've fished. I'm not sure that lake has a well-established ecosystem. You need that to support the gamefish at the top of the food chain.

 

Posted
On 4/28/2025 at 3:03 PM, Pescado_Rojo said:

ha...trout guys are so much different than salt guys. I've blown up a sealed Lamson reel on a bull redfish. I've also blown up the top of the line Ross with a sealed carbon fiber drag on a 10ish pound Permit. All my big game saltwater reels are "open" cork drag reels. Low tech, but absolutely bullet proof. For your application with a 3wt, click and pawl would be a sweet setup. I'd go that route. 

I have a Lamsom 5wt that I love.  I fish cheap 8wt reels for bass no problem, but I'm not stepping into saltwater with a cheap reel. Not even once.

I'm also trying to fish a mono rig for trout so an upgraded 5 wt is inevitable but I like having cheap backups ready for friends on the Guad and mountain trips.

Regarding rods. A guide I fish with often has a bunch of great set-ups for clients-Winston, Sage etc.  Banging banks all day I prefer my cheap ass TFO pro 3. I'm more consistent and accurate hitting 2' strike zones  for bass but also working dries with my 5 wt. The extra price point is wasted on me. I fish fast and hard though.

What makes the most difference for me is line choice for the style of fishing I'm doing and building my own leaders.  Getting away from pre-made leaders has greatly increased my ability to turn over big flies, tuck cast nymphs smoothly,  hit tight targets, and fish dries with natural slack and gentle presentation. 

 

Posted
On 4/28/2025 at 4:39 PM, troph said:

in that way, a tenkara can even be better. and in really tight places I'd rather use that than any traditional set up.

I love Tenkara; but time and place.  My buddy was fishing in Co and broke off a big ass Brown.

Small waters heck yeah. Had a blast in RMNP (western side)  with a Tenkara and some dumb hungry trout.

Posted
I have a Lamsom 5wt that I love.  I fish cheap 8wt reels for bass no problem, but I'm not stepping into saltwater with a cheap reel. Not even once.
I'm also trying to fish a mono rig for trout so an upgraded 5 wt is inevitable but I like having cheap backups ready for friends on the Guad and mountain trips.
Regarding rods. A guide I fish with often has a bunch of great set-ups for clients-Winston, Sage etc.  Banging banks all day I prefer my cheap ass TFO pro 3. I'm more consistent and accurate hitting 2' strike zones  for bass but also working dries with my 5 wt. The extra price point is wasted on me. I fish fast and hard though.
What makes the most difference for me is line choice for the style of fishing I'm doing and building my own leaders.  Getting away from pre-made leaders has greatly increased my ability to turn over big flies, tuck cast nymphs smoothly,  hit tight targets, and fish dries with natural slack and gentle presentation. 
 
I talked the fly shop owner into bringing 2 Scott 3wt rods into the shop for me to demo. He's also got a Winston 3wt in stock, so I can pick from those 3. I'm having him string up the Ross Colorado reel with the line I want and I'll cast all 3 and pick my favorite.
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Posted
On 5/3/2025 at 11:36 PM, Chewbacca said:
On 5/1/2025 at 7:46 PM, Born to Run said:
I have a Lamsom 5wt that I love.  I fish cheap 8wt reels for bass no problem, but I'm not stepping into saltwater with a cheap reel. Not even once.
I'm also trying to fish a mono rig for trout so an upgraded 5 wt is inevitable but I like having cheap backups ready for friends on the Guad and mountain trips.
Regarding rods. A guide I fish with often has a bunch of great set-ups for clients-Winston, Sage etc.  Banging banks all day I prefer my cheap ass TFO pro 3. I'm more consistent and accurate hitting 2' strike zones  for bass but also working dries with my 5 wt. The extra price point is wasted on me. I fish fast and hard though.
What makes the most difference for me is line choice for the style of fishing I'm doing and building my own leaders.  Getting away from pre-made leaders has greatly increased my ability to turn over big flies, tuck cast nymphs smoothly,  hit tight targets, and fish dries with natural slack and gentle presentation. 
 

I talked the fly shop owner into bringing 2 Scott 3wt rods into the shop for me to demo. He's also got a Winston 3wt in stock, so I can pick from those 3. I'm having him string up the Ross Colorado reel with the line I want and I'll cast all 3 and pick my favorite.

Awesome way to do it. Oh, and congrats on staying under $1000.

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Posted

Locals…. Maybe scratching the itch tomorrow morning, how’s brushy creek looking after some rain? I might just go down to the boat dock here but I could be convinced. 
 

Posted
20 minutes ago, troph said:

Locals…. Maybe scratching the itch tomorrow morning, how’s brushy creek looking after some rain? I might just go down to the boat dock here but I could be convinced. 
 

Per Chris Johnson it peaked at 2100 cfs and will still be cloudy through the weekend

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Posted
1 hour ago, troph said:

Awesome way to do it. Oh, and congrats on staying under $1000.

1 of the 3 options will be right at 1k.  the other 2, not so much...

Posted

Man, throw on the dive gear and grab a spear gun.  Landed an amber jack back in the day with no more than a minute or two fight after shooting it.  That was my only time spearfishing in the gulf, but wouldn't mind doing it again.

Posted
Youngest was able to sneak away on Mothers day (not my concern now).  Figured we should be able to find some jacks roaming outside the jetties.  Pelicans were feasting but it was hard for us to zero in on any.  His persistance paid off after hours worth if casting and got him a good one.  Good 30 minute tussle on pretty heavy gear.
 
 
IMG_3491.thumb.jpeg.05cec8e7bcf7db178e1baba1717897cd.jpeg

Jetty tuna, nice!
Posted
5 hours ago, kegman said:

Going to go to Port Aransas in mid-June.  Anybody know a good bay fishing guide or perhaps a flounder gigging guide?  

Josh Garcia. Great, funny guy and also a Longhorn.

IMG_2736.png

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Posted (edited)

The smile says it all!

IMG_3491.jpeg

 

Yeah - I remember hooking into a Jack a bit larger than that one off the beach in Port A right after Harvey, when I was trying to help a buddy line up some contractors.  I was the only guy fishing on the beach and set out my first surf bait right at 7:30 am, bit before I could set up second rodgot him on the beach about 8:45.  I thought I had come sort of world record when I could not move it over the sand bars.  Sucker was foul hooked on that bottom back fin.  

nothing as fun as having a jack rip drag...  

Edited by horn4life
Posted
14 hours ago, BearSchlong said:

I only fish light tackle and have been spooled more than a few times.

We had one on a couple of years ago on the bay rod out at the jetties and had to chase it literally over an hour.  We got a good look at him two or three times (he was prolly a 1/3 bigger than that one we caught Sunday) but he finally wore down the leader and broke us off.  My son was devastated but deep down that is what drives us to fish more.  Something similar happened to me when I was prolly younger than 10 and still remember losing that fish! (whatever it was) 

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