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Tress · 09-18-2011, 10:27

A few weeks ago I was out on the ocean following a Menhaden bait-ball, throwing a squid fly at the edges of the bait-ball with my 8 wt. fly rod that I used to use for Large and Small mouth bass. The squid fly is just a little too big and bulky for the 8 wt., but it manages at short distances and it was the largest weight rod that I had. I hooked several nice sized (18” to 24”) Spanish mackerel and then almost had the rod pulled out of my hands by a really big hit. I fought with this fish for about 20 minutes letting him run and then slowly pulling him back in and then letting him run again, back and forth. As I brought the fish closer to the boat I thought that the 8 wt. rod was going to break, it was almost forming a 180 degree bend. Suddenly the 20 lb. leader snapped and I lost the fish.

I never really saw the fish and even if I did I probably would not have been able to identify it as I am not yet that familiar with salt water species, but my fishing buddy is very familiar them and he said that it was a really big King Mackerel, one of the bigger ones that he had ever seen.

I thought about it and came to the conclusion that if I had a stronger weight rod and leader I would have been able to have been more aggressive on the retrieve and maybe boated the fish. I also would like to fly fish for Dolphin, Red fish and such and those are just as big and strong as Kings from what I hear. So I called my buddy in PA and ordered a 10 wt. blank, reel seat and other bits and pieces that were delivered a week or so ago. This is what the mess looked like when it arrived:

Before.jpg

And this is what it looks like now after piecing it all together:

After 1.jpg After 3.jpg

It is a really stiff rod with a really strong spline and should be able to handle some of the bigger fish around here. Coupled with a 400 to 450 grain fly line I should also be able to better cut through the wind and more easily cast the squid fly and other big bulky flies.

Here is the squid fly that I am throwing:

Squid Fly.jpg

I will not really have a chance to test the rod out on the ocean until next weekend. I will write up an AAR then.
Tress

09-18-2011, 10:27	#53
Tress Quiet Professional Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: N.C. coast Posts: 340	New Toy!!! A few weeks ago I was out on the ocean following a Menhaden bait-ball, throwing a squid fly at the edges of the bait-ball with my 8 wt. fly rod that I used to use for Large and Small mouth bass. The squid fly is just a little too big and bulky for the 8 wt., but it manages at short distances and it was the largest weight rod that I had. I hooked several nice sized (18” to 24”) Spanish mackerel and then almost had the rod pulled out of my hands by a really big hit. I fought with this fish for about 20 minutes letting him run and then slowly pulling him back in and then letting him run again, back and forth. As I brought the fish closer to the boat I thought that the 8 wt. rod was going to break, it was almost forming a 180 degree bend. Suddenly the 20 lb. leader snapped and I lost the fish. I never really saw the fish and even if I did I probably would not have been able to identify it as I am not yet that familiar with salt water species, but my fishing buddy is very familiar them and he said that it was a really big King Mackerel, one of the bigger ones that he had ever seen. I thought about it and came to the conclusion that if I had a stronger weight rod and leader I would have been able to have been more aggressive on the retrieve and maybe boated the fish. I also would like to fly fish for Dolphin, Red fish and such and those are just as big and strong as Kings from what I hear. So I called my buddy in PA and ordered a 10 wt. blank, reel seat and other bits and pieces that were delivered a week or so ago. This is what the mess looked like when it arrived: Before.jpg And this is what it looks like now after piecing it all together: After 1.jpg After 3.jpg It is a really stiff rod with a really strong spline and should be able to handle some of the bigger fish around here. Coupled with a 400 to 450 grain fly line I should also be able to better cut through the wind and more easily cast the squid fly and other big bulky flies. Here is the squid fly that I am throwing: Squid Fly.jpg I will not really have a chance to test the rod out on the ocean until next weekend. I will write up an AAR then. Tress __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous, mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end." - Unknown author, but borrowed from a friend "Liberals claim to be open to hearing other peoples' views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views." - William F. Buckley, Jr.
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