Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Smallmouth rod


tah1982

Recommended Posts

Went to Montissippi the other day and caught a few smallies on my 10wt (my pike rod) and had a blast. Looking to get a new rod just for bass. Any recommendations?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For smb i would look at six to eight weights primarily. Bigger flies and longer casts- fast action seven or eight weight. and small flies maybe a six weight. I have a super fast action seven weight that i love for smb.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Montissippi Park in Monticello. There is a power plant that discharges water and it keeps the river from icing over. Its catch and release only for bass. Saw some people catching catfish and small pike with suckers from the bank.

Thanks for the input on the rods. Any particular rod you could recommend?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm considering getting out the long rods and making that short trek from my place. I could use some time away from the ice.

I've got an Echo Ion 7wt 10' rod that I like a lot. If you think you'll be doing a lot of swinging flies through current, it's a very good rod paired with an 8wt steelhead line.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used a TFO 8wt. all summer for smallies and northern on the river. Plenty of backbone to turn them out of the current and away from snags. IMHO I wouldn't go less than an 8wt. and I think a 10wt. takes some of the fun out of it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Road Trip?

i would if i had a suitable rod for the river.. 5wt is pushin it.. and im not a big fan of my 8wt.. tempted to put it on a-sales-site and see if i can get any bites

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like my TFO TiCRx 8wt. There are a lot of nice rods out on the market, stop in at The Fly Angler/Thorne Bros. talk to their fly guys they will usually let you go cast the rods on the grass outside their shop in Blaine. I have Sage 3 and 5 wt rods for trout fishing and prefer them over most other rods I have ever cast. I have an old St. Croix Imperial 8 wt that I got when they removed the line awhile back and it is a great rod too. They have just brought it back but I haven't had a chance to cast the new version to see what I think.

If it were me I would get an 8 versus a 7 especially if you fish the Mississippi. You get a lot of versatility in the size flies you can cast. Get a rod you feel comfortable with and fits your casting style. Also, my TFO rod has caught bonefish, steelhead, pike, carp, and largemouth.

Hope that helps!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Love my LST 5wt. throw lots of clousers and toppwatters. Have the RIO Clouser line. It's for throwing heavier baits. Works very nice!It's what I fish with 90% of the time. Anything bigger really seems to be over kill and HEAVY,I have an 8wt. rod but it's just no fun. I can still appreciate the fight of a 12" Bass, and have plenty of control when a big cat carp pike or muskie bites. (I catch my share of good size fish being I'm less than 10 mins from year round open water and take advantage of it at every opertunity,) I can cast pretty good size baits with it too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Really thinking about the ticrx. I have a BVK in 4wt and love it. Have heard alot of good things about the ticrx.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love my LST.. been looking at the LSi because i love my LST 2wt so much

My 10wt is a LSi and it is a great rod.

What 8wt rod do you have?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My 8wt is a Gander mt rod. Bought it because I was told a 5wt would be too light for S H. I like it but don't use it much, just don't need something so heavy, (don't mean weight wise). Caught a stealhead on it on my first trip, but the 5wt makes the smaller fish fun too. Keep it for Extra big pike/ski flies. over 4'' big fluffy things. Everything else, the 5wt does great. Looking at a 3wt, 9'6" CZN or 9' LSI can't decide, for trout and lakes panfish/bass. Based on reviews leaning towards the CZN, 6" longer. Extra lenghth Should be good when in a Tube or wading too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My 8wt is a Gander mt rod. Bought it because I was told a 5wt would be too light for S H. I like it but don't use it much, just don't need something so heavy, (don't mean weight wise). Caught a stealhead on it on my first trip, but the 5wt makes the smaller fish fun too. Keep it for Extra big pike/ski flies. over 4'' big fluffy things. Everything else, the 5wt does great. Looking at a 3wt, 9'6" CZN or 9' LSI can't decide, for trout and lakes panfish/bass. Based on reviews leaning towards the CZN, 6" longer. Extra lenghth Should be good when in a Tube or wading too.

at $140 right now you really cannot go wrong with the CZN 3wt.. plus its the big C brand.. so you can field test it for up to like 30 days i believe and if you dont like it return it no questions asked

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"at $140 right now you really cannot go wrong with the CZN 3wt.. plus its the big C brand.. so you can field test it for up to like 30 days i believe and if you dont like it return it no questions asked"

I think I like it!

And I want the $85. Griffon vice.

I need some over time!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"at $140 right now you really cannot go wrong with the CZN 3wt.. plus its the big C brand.. so you can field test it for up to like 30 days i believe and if you dont like it return it no questions asked"

I think I like it!

And I want the $85. Griffon vice.

I need some over time!

check 3bay.. much better deals on vises

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well...

After brag'n up my LST, Was out in the wind Thurs. Hefty casts into the wind, about a mile up from my truck...

Big cast forward, (caught one SMB abought 13")

Forcast heave! CRACK!

about 2' up from the but end.

Caught a bunch of little bass on 6' of the tip with the butt and reel tucked under my L. arm.

Bright side?

The Big C replaced it! same day with a LSI. I did pay the differance about $40.

I was so happy I bought the CZN 3 wt.

I'll be back out Mon.

Good Lord Willing!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

nice! I think im gonna end up buying one of the 9'6" 7wt LSi/Premier combo.. just around $260 and comes prespooled with Prestige Premier.. love my 2wt lsi..

interesting to know its a $40 upgrade fee for the LSi.. hmm... my 2wt may have an accident in the near future wink

honestly surprised i haven't killed it yet.. i did slam the tip in the door one day.. and it was perfectly fine..

I too hope im out monday.. didn't get out all week because of this dang cold.. i didn't wanna get sicker by getting my fix.. so ive just been patiently waiting to get better

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Love casting the new LSI 4 peice 5wt!

Well for about 6 hrs...

Second day on the water landing a little SMB,

SNAP, this time about a foot from the tip.

Don't think it was bent too exteamly when it broke.

Maybe whacked it with the clouser?

Wouldn't be the 1st time.

The Rogers place replaced, again.

This time with a two piece 5wt LST.

It does cast differently. Slower action.

I'm not a great caster, so change is tough for me.

Hopeing maybe the two peice won't go snap as easily as the four.

Made it intact for 1, 3hr trip so far,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

that blows... glad i decided to go with a st croix instead of the lsi.. love my lst.. and hope it dont break.. d*mn if i need to be driving all the way to rogers to replace a broken rod

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.