Are you a fan of fishing? What's the max Crank bait size for Spotted Bass. I currently own probably 20 fly rods, but if I had only two fly rods (but don't make me do it! I guess it comes down to the size of the stream you are fishing and what kind of feel you'd like while casting. But fishing for a while and borrowing smaller and larger rods from friends, it seemed the 4wt might have been the better choice for me. I used to think I needed to make most of my casts far out into the stream. A good 4-weight rod must be more than just a dry fly rod though, and the best 4-weights are wonderful rods to use fishing nymphs at shorter distances, and are also capable of pitching smaller streamers when conditions dictate such vile and desperate moves in order to catch fish. dry fly rod size (ft) line weight tippet rod action; delicate presentations. It’s the same for 4-weight rods too, but not for 3-weights: manufacturers generally offer them in one or two configurations and sometimes entirely neglect them altogether. Orvis Clearwater- $198. I used that rod for years and it served its purpose. All sorts of other species in between to. All of these rods are offered in lengths less than 9 foot as well. Luckily the owner of the shop came to my aid. If it doesn’t, you don’t own the right rod, yet. In fact, a 3 weight will be more efficient than a 5 or even a 4. Fly Rod Weight for Trout. A 3wt for close small streams, a 4wt, 6wt and 8wt and finally another fly rod for when I have guest and the rest of the time I can spend on fishing. Many fly anglers might be inclined to pass up on a 4-weight, citing that it would be too similar to a 5-weight which most folks likely own at least one of. In fact, I have even fished a 1-weight in a fair breeze once and it did far better than I ever expected. If you are anything like me you did little to no research and quickly became overwhelmed by the wall of rods sitting in the corner. I use a 9' 5/6 weight rod and normally fish it with the 5 weight for bluegill and other panfish.....when I fish for the big boys Salmon and Steelhead and Bass and Pike I use the 6 weight line....makes throwing the bugs and streamers a bit easier....3 and 4wt rods are normally used for smaller creeks and streams were finesse fishing is a must so you don't scare the fish.....for example wild trout streams. A 5 weight is probably the best for all round performance. How do you think about the answers? However, a 4- weight (especially with a faster action) makes a fine streamer rod for smaller patterns both weighted and unweighted. If you are searching for the perfect 4 weight, you’re search ends here. The Scott G is probably the most technical 4 weight rod on the market. Why is this? Looking for answers with an experienced opinion. For my uses I would much rather have a 5 wt. Rods come in many different lengths as well as weights. Your rod should inspire you to want to go fishing. This difference in feel and power means the 4 can definitely offer some real value and enjoyment to those that target not just trout, but also species like panfish and bass, too. By buddy uses a 3-weight and swears by it, but they are a little more difficult than a 4-weight to find, especially in a 9-foot/ 2-piece rod. These fast action rods are great for launching line, but they can be hard to “feel,” especially for beginners. TFO Professional TFO 02 80 3 P. Click on the picture to be taken to the review of this fly rod. The heaviest 6 weight rod only comes in one model and is a 9 foot rod. Rod Length Enter the 10 foot 4 weight fly rod. Not only will a 4-weight fly line cast with a little less authority and land slightly softer, but the rod itself will also do a great job at protecting lighter tippets. Saltwater anglers could even find uses for a 4-weight on species like small bonefish and snook. St. Croix’s Legend Elite freshwater fly rods ($410-480) offer lighter, slimmer-profile ferrules. At 8’4” its the longest rod in this review. Doing this really allows you to maximize the experience and fine-tune your fishing to the conditions at hand. The ability to understand and use a 4wt rod is a recipe for successful fly fishing. It is a joy to cast and to fight a fish with. You have to finesse it a bit. We all remember walking into a fly shop to purchase ourfirst rod. A 3 weight fly rod is a lightweight rod that is ideally suited for small stream and creek fishing. Still Fine for Bigger Stuff- There is a common misconception out there that you absolutely need a heavier rod for casting streamers. But for trout fishing, generally a 4-weight, 5-weight or 6-weight rod is best. Strong enough to fight big fish and cast alright in wind, yet still delicate enough for casting small dry's etc. Generally, freshwater weight ratings range from 2 to 10, and the classic do-everything fly rod is the 5 weight. The sage pulse, for example, comes in 7.5 ft, 8.5 ft and 10 ft in the 3 weight size, 8.5 ft, 9 ft and 9.5 ft in the 5 weight and 9 ft, 9.5 ft, 11’4″ and 13.5 foot in the 8 weight category. Locally here in Florida, I've used and still use a 4-weight all the time for largemouth and peacock bass when tossing clousers, buggers, general baitfish imitators, little poppers, and more. If you don't like 4 piece rods from having the age old belief that multi-piece rods are weak...I can tell you that the new multi-piece rods these days feel like a 2 piece in your hands and are not weak like the old first productions of multi-piece rods. From My 2017 Review. As you can see here, I'm a huge fan of the 4-weight and surprisingly even owned one long before ever getting my very first 5-weight. TU offers nine-foot, 5-weight rods because they are the rods of choice. 3 weight fly rods will make fighting these fish feel like you’re fighting a 28-inch rainbow on your 5 weight. ), living out here and fishing here in the West (like we do), I would own a 4 piece 5 weight (medium fast to fast action) rod and a 4 piece 8 weight (fast action) rod. Thus arose a thought, “Is the 4 weight the new standard for all around trout fishing?” I got my first 4-weight back when I was just a kid, maybe a year or so after I began fly fishing. If the rod is able to handle a 3 weight or 4 weight line, you can use either. The weight of the fly rod (which means what weight fly line you plan on using) will vary depending on what you fish for. A 4 wt is a good rod, but if the fish you're after are tiny then a 3 wt would be better. Winston BIII-LS- … Even then if I get a fish over 3-4 pounds I find it takes too long to bring them in which isn't good for the fish. But between the two I would pick a 4 wt. The “swing weight” of a rod is determined by the weight of the line off the tip of the rod and the distance from the fulcrum, ie your hand. Where can I find one for baking? I saw some 4 piece fly rods that were 3 wt offered in 8 foot long, or 8 foot 6 inches long, 8 foot 9 inches long and a few that were 9 foot long. why or why not? I've fished them in brisk winds many, many times without issue. But don’t get caught up in the distance you need to cast. 14-24: 6.6-7: 0-4: 4x-8x: slow-med: delicate cast at a distance. The 4 has its limits just like every other fly rod out there, but those limits are not nearly as low as some may think. Fly Line Weight 5: Another good all-around fly Should I wear a mask while ice fishing with my buddy this winter? What applications can a 4-weight be used for? #4weightfortrout #bestflyrodsize #whatflyrodtobuy, DEMYSTIFLY is part of the TackleTour Group, Copyright  © 2020 Demystifly.com All Rights Reserved. What About Wind?- A 4-weight doesn't become useless when the wind starts blowing. Orvis Recon- $425. I've always enjoyed using lighter gear when practical and appropriate, and the 4-weight helps me get my light tackle fix. Casting 45 to 65 feet is possible. Delicate Applications- A 5-weight is a great rod for trout because it can handle many streamers, general nymphing duties, and of course dries. In order to cast properly, it’s important to know when the rod has loaded, and unless you’re keeping an eye on it the whole time, this is best done by feeling when the rod has fully bent as it throws the line b… As well as that, it is usually windy so a 6 weight makes casting possible when the wind gets up a lot. The 6 weight gets more use by far as the trout here average about 5lbs, and it's not possible to gain control of fish that size with a light weight rod. The first fly rod I built is an ugly looking stick but when I am out on the water I totally forget about it. Page 1 of 1: 18 Items: Quick View. St. Croix Avid-$290. There's no doubt the 5 is awesomely versatile and shouldn't be ignored, but despite those two rod sizes being so close together, there is a noticeable difference between them. What Species is a 4 Good For?- This rod size is excellent for several common freshwater fish. Anglers should think about the size of trout they plan on catching before selecting the right fly rod weight for trout. Makes Smaller Fish Fun- If you typically fish a 5-weight on bodies of water that contain mostly smaller fish, try dropping down to at least a 4. The Beulah Platinum 8’8" 4wt fly rod loads crisp and quickly with as little as 5’ of line out of the tip, and covers flies from #22 Midges to #6 Golden Stones with ease. For many small stream anglers this is the end of the conversation. Why?-Well where I fly fish I can hook into a .5 lb fall fish or 20 lb carp on the same fly. More loading for fast action rods – Many rods these days are fast action, with a stiff backbone that doesn’t like to bend much. In the End, Recapping the Best 4 Weight Fly Rod Options. Fly Line Weight 1-3: Use this weight if you plan on fishing for tiny fish, such as tiny trout or panfish. Every outing is a vacation with a 4 weight this good! I also usually fish heavy tungsten nymphs which the 6 weight also handles better. The less-powerful, lighter-weight rod and thinner line all combines to make for a totally different feel that only amplifies the thrill of the fight. I find an overloaded rod bends the rod deeper, decreasing this distance, and an oversized reel makes the swing weight and balance of the ROD lighter. Get your answers by asking now. It not only makes an awesome lighter general-purpose trout rod, but it's also appropriate for applications like light-duty bass and carp fishing. For example, a 4-weight rod is designed to cast a 4-weight line, and if you use line that is too light for a given rod, it won’t fully load or cast properly. Still have questions? Your would usually use a 3 weight fly fishing rod while stream and brook fly fishing smaller fish particularly Trout & Grayling. Three weight rods are typically used for casting of fewer than 35 feet. 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Here is a fly line wt chart that shows you the average grains of weight in the first 30 ft (or head of your line). I only own a 4 and 6 weight rod. How do I get a fishing hook out of my dogs lip? A real precision tool for the small stream angler. My favorite length for a 4-weight rod is 8 ½ feet. And he handed me the classic American fly rod, the 9’ 5wt. 3 Weight Fly Rods. I personally prefer a 4-weight, but that's just me. However, when delicacy becomes more important, the 4-weight is the better pick. I’m a fan of mountain stream fishin… The lightest fly rods come in 0- to 1-weight ratings, with 2 and 3 weights only slightly heavier. Fly Line Weight 4: A good all-around fly line weight for all small fish species such as panfish, as well as small to medium-sized trout. Many fly anglers might be inclined to pass up on a 4-weight, citing that it would be too similar to a 5-weight which most folks likely own at least one of. The 10 foot 4 weight is the ultimate Western trout nymphing rod. While a 4 has more delicacy than a 5, part of the reason I like this rod size so much is because it offers finesse while still having just enough power to not be super limited in its usage. 9’ 4-weight (medium fast action) 7’7” 3-weight (medium action for dry flies) 9’0” 6-weight (all-around nymph and streamer rod) 6) Love your fly rod. With the exception of specific small stream fishing, I found a 4 weight in my hand nearly every day. Scott Radian- $795. is arguably the most versatile and effective trout fly rod weight. The reason why it is hard to find a 9 foot 3 weight is because these rods are usually used in small streams where a longer rod would probably not be the right choice from the long length making it hard to fish the small streams. 4-6 Weight Fly Rods. If you fish a lot and your finances allow, it's both fun and useful to expand your collection of rods to include additional line weights, even if they will be used for the same species. Here's my take / suggestions: If you are fishing a medium size creek and don't need to feel the line loading the rod in order to cast, the DT line should work. 5 Weight Fly Rod of Choice. While 0- to 1-weight combos are intended only for tossing small dry flies and delicate tippets, many anglers mistakenly believe that 2- and 3-weight rigs also fall into this category. It's crazy how doing so can make the fight noticeably more enjoyable. Unless the fish are small and rivers are small I think fishing with really light tackle is impractical (in my country at least) and more just an ego massage. As a self-admitted fly rod junkie I brought a somewhat absurd number of 3, 4 and 5 weights on my visits. The 5 wt. Scott G Series 8’ 4” 4 weight. 4-6 weight rods are more popular because you can cast farther and are better against the wind. The rod will be bent over, the headshakes will send shockwaves down your arms, and you won’t be able to just horse the fish all the way in. The 5 wt. I only really use the 4 weight for dry fly action on medium to small rivers, as long as there's not much wind. So now that you’ve decided you really do need a 4 weight, here are 6 of my personal favorite 4’s, spread across 3 price points. It protects light tippet, gives you invaluable extra reach that facilitates excellent presentation, and has the leverage to effectively nice trout. Winston Nexus- $485. These are good for medium to large streams. For even more delicacy and fun, choose a 4 with a moderate or moderate-fast action. there are AA medallions for sports teams, fishing, sailing, etc. Is a 4 right for me? It has been an important line weight for me over the years and truly think it's one of the best and most useful that you can have. In these settings, small flies and more delicate actions are the norm. Pick the rod … My goal is to have 5 fly rods. It just has more uses. You can sign in to vote the answer. There’s only one 3 weight rod with a length of 7’6″ but anglers choose from 4 different lengths in the 4 and 5 weight models. That rod for years and it served its purpose fighting these fish feel like you ’ re fighting 28-inch. Get caught up in the end, Recapping the best 4 weight is end... For? - a 4-weight rod is the end of the stream are...? -Well where I fly fish I can hook into a.5 lb fall fish or lb... Tackletour Group, Copyright © 2020 Demystifly.com all Rights Reserved become useless when the wind blowing! 410-480 ) offer lighter, slimmer-profile ferrules usually fish heavy tungsten nymphs which the weight... 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