Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (czkid) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:53:27 GMT

There are times we have to get down to about 10-15ft to hit our smallies, and since we fish rock banks etc. from a boat you want some distance to stay out of the rocks... and you can be throwing some big stuff... thus you need a big rod. On the small end, I would go with a PHY Encampment/Boat Rod and for a more all around rod, a bit heavier... a PHY Para17. I would call the Encampent a "heavy duty" Para15.. and a bit faster. You are really going to need the 7wt capability if...

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (gmflyfish) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:06:18 GMT

I have an orvis slow action Battenkill 8 foot for a 6 4 1/4 ounce. Turns over a bug well - roll casts like a dream and has a small mouth or two from some of the rivers in Missouri

Gregg

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (bamboo1963) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:58:10 GMT

For both large and smallmouth bass I use an AJ Thramer 8 1/2', 3pc., 7/8wt., hollowbuilt rod with a weight forward 7 weight line. I have no problem throwing larger deer hair poppers with it.

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (oldschoolcane) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:08:42 GMT

Match the rod to the types of water and the flies you prefer to fish.

Tim

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (driftless) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:14:45 GMT

Just another suggestion for you here. You could take a look at two Wayne Cattach tapers, the 8062 or 8063, aptly named "The Force". They are modified Para 15 tapers.

Both of these rods will put out a lot of line, if need be, and handle larger flies without a problem. I made the 3-piece version for myself, and believe me, it casts (and fishes well) at all distances. I use a SA GPX 6 or, failing that, a WF 7 on this rod.

Just another suggestion.

...

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (WatercolorMan) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:06:45 GMT

What would your choice be in a good smallmouth rod
I use my Orvis 8' 4 3/8 oz.

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (slw) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:04:49 GMT

I'm partial to the Orvis 8' 4 3/8 oz rod. The old T&T 8' 7wt Montana was very good, too. Wish I had that one back, but good luck finding one. Something I always wanted to try is an 8' FE Thomas Streamer rod, but I never had a chance at one.

Given the range of flies used for smallmouth I'd say that the ideal rod would have strong tips and a taper that distributed the work load over all of it's length. Recovery rate ("speed') would be mostly a...

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (Ben Kann) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:09:34 GMT

For smallmouths (river or pond) I use my W&M Granger 8642 w/WF#6. It has a nice medium action that allows for a small to medium size (#4-6) hair bugs with a slow loop or streamers, wets and nymphs with a fast loop.
I had the pleasure of casting (1st time) an 8014 Guide (David Van Burgel built) last winter at Super 'Boo. It's a cannon and would do the job superbly. I just like a little more length to reach over the tall grasses with my sloppy technique.

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (tedgolden) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:38:51 GMT

What would your choice be in a good smallmouth rod
I haven't done that much but when I did I liked the 8' Heddon with size 2 ferrule for the local river fish.

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (quashnet) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:51:55 GMT

A Summers 856 / Para 15 will be fine. Paul Young recommended the Para 15 for casting small hair bugs, the Para 16 for streamer and bug fishing, and the Para 17 as especially good for bass bugging and larger streamers.

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (voodooboo) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:00:11 GMT

RonT1 wrote:
Voodoo, Check yer mail. Shameless plug for the Buckeye Bamboo Bash...Don will be there.
R

Thanks Ron.I talked to Don on the phone today.He is a true gentleman.His rods are fantastic...The finish work on his rods is equal to the best I have seen.His flaming is simply fantastic and his prices are excellent...I am a true fan of Don's work.I also have a 7613 taper on the way from him.He said he...

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (gary3594) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:32:45 GMT

I have the same questions. Do you need a "fast" action rod to propel a bulky fly or would a parabolic action work just as well. Would a WF line be better to load and shoot line? I asked this before but would a Summers 856 or PHY Para 15 be appropriate? (using a 6 WF line)

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (bobbeegee) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:23:09 GMT

voodooboo,

I'm new to smallmouth fishing with a bamboo rod also.

I opted for a Phillipson Peerless Dry Fly Special, 8 1/2' 3/2 for a 6 weight line, 18 and 12/64ths ferrules.
After streamer fishing it for trout last Friday, I'm not sure I made the right choice. We'll see.

Bob

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (voodooboo) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:12:52 GMT

slw wrote:
I'll stick my head in a noose and offer some contrary thoughts. The 8014 Guide wouldn't be (and isn't) my 1st choice for what most consider a good smallmouth rod. If I had to try to describe it's action, I'd call it a magnum rendition of the classic tip action dry fly rod....not suitable for sinking/sink tip lines or streamer flies or big bass bugs. I'd go for it if you want to fish #6 or...

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (RonT1) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:12:40 GMT

Voodoo, Check yer mail. Shameless plug for the Buckeye Bamboo Bash...Don will be there.
R

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (slw) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:50:15 GMT

I'll stick my head in a noose and offer some contrary thoughts. The 8014 Guide wouldn't be (and isn't) my 1st choice for what most consider a good smallmouth rod. If I had to try to describe it's action, I'd call it a magnum rendition of the classic tip action dry fly rod....not suitable for sinking/sink tip lines or streamer flies or big bass bugs. I'd go for it if you want to fish #6 or smaller surface bugs and want to lift no more than 40' of line from the...

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (fishnbanjo) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:30:07 GMT

The 8014 I owned was a 5 wt DF rod, the 8014 Guide is a 6/7 wt big water point and shoot cannon with pinpoint accuracy yet can be fished conventionally as a nice 6 wt, no comparison.

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (voodooboo) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:39:29 GMT

Thanks for the replies everyone....What are the differences between the Guide taper and the regular 8014 ? Anyone have experience with both tapers ?

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (fishnbanjo) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:03:50 GMT

pvansch1 wrote:
The 8014 Guide was designed to lift a lot of line from the water and then cast without false casting to get your fly back to the fish. Point and shoot rod.

and it does it nicely to the chagrin of the guide on the Housatonic who thought I was no threat to his sport when he pulled his drift boat a mere 85' from me.....

Re: Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (pvansch1) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:59:43 GMT

The 8014 Guide was designed to lift a lot of line from the water and then cast without false casting to get your fly back to the fish. Point and shoot rod.

Smallmouth Bass on Bamboo ?

feeds@yuku.com (voodooboo) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:49:17 GMT

I just ordered a Dickerson 8' #6 8014 Guide taper rod from Don Recker...I was wandering what others thought about this taper for smallmouth bass fishing.I generally fish small to medium sized creeks and small rivers.Do you like this taper?..Is there a taper that would do better in your opinion?..The standard 8014 perhaps ?. I still have time to change the taper if I want to....All opinions are welcome and appreciated.