which rod size/rating

[dazdidge]

I am hopefully getting another rod this weekend but am totally confused over what to go for. I have a 10 6" #8 and a 7ft #4. most of my fishing now will consist of wild lochs and rivers so I think a 9 or 9 6"  but what rating to go for? I have lines already for a 4 and 6 weight and spare reels. what would be the reasons for choosing one weight over the other and which do you think would fill the gap better.
cheers
darren

[scotty9]

I'd go for the 9' if fishing rivers and lochs. In fact I go for a 9' for just about everything.

I'd say since you already have a #4 unless you want another specialist river rod don't buy another #4. The rod you are looking for is likely a 9' #5 to give you a bit of cross over, light enough to fish rivers if you want to (although #4 probably preferred) and heavy enough to allow a good line and reasonable size flies to be cast on a loch.

You could of course get a 9' #6 since you have the lines already but I think you may be heading for the heavy side in terms of fishing rivers, especially if you find yourself on a smaller one.

Hope that helps, my choice would be the 9' #5 since you have an #8 for chucking big things and you've got a short #4 for small things and tight spaces.

[Wildfisher]

Like Scotty, considering what you already have, I would go for a 9foot #5. Trouble is  one manufacturer #5 can be a #4, #5 or a #6 from another.

Whatever you choose try the rod first.

[Malcolm]

Whatever you do try them out. I can't emphasize just how important this is. Some rods which have #5 on them are really #7 or even #8 weights. Just ask any of the guys at the Glasgow Casting club.

My one piece of advice if fishing in the hills is to get a multipiece rod that will fit inside your rucksac. You will seldom get any trouble in the hills but I know of people who have been troubled at the roadside. Personally I like the March Brown travel rods which are only about ?170 in the current sale but you'd have to try them to see if they are right for you.
 

[Wildfisher]

My one piece of advice if fishing in the hills is to get a multipiece rod that will fit inside your rucksac. You will seldom get any trouble in the hills but I know of people who have been troubled at the roadside. Personally I like the March Brown travel rods which are only about ?170 in the current sale but you'd have to try them to see if they are right for you.
 

This is the single best piece of advice in the thread.

[paulr]

Hi Daz,

For my loch fishing I have a 9ft 5wt which I use a 6wt line on.Perhaps you could do the same then get yourself a 5wt line at some point in the future if you wanted?
Try before you buy is defintely the best option though.

cheers

Paul

[dazdidge]

a 9ft 5 weight it is then! my budget will be around ?160 but I might be able to increase that a little. I do also need to get some polarising sunglasses as well though I might have to get a slightly cheaper rod but I know I can get a good rod for the money. will be popping in to flemmings to see paul saturday no doubt. thanks for the advice
darren

[scotty9]

As was said earlier by others, I'd strongly recommend not buying a rod until you try it and others out first. You just don't know about that fantastic alternative you might be missing out on! You also might be pleasantly surprised at just how much rod you can get for not a lot of money 

[paulr]

  You also might be pleasantly surprised at just how much rod you can get for not a lot of money 

Aye, ?160 is about four times the most I've ever spent on a rod!

[scotty9]

Aye, ?160 is about four times the most I've ever spent on a rod!

Exactly what I was getting at, I really love my shakespeare odyssey travel fly, for ?30 or what ever it is absolutely brilliant. The only real reason I have the more expensive rods is that the shakey lacked the balls a bit for the longer distance control and other bits and bobs I had to practice for the assessment. It is a cracking rod in saying that..... thoroughly recommended to Darren!