12 Wt too specialized?

[Jim]

Just looking for people's thoughts on is a 12 wt is a too specialized rod.  I am considering getting one, probably going to do some casting on Saturday, but haven't convinced myself yet.

[Jeffrey Silvan]

Too specialized for what? DC area? Probably. What do you fish for and where? There's nothing around here that would require a 12 weight to handle. In nearly every case here it would be like squirrel hunting with a 50 caliber rifle. A 12-wt is starting to get into the weights you'd want for offshore fishing for species like Sailfish, smaller marlin, smaller tuna, mahi mahi, etc. It also works well if you're targeting tarpon or big salmon, like in Alaska. If you're throwing really big flies for musky, pike, steelhead, or some of the inshore saltwater species (like striped bass, maybe even permit), you can use a 12-wt, but you could just as easily get away with a 9 or 10-wt. 

On Wed, Jan 9, 2013 at 4:38 PM, Jim <sailm...@mac.com> wrote:

Just looking for people's thoughts on is a 12 wt is a too specialized rod.  I am considering getting one, probably going to do some casting on Saturday, but haven't convinced myself yet.

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[james aliff]

Sharks, rays, tarpon, cobia and other species offshore.

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From: Jim <sailm...@mac.com>
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 4:38 PM
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} 12 Wt too specialized?

Just looking for people's thoughts on is a 12 wt is a too specialized rod.  I am considering getting one, probably going to do some casting on Saturday, but haven't convinced myself yet. --

[James Ovelmen]

I have an Xi3 12 weight and I absolutely love it, but it is a serious stick. I use it exclusively for big tarpon in the keys. I am not sure what you want the 12 weight for but I would say a 10 weight is way more practical and versital. I have an Xi2 10 weight that is great for big stripers, most tarpon, pike/musky, peacock bass, and almost any inshore saltwater really. But like others have said it depends on what you want to use it for. Keep in mind that a 12 often has an extra long cork handle for leverage in fighting big fish and while it might be a cannon casting (mine definitely is) it will not be fun making lots and lots of casts with it and you will lose a lot of the fun in fighting smaller fish.

[Cary Pugh]

I would agree that a 10 weight will be more versatile. If you are planning to fish for those big fish listed by others in this post (esp offshore fish) then the 12 weight may be perfect. I have only used one for giant trieially on one trip to Christmas Island (my other trips there I took a 10 weight ). I have traveled a lot for fishing and found I just didn't enjoy a 12 weight (and even a 10 weight is a bit of a broom handle). For reference I am a 5'5" woman and have a desk job so the physical challenge of using such a big rod is a factor. If I can get away with an 8 weight (or for that matter a 3 weight) I am going to - so long as I can get the fly to the fish and then should I hook the fish fight the fish successfully without killing the fish.

[peter odell]

If I'm using a 12wt, I'm with a guide who is likely key to any kind of hookup.  And the reality is, all the guides have good to great gear that they usually feed more confident in (backing, leader, line, etc) for those specialzed situations.  A 12 wt for Tarpon might be set up very differently than one for salmon.  A reel for that type of fish can also be very expensive (and seldom used).  If I lived in Florida and had my own boat, I'd add a 12wt, but not otherwise.  I've found the ECHO rods to be terrific and a good value.