Cabo San Lucas and 10wt Suggestions?

[Steve F]

I just booked a trip to Cabo and figured I should probably gear up sooner rather than later. I'm looking for a decent (read: cheap) 10wt to up my arsenal to handle some roosters, dorado, small tuna and the like.  I see some great deals online for some older Sage RPLX and RPLXis ($2-250) but have doubts on used gear for the warranty concerns.  I'm familiar with TFO's TiCr/x and Bluewater lines and would probably go that route if going new -- I have a TiCr 8wt that I really like.  Any guidance for specific rods this wayward fly slinger should consider test driving in the sub $250 range?

 

Also, I'm researching guides for an inshore and an offshore trip.  Anyone have some knowledge on guides in that neck of the woods?

 

Thanks.

 

 ~ Steve F.

[John Bilotta]

Take a look at some of the Echo rods by Tim rajeff.

John

Sent from my iPhone

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[Richard Farino]

Steve,

 

Congrats on booking your trip to Cabo.  You should have a blast.

 

As far as tackle – there’s cheap and then there’s inexpensive.  Manufacturers make a wide array of gear.

 

A 10wt will handle all you listed – roosters, dorado, small tuna, etc.  You can still use a 10 up here for pike/musky, some big stripers on the Susquehanna Flats, salmon in the great lakes, and big false albacore (my most favorite fishing) down near Harker’s Island in NC.

To address your concerns:

·         Sage rods carry a lifetime warranty like almost every other manufacturer, but Winston is one of the only companies that actually checks the names on the rods.  It’s $50 to replace the rod through their warranty program and they repair any of the broken parts.

o    If you can find an older model Xi2, jump on it.  I still fish a 9 and 10wt Xi2 and they’re my go-to saltwater rods for everything.

o    You won’t find anything new on the Sage list that will be stout enough for what you want to do with it for under $250

·         TFO makes some great rods.  They’re durable, but if you break them it’s a $25 fee and they just give you a new rod.

o    Look at the TFO TiCrX and Axiom rods.  The Axiom is a hair over your budget, but the TiCrX is the cat’s meow, albeit a little heavier than most of the other rods.

·         Rise fishing makes some stellar rods.  The Balance series ($130 and the Level series ($250) will make you rethink the big names.  They’re a local NY company (look up Amanda Switzer)

·         Echo’s Edge rods rock.  Their 10wt ($250) is strong and great for what you’re trying to do, and the Ion rod ($189) is fast and made for big offshore stuff.

 

Let’s talk sometime about Cabo..  are you fishing out of Cabo or inside the cape?

 

 

 

R

 

 

Richard Farino

Urban Angler VA | 108 N. Washington Street  2nd Floor | Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 527-2524 | fax: (703) 527-3313 | ric...@urbanangler.com

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[John Bilotta]

I would a look at the Orvis Clearwater. 

John

Sent from my iPad

On Apr 20, 2012, at 1:47 PM, Steve F <spfb...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Danny Barrett]

Just a personal opinion.  I have one of the clearwaters from years ago, it’s a 5 wt.  Best rod I ever bought.  A year or 2 back I bought a 8 wt Clearwater for a trip to Alaska.  It was by far the worse rod ive boughten. 

[Daniel Davala]

In fairness, the Clearwater line of rods has been fully redesigned and is a whole different animal, incredible sticks!  All of the suggestions given so far are excellent.  This is why we are so fortunate to be in an area with several shops spanning most brands.  We can actually go and cast each one of them and decide for ourselves.   

 

Dan Davala

[Danny Barrett]

Im glad to hear that.  I was sad when the one I had fell apart on me.  They are a good price on a well-known company name.  I will definitely look into them again when I am in the market for a new rod.

[Steve F]

I've been trying to find info and reviews on the new line of Clearwaters but can't find much just yet.  The price point is right on, but the very light weight has me wondering about backbone.  Guess I have to get that stick in my hand before I make any decisions.  Likewise with the TiCrX and maybe a few older sage rods as well.  Sounds like a couple trips to the fly shops are warranted.  Thanks for all the info guys.

Steve.

[Jereme Thaxton]

How was your Colorado trip?  Did those elk hair flies pay off?

-Jereme

On Apr 20, 2012, at 10:19 PM, Steve F wrote:

I've been trying to find info and reviews on the new line of Clearwaters but can't find much just yet.  The price point is right on, but the very light weight has me wondering about backbone.  Guess I have to get that stick in my hand before I make any decisions.  Likewise with the TiCrX and maybe a few older sage rods as well.  Sounds like a couple trips to the fly shops are warranted.  Thanks for all the info guys.

Steve.

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[simonfisher]

You are going to enjoy that trip I spent a month chasing roosters out of La Riberia and Freiles Bay.  A few tips about what you will need to accomplish with the rod: 1.) if fishing for roosters from the beach you will need distance; intermediate line is fine if you feel you can push it into wind (lots of on shore wind in east cape) but weighted shooting line is appreciated as well. 2.) Tuna can blow ANYTHING up... even the small schoolies you will find under a flotilla will hold a few 40+ lbs so I would suggest having a cheap rod that you think is strong and can force the issue in the wind.  3.) warranty is key over the month I spent down there I broke a winston 10 wt, reddington 8 wt, and 2 orvis 8&10wt all ON FISH.

it is a great place, depending on timing I would suggest visiting the east cape... amazing place

JS 

[peter odell]

I think the Echo rods are fantastic from both a performance and price standpoint.  TFO good as well.

 

     I've bought a couple of used rods and have had no problem from a warranty standpoint, I visited the sage factory a few years ago and all the cards were in a big drawer,not in a computerized system.  I'm not sure that all of the warranties specify the initial purchaser.

 

I've also found that the guides typically have good equipment that is optimized to the local water....

[Jereme Thaxton]

Richard,

All good points below, what is your take on a rods 'action'.  If you have a 9wt fast or extra fast taper could you pair it with a 10 weight line setup and be fine for dorado and big false albacore?

-Jereme

[Richard Farino]

Jereme,

 

You can pretty much go up or down a line size with any rod.  I throw a 9wt rod (AFTMA line ratings for a 9wt is 290 grains) and I use a 350 grain 3M streamer express.

 

So to answer your question, yes you can.

 

 

Richard Farino

Urban Angler VA | 108 N. Washington Street  2nd Floor | Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 527-2524 | fax: (703) 527-3313 | ric...@urbanangler.com

 

[Steve F]

Jereme,

 

The Colorado trip was pretty awesome.  We had three full days on the river and spent two on the Arkansas and one on the upper South Platte.  We faced some pretty tough conditions but had a great time.  Temps were in the 40s and 50s and wind was sustained at 20+.  It really made the top and bottom nymph rigs a challenge to keep untangled.  I ended up with ~15 browns and a rainbow over the three days, all in the 10-18" range. 

 

I thought my river charm had failed me on the last day when I caught the one rainbow over 5 hours in 25-30mph winds but luck changed when I found cell reception and found out my flight had been cancelled.  We high-tailed it back to the river and found an epic BWO hatch where I was able to get five or six on a BWO dry.  I'm confident it was the good juju of the river charm.  It was my first fish on a dry -- what a great experience.  Can't wait to get back.

 

Looks like you had quite a good time that weekend as well.  If you're looking for a yak buddy next time you head to the flats, I'm your guy. I may have a 10wt to put through the paces in the near future.  Psst.. I'm free this wekeend. 

 

 ~ Steve