Ultra light Fly?

[spy1]

Fester,
I suggest that you use at least a 7 weight for the type of fshing you want to do, a floating line 6 to 8 feet of 12lb leader and a small clouser minnow charteuse and white seem to be the best, if you want a go at them first then I can lend you some kit to try out.

Spy1

[redhotrods]

Fester,

You would really stuggle turning over a bass fly with a #4/5 as the line doesn't have the weight to overcome the drag caused by the fly.

As Spy1 said..."at least a #7"

You can buy a decent starter kit from Foxons for £70,

Diawa 9'6" #7 6 piece rod
Worchester WF7 floating line (ask them to change it to a #8)
Diawa Fly reel.

Good bit of kit & the fly line usually retails for £40 on it's own!

[kastonfly]

Fester

What the guys have said about a tuning over a typical Bass fly is correct. However you can use flies that are very light by using some of the new synthetic materials such as DNA and for the sort of distance you are talking about why worry about presentation as long as you can get the fly out to the fish ….go for it. A 4lb Bass on a 4# would be great fun. ;D ;D


PS if you need an example of the sort of fly that would be appropriate PM me you details and I will pop some in the post.

[learner]

Nice try Fester I will follow your trials of joy and woe with interest as it is something I would like to take up next year maybe

[kastonfly]

Fester


You will need a stripping basket, I use a £1.50 plastic waste paper basket with holes drilled in the bottom for drainage I then insert a loop of plastic tube in the bottom to stop the line from tangling. The basket is then attached to a webbing strap by 2 Velcro loops. This allows you to quickly ditch the basket if you go for an unplanned swim Other people use washing up bowls, how ever I find these too shallow when fishing in strong wind and the line blows out. Also they can be a problem when fishing in the surf as they tend to fill with water.

If you have not been using a basket you will find your line not only picks up salt that dries on the line very quickly but also sand and sea weed debris, this will slow the line down and reduce the distance you can cast.

[bass]

i have a line tray made from a large old plastic wallmounted hanging basket (the ones with the flat back)which works quite well.The wifes a bit miffed though.

[tobasco]

Fester,

Glad to see that you have taken the plunge.
Regarding new tackle, etc. I personally wouldn't buy from Foxons as he is very expensive. However, the good thing about Foxons is that you can go down there and have a bash with the rods, reels and lines until you find something that is really suitable. Buy a few fly tying bits and then go and have a look on the net for the same tackle, but half the price. A bit sneaky maybe but there you go.
Have fun

[redhotrods]

Your right Tobasco, it is a little bit sneaky & naughty especially as they are so helpful and allow you to try before you buy, not to mention aftersales service.

[bass]

thats great but where would i put the Gerraniums?

[tobasco]

Fester,
You could try a 'Flexi-stripper' line tray; basically a piece of half moon shaped hard plastic with loads of 'sticky up bits' to hold the line.
I personally use a smallish basket with cable ties pushed through it for all shore fishing, however saying that I have been dabbling with a double handed 15 ft fly rod lately and the basket is too small to hold all the line that a rod like this can throw. So I may upgrade my basket to a bigger clothes basket type thing, but only for fishing off the rocks with the double hander.
Regarding drain holes and the like is a personal choice, I prefer them others don't. what I don't like about line baskets/trays without drain holes is the fact that when you get caught by a wave it can 'pull' you off balance and can add to the soaking.
P.S. I did warn you that it would take over your life.
We'll have to get out together some time before the seasons over.
Cheers
Steve

[redhotrods]

Don't worry Fester,

You'll be the one laughing when you start out-fishing them!

When I started SWFF I went to Penmon point where there were loads of touristy types fishing, I could hear the sniggers as soon as I started casting, they lasted about 2 mins.........I hooked into a 3-4lb Bass & had a mackerel on my dropper fly.
Then they all wanted to be my best friend ( 2 faced.......)

[thunder]

The outfit you used looks fine BUT the flies a bit on the big side try something like a damsel nymph tied on a 14 l/s hook in some different colors keep up the good work. I am having a similar problem with some friendly Mullet

[tobasco]

Fester,
I would use relatively big flies (even bigger than the 1 in the photo) for the open sea especially at this time of year, and small-ish flies in the estuaries.
A very good all round fly is a clouser (weighted to give it movement and to get it down), but you need a half decent rod (8 weight) to throw one of them efficiently, or as you have there - a sand eel imitation.