OK guys & gals, here is my next hair brained scheme. Buying a Spey rod.
I have been looking into this two handed rod business and the more I research it, the more confused it seems. For example I see there are two or more styles of rods, different lines etc... I just do not know where to start. I do know I will need a casting lesson or two, that much I have figured out
What I want to do is this, I want to use it to fish from shore or more accurately the surf or shallows. Not Flats fishing like sight fishing on Monomoy . But ocean beach casting.
What I want to know is what rod do I buy. How long, what rod weight, what line type & that sort of thing.
This is not something I am going to do today, however I want to get my ducks in a row so I can make an informed decision when the time comes.
Lots a variables as far as fish and flies, and as many rods to meet them. TFO 12X12, T&T 12X12, CND, are a few designed for overhead. Meiser switch, Beulah switch do both. There are also a boat load of spey rods that would be up to the task.
There are quite a few previous threads on the two hander subject you might want to review. I personally went with the CND 11 and 9/10.
I prefer fishing with the CND 11/11 for a couple of reasons.
I can still cast 80-100ft in 25-40 mph winds which I always seem to hit during the spring striper clave on Monomoy.
It's stout enough to handle the largest fish I've ever caught with a fly rod and more. And now that there are lines specifically designed for the rod it's abit easier to cast.
It's length at 11ft 1 inches is not too long, if you hold the rod at the top of the top grip is only 6 inches or so longer than my 9 weight outfit.
I like being able to shoot the line a 100 ft or more with a single backcast, and it tosses huge flies very nicely.
I've never used or tried any other brand so I can't offer any comparisions for action or ease of casting, types of casts etc.. But I have fished 2 handed CND switch rods exclusively for a couple of years and will continue to do so, on my boats and even in my Kayak.
If you're coming to the Spring Clave there will be plenty of time to try them out and get some firsthand knowledge.
I won't say I am the first to two-hand beach fish but probably was the first to get it really moving forward - and IMHO it's still in it's infancy. I started researching this in 1995 and still learning.
New designs are coming into play all the time - Echo, Sage, Loomis just to name a few more than the ones named above.
You can search the forum and get reams of posts on the topic.
Short version:
- for striper fishing I prefer around 11ft unless a shorter rod can do the job, nothing longer. If it can't cast over 100ft with one backcast (no false casting) then find another rod.
- two hands have advantages in certain situations, disadvantages in others (+wind, +distance, +grains, etc)
so do tricycles, bicycles and unicycles
- you can fish BIG with less effort (eg 600 grains over 38' no sweat)
- most single hand casting strokes need refinement to cast two-handed
> tracking and power application mostly
- these tweaks dramatically improve single hand casting and are well worth learning
- most give it a quick try but never really understand it
- to reap the benefits one must get over that 'hump'
Great stuff guys, Thanks again. Looks like this is going to be a fun learning process.
Unfortunately, I will not be attending the Spring Clave. It conflicts with another of my extracurricular activities. I will be in Kansas that weekend. Hopefully next year I can get my travel schedule nailed down a little better to accommodate both events.
I'll do a search of Two handed threads over the next few weeks & go form there. I am also going to catch up with the local FFF guy who fishes two handers. He is a nice guy & willing to help. In the mean time I will keep reading.
After looking around some I came to a decision about the two handed rod deal.
I ordered a CND Oceana 1111 a couple of Airflo 40 + Beach lines from Scott at the Bears Den (use those site sponsors)
I ordered a sinking & and an intermediate line. WTF they are on sale 1/2 price
As soon as I can get a hold of Ron Larson, I will order a Danielsson HD 9 thirteen reel to top it off with.
I am broke now, can I bum a ride to The Cape? I promise I won't eat much! :hihi: :hihi:
Addendum:
I just got of the phone with Mr Larson, he tells me that he has been slammed with reel orders. HD9thirteens are being made now & back ordered, be a few weeks yet before he can send me one. Looks like the word is out on Danielsson
Congrats on your selection... The reels are worth the wait... I know I really like mine alot. Good luck with it, hope to see you on the water sometime.
I plan on making several trips to the Cape & Rhode Island this summer so I hope to meet up with you and as many forum members as possible. The ones I have met already have been great folks to fish with
This will be my second Danielsson, I bought a LW8eleven earlier this year & absolutely love it.
I should have my Rod Tuesday or Wed. I'll fit it up with a Ross BG 5 temporarily to try it out.
How is the danielson better than evotec at same price
GregD said:
Hi Warren
Congrats on your selection... The reels are worth the wait... I know I really like mine alot. Good luck with it, hope to see you on the water sometime.
Hey Guys,
You can get loop gear in the US again. There is a site called [non-sponsor link removed] that sells all of their stuff. They have a ton of two handed rods. Anyone ever used a Loop spey rod? If so, let me know, they don't seem like they are a bad deal.
I bought a Loop Grey Line 12' 9" 9/10 Goran Anderrson on ebay last summer and really enjoy it for both traditional spey casts as well as overhead ( Juro- it kicked that winds a## during the clave with a 400 grain sink tip) They seem to show up on ebay pretty frequently.
I had the CND Oceana two hander out today for the first time. Wow even a dysfunctional welder like me can make a great cast!
The wind at N. Monomoy was was 25 knots or better. I got out on the flats & got the wind over my left shoulder so I would not hook myself & blind cast into a ditch.
After figuring out where the shooting head needed to be on the rod. I was able to roll cast the fly out & one cast that baby 70 feet or more down wind. Once & a while I would get the timing just right & shoot all the line I had in the basket and it would almost jerk the rod out of my hands when the running line stopped.
I even caught half a dozen stripers & missed a few too.
I was amazed at how little effort it took to get the line out. When I left at 1:00 pm I was not even tired.
Thanks to all who helped out with this project especially those who sent me emails or PM's with tips to succeed.
I am hooked on Two hands now. :smokin:
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