Re: [VFB] Fly Rods, Reels, and Combos

[Jerryphl9]

Chuck:  Over the years, I've brought my nephew a couple of the Cabela's combos.  The first when he was about 12 years old, that was 12 years ago, but I was pleasantly surprised by the way the rod cast.  It was a 7 1/2 foot, 5 wgt.  The only drawback, and I believe this has changed was it came with a cheap double taper line which I replaced with a weight forward.  I liked the rod so much I use to borrow it off of him.  About 4 years ago I bought him an 8 1/2 foot, 6 wgt combo.  It listed for $79 in the catalog but when I called up it was on sale for $49.  Again, it turned out to be a decent casting rod, and the reel was more than adequate, the line so-so. So I'd suggest taking a look at the Cabela's combos.  Figure out what your main quarry's going to be and go from there.  If you're going to travel you might want to consider a multi-piece rod.  I have two, one I brought from Cabela's, a 4 piece 8 wgt which has enough backbone to punch a line through the westerlies that blow constantly in Guam.  It's small enough to pack in my suitcase when I travel. I also have a 4 piece 5 wgt built on a Cabela's blank, which is the rod I use 85% of the time. As far as drags go, All my reels have some sort of drag system.  None of them are will lock up to line breaking tight, like my lever drags or my spinning real drags.  I imagine if I tightened them down they might slow a large fish down but it's tough to work the drags on a fly reel while fighting a fish.  Look at your budget, look at your quarry, and pick one.   Jerry C "All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia."   . But how does one know what is good, what is bad??? etc etc.. Is it like the saying "You get what you pay for" pretty much, or are there any less expensive combos that ARE very good??? I'd probably want to buy a "combo" as they tend to be cheaper than buying separately...Thanks in advance for any help, Chuck