What to get?

[mudgecko]

G'day all,

I wish to get some opinions on a couple of rods to help me with what to choose. One is the Innovator Matrix 8/9 weight and the other is the St. Croix Avid AFT 909 rod. First up I intend to use an intermediate line in 9 weight would this be to much or would an 8 weight be better? This is going to be my first fly rod and I intend to use it in freshwater chasing bass, to barra and a bit of saltwater trying to entice a bream or two.
Any help would be appreciated in making my decision.

[yuankia]

Hello Mud, let me first welcome you to Ausfish. A relatively newcomer myself but this is definitely the place to get good advice from the pros lurking out there

Well don't really know much about the various rods but I think for mainly freshwater use and light saltwater you don't need 8/9 weight. A 6/7 weight would really suffice (lighter outfit less tiring to cast).

Maybe you could also mention your budget and see if somebody else can help you with it.

Cheers, Patrick

[SNELLY]

Mud,

I have a 8/9 Matrix that I use for estuary and light off shore work. They are a good rod for about $400- . Yes there are better rods if you want to pay more but I think you would find this rod pretty good for that price. What you intend doing with the rod would point to a lighter outfit I would think.

An advanage with the Innovator is that they have a 2 year warranty.

I have not used one but you may also like to consider a TFO they are good value have a warranty and are well priced

Snelly

[Duncs]

Hi Mud,

This is getting a bit off subject, but if this is your first rod and its going to get used for anything and everything, consider spending more of your money on a reel that you can get spare spools for, and perhaps a bit less on the rod.
To start off with, a floating line and an intermediate sink line will be very useful, quickly followed by a fast sink line, especially if you fish the dams down deep for bass. If the only time you are using the rod is when fish are on the surface, then floating lines are all you will ever use. however, most people who want to have a throw at anything that swims find having a single line to be a bit restrictive. Some of the graphite large arbour reels such as the Okuma integrity or the Danika are relatively cheap, extremely functional in the 7-9 weight range and spare spools are inexpensive. Im sure there are others in this style and price range too (approx $70- $200).
Back to the topic - as far as rods go, I haven't used the rods you mention. My advice is to cast every rod you can get your hands on and see what suits you best. Every rod has its own 'personality' that may or may not suit you and your casting style. There are very few truly bad rods around these days. If your casting skills aren't up to the stage where you can make an informed decision on what you are testing, I would suggest that you get a couple of casting lessons prior to spending on a rod.
As far as rod weights go, if you live in the tropics go the 9 but if you are more likely to be catching bass, bream, tailor and flathead, then I would suggest the 8 weight. Another rod to try is the loomis Pescado which is an 8wt combo with reel and floating line for $380.

Cheers

Duncan

[mudgecko]

Thanks fellas,
I live where I have the best of a few worlds, our dam is stocked with barra which average close to the meter mark, yellas to 10 pound. A drive down the road to a great dam for toga, bass, yellas, silvers. Then an hour away we have the Centrl Queensland coast. So there is my leaning towards a heavier rod. The only rod I have used is the Innovator 2 piece a friends and caught a few toga so now I'm hooked. I didn't want to get crap to start of with and not one where you need a bank loan for. I have been saving my pennies for a while now and have around $600 which should get me something a bit decent for my first outfit. Don't tell the Minister for War and Finance as this could well be my first and last as well, so it needs to be best I can get for what I have. I don't have access to hardy any rods to compare so I think will get use to what ever I end up with and won't know any better. For a reel I'm looking at Scientific Angler LA Concept reel. Well now that I have bored everyone one I'm going to let people have their say. Thanks again.

[Quinny69]

On line wgts, It can really help in the begining to "up-line" by 1 wght, eg #10 WF line on a #9 rod or a #10 line on a #9/10rod. This helps "load" the rod and fire off the cast. Even the"gun" fishos up-line when its windy or the flys are combersome (ie Barra flies).
As for rods both Innovator and St Crox are well respected brands, like some1else said a warantty is a very handy thing, the Innovator and the wonderfull TFOs have that covered. You can also test TFOs before buying them, no matter where in Oz. Good luck and stick with it, "Its a way of life dude " MQ

[SNELLY]

Mud,

What Matt said about going up one line weight is right but I own a 8/9 Matrix Flats and I have tried a 10wt on this rod and it is too heavy. Some Rods will take the heavier line and some will not.

Cheers JON