I finally broke down and purchased an 8 wt TFO this past spring and I am glad I did. Yes I could have caught the fish I did on a 5/6 wt but I like the idea and feel of bringing in the fish a little faster especially since I do more C & R. I got mine for just over $100 plus reel and Line. No regrets here.
(in fact free[;)]) so I do grab it.
If I got one for free I’d use the hell out of it too!
Maybe if I decide try for bigger warmwater species I’ll buy one, but until then I’ll stick to my buddies that like their water nice and cold.[:)]
I would like to bring in fish faster but I make sure I take all the proper precautions before releasing a fish. The only thing I would need an 8 weight for would be for pike, carp, and maybe steelhead and musky. I never take trips to warmwater lakes so I don’t find it necessary to buy one. Maybe in the near future though. [:)]
I guess maybe I really should have kept my mouth shut. I just thought it was bad advice to tell a guy with only one rod not to try something simply because of a one click difference in rod size. The attempt at humor just came across as something many of the cocky posters over on UOTF might come up with.
The thing is, those guys(UTOF) will put their money where their mouth is.
You might think it’s cocky, they’re telling it like it is.
The attempt at humor was obvious to most, apparently it went over your head. And no offense to Jeremy, but how long do you think he’s been fly fishing?
Apparently you’ve never fished for carp in Utah or Idaho, but a 5 wt. is not a good choice for that species. It can be used and if it’s the only rod you own it’ll have to suffice. If you can afford it, 6 is the smallest for that fish I would go, and I’ve been at this for a hell of a long time.
Sportsmen/women will use what will bring the fish in the quickest without the lactic acid buildup found by overplaying them.
So an 8 weight is the perfect rod for carp and others of that size.
I have been looking at purchasing one for several years. Finally broke down. I have caught bass on a 5/6 wt before and the fear was having t break off, and yes they did. Mainly due to the fact it was set up for trout. It was fun and I did get it to shore. The 8 wt I have initially set up for bass and warm water species. I also have caught northern pike on it. You will find as your taste for catching different species grows, so will your needs and repertoire of gear. I am looking at adding another spool with a sinking line to this setup. Just not sure which one I want yet. My 5/6 wt rods (I have three) are set up with uniform sink 3 and 4. Now the decision as has been put earlier is yes you can catch big fish on the lighter wt rods but why risk breaking something with significant value and money tied up into it. When I go out on my toon I usually take two fly rods. With the addition of the 8 wt I have upped it to three. Yes I fish a lot of warm water lakes but it is all about where and how you fish. If I kept to cold water fisheries all the time then the 4 wt and 5/6 wt rods are all I would have.
All I fish is coldwater. When I’m in my tube or on my toon I take my ultalight spin rod, 2, 4, and 5wt rods with me. I do like the versatility but I think an 8wt for Uinta lakes is a bit overkill [:P]
All I fish is coldwater. When I’m in my tube or on my toon I take my ultalight spin rod, 2, 4, and 5wt rods with me. I do like the versatility but I think an 8wt for Uinta lakes is a bit overkill [:P]
Yes an 8wt is overkill for the Unitas. When I first started fly fishing back in the 90’s I stuck to cold water lakes and rivers as well. It has been just recently I have started to target the stronger/larger fish of the warm water habitats that prompted me to finally make the purchase. It is all in the style and way one wants to fish anyway that counts. 
. My son is just starting into fly fishing and he has one rod but doesn’t use it on anything but trout at this time. When we go out I not only take fly rods but I carry baitcasters, spinning rods, and ultra lights depending upon the water. I can carry up to 9 rods on my toon right now if I wanted. This year I haven’t taken as many but they do go. [:)]
Mojo,
I never thought you’d turn into a save the carp guy. Who gives 2 cents if you stress a carp with a 5 wt rod. They’re consider a destructive nuisance fish in the west. Nothing wrong with fishing for them for sport but I’d strongly suggest killing them all anyways. Not like we don’t have millions more that the state is spending money to kill.
I’m going to see how quickly I can land a carp on a 5 wt next time I fish for them. I don’t care about break offs only broken rods. I’ll bet I can land a mid 20 incher under a minute but I guarantee it’ll be dead within 75 seconds anyways.
You bring that 5 wt Dog, I will take you to a spot and if you can land that carp in under a minute, you will receive all the praise I have.
Believe it or not, to me it’s sportsmanship. They may be a nuisance, but they put up a damn good fight, and I’ll put them back for another round.
Chub, on the other hand, don’t even put up a fight. That’s why chub baseball was invented.
As for landing a 26" carp with a 5wt. in under a minute, I challenge you have to use 5x tippet. Nothing bigger. That’s the rules. When you do land it, you have to release it unharmed if it’s over 60 seconds.
Fair enough?
Yep my first fly rod I purchased in '94. Been addicted since.[bobhappy]
I understand the good fight completely. But come on we have millions and they’ll be another to replace it. Tippet ?? I was just going to tie directly to some 2 or 3 x fluorocarbon leader, point the tip of the rod at the carp and crank it in with the reel doing all the work. Do you mean to imply that aint kosher with the UTOF crowd [;)]. Now you’ve ruined my day 
.
Those Damn UOTF purist[:)]
Serious though, if you wanna try, I will grab my 5 and lets go play. Could be a blast, but much nicer if someone is there to net[crazy]
What do you do with the Carp after you catch them? Kill them and throw them back, seems it could get stinky in the pools.
Wow. What have I been missing? A post from Jeremy, exciting…banter, carp…I need to follow the Utah board more. Never knew really there was a Utah fly fishing section, just saw “carp” up top in latest posts and even find out about a UTOF thing…urban operations training facility…you guys are serious about this stuff. [;)]
All this talk of 5, 6, 8…even 4, a 3…Geez, I use a 7. How come a 7 gets no love? Am I doing something wrong using a 7? C’mon 7.
I think I would rather see the big boy caught on 5x instead of a 5 wt.
7 just has that Red Headed Step Child back ground…LOL
Speaking of 7, I will catch one with my 7 spey, just need someone to net[;)]
If it helps, this is a 7/8 (glass does that)
Has anyone ever try Big Cottonwood in Murray Park? I’ve seen some tanks in there when the water gets really low.
Well fishned, I guess we can say we started a pretty good debate here! I hope it’s water under the bridge and we can move on from here to keep telling our fish stories. This conversation has taken a fun turn, I know how hard it was to land one on a 6wt WITH someone netting for me! Joni, let me know when and where this is going down and I will be there to see this…
Wow. What have I been missing? A post from Jeremy, exciting…banter, carp…I need to follow the Utah board more. Never knew really there was a Utah fly fishing section, just saw “carp” up top in latest posts and even find out about a UTOF thing…urban operations training facility…you guys are serious about this stuff. [;)]
All this talk of 5, 6, 8…even 4, a 3…Geez, I use a 7. How come a 7 gets no love? Am I doing something wrong using a 7? C’mon 7.
I think I would rather see the big boy caught on 5x instead of a 5 wt.
A 7 wt.?
That’s now 31 people in on planet earth that have 7 weights.
Albino, do you mind sharing where you got such a sweet deal on your 8wt setup? Pm me if you need to… Thanks!
Yeah I got it this last spring at cabelas on sale. The rod was around $130 ish, the reel around $40 and the line I don’t remember but it was on sale as well. I was just in looking at them when this one popped out at me. Pays to check sales and scan rods on their scanner. This one wasn’t marked on sale but rang up that way.