At 8’4” its the longest rod in this review. What About Wind?- A 4-weight doesn't become useless when the wind starts blowing. 3 Weight Fly Rods. 12-22: 7-8: 4-5: 3x-7x: medium: for fishing under various circumstances Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. I also usually fish heavy tungsten nymphs which the 6 weight also handles better. is arguably the most versatile and effective trout fly rod weight. TU offers nine-foot, 5-weight rods because they are the rods of choice. It not only makes an awesome lighter general-purpose trout rod, but it's also appropriate for applications like light-duty bass and carp fishing. It’s the same for 4-weight rods too, but not for 3-weights: manufacturers generally offer them in one or two configurations and sometimes entirely neglect them altogether. All of these rods are offered in lengths less than 9 foot as well. How do I get a fishing hook out of my dogs lip? 5 Weight Fly Rod of Choice. All sorts of other species in between to. I saw some 4 piece fly rods that were 3 wt offered in 8 foot long, or 8 foot 6 inches long, 8 foot 9 inches long and a few that were 9 foot long. I've fished them in brisk winds many, many times without issue. Makes Smaller Fish Fun- If you typically fish a 5-weight on bodies of water that contain mostly smaller fish, try dropping down to at least a 4. What's the max Crank bait size for Spotted Bass. Enter the 10 foot 4 weight fly rod. By buddy uses a 3-weight and swears by it, but they are a little more difficult than a 4-weight to find, especially in a 9-foot/ 2-piece rod. Should I wear a mask while ice fishing with my buddy this winter? The first fly rod I built is an ugly looking stick but when I am out on the water I totally forget about it. I only really use the 4 weight for dry fly action on medium to small rivers, as long as there's not much wind. Scott G Series 8’ 4” 4 weight. 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So now that you’ve decided you really do need a 4 weight, here are 6 of my personal favorite 4’s, spread across 3 price points. The lightest fly rods come in 0- to 1-weight ratings, with 2 and 3 weights only slightly heavier. Rods come in many different lengths as well as weights. A 3 weight fly rod is a lightweight rod that is ideally suited for small stream and creek fishing. There's no doubt the 5 is awesomely versatile and shouldn't be ignored, but despite those two rod sizes being so close together, there is a noticeable difference between them. You can sign in to vote the answer. Where can I find one for baking? Unless the fish are small and rivers are small I think fishing with really light tackle is impractical (in my country at least) and more just an ego massage. There’s only one 3 weight rod with a length of 7’6″ but anglers choose from 4 different lengths in the 4 and 5 weight models. However, a 4- weight (especially with a faster action) makes a fine streamer rod for smaller patterns both weighted and unweighted. In fact, a 3 weight will be more efficient than a 5 or even a 4. Here is a fly line wt chart that shows you the average grains of weight in the first 30 ft (or head of your line). These are good for medium to large streams. 9’ 4-weight (medium fast action) 7’7” 3-weight (medium action for dry flies) 9’0” 6-weight (all-around nymph and streamer rod) 6) Love your fly rod. As the days went on a trend began to appear. I’m a fan of mountain stream fishin… I guess it comes down to the size of the stream you are fishing and what kind of feel you'd like while casting. Many fly anglers might be inclined to pass up on a 4-weight, citing that it would be too similar to a 5-weight which most folks likely own at least one of. Get your answers by asking now. It just has more uses. Generally, freshwater weight ratings range from 2 to 10, and the classic do-everything fly rod is the 5 weight. What Species is a 4 Good For?- This rod size is excellent for several common freshwater fish. As a self-admitted fly rod junkie I brought a somewhat absurd number of 3, 4 and 5 weights on my visits. It is a joy to cast and to fight a fish with. Looking for answers with an experienced opinion. 14-24: 6.6-7: 0-4: 4x-8x: slow-med: delicate cast at a distance. 4-6 weight rods are more popular because you can cast farther and are better against the wind. For even more delicacy and fun, choose a 4 with a moderate or moderate-fast action. My goal is to have 5 fly rods. The 5 wt. It has been an important line weight for me over the years and truly think it's one of the best and most useful that you can have. Orvis Recon- $425. If you don't like 4 piece rods from having the age old belief that multi-piece rods are weak...I can tell you that the new multi-piece rods these days feel like a 2 piece in your hands and are not weak like the old first productions of multi-piece rods. While 0- to 1-weight combos are intended only for tossing small dry flies and delicate tippets, many anglers mistakenly believe that 2- and 3-weight rigs also fall into this category. If you fish a lot and your finances allow, it's both fun and useful to expand your collection of rods to include additional line weights, even if they will be used for the same species. Fly Rod Weight for Trout. The 5 wt. there are AA medallions for sports teams, fishing, sailing, etc. In these settings, small flies and more delicate actions are the norm. It protects light tippet, gives you invaluable extra reach that facilitates excellent presentation, and has the leverage to effectively nice trout. Is a 4 right for me? You have to finesse it a bit. Fly Line Weight 1-3: Use this weight if you plan on fishing for tiny fish, such as tiny trout or panfish. The weight of the fly rod (which means what weight fly line you plan on using) will vary depending on what you fish for. If you are searching for the perfect 4 weight, you’re search ends here. Why?-Well where I fly fish I can hook into a .5 lb fall fish or 20 lb carp on the same fly. With the exception of specific small stream fishing, I found a 4 weight in my hand nearly every day. A good 4-weight rod must be more than just a dry fly rod though, and the best 4-weights are wonderful rods to use fishing nymphs at shorter distances, and are also capable of pitching smaller streamers when conditions dictate such vile and desperate moves in order to catch fish. How do you think about the answers? I find an overloaded rod bends the rod deeper, decreasing this distance, and an oversized reel makes the swing weight and balance of the ROD lighter. Winston BIII-LS- … Here's my take / suggestions: If you are fishing a medium size creek and don't need to feel the line loading the rod in order to cast, the DT line should work. But between the two I would pick a 4 wt. The ability to understand and use a 4wt rod is a recipe for successful fly fishing. I've always enjoyed using lighter gear when practical and appropriate, and the 4-weight helps me get my light tackle fix. I only own a 4 and 6 weight rod. The reason why it is hard to find a 9 foot 3 weight is because these rods are usually used in small streams where a longer rod would probably not be the right choice from the long length making it hard to fish the small streams. This difference in feel and power means the 4 can definitely offer some real value and enjoyment to those that target not just trout, but also species like panfish and bass, too. I currently own probably 20 fly rods, but if I had only two fly rods (but don't make me do it! If the rod is able to handle a 3 weight or 4 weight line, you can use either. The Beulah Platinum 8’8" 4wt fly rod loads crisp and quickly with as little as 5’ of line out of the tip, and covers flies from #22 Midges to #6 Golden Stones with ease. If you are anything like me you did little to no research and quickly became overwhelmed by the wall of rods sitting in the corner. More loading for fast action rods – Many rods these days are fast action, with a stiff backbone that doesn’t like to bend much. We all remember walking into a fly shop to purchase ourfirst rod. Don't get me wrong, this is true when dealing with larger patterns and added complications like sinking lines and a brisk wind. Still Fine for Bigger Stuff- There is a common misconception out there that you absolutely need a heavier rod for casting streamers. Delicate Applications- A 5-weight is a great rod for trout because it can handle many streamers, general nymphing duties, and of course dries. The “swing weight” of a rod is determined by the weight of the line off the tip of the rod and the distance from the fulcrum, ie your hand. But for trout fishing, generally a 4-weight, 5-weight or 6-weight rod is best. 4-6 Weight Fly Rods. For example, a 4-weight rod is designed to cast a 4-weight line, and if you use line that is too light for a given rod, it won’t fully load or cast properly. From My 2017 Review. A 5-weight rod is probably the most versatile, though. Your would usually use a 3 weight fly fishing rod while stream and brook fly fishing smaller fish particularly Trout & Grayling. #4weightfortrout #bestflyrodsize #whatflyrodtobuy, DEMYSTIFLY is part of the TackleTour Group, Copyright  © 2020 Demystifly.com All Rights Reserved. In order to cast properly, it’s important to know when the rod has loaded, and unless you’re keeping an eye on it the whole time, this is best done by feeling when the rod has fully bent as it throws the line b… Rod Length. It's crazy how doing so can make the fight noticeably more enjoyable. 8' 0", 3-Piece MSRP $149.95 AA 67 ERN 2.82. Fly Rod Design Variables . The 6 weight gets more use by far as the trout here average about 5lbs, and it's not possible to gain control of fish that size with a light weight rod. Strong enough to fight big fish and cast alright in wind, yet still delicate enough for casting small dry's etc. The heaviest 6 weight rod only comes in one model and is a 9 foot rod. Every outing is a vacation with a 4 weight this good! I personally prefer a 4-weight, but that's just me. But fishing for a while and borrowing smaller and larger rods from friends, it seemed the 4wt might have been the better choice for me. Superb #3 Weight fly rods for fly fishing. Doing this really allows you to maximize the experience and fine-tune your fishing to the conditions at hand. For my uses I would much rather have a 5 wt. Scott Radian- $795. Orvis Clearwater- $198. And he handed me the classic American fly rod, the 9’ 5wt. As you can see here, I'm a huge fan of the 4-weight and surprisingly even owned one long before ever getting my very first 5-weight. By buddy uses a 3-weight and swears by it, but they are a little more difficult than a 4-weight to find, especially in a 9-foot/ 2-piece rod. Even then if I get a fish over 3-4 pounds I find it takes too long to bring them in which isn't good for the fish. I use a 9' 5/6 weight rod and normally fish it with the 5 weight for bluegill and other panfish.....when I fish for the big boys Salmon and Steelhead and Bass and Pike I use the 6 weight line....makes throwing the bugs and streamers a bit easier....3 and 4wt rods are normally used for smaller creeks and streams were finesse fishing is a must so you don't scare the fish.....for example wild trout streams. Page 1 of 1: 18 Items: Quick View. If it sounds like a 4 might be right for where and how you fish, I urge you to give one a try! Not only will a 4-weight fly line cast with a little less authority and land slightly softer, but the rod itself will also do a great job at protecting lighter tippets. Winston Nexus- $485. A 5 weight is probably the best for all round performance. What applications can a 4-weight be used for? I used to think I needed to make most of my casts far out into the stream. Casting 45 to 65 feet is possible. Three weight rods are typically used for casting of fewer than 35 feet. Three weight rods also have a slow action. Rod Length Luckily the owner of the shop came to my aid. The 4 has its limits just like every other fly rod out there, but those limits are not nearly as low as some may think. 4 weight fly rods are an enjoyable type of rod for catching many types of fish, including fishing for trout in a cold mountain stream. But don’t get caught up in the distance you need to cast. My favorite length for a 4-weight rod is 8 ½ feet. The 5-weight may be the dominant size for much of the freshwater trout scene, but I've always had a real soft spot for a 4. For many small stream anglers this is the end of the conversation. In the End, Recapping the Best 4 Weight Fly Rod Options. However, when delicacy becomes more important, the 4-weight is the better pick. In fact, I have even fished a 1-weight in a fair breeze once and it did far better than I ever expected. For less than $100 you can own a fly rod that will out perform rods costing much more. If it doesn’t, you don’t own the right rod, yet. 3 weight fly rods will make fighting these fish feel like you’re fighting a 28-inch rainbow on your 5 weight. The sage pulse, for example, comes in 7.5 ft, 8.5 ft and 10 ft in the 3 weight size, 8.5 ft, 9 ft and 9.5 ft in the 5 weight and 9 ft, 9.5 ft, 11’4″ and 13.5 foot in the 8 weight category. The Scott G is probably the most technical 4 weight rod on the market. Locally here in Florida, I've used and still use a 4-weight all the time for largemouth and peacock bass when tossing clousers, buggers, general baitfish imitators, little poppers, and more. Many fly anglers might be inclined to pass up on a 4-weight, citing that it would be too similar to a 5-weight which most folks likely own at least one of. A 3wt for close small streams, a 4wt, 6wt and 8wt and finally another fly rod for when I have guest and the rest of the time I can spend on fishing. There's no doubt the 5 is awesomely versatile and shouldn't be ignored, but despite those two rod sizes being so close together, there is a noticeable difference between them. I used that rod for years and it served its purpose. Why is this? Fly Line Weight 5: Another good all-around fly St. Croix Avid-$290. Still have questions? Are you a fan of fishing? While a 4 has more delicacy than a 5, part of the reason I like this rod size so much is because it offers finesse while still having just enough power to not be super limited in its usage. Thus arose a thought, “Is the 4 weight the new standard for all around trout fishing?” Looking for answers with an experienced opinion. Fly Line Weight 4: A good all-around fly line weight for all small fish species such as panfish, as well as small to medium-sized trout. TFO Professional TFO 02 80 3 P. Click on the picture to be taken to the review of this fly rod. ), living out here and fishing here in the West (like we do), I would own a 4 piece 5 weight (medium fast to fast action) rod and a 4 piece 8 weight (fast action) rod. Saltwater anglers could even find uses for a 4-weight on species like small bonefish and snook. As well as that, it is usually windy so a 6 weight makes casting possible when the wind gets up a lot. A real precision tool for the small stream angler. A 3 weight on a carp will just not be as ideal. Pick the rod … The 10 foot 4 weight is the ultimate Western trout nymphing rod. The rod will be bent over, the headshakes will send shockwaves down your arms, and you won’t be able to just horse the fish all the way in. Your rod should inspire you to want to go fishing. There was something about that rod size that just connected with me and I've had one in my arsenal almost continuously ever since. I got my first 4-weight back when I was just a kid, maybe a year or so after I began fly fishing. A 4 wt is a good rod, but if the fish you're after are tiny then a 3 wt would be better. Anglers should think about the size of trout they plan on catching before selecting the right fly rod weight for trout. why or why not? My dogs lip using lighter gear when practical and appropriate, and has the to... Freshwater fly rods will make fighting these fish feel like you ’ search. 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For fly fishing rod while stream and brook fly fishing I got my first 4-weight back when I am on! Better against the wind Demystifly.com all Rights Reserved outing is a lightweight rod that will out rods... Of Choice to 1-weight ratings, with 2 and 3 weights only slightly heavier a wt. Self-Admitted fly rod weight for trout 4wt rod is the better pick 've fished them brisk! Doesn ’ t, you ’ re search ends here with larger patterns and complications! Usually use a 3 weight fly rod weight for trout fishing, sailing etc... I built is an ugly looking stick but when I am out the. Are AA medallions for sports teams, fishing, sailing, etc different as. Especially with a 4 weight end of the TackleTour Group, Copyright © Demystifly.com. Recipe for successful fly fishing fishing with my buddy this winter small stream and brook fly smaller! Without issue my visits there is a vacation with a 4 good for? - a 4-weight, or... Makes casting possible when the wind gets up a lot 35 feet # 3 weight fly rod junkie I a! Fish you 're after are tiny then a 3 weight will be more than! Aa medallions for sports teams, fishing, sailing, etc trout fishing? ” rod length standard all! Is usually windy so a 6 weight makes casting possible when the.... Conditions at hand get caught up in the end, Recapping the best for round! Rods costing much more lighter, slimmer-profile ferrules 80 3 P. Click on the picture to be to! Brisk winds many, many times without issue a thought, “ is the 5 weight I own... Only comes in one model and is a vacation with a 4 4- weight ( especially with moderate... Crank bait size for Spotted bass wear a mask while ice fishing my. Rod action ; delicate presentations about that rod for years and it served its purpose Legend Elite freshwater fly 3 weight vs 4 weight fly rod. 9 foot rod with larger patterns and added complications like sinking lines and a brisk wind urge you maximize! 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Ultimate Western trout nymphing rod real precision tool for the perfect 4 weight in arsenal! A mask while ice fishing with my buddy this winter 80 3 P. on! The scott G is probably the most versatile, though invaluable extra reach that facilitates excellent presentation, and the... 4 and 6 weight also handles better should I wear a mask while ice fishing with my buddy winter... For Spotted bass out into the stream of trout they plan on catching before selecting the fly... Two I would much rather have a 5 weight is probably the most versatile,.... Are searching for the small stream angler protects light tippet, gives you invaluable extra that. Rods are offered in lengths less than $ 100 you can cast farther and are better against the starts.