Fly Fishing: Favorite Entry Level Streamer Rod
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- Опубліковано 28 жов 2018
- Hey Guys, this videos is an overview of what has been my favorite entry level streamer rod to fish, and one of my favorite fly rods all together. The St. Croix Mojo Bass Fly rod is a purpose built Streamer Rod at a very friendly price point and is the perfect gateway rod to get anyone into chasing predators on the fly. The 7wt makes for a perfect Brown Trout and Smallmouth Bass rod, the 8wt is the ideal "do it all", and the 9wt fits the bill for big Pike and Musky! The Moderate Fast Action makes it enjoyable to cast all day while absorbing shock from bigger flies yet the rods light weight feel and shorter length makes for a very intimate experience.
Gear:
Rod: St. Croix Mojo Bass Fly 7'11" 8wt. - stcroixrods.link/GunnarMojoFly
Reel: Redington Behemoth 7/8
Line: Airflo KG Streamer Max Long 300 grain Full Sink
Excellent! The right tool for the job is ALWAYS the best tool. Hadn't touched a fly rod since I was 12...when I was 52 my wife asked what I'd like for my birthday? There was a 6-weight Rio Santo outfit I'd seen...the first time I had it out all the basics my Dad tried to teach me came back. I was able to make a few 25-30 yard casts. The rod loaded and released beautifully. I'm also using an 8-weight from that series now and thinking about getting the 4-weight. The 6-weight is an incredibly versatile rod...Brookies to Smallies in every size they come in, and using almost every presentation that'll fool 'em. But you're right; it won't do the things an 8, or a 4 will. Great vid. You're a terrific teacher, btw!
never thought about casting this way. Will try to anticipate the feel before the loop straightens out. thank you so much!
Incredible video !!! I have been fly casting for 30 years. Fly tying and fly fishing is my life. I totally get the advanced casting, since I fish with multiple rods on the same outing timing is a issue ,changing from rod to rod.
Thank you for sharing what you learn and explaining it in an easy to understand way. Always appreciate your videos.
Hey Gunnar, in continuing the golf meataphor a friend of mine who was a scratch golfer once told me that even the most basic of golf clubs are generally better than the person swinging them. I think the same thing goes for fly rods and reels. Most folks, me included, will be better off spending money on casting lessons until their equipment is holding them back, usually years down the road. As for reels, until you get into the 7+ weight rods for really big fish, in my opinion the reel is basically a line holder and my 30 year old Medalists will do fine. Keep up the awesome videos.
Outstanding comment. I was once told the same thing about reels and I fish Medalists on many of my fly rods.
Thanks for sharing Gunnar, I actually have the exact 7'11" 8wt 2pc Mojo Bass Fly rod that you have loaded with an intermediate sink tip line and like I mentioned a while back on Instagram from my casting experience with it, the rod is excellent. For $150 and $30 for a combo rod and reel tube that is a wonderful set up to have for those that want to get into chucking some serious meat for browns, bows, smallies, largemouths, pike, muskie and the striped bass family those 3 rod sizes can cover it all. It would work even better from a boat and have all 3 lined up and with different flies and fly lines, from floating to full sink.
Oh and I am sure that guy was referring to the SAGE BASS rod that is $600, but includes rod tune and a special like for that rod. My one buddy has one loaded with full sinking line and works wonders for dredging for muskies, etc... but you can have 4 Mojos for the price of one Sage Bass.
I like your comparison to golf, many of the fly guys I know also golf, but the point of having the right tool for the job is absolutely correct. I worked in a Fly shop at Cabela's for practically 10 years and sold many beginners rod and reel combos, sadly they think they can catch bluegills to steelhead on a 5wt rod. I try to explain to them you can do the bluegill and regular trout and some smallmouth bass with that 5 wt, but you are entirely undergunned with steelhead or trying to through big bass poppers and streamers with it. I usually tell them to buy either a 5 or 6 wt and see how much you like it and want to get into it more then specialize, go down or up 2 sizes from a 5 to that 7 or down to a 3 for panfish and brookies, etc... I have even tried a hunting analogy, you don't want to go elk hunting with a 22 Long Rifle nor should you shoot squirrels with a .300 Win Mag.
Great review. Great instructions. Well done.
Good stuff. I am a huge advocate for St. Croix fishing rods. I'm now collecting Avid rods as they have been discontinued.
Its not like your hat gave it away in the beginning lol Great video, the whole Mojo bass series are excellent
I own 4 St. Croix rods (so far); 2 baitcaster and two spinning. My next St. Croix will be the Mojo Bass fly rod for bass and predators and I’m thinking of the Mojo Trout 3WT for panfish and small trout streams. For the money, they’re stellar!
That seems like a very good rod. I really like their spinning and baitcasting mojo-bass line of rods. But when I am in the market for a new fly rod, one of the most important factor is whether it is made in the US or not.
I just picked this rod up based on this video and a few others. I'm a novice fly fisherman, starting only this summer. I got to cast this rod around in the back yard so far and I have to say that even as a beginner, it's a dream to cast. After getting a feel for the rod, I was pulling off accurate casts and effortless double hauls in no time. I'm able to cast this rod even better than I can my Clearwater.
Does it come with a hard case?
Thanks for this video. I wish i would of saw this when before i went to a fly shop to get my first rod LOL
Have it. Replaced a much more expensive bass rod with it. I discovered the expensive rod was made with the cheapest Chinese PAC Bay components. Cheesy to say the least. All my gear rods are St Croix the first being bought in park falls in 1985. That walleye rod is still going strong. When I heard StCroix produced a bass fly rod I picked it up post haste: totally satisfied with it
Awesome video. I’ll would also like to know on the question Todd H’ Doubler asked.
Very nice, love your passion and natural gift to cast and share your feelings during the cast on video, but you didn’t mentioned those feelings are proportional to your body strength, muscles and tendons. Explaining your personal tips are very helpful, but not equally share by all in the same way. What it’s equally share by all is the principals of fly casting. Next one just basic your wonderful technique to this principals and everyone will understand better from the principals and not from mimicking you casting experience.
Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.
Best
Mag
Picked up a Mojo Bass 8wt last year and love the way it casts but have hardly fished it, I was wondering how you like the behemoth 7/8 on there considering it is a heavier reel with a lighter rod. Would you change it up to a lighter reel or do you find it balances well with the heavier sinking and shooting head lines you cast?
This was a great review, mojos will be on back order. With great deals on combos I have never understood why anyone would buy a reel separately. I have never reeled one in, with barbless hooks it’s always horse it in as fast as I can. Am I missing something?
I was told to not let go of the line as well. double haul and shoot the line through your fingers so you don't struggle finding the line again.
Could you advise on what line to pair with this rod great videos .
gunner you were doing a haul /double haul with your begginer cast, thats pretty tough for a begginer in my opinion. but thanks for the demo and information
Great advice on rod price. My oldest rod is 34 yrs old, its a two piece Shakespeare from UK, 9ft 6wt and when I bought it, it was around $40. When I moved to US I bought a lightweight 4 piece rod from Cabellas on sale for $100. I already am jonesing to buy an nice heavy 8 or 9 wt 9ft rod for bass and have one already chosen its $89.99, and I am looking at a 10ft 8wt with a little bit of a spey butt on it for $145. If your rod has some small failings, learn them and adjust your cast. A $5000 set of golf clubs is not going to get you on the pro tour.
I went with the Reddington Predator 8 wt. to target large mouth bass instead of the mojo bass. I'm using a Reddington Behemoth reel on it. Got several 4 and 5 pound bass in the boat with it already and it works great.
You should do a video talking about streamer fly lines, leaders, tippets.
I'm using an OPST skagit line system on my rod and it works nice with a belgian cast.
Nuckin' Futs how do you like the Behemoth? I just got one but haven’t spooled it up yet.
It's great!
Do you still like/recommend this rod? Really wanting to chase some bass and carp with this thing. Thank for this video man.
Does the rod come with a hard case? And does it come in 4 piece because at my bass pro there was a 4 piece but online it only came with 2 piece.
Anyone have any line grain weight suggestions for the 8wt?
8' 7" is my shortest rod a 6 wt. This is very interesting.
"Being late is better than being early"
Tell that to my girlfriend
Is there any disadvantages to this rod being somewhat on the shorter side?
We could talk rods all day long expencive rods inexpensive rods
I do agree with you its way better with two entry level rods than one expensive rods
When you are fishing for trout and salmon
Nevertheless most expensive rods are much more versatile than the cheaper rods
Thought the gap have never been closer than today because alot of the cheaper rods
Are extremely good nowadays...... but remember dont buy a rod in the premium level if you suck
Because the rod will not make you a better caster. Its way better to know what you will fish after
Because you wont get one rod to rule them all... i mostly buy second hand as i tend to save ALOT
And i still get the premium rods i like....
Lefty Krey (fly fishing legend RIP) had this casting style. If you’re right handed, back your right foot up and looking back at your back cast wait to see the loop go straight, and start your forward stroke. This is so easy, and tunes in your timing. It becomes intuitive very quickly. The thing I see most often with a new flyroder is they backcast nice and easy, then try to hammer the forward stroke. This results in wind knots and flys stuck in your head. To use your golf analogy, it’s like they are trying to drive a golfball 200 yards. I have a St Croix Premier 5 weight with the Redington Behemoth reel. The Behemoth is a great value large arbor reel. Cheers from Chicago.
Noticed you were using the Behemoth reel.... Considering getting one for a back up reel in 9/10 and running it on an 8wt rod with 8wt line, but wanted the 9/10 for future use.... Any down side to filling the 9/10 with 8wt?
Just put on more backing than normal so that the reel is slightly more filled and you can pick up the line faster, you'll be good to go!
St. Croix rules. Most of their rods are USA made and not over priced. They don't have some hoopla symbol or cute blank colors; they simply make a great stick. I'll definitely check out the Mojo Bass!!
Most are made in Mexico.
6:30 What is that basket you're wearing for?
What reel are you using
Hey Gunner what line would you think would work better for this rod on a 7 weight? Rio outbound short or big nasty ????
Hey man, I haven't tried the new Big Nasty lines yet... The Outbound Short lines are great and I have them in 6wt, 8wt, and 10wt version for both Intermediates and Sink3's....It's by far one of my favorites and I like the verity of sink tips they offer, as well as the shooting head options for stillwater fishing....That being said, the Big Nasty has a slightly longer head which would give you significantly more control in a river situation fishing from a drift boat. Not sure what sink rates they offer it in, but the Taper/head length/and grain wts look like a big fly chucker for sure!
Thanks for everything!! You’ve changed the way I tie and fish. All new exciting stuff.
Hello, thanks for the video, its help me... tell me please, i can use with that wt7 rod with line wt6 ?
I SUB, Thanks
Hey Erez, I would not recommend it. Lighter than recommended lines with have a more difficult time loading the rod and carrying air resistant flies. I personally prefer to fish WF7W lines that are designed heavy for Moderate Rods. And to overline Fast action rods, say an WF8W line on a Fast Action 7wt.
@@Gunnar_Brammer Ok, I understand, many thanks 🙏🙏
I just got a four weight. I've got so many big rods, I went for a smaller weight.
I've done it all wrong. I've showed a couple people how to cast a fly rod. I've told them to practice keeping their arm at 10 and two.( or 10 and 1 )
Couple years late here… what leader do you use for this set up and what about the leader?
Tippet*
Wish it came in 4 pieces!!!
I already knew that it was going to be a St Croix rod.
Awesome, most fishermen are full of bullshit but this guy gets it!!! I have 15 entry level rods and can catch everything no problems. Learn to cast is more important than price-tags.
What’s your favorite line to pair with it?
Good question! Can you cover line recs for each weight?
The Rio Outbound Short is the line to go with.
Plus you have a very fancy stripping basket and didnt use it, want to send it to me?
I think people should understand that a $150 dollar rod is not entry level. you can use this all your life and your not missing anything. Sure you can spend $200 more on a rod and get 5% better performance.
You can find $75 rods like the Reddington Crosswater, which i would consider more of an entry level. You can also fish that rod forever without missing much in the way in performance. I know its action is much different than the mojo, not as appropriate for tossing heavy stuff.
Just the thought if you spend $150 then your a beginner= If your really serious you will have to upgrade.
Good stuff as always. everything st croix fishes well.