SNWGHST Posted June 21, 2009 Posted June 21, 2009 Just was wondering if somebody could help me out with what would be an ideal flyfishing setup for bulltrout. Would a 6 wt. rod and line be o.k.? and what style of line, sinking tip, full sinking, like a scientific anglers type 2 or 3?. River fishing only. Thanks for your help. Quote
Hawgstoppah Posted June 21, 2009 Posted June 21, 2009 7 to 10wt, fast sink (tip). Line something line streamer express. WF for sure. Quote
Taco Posted June 21, 2009 Posted June 21, 2009 I used a 6wt for yrs for bulls never had a problem, go up a line wt or 2 if your targetin' the old castle bulls, use a line like a Teeny T200 for 6-9 wt, learn to cast with it and you'll be hearin' your backin' knot go out every cast. Quote
bloom Posted June 21, 2009 Posted June 21, 2009 A lot of times, 6 wt is ok, but if going for bigger bulls and tossing heavy sink tips, I use my 8 wt. Get a very fast stinking tip line. Good choice would also be to buy a floating line, and then loop on some of the steelhead tips. Quote
maxwell Posted June 21, 2009 Posted June 21, 2009 i like a 8wt with about 10 feet of t-14 on teh tip! loads teh rod up nice and u can just pick up a cheap line and your laughin! Quote
theiceman2 Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 All great suggestions but I target Bullies all the time on the Highwood. I usually pack my 6 weight for streamers and the 5 for nymphing. Bullies still hit nymphs, but I often carry a handfull of larger Steelhead flies that Bowriver troutfitters carry. I am not overflowing with patience so I just weight the *hit out of my normal nymph setup. The nice thing on the highwood is you dont have to cast far, just lob into a deep pool and strip away. Quote
Hawgstoppah Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 I dont want to sound like a dick, but honestly, if your ONLY targeting bull trout get an 8 or bigger. your going to be casting big stuff up to 10 inches long (yes tie em that big) in the wind, plus... I've lost 2 bulls in AB that were well over 40 inches (i think it may have been the same fish) becuase an 8WT didnt get a hard enough hookset to bury a fly into the bony mouth and then keep enough pressure on the fish to make it stay there. When that fish of a lifetime hits ya, be prepared! having said that, a good stiff 6wt would handle most alberta bulls, if this stick is going to be for bulls and other trout too. Quote
jayjjones11 Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 The size of the rod should not correlate with how hard you can set the hook when streamer fishing. You probably lost that 40 incher because you apparently striked with your rod tip, that's the only way i can see the rod being a factor in how hard you set the hook. Take a tip from a tarpon fisher, never lift the tip until that fish has been hit 2 or 3 times with a strip-strike, you should have a straight connection from line to hook and not using your rod to set the hook. An 8 weight should cover all your bases and a 7 weight would be easier to cast all day. Quote
reevesr1 Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 Was taught the same thing in saltwater fishing. Strip strike HARD, then lift. It takes me a few fish to remember that. But typically in saltwater fishing, you are significantly farther from your quarry than in fishing pools for bullies. I wonder if proximity to the fish changes the need for the strip set (less stretch, more direct contact)? But the correlation between a bony mouthed tarpon and a bony mouthed bull trout is interesting. I'll have to remember to try that. Quote
jayjjones11 Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 Was taught the same thing in saltwater fishing. Strip strike HARD, then lift. It takes me a few fish to remember that. But typically in saltwater fishing, you are significantly farther from your quarry than in fishing pools for bullies. I wonder if proximity to the fish changes the need for the strip set (less stretch, more direct contact)? But the correlation between a bony mouthed tarpon and a bony mouthed bull trout is interesting. I'll have to remember to try that. doesn't matter, you strip strike it even if it's at your feet. Quote
reevesr1 Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 Oh, ok then. Nothing like forgoing the explanation when brevity will do. Quote
jksnijders Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 Oh, ok then. Nothing like forgoing the explanation when brevity will do. Hehehe... Quote
Hawgstoppah Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 well, most places I catch bulls at require the rod tip to be used for the presentation ( popping flies through little caves along shore or dark spots, rapids, plunge pools). The "cast" is pretty much eliminated from my bully fishing, really. So when one strikes I am already "jigging" with the rod tip... and the hookset needs to be quick and hard. I do strip strike where possible when fishing a large pool deep or something, but, but usually most fish are taken at the point where I am using the rod tip for fly motion, which makes it next to impossible. Hard to explain really, but imagine my rod straight out from me, and my fly nearly at my feet, working back up a current... that's where I get hit.. most of the time. I dont fish the middle of the river for bulls, nor do I make a cast longer than about 10ft. Quote
SanJuanWorm Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 How funny Brian.....I caught a 25 inch bull on the highwood with 6 or so inches of line out of the rod tip. Made me and Max laugh for weeks. Quote
SNWGHST Posted July 18, 2009 Author Posted July 18, 2009 Thanks everyone for your help, I couldn't afford to buy a bigger rod etc., so I bought a spare spool and went with some 6 wt. Rio fast sinking line and it is working great. Thanks again. Quote
theiceman2 Posted July 20, 2009 Posted July 20, 2009 NIce to see the board is actually working! Good to see you have remidied your problem. NICE BULL! Quote
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