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Fiberglass Schoolie Rod - Recommendations?

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JCH

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Can't help you with any of the modern glass stuff, but my schoolie rod is an old Fenwick FF856, 8 1/2' for 6wt but I fish it with a 7wt intermediate.  8wts in glass start to get a bit heavy for my taste if I'm doing a lot of casting.  I'm curious what kind of responses you get.

Doug

"If you think fly fishermen are strange, try having a conversation with a mushroom picker."

John Gierach

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Like Bonefish said;An older Fenwick Fenglas  rod.I picked one up,a 6wt 2 piece that still had the original plastic bag [opened] over the rod tube for $70.Look around you'll find them pretty reasonable and a real blast to fish.Yard sale season will be coming when the temp. warms up.Good Hunting!

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It's been awhile since I've held one, but Fenwick still has well regarded products. If you're looking for a low-cost option, the sale boards have them. If new, here's one place:

https://www.purefishing.com/collections/fenwick-fly-fishing-rods

 

I use a Steffen Brothers fiberglass rod for trout in a 3/4 weight, but I've often wondered how much fun a 7/8 weight glass rod would be like for schoolies. Be interested in what you decide.

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48 mins ago, xp800 said:

I just built a Northfork Composites 8wt glass for schoolies  this up coming season.. I have not fished it yet but have casted it. It’s a true 8wt to me with the feel of glass but a touch faster than what I’m use to. 

8F1E06B6-C988-4324-AB96-48120CCEF665.jpeg

Very nice work. What is the length of that rod?

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I love fiberglass fly rods for schoolies.   A well designed modern glass rod is not the heavy noodle that many of the older 7-9wt glass rods were.  6 or 7 years ago I built out a McFarland 8ft 8in 8wt 4 piece blank and have enjoyed fishing it in the salt from Maine to Florida.  As much as I like it, I think the blanks and rods McFarland is putting out now are even better.  Last year I had a friend build  out a McFarland 8 1/2ft 6wt 4pc GTX glass blank and wow!  It is light in hand,  fast tip recovery, will handle a 250grain sink tip and really shines with an Orvis  6wt intermediate striper line (which is overweighted and really a 6.75wt line I believe).  I was really surprised by how thin and light the GTX blank was.  Very comparable to a 6wt graphite rod but has a fun factor that graphite can’t touch and does everything I need/want a light line saltwater fly rod to do with no compromise in performance.  

The BAG quick shot rods (8 ft) have a great reputation and are very attractively priced.  

The Orvis 6wt and 8wt have also been well received.  

F7047763-8A21-4031-84C2-B96E42B2A704.jpeg

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Don't overlook the Cabelas CGR 7/8wt rod.  I posted some photos of various fish caught using it (from online user reports), here, see page 3:

There have been two versions (based on reel seat).  I have the older model with the brushed silver reel seat.  It appears to be reasonably saltwater safe.  I think it was only around $70 or less on sale.

Edited by Killiefish
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23 hours ago, Bonefish79 said:

Can't help you with any of the modern glass stuff, but my schoolie rod is an old Fenwick FF856, 8 1/2' for 6wt but I fish it with a 7wt intermediate.  8wts in glass start to get a bit heavy for my taste if I'm doing a lot of casting.  I'm curious what kind of responses you get.

Doug

I have the same rod, and it is a great schoolie rod.  Early in the season, I also use that same rod in a 5 weight, with a 6wt intermediate line.  They really are fun rods to fish.

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i also have the cgr 7/8 and got a ton of striper on it when i lived in port washington.  I now use it for LMB

 

but i will admit i do not like glass in the salt.

 

I dont see the benefit of its classic action as many times  when fishing for schoolies i would run into bigger fish, bigger winds, longer casts.  I would rather have a fast action lightweight 7wt for schoolies any day of the week.  Which allows me to adjust to conditions.

Glassphemy!

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