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Single Hand Rod/Reel Question

2K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  herkileez 
#1 ·
I know this is Spey Pages but there is a lot of single hand experience here so I post. Is a Bougle 4" too big for a single handed rod? Specifically how would it be on a 9 & 1/2 foot 8 weight rod. The Bougle 4" is 3 oz lighter than a Cascapedia 8/9 and probably lighter than the appropriate Bogdan used on that rod, though I'm not a Bogdan expert. Just curious if it how it would work. Thanks for any help.
 
#2 ·
If it will hold at least as much line as you need for your rod then any reel will work. For me, weight concerns are dictated by how the rod/reel combo is going to be used. If I am casting all day long and moving around a lot then I go with the lightest possible outfit. For me that usually means one of my Lamson reels. If I am on a boat fishing deep or not blind casting then weight is much less of a concern.

My two hand reels get repurposed all the time for single hand use and vise versa!

Quinn
 
#3 ·
I don,t think you would have any problem its about the same size and weight of a Salmon#2 and I seen lots of them on singlehand 9 and 9.6 8+9weights myself included the weight thing never came into play with me as far as supposed to be too heavy or light for a particular rod if it feels good thats it, if it don,t it will let you know
 
#4 ·
Just my thoughts on the subject.

Really don't know the reel(s) or their weight, but that's part of the choice of what to strap on the reel seat. Line/backing will add about 1 to 2 oz to total weight to the reel. So how does (with all that) balance out the rod with your hand on the cork? In a perfect world the rod should lay flat in the palm of your hand.

With a two hander that balance point 'should' be where you'd normally have your upper hand on the cork.

Just my .02 cents.
;)

fae
 
#5 ·
I don't think it is (functionally speaking) too big for a single hander. You will feel the weight of the reel right in you hand, as opposed to feeling the weight of the reel causing the tip of a short spey-rod to ride up-high and forcing you to fight that while you are fishing. By that I mean the reel will be right behind your casting-hand, and not further back as on a spey rod. In terms of balanced tackle: I'm sure you already know the "Salmon" Bougle is rated as a DT 10W where the 3 3/4 is rated as a DT 8W. But that does not mean it should not mounted on or spooled with anything other than a 10 weight rod and line, ;)!

Am I making sense?
Vic.
 
#6 ·
It's a Sage rod and the cork is 7" long. With the rod together and line out it balances 2 1/2" back from the front. What I do notice more than usual (and find annoying) probably because of the wide reel, is how the reel hangs to one side. I just picked up an Orvis reel with an off set reel foot to compensate for the reel being heavier on one side than the other, what a joy. It really doesn't take much for a reel maker to do that, but I've only ever owned two reels like that. I guess I'm going to have to fish with this rod and reel to see how it is. Dam, that will be next April or May, we have winter here.
 
#7 ·
I recently bought an Abel Switch reel so that it could see double duty on my spey rods and single handers. The reel itself weighs 8.5 oz. Loaded with my lines, it feels a tad heavy on my 9 1/2' 8 weight, but definitely do-able. You could also trim a little weight by going with 20# backing and only putting the minimum amount of backing that you feel comfortable with. Another weight saver would be to use mono shooting line or cut back a running line a little bit (I don't know anyone who shoots 100 ft. plus their fly line while out fishing).
 
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