Ive been wanting to get a spey package but have a hard time finding what I want and im hesitant to spend a ton of money on something I may purchase incorrectly or be unhappy with. I was looking at the Redington CPX Spey outfits with the Rise reel and CPX rod. Comes with line I beleive the Rio Windcutter. The selling price is $560 Approx. Only thing I dont like is Ive heard you should match a larger size reel with the spey rods to better balance the rod and hold the additional line needed for spey casting. The package comes with the same size reel and the rods line rating. Would I be better off piecing together a setup even if it may cost me more? Another package I looked at was an Echo rod with a Ross CLA reel. Comes with Skagit or Scandi line and two sinking tips, you may choose what line you want. $620 Approx. I know I could post an add on the classifieds section for an outfit but if im going to spend that type of money I want new equipment. Does anyone have any recommendations on a spey outfit complete with line and all for $700 or under? I appreciate the help.
Check with poppy at Redshed, he has new complete outfits in your price range and he will do right by you. You will get something that works from him.
I checked out his website and he sure does offer good prices. I would like to try and build a setup if possible first and see what I can come up with. Does anyone have any thoughts on this setup. . . Redington CPX Switch 8wt at 11'3" or TFO Deer Creek 7-8wt at 13ft with a Ross CLA #5 or Redington Delta 9/10 reel. That would be my base and then I would need a line. Is that reel large enough to hold a good spey/switch line and heavy enough to balance the rod? Is there a formula or recomendation on how to estimate what grain weight is right for me. I really like the MOW tip line-up with the running line. How much of a difference would a switch rod over a spey rod make a difference? What do you guys think? Sorry I know im a pain in the ass.
Thomas, I certainly don't think you are being a PIA, you are asking intelligent questions before a major purchase, always a good thing. I don't have any experience with the rods mentioned but I do have a Ross CLA 6 on my spey rods and it works perfectly, it is large enough for both a Scandi and a Skagit line. When I first got into spey casting I asked the casting instructor the same question about whether to get a switch or a spey rod. His response was stay with spey rods because you already have a single hand rod so why do you need that application in a spey rod. With that said I am not sure I see as much difference between the two types of rods, especially with the spey rods getting shorter. I just purchased my first MOW tips at the beginning of the summer so I have only used them in casting practice and not in a fishing application but I agree I really like the way they perform.
I think your main deciding factor should be, what is going to be easier to learn the fundamentals of spey casting with. And that is a spey rod. I suggest you purchase a 13ft 7wt or thereabouts, with a matching skagit head. The reason why it is easier to learn with a spey rather than a switch, is because, the length of a spey rod makes it more forgiving. With a compact 11' rod, your errors in your stroke will have a greater effect on the over all cast and intern, the fishability of the cast. I fished my friend's TFO DC 7wt 13' spey rod, and I loved it. I matched it up with a 510 airflo compact skagit, 10' of T-14, and man did it chuck some nasty flies. I would describe it as a medium action and it bends right to the cork, which I like in a spey rod. I even brought two nice late april bucks to hand with it!
