7 wt too small for saltwater?

[Rtom45]

I currently use a 9ft. 7 wt. for steelhead in the Lake Erie tribs. What kinds of saltwater fish can I target with this rod? I'd be mostly interested in inshore fish.

[Shadowcast]

I pretty much fish a 7 wt exclusively. I target reds, snook and trout on the open flats so a 7 gets the job done without wearing me out after making 60 foot casts all day. I have even fished it in some pretty stiff wind. An 8 or 9 would have made things a little easier, but I have the luxury of a skiff that can get just about anywhere to get out of the wind. The only time I would beef up is when targeting snook around the docks at night. In that situation I'd go to a 9 or 10.

[capt rob]

:gr_cheers: for me a 7 wgt is ok for smaller flies but if I'm throwing larger flies I find an 8 or 9 weight works better especially if your tossing into a wind. I throw a lot of bulky topwaters and the 8 or 9 does it for me. If I'm targeting tarpon I would use a 10, 11 or 12 wgt depending on the size of the tarpon I'm targeting.

[Rtom45]

What would be the best all around rod for inshore fishing if you just had to choose one? Rod action, length, line weight etc?

[Shadowcast]

I would have to say an 8 wt is the benchmark. You can take down snook, reds, trout and tarpon up to 30-40#s. If you are concerned it maybe too heavy, Loomis makes a great 8 foot 9 wt Cross Current that is a fun rod with some serious beef to it. Get a matching line to you rod in a weight forward floating......probably a redfish taper.

[Reel Fly]

An 8wt is probably best as long as you don't have to throw big flies. The line pulls the fly. You can do big fish on light weight lines if they'll eat a small fly and you don't panic. If you need to throw larger flies you'll need heavier lines. Although probably not the ultimate gamefish my staple is striped bass and some times when they're on large bait like bunker/menhaden/pogies large flies are required which requires heavy lines. Big baits-big fish don't always apply. A ten pound bass will eat an almost two pound bunker thus requiring a heavy weight rod and a heavy weight fly for a light weight fish. In short your 7 weight will work for any inshore fish that will take a small fly if you have room, backing and patience. For the record my preference is a nine weight.

[finlander]

I use all the even weights starting with a 6. It gets the job done with out wearing you out. It will even cast some fairly bulky flies without hesitation. My 8 wt is the bread & butter rod and has the wear and tear to prove it. You need a 10 for the bigger stuff and a 12 for the monsters. I suggest you relax and use your 7 wt with confidence.

Finlander

[razorz]

I rather enjoyed my 7wt setup for macks, snook, bonefish and sea trout. Easy to cast, very light weight and just fun. Anything over 8wt becomes a chore to deal with in my opinion.

[Legend]

The often overlooked size! The seven weight can do equally good job as the eight, however if you don't have a fast taper you won't set as many hooks. That said, I have a wide array of rods from five - to - 16 weights that I use on a consistent basis. While many consider the eight as the gold standard, I don't. I've always believed that you can do whatever you want, as long as you have the proficiency to do it.

[FlyMag]

Schoolie stripers and 4-5lb blues all day with a 7-weight. I use the same rod for Steelhead up on the Salmon river in Pulaski.

[Rich.FlyFishJaX]

Absolute great rod weight for our local Redfish and Trout! It my number one rod I use 90% of the time. Perfect for fishing out of a Kayak. Very user friendly. Less fatique on the body and you will last a longer during the day.