Was wondering what weight rod is best to use for sea run cutthroat? I've seen anglers using anything from 3wts to 9wts. And what is the reason for the wide span of weights? Is it just personal preference or wind conditions? Is it the type of line used Or the type of fly used? I mean to me a 9wt seems
a little heavy for sea runs and a 3wt seems a little lite. Some insite on this would be helpful. Thanks!

It depends where I'm fishing, in part. I'd probably use my 7 wt. on salt water - where I rarely fish for cutts. On rivers I use my 5 or 6 wt., depending what rod I feel like taking. I don't own anything lighter than 5 wt., so I can't recommend them based on any personal experience.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

I've been fishing for sea runs in the salt water for a number of years now and usually fish with a 4 weight unless it's very windy, then I'll use a 6 weight. I seldom throw big flies and a 4 weight handles the average size sea run just fine. Use a slow sinking line or even a floating line and you've got a good set up.

For me my working rod for cutts is a 5 wt (though that is the rod that I used just avout everything). The issue is less what will handle the cutts (anything in the 3 to 5 wt is the ticket) but rather the water to be fished, likleyhood of wind, and whether salmon are expected to be enounted frequently.

For the wading angler a 3 or 4 weight would be fine on smaller water but on large main stem areas where 60+ foot cases may be handy. Then a 5 weight would be a better tool, especially if there is a stiff breeze. If find that I often need a longer cast on the some of our bigger rivers than on the salt.

When fishing from a boat I'll often take 2 rods (a 4 & 5) with a floater on the 4 and sinker on the 5. The larger rod is nice if one needs to wrestle a fish from the snags. I catch a surprising number of silvers while cutthroat fish as well as the ocassional steelhead and humpy and again the 5 is a better tool.

Tight lines
Smalma

One reason for using a 7-9 wt. rod is that here is a chance accidently hooking up with a salmon or steelhead. This is also why some people use a 10 pound tippet while SRC fishing.

i have personally always used a #5 when sea run fishing, salt or fresh. it seems to be able to handle most wind and most fish, although when you tie into a coho it can get pretty interesting.

I use a 5wt because srcs bite smaller flies and are generally smaller fish,and have an 8 wt for casting bigger flies like say up around hansville, but have landed many coho on my 5wt with 4ft of 8lb leader, no need for tippets and crap in saltwater.

would not go chummin with my 5wt thou