Daiwa Wilderness 9ft #9

[bluechipp]

Hello All

Would this rod be suitable for SWFF for Bass etc?

What makes a rod "saltwater friendly?"

Any thoughts/experience?

[MJB]

Any #8 or #9 rod will be suitable for chucking salty flies. Saltwater has no friends. Even expensive specialist salty rods like the Sage Xi2 suffers with corrosion. Golden rule is to wash the rod whilst it's still wet. Let the saltwater dry and washing just allows the salt to emulsify and work it's way into every knook and cranny. Never put the rod in a sealed tube until it's dry and don't leave it in a place where it could be subject to condensation. Same applies to reels and lines.

[bluechipp]

mjb

Excuse my lack of knowledge, but exactly what does saltwater do to rods? Why are some sold as SW proof?

Thanks for the help.

[MJB]

Saltwater will corrode the metal fittings. Salt residue can also clog the thread on the reel seat.

[steelpony]

Just got me a Diawa Wilderness 9' 6" #9. Havn't tried it with the flies on just yet, but it seems like a fine rod, and "cheap as chips". It got a great write up in "Trout Fisherman" as a Pike and Saltwater rod.

["Squatter"]

Excuse my lack of knowledge, but exactly what does saltwater do to rods? Why are some sold as SW proof?

Hi Bluechip,

Salt water is an extremely aggressive liquid in the context of oxidation in metals and other materials.

Stainless steel will get eroded and corroded by the trace minerals contained in the salt water, even more so in presence of oxygen (aerobic). Bearing this in mind, Salt water suitable rods have to have the appropriate fittings to combat this.

Metals like coupre aluminum (Naval Bronze) Titanium and a few other hasteloys and super duplex stainless steel's are specifically designed for this purpose.

On Fishing rods, one has to consider not only corrosion (Rust) but erosion (wear)- from microscopic salt crystals (think about the residue left on both lines and rings when the salt water dries).

I think that the best all round compromise for weight, tensile strength and shear hardness is Titanium.

And finally, by the nature of the predators when fishing for both pike and marine fish, and not excluding the environment (open areas, windy conditions) large flies have to be generally used as attractants. Therefore rods capable of projecting these flies to the destined area to fish, have to be extremely powerful.

So in a "nut shell" - you would be seeking a strong rod (not necessarily heavy - by definition) fitted with corrosion resistant seat and rings.

Most of the big manufactures have these items, a little more expensive than standard fresh water rods, but in many cases worth the extra expense. Should you however use a standard rod in the marine environment, always soak it in water for at least 2-4 hours after use to dissolve the salt elements, then thoroughly dry before packing it away.

Hope this helps
Mike

[Gonzo]

steelpony said:

It got a great write up in "Trout Fisherman" as a Pike and Saltwater rod.

This doesn't actually account for much as they tend to be rather insular, regarding testers!


I still say a 9# is overkill for 80% of UK SWFF. If anything, you'd be better off with a beefy 7#.
If I had to have one rod, it would be the 8# everytime though!