G-Loomis / Billy Pate

[Mark]

A post like Finsters makes me want to slink off to the corner and keep my mouth shut [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

oh well -

Best I can tell, you have a 20' Master Angler, which does not suffer from the skinny gunnels of the other older 20's. As such, hang the rods in racks under the gunnels - you have PLENTY of room.

As for trading them in on multi-piece rods, go ahead and do so if that will simplify your life. However, I would suggest having even the multi-piece rods fully rigged and ready when they are on the boat - setting up a fly rod while the boat is pitching about and the wind is howling is not a fun thing. If I lived on/near the water, I would have a few of those Pro-1's on the boat just because I would never have to worry about ferrules coming loose, they are light, the simplicity of it, etc. However, traveling with them would be impossible. As travel is how I earn a living, they don't have a place in my bag of tricks at the moment.

For your listed species, I would think having three rods would cover what you are after: an 8,10, and 12wt should do the trick. If you have to narrow it to just two for your blackfin/dolphin/tarpon pursuits, I would go for a 10 and 12. Give that Ross reel a try, they have very good customer service and repair policies from what I hear (in case it has any problems).

One investment that will come in very handy is a casting lesson by a competent instructor (usually any fly shop owner). Or better yet, find a local fly guide who you know and go fishing with him/her for the day. Best to get going on the right path rather than ingraning any bad habits with casting, etc.

Finny will cover all the future questions, I've used up my speaking time [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]