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OPST Commando Head 3wt Field Review - Casting streamers to small trout - McFly Angler Review
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- Опубликовано: 19 авг 2024
- A few weeks ago I did a review on OPST Commando head Skagit casting line. This was for my 6wt rod. A great line for casting large streamers really far on my local rivers. These fish are 20"+ sometimes and a 6wt is needed to bring them in. However there are a few lakes up by my house that have small fish in it. Many times these are 10" fish, sometimes even smaller. Occasionally I will hook a 15" fish. If I fished with a 6wt rod, it wouldn't be fun bringing them in. The fight would be boring, and the 6wt rod wouldn't be able to protect the lighter tippet.
These lakes have lots of brush and tree's right up to the bank. Its impossible to get a good back cast, and even difficult sometimes to get a roll cast. When using a weight forward line, its impossible to get streamers out to where the trout are with a small 3wt rod. However this commando head line shoots out there so far with a simple flick of the wrist. Its amazing!
While this line isn't for every use, it is perfect for long distance casting with simple roll casts. If you can learn the Skagit casting then even better! I haven't learned it yet, but with simple roll casts, it shoots out very far. Almost double what my other line does.
If you want to purchase this line, here are some links to Amazon where you can get each component to the line.
Lazar Line: amzn.to/2wr2IXy
Commando Head: amzn.to/2g8U2P2
Sink Tips: amzn.to/2wr32pe
Floating Tips: amzn.to/2w1xWUe
Also here is a link to their website where you can get more info on what line will work perfect for your rod.
www.opskagit.com
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Roll casting works great with the OPST. When my shoulder gets fatigued steelhead fishing with my spey rod, I just do a double roll cast. I strip in to the commando head. Roll it once without shooting any running line at about a 45 degree angle to get it higher in the water column, then I roll it a second time, shooting line, at about a 70 degree angle to get a good mend and swing. They are super responsive there at OPST and always willing to help. I definitely recommend an email or phone call before purchasing anything from them. They will suggest a head that seems to be really light according to the manufacturer of your rods suggested grain weight. I order what they suggest exactly, and have never been disappointed. Great video man.
Those OPST commando heads are amazing! I try to make them popular here in Quebec Canada. People are starting to give them a try. So far nobody is disapointed. For that casting, practice make perfect so don't give up. I fish small rivers and streams and my go to setup is my 7'6" 3 weight. When you catch a 15 to 20 inch trout with that, it's just the best feeling ever.
+Dominique LeBlanc practice is definitely the key. I've started to get the rat tail thing down, and have it not shoot out the wrong way. Haha. Learning the cast definitely. I wanted to show that it's useful though for those even who haven't learned it.
Thanks a lot for the video! You are the only guy who showed me/us how to cast from land, not from water! 1000x likes to you! :)
Thank you
Have to agree with you. These are brilliant lines. I have a 175 grain which works great with a 4 and 5 weight rod. Have different tips for different depths and flies. It's also my go to line for windy conditions. Another great videoclip.
+David Halliday thanks! Yeah this 175gr works for 4wt when it's a 9' or shorter. I have a 10' 3wt that this weight works on. You can cast it with a 5wt also? Their site recommends a 200gr line for a 5wt... good to know it still works with that as well. Does it feel under powered?
Yes it was really windy that day I filmed and I barely noticed it when I casted correctly. It's great for wind your right!
McFly Angler I've been using it on a Wychwood RS 9' 5# rod and it casts brilliantly. You get a great feedback even with small trout. Certainly doesn't feel underpowered at all.
Nice, ok, so that weight head will work with a 5 weight. Good to know. I will go try it. However I think yours is a bit less stiff than my 5wt's...
McFly Angler I have to apologise to you. I've just been sorting out my gear to go fishing and I have both a 175 grain and a 200 grain head which I use for my #5 weight. But both work on my #4 Diawa 8' trout fly rod. Anyway just off out to take advantage of half decent weather here in Scotland.
Got my setup today for my 7.5' 4/5wt, 175gr. head, 5' floating tip, and 30lb lazar line! Installed it and hit a local pond for a few minutes before dark. Obviously this takes some practice, but I was stunned with some 30' roll casts, I did some more traditional casting style of a single back cast and forward cast, it shoots great. I was getting a lot of piling up if the tip/leader/fly, at the emd of the cast though. I need a lot more practice, and watching some skagit casting videos. I saw enough to realize the potential. I could feel it in the rod when I was about to make a good cast! Trying the more skagit type casting, you can feel the difference when the rod is loading right vs. not. Can't wait to use it some more!
+Charlie Wilson glad you like it! :)
Great review! I missed this one until now. Thanks for the Anvil review too, I watched that earlier today. You really give honest reviews and helped me a lot in making a choice on a vise. I'm already sold on the opst commando. Lots of expenses this summer so I'll have to wait on a full rotary, and on the line. Thanks Shawn for the help! 👍😎
+Joe Duca any time, glad to help! :)
Awesome! Love the commando on my 3100 single hand. And you can chuck a decent sized streamer with such ease and then there's the thrill of the fight on a 3 wt!
+TheSilver9r yes, I agree!
Thanks for the great video. Yup, I'm sold gonna get some OPST, maybe 3-4 options. There are some still water spots I'll be dragging streamers this October where this is going to be great! Longer casts equal more time the streamer is in fishable water equals more fish! BTW Skagit casting is really a roll cast with one extra move and more line on the water. I can do it but need to practice more. Your roll cast with a haul is darn near as effective and a lot easier for manual dexterity challenged types like me. Now go catch some fish!
+Big Papi yes you are right, skagit is a roll cast, but the extra tension put on the rod with the water is what gets them that extra distance. I'm so jealous of their casting ability! Haha. I really need to learn it better.
As for the line getting more time in the water this is true, however once you reach the head, it's tough to keep stripping because you know that you will have to get that head back out and ready to cast. I end up stopping my stripping right at the head, which means I have a good 20 or so feet still out. Granted I'm making 50+ foot casts with a simple roll cast so that is nice, and 30-40 feet of stripping is usually plenty to keep the fly in the water for longer than my other line.
That last cast at 9:10 was your best by far. Most of your casts had some "windshield wiper" motion to it, that one didn't. All casts including rolls etc need that uncocking or hitting a nail with a hammer motion. Find myself doing that sometimes. Great videos🐟
Lol alright. Yeah I look back at my videos from 2-3 years ago and realize how far I’ve come. Either way, someone not the best at casting like me a few years back can still cast this line far, says a lot for the line ease of use.
@@McFlyAngler Learning to cast is satisfying to say the least! First time I was lent a flyrod to try, I was told the "hammer a nail" analogy. I also think " flicking a booger off the end of my flyrod" .it makes you do a nice Sharp stop to the rod to release the stored energy in the bent rod, windshield qiper motion just slowly release the energy,ineffective.
Have fun!
👍
I'm using the OPST 200gr Commando Smooth on my 5 weight rod. Flies spend more time in the water and as I have tendonitis in my elbow, it helps a lot. Will get the 150gr soon for my 7'3" 3 weight.
Glad you like it and found something to help keep ya fishing
I need to try that method, seems it would work nice on those small lakes, thanks for the info.
Glad to help! :)
I've got a great idea... Make the commando head even shorter, about the length of a beach casting lead.. In fact just make the head out of lead. Then attach a monofilament running line. An ultra short head made out of lead will definitely reach the other bank. Proli gonna need a fixed-spool reel to manage all that running line though....
Hahahaha your so funny!!! 🙄
Just got my setup. Can’t wait to hit the Puget sound with my 4wt
Lol
Awesome video!!! Just got into fly fishing and have always thought OPST was the s*** Been tying steelhead patterns for years 👍
Thanks! Yeah they make some good stuff for sure!
I've messaged the opst guys--very helpful!
+Michael Ragsdale they are great guys, your right, really helpful! They go above and beyond for helping
How could anyone not like it? Just a little practice and your getting real distance it just takes a couple of days to master
Yeah it’s good stuff
I've got a 7'6" 3wt, fairly slow action, and to me the 150 grain OPST feels really heavy, especially overhead casting. I'm using the 5' 25 grain floating tip so that's 175 grains altogether. They make it look so light in the videos but it sure feels heavy to me. I bought a 15' 8wt rio replacement tip that weighs 109 grains and it feels more reasonable to me.
That’s because my 3wt is a stiff 10’... they recommend lighter for rods 9’ and less
Right, but I thought you got the 175 for your 3wt, which would be 200 in total with the 25 grain floating tip. I got the 150 grain commando head plus the 25 grain tip for a total of 175.
Yeah man im not sure about all that. For more in depth amount of info, you will have to talk with OPST yourself. LOL I am not the best with figuring all this out. They told me what to get with my specific rod, and it seemed to work for me. Again, different rods will treat different lines differently.
@cr113: But but but ... :-) ... besides having a slow action rod, you're also fishing with a rod that is 30" shorter than McFly's!!! I'm interested in this OPST Commando head stuff, but I think I'll look at working up a line set-up of an OPST Commando head for a 4 wt., 9' rod ... should work nicely for walking shorelines of our bigger reservoirs here in California while fishing streamers that will mostly to imitate threadfin shad, the predominant baitfish in almost all California reservoirs below 3,000 ft. or so in elevation ...
Love the vids!
+Tigerfishdivision Lancey thank you very much!
I'm getting my Commando 6'6" fiberglass 4wt ready for the water. What would you say is the largest unweighted streamer you can cast with your 3wt? Also, it was VERY refreshing to have a "regular Joe" demonstrate casting...I need to quit obsessing and get at it! The guy in your video reminds me of Will Ferrell doing the floor exercises in 'Old School'...so fluid and graceful.
God bless you, I wish you the best.
Honestly have not used this system in a long time, can’t say how far exactly I’m sorry
@@McFlyAngler You as well my brother.
Your killing me I bought the 6wt yesterday and I was supposed to go out and try it today but I had to work last minute and I'm dieing to get out there!!!!
+big ron lol sorry! I did tell you this was coming though! Haha. Tell me how it does for you when you try it. There is a bit of a learning curve. You have to make sure you have the right amount of line out to make a good cast, so try different lengths and find that sweet spot. I find that having about 1-2 feet of running line out before the cast is good for me, you will find the sweet spot with you as well.
McFly Angler I just gave it a quick try this morning had trouble with the Skagit cast but man the over head cast even in 15 mph wind in my face I was getting out there close to 100 feet! You were right I'm meeting up with a fellow member of Trout's Unlimited later today and he is going to help me out he loves it and has been Spay and Skagit casting for many years.Thanks again for introducing me to Skagit casting! YOU ARE THE MAN!!
I've passed it before going to silverton. Heard it's a good lake.
+Rudy Gurule yeah, they are stocked trout. Lots of spin casters there floating power bait and cast masters, however there is still some freedom for fly fisherman. It's really nice on a 3wt with these small fish.
Heading to a creek, that's tight quarters. Can i not use no head and just connect my 5ft floating tip in place of the head and use a 25lb mono tampered down to a 5x mono as my leader system. I'm looking to shorten my lines down because where I'm going doesn't really allow for my head, and floating or sink tip, then add leader is just too much line out in the water.
Honestly I’m not 100% sure…. I’d recommend asking opst on that
When would someone choose the Commando smooth (Integrated Running Line) over the set up you have with the separate running line?
Not sure man, been years since this video, and I personally haven’t used any of their new lines so I can’t say how the smooth one is. Honestly it was great stuff for specific applications, just I don’t have a need for it anymore since I moved to Texas.
I really want to try one of these lines. I kinda just drool at their casting in the videos they put out. I really like the versatility of easily switching between floating and sinking tips.
One thing I haven't read much about is do people tend to prefer one type or speed of rod/flex over another?
Well, most of my rods are stiff, and I have a feeling I would get a bit better feel for the line with a more moderate rod. Help train you better for the type of casts they do. Yes, they make some drool worthy footage for sure! Of course they know how to cast their own line really well. I am still learning it, but every time I go out it gets better. I need to learn their skagit cast, and maybe once I do, I can be hitting the other side of the bank. But for now, the roll cast still works well with this line.
Did you find the fast nymphing rod to work well for this application?
Yeah, faster rods are easier I think with this setup.
Commando would be noice for the Method, that would blast it!
Already have it for my 6wt method. Yes I can cast some really heavy flies, and light flies far with it.
What 3 wt you reppin'?
That one was a custom made for me. Its a blank from www.hookhack.com, and it was put together by www.midwestcustomflyrods.com
The blank is a lot like the TFO BVK. Its rather stiff throughout, but has a super flexible tip. It casts like a dream. I have a custom 5wt of the same blank and its my go-to 5wt.
Gotcha, thought you'd be keeping the SAGE trend going with an ESN or something, but I could not tell what that rod was and now I know. At first I thought it was a Scott G2 and thought motherf***er!!! He has BOTH my dream rods!!! Haha, take care man and tight lines.
Yeah, no I am not actually a huge fan of Sage. I think they have some good rods for specific applications, however I find them too stiff for the majority of my trout fishing. Great streamer rods, not really good for nymphing in my opinion. I do like the ESN, however its way to flippin expensive! HAHA I dont get anything for free from any company, in fact I dont even get discounts. They refuse to work with me because I am too honest about products.
Overall I think there are some excellent rods for better prices than the 5 big money brands... Sage, G-Loomis, Scott, Orvis and Winston... Dont get me wrong, they make great rods, but in my opinion there are some other brands out there (TFO to name one of them) that are almost as good, at a 1/5 the cost.
Do skagit lines require a larger capacity fly reel than what you would normally use
in 6 wt and 3 wt lines.
So once you get to the point where you need to tie on the leader and tippit, do those connect to the “commando Head”? Sorry I kinda loss you at that point.
Sorry I thought I explained it all ok. Anyway, have a nice day.
Noticed a pink hospital bracket! Congratulations !!!?
+Michael Ragsdale thanks! That video will come next week, still not sleeping well and hard to get the footage all compiled. But pics of my daughter are coming soon!
i think doing an anchor would help you cast out there better.
+fishfullofcash_ I agree! Still learning the skagit thing...
Wondering if you ever learned and began using spey casting techniques other than roll casting.
No, ended up not doing it.
I’ve been looking into OPST for my Redington zero and Butter Stick 3wt rig. I fish in Gatlinburg alot and have a hard time casting with trees and rocks behind me. Do you think I could toss out some micro size 10-6 streamers with this?
Yes for sure! That’s pretty much what it’s made for
You using the Integrated Skagit Head or just the head and mono?
Whole thing. The running line is basically a really hard mono. But it’s the head, with the weighted leader. The whole setup yeah.
I just got the Piscifun 3/4 wt reel with a 4 wt rod not thinking I ordered regular fly line now could I just get the Lazer backing and the 4 wt line and I think you said I could use the same floating and sinking leaders I have for my 6wt is this correct?
Yes, you can... How long is that 4wt rod? 9'?
Hey McFly Angler, you said you were throwing this OPST setup on a Euro style 10 ft. 3 wt. I was wondering how the rod performs with the OPST? I am looking to buy a ESN rod but not sure I want to shell out all the money for a rod that isn't versatile in that all I can really use it for is ESN. What are your thoughts?
+Keith Caldwell worked just fine with this line. I love my 10' 3wt, I think it's one of my favorite rods...
Awesome thanks for the reply!
In this video, you make a comment in the beginning about your recent video of your 6 wt opst setup..... I was not able to find it
Ohhhh yeah, ok. Sorry, I was up all night with my kids, and well, my brain isnt working yet. HAHA So I think I posted it at the end of the video with youtube's recommendation setting. However it doesn't work on all platforms. Here is the video. ruclips.net/video/PWFsLtQG1O0/видео.html
Where can I get that purple backing nor different color backings?!?
+Monspiet D. It's pink backing. You can find it on amazon, or buy it from their website.
Hello! What about fishing Dries???? in thoses brushies areas ..do you thing it will work?
It might, just would slap it down pretty hard... not the best presentation
@@McFlyAngler thanks , i agree, love your videos! Bless from France.
Thanks! How’s the fishing in your country?
@@McFlyAngler still have nice rivers but pollution has done damage, specialy pesticides that kill insects and birds also fisherman took too much fish home during 40 years... and we dont use like in slovenia ets etc fishes from fisheries...so only wilds .....streamers are also not welcome , its not fly fishing any more, neither indicators....well so its tougher but nicer....in a way. i fish in spain a lot i live bythe border and they use intensive fishes from fisheries but MAINLY BROWNS so its cool. I fish dries mainly so my windows are short.....mainly from 7pm till 9.30 pm in summer....some nymphing ---french or spanish style. lived in usa for 3 years; Studies long time ago....under reagan..i love westerns! ahahaha! TLC .
Yeah, I feel ya. Regulations are good and annoying at the same.... makes it tough for the people that are responsible. And people that aren’t responsible still usually break the rules. Kinda sucks, but it does help keep fish populations in a way.
How far are you able to cast streamers from your feet?? Seems like you're shooting 30-40 feet.
As much as 50 feet. Keep in mind, this is a roll cast, and this is a 3wt rod. With my 6wt and a WF line, and a back cast, I could cast much further. But for a 3wt, to get 30-50 feet, that speaks a lot to the line. Especially for someone like me, who isn't the best at casting in the first place. HAHA
Yeah, right now I'm only able to cast about 40-50 feet with my 8'6" 3wt Redington Classic Trout with my 150g head. Talked to the guys at OPST and they said that once you get used to the line, an 80' cast is a good low end number. I'm predominately an ultralight fly fisherman, using 0wt-3wt rods, so to feel the head load this heavily definitely takes some getting used to!
+Jason Le with a simple roll cast, you just can't put enough load into the rod... that's why I'm hitting only 50 feet max. I think I had a few in the 60 range though. Once I learn the skagit casts though, I can see where 80+ casts can be achieved. Good luck to you, and let's work together here giving each other advice. Haha. If I find something that works with it, I'll let ya know. And vice versa.
Could you Please post the link to this our review of the 6w OPST commando rig
Sorry I’m not understanding your request....
Hey man! This line looks awesome. Is it going to work for a dead drift for yellow fish?
+Fishing the Orange never fished yellow fish so I don't know. But dead drifting could work... how far out are you drifting? So the line has some links that are about 17' out from the start of the line. These links make for difficulty to get through the guides. Not impossible though. Just easier at close range with continuous line rather than parts connected.
McFly Angler That makes sense. Looks pretty cool when you cast with that line man. Thanks for the reply. Like ure videos a lot. Wish u made one every day! Have a nice one!
Thank you! I wish I made a video every day also. However thats not possible. HAHA my fishing action video's take all day to shoot, then 12-32 hours to edit. So....... Being just one person, I cannot possibly do that. Fly tying video's are much quicker, however I am only so creative, so coming out with a new fly per week is already tough enough. Even thought they take only 2-4 hours to shoot/edit... Its hours of tying to get the fly just right, then also testing the fly on the water as well to see if it works. Just too much for one guy. Maybe soon I can get some people to help me do the shooting/editing, but for now, with how many views I get, and how much money comes in, I don't have enough money to pay people to do this kinda work. HAHA Heck, not enough to even pay myself really. LOL
What size of streamer are you throwing?
I can throw up to a size 8 weighted streamer, and 4 non weighted with this setup comfortably on a 3wt rod.
What type of fly is? And do you have a video on how to make it?
+Tanon Mein video coming tomorrow
I live close to the Skagit and fish it all the time. Made me cringe when you said Skogit 😬
cringe??? LOL. I guess maybe you shouldn't visit other states or countries if accents make you cringe.
Did u like it better than Rio outbound?
Yes and no. Rio outbound is awesome for when you can back cast. But it doesn't roll cast near as well. However I only have rio outbound on my 6wt. Not my 3wt. The 6wt, I find that rio outbound back casts slightly better, but commando head from OPST roll casts soooo much better.
what rod you using?
I think on this video it was my custom 10’ 3wt. It’s not a brand name, it’s custom made.
What size of tip do u have on that 3wt?
I think I mentioned it in the video or description section. Honestly I forgot and answering from my phone here on this app does not let me check it.
What line is pink?
It’s the running line...
So after you've hopefully got a little more time in with this system, my one concern before trying one is how does it work in close?when you're not casting for distance?
+Charlie Wilson it's not really a "close" type. It's all about the distance with this. You can do it, but it's not easy. The links of line together do make it tough to strip through the guides...
McFly Angler I'm torn then lol. I bought a 200gr. SA Sonar sinking line on clearance when Gander Mtn was going out of business, it casts way different than the line I had, but I kinda got to liking the heavier feel to the Sonar line. I could only seem to cast it 40' on a 7.5' 4/5wt though. And that's with a lot of back casting etc. I really like the way the Sonar line handles in close, but I still want more distance. I guess a good one rod/line combo that will do it all is hard come by?
+Charlie Wilson use both then. Get a 2nd spool for your rod, and then use the sonar line for shorter casts, and this line for distance.
Finally ordered myself a setup for my 4/5wt. 175gr. head, 5' floating tip, and 30lb Lazar Line. Can't wait to try it out!
Crap. I didn't think about how it would go thru the guides. I just ordered the 150 grain and 5' floating tip for my 7'6" 3wt. Maybe it'll be ok. I don't strip line when I'm fishing close. I usually fish a fixed length, like about 5' of fly line past the tip, making slight adjustments occasionally.
A good resource for spey/skagit casting is the Spey Pages forum. Check it out.
Thanks I will. :)
What grain?
For the 3wt? I am not 100% sure, I would have to go look. Check on their website though, they tell what a rod should take.
How many grains for 6wt single? 275g right.
honestly its been a while since ive looked at it. They have the full chart system on their website, check it out.
ok, also have you tried Airflow scout?
no I havent. But ive heard good things about airflow.... Never heard of the scout series though...
No. 225. 275 is a 7 weight, I have a 225 on my 9ft 6wt sage pulse
you sure its not 250 grain for 6wt? 13.5ft head.
15 inches if you're lucky I'm not touching that with your 10' 3 wt.
The one I lost, was about 13"... I have caught some really nice fish though on my 3wt. In fact my largest fish is about a 19" brown on that rod. It can handle it pretty well.
What lake is that?
+Rudy Gurule haviland
I'm going crazy trying to find a way to get you my pm I work off a smartphone and don't use Facebook could you please help me? Can I give you my email on these comments?
You can give your email, but I didnt think you wanted it public. I know I don't want my email put on here... I am not sure with the smartphone thing... Hmmm... Let me think and I will get back to you. I am going to find a way, without the PM and without Facebook for you to reach out to me...
This guys is not a very good caster
Ehhh. I’ve improved since... watch some of the newer videos. But hey, they says how good this line is, if someone (not good) can cast it right? Lol
Do skagit lines require a larger capacity fly reel than what you would normally use
in 6 wt and 3 wt lines.
+phil m yes, slightly... however not double... a 3/4 reel should hold a 150-175 gr line... I however have only 2/3 reel, 4/5 reel and 5/6 reel. So I used my 5/6 because I was already using my 4/5 for something else.