9wt

Bought a st croix 9 wt rod with sims reel and matched with 9wt line to go with rod, wanted heavier for pike and bass , leader stated it also was for 9wt, anyway can't throw it half the distance than my 5 wt, any ideas what I'm doing wrong. Seems like when I throw the line drags and when released the leader and tippett curl back somewhat. Have thrown only a 5 wt so not sure on my 9.

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I have an Imperial 10wgt and Elite SW 10wgt, I have a heck of a time loading the rods with 10wgt WF-F. Now the same line loads my Ultra 8 wgt just fine. I use a 400 grain sinking tip on my 10 wgts and they are cannons. Night and day difference. The sinking line behaves much better than the floating as far as laying out the fly too. You're casting the line, not the fly. If it's an older rod I'd go with 350 grain, newer tend to be faster and then I'd use a 380-400 grain. And don't worry about the sinking line pulling your topwaters down, it is a non issue. Floating line has a place (steelhead, browns) but isn't the best option for bass and esox, in my experience.

AD, my rod is up north, headed their tommorow and will check the brand St. Croix and get back with you on that. The line, since I am sort of a novice, was wt forward floating for, i believe 8-10 wt rods. Practicing my double haul in the back with my other rod, kind of tricky. mb

Which model Croix? And is the line floating or sinking? If you're using a floating then try a 10 wgt. line. Depending on the model you may need a higher grain to load it.

When using a heavy (8 wgt+) flyrod and large flys, you have to "double haul" when casting to get distance.

Dave, that's what I was thinking, easy to load a 5 but thinking a bit different with a 9, that's a good plan.

It sounds like you are not loading the rod. Take it to a fly shop and have someone there cast it and give you advise.