I had alot to say but it looks like it got covered. If you are going to be fishing open water and from a boat go with a 9ft, that extra 6in helps keep the line off of the water.5 or 6wt both will do the jub, a 5 will be more fun but a 6 will cast more line and bigger flies in the wind.

I say go with a kit, Cabelas has some that come will everything ya need, and I think even a vidio on casting and fishing. If ya have no one around to show ya I think a vidio will help alot.

Bigest thing is know that it is not that hard.

I guide now and then and these are just some things that I tell people that realy helps them out with casting.

1) Dont throw to much line, keep it short and sweet. People just starting out will try and cast all kinds of line and end up only getting as far out as they would with alot less line.

2) Dont false cast to much, by the time ya let the thing go all the power is gone and ya end up with an ugly cast about 3 ft out.

3) Let the rod do the work, it should be easy.