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9wt fly rods offer anglers enough power to throw larger or heavier flies and more aggressive lines, but still maintain enough finesse to make delicate presentations as needed. For species like Permit and Striped Bass, the 9wt has become the go-to option for many, and its usefulness extends to many other species in both freshwater and saltwater environments. With a plethora of quality 9wts available today, it can be hard to decide which rod is right for your fishing, with every manufacturer claiming that theirs is the best 9wt rod out there. Today, we’ll share our favorite 9wt fly rods of 2024, helping you make an informed decision about which 9wt fits your needs, style, and budget. Keep reading to learn which 9wt rods we love in 2024, and why.

TFO Blitz

We were big fans of the Axiom series rods from TFO, but the new Blitz is even better. The TFO Blitz is a mid-priced saltwater fly rod that features a low swing weight and premium components. Unlike many modern saltwater rods, the Blitz isn’t all about power and fast action. It features a medium-fast action blank, which is much more enjoyable and forgiving to cast than many premium rods on the market. Although it isn’t the most accurate or powerful rod at longer distances, it performs extremely well at short to middle distances. Interestingly, it prefers less aggressive fly lines than its name might suggest. We expected the Blitz to prefer lines like the Rio Outbound Short or the SA Titan, but it feels overloaded with these aggressive tapers. Instead, we’d recommend the 9wt Rio Striper (for cold water temperatures) or the SA Bonefish (for tropical water temperatures), which both performed great. Overall, the TFO Blitz would make a fantastic rod for targeting Striped Bass or any species where pinpoint accuracy or long shots are not required. What’s more, it’s priced very reasonably for its performance.

Pros

• Great value
• Fun to cast!
• Top-notch componentry

Cons

• Line-sensitive
• Not super accurate beyond 60 feet

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $429.95

Scott Sector

Despite being landlocked in Colorado, Scott has a long history of designing groundbreaking saltwater rods. The Meridian 9wt was near perfect and remains one of the most legendary salt sticks ever built. When the Sector replaced Meridian a few years ago, we were skeptical Scott could strike fire again, but we were wrong!

The Sector has built a reputation of its own. Unlike its predecessor, the Sector isn’t a complete cannon, but we love the rod for its sweet touch, feel, and responsiveness that helps make accurate and delicate shots at Permit. Don’t let the buttery goodness fool you; the rod still has the backbone to cast heavy crab patterns, but maybe not with quite the authority as the Meridian at longer range. Overall, it’s one of our favorite Permit 9wts of all time, and one we never leave home without when we’re heading to tropical saltwater destinations.

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $1,045.00

Pros

• Accuracy and feel at short/middle distances
• Premium componentry and build quality

Cons

• Loses steam beyond 80 feet
• Expensive

G. Loomis NRX+ Saltwater

Although the NRX+ Saltwater is several years matured, it remains one of our favorite salty 9wt rods in 2024. This is a mellow, accurate tool built to generate plenty of line speed with minimal effort. For Permit, Snook, and even Striped Bass anglers, the NRX+ makes casting all day enjoyable, especially for those with a more relaxed casting stroke. The only time it falls apart is for long-range shots with too much casting power. For the best distance results, slow down your casting stroke and let the rod do the work. Aesthetically, the NRX+ features solid componentry like titanium SiC stripping guides, and a premium cork full-wells grip. While it won’t compete with the most handsome rods like Winson’s and T&T’s, it looks clean with its dark gray blank and blue accent wraps. For anglers who want a lightweight rod that makes accurate, effortless shots at close to middle distances, the NRX+ Saltwater Fly Rod is a top contender.

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $915.00

Pros

• Remarkably accurate
• Solid workmanship and components
• Lightweight and fun to cast!

Cons

• Not ideal for aggressive casting strokes
• High-priced

Thomas & Thomas Sextant

The Thomas & Thomas Sextant oozes class and sophistication. If you haven’t held one, you owe it to yourself to experience its immaculate USA-built quality firsthand. Fortunately, the Sextant validates its beauty with substance. These high-performance tools are built to handle anything the salt can deliver. The 9wt is powerful with quick recovery speed but refined enough for the flats, bonefish lines, and smaller flies if needed. If you want a well-crafted, do-it-all saltwater stick that can handle anything from Permit to Jacks to Bonefish, look no further than the T&T Sextant.

Pros

• Premium components and build quality
• Excellent short and mid-range performance

Cons

• Heavier than other high-end saltwater 9wts
• Pricey

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $995.00

Atlas Signature

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the sport, the Atlas Signature is a rod you can pick up and immediately feel comfortable casting. The rod features high-end componentry like Cerecoil stripping guides, premium cork, and a lightweight graphene blank, all for half the price of most premium rods on the market. The 9wt Signature is an incredible tool for Permit and Striped Bass fishing, casting an SA Grand Slam and an SA Titan incredibly well. What’s more, the Atlas can also throw a more delicate taper, like an SA Bonefish, with finesse. This is a jack-of-all-trades rod at a very reasonable price and should be considered for virtually anyone in the market for a versatile 9wt fly rod.

Pros

• Excellent value
• Extremely lightweight
• Great all-around performance

Cons

• Not as established as other rod manufacturers

Price: $499.99

Orvis Helios

Orvis has done it again with the all-new Helios, producing an incredibly lightweight rod with plenty of power and insane accuracy. Considering the success and popularity of the H3, you may be wondering what Orvis did to make the new Helios better. For starters, the new Helios is even lighter, sporting a noticeably lighter swing weight compared to the H3. Additionally, accuracy has improved thanks to its state-of-the-art construction and design. We won’t go into the specifics of how Orvis did this, but needless to say, it worked.

The 9wt H4D would make an excellent rod for sight fishing the flats when accuracy is imperative to your success. The rod loves moderately aggressive tapers like the SA Grand Slam and has no problem delivering a heavy raghead crab accurately at a distance, even with a stiff breeze. When power and accuracy are required, the Helios D 9wt is one of the finest options available in 2024.

Pros

• Very low swing weight
• Extremely accurate
• High-end componentry

Cons

• Expensive
• Still has the white label (some like it, some don’t!)

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $1,198.00

Hardy Marksman Z

The Hardy Marksman Z passes most checkmarks we look for in a 9wt saltwater rod. Light but powerful. Fast but versatile. The Marksman Z can do a little bit of everything beyond reasonably well. This lightweight cannon from Hardy features premium components such as Cerecoil guides, high-grade cork, and an asymmetrical reel seat. Fortunately, this pretty package also backs up its handsome looks with excellent performance, sporting precision accuracy with plenty of reserve power for long casts. Overall, the Hardy Marksman Z ranks high among the premium 9 weights and would be a great choice for anything from Permit in Mexico to the Stripers of New England.

Pros

• Light and powerful
• Top-Notch Componentry
• Accurate across the board

Cons

• On the pricier side for an overseas-built rod

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $995.00

Sage Salt R8

The Sage Salt R8 remains a solid choice for discerning 9-weight buyers who want a presentation rod with enough reserve power for the occasional longer shot. The Salt R8 delivers an impressive amount of features into this saltwater-specific premium rod. Whether you love or loathe Sage, there is no denying they’re a perennial thread mover in this industry, and they just seem to have the ‘it’ factor when it comes to pushing the envelope with new fly rod technology.

Thankfully, the Salt R8 9wt backs up the hype with performance. While we aren’t quite ready to anoint the rod a flats fishing game-changer, we can definitively say this is the best 9wt Sage has made in eons. This is lofty praise but completely warranted, thanks to the rod’s Maserati-like control and responsiveness while still having the pep to floor it when needed. You might lose steam at the furthest of flats fishing distances, but the Salt R8’s shining performance in most fishing situations makes it a strong option.

Pros

• Exceptional accuracy at close-to-mid range
• Geared toward the average angler
• Fun to cast!

Cons

• Long distance performance 
• Pricetag

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $1,100.00

FAQ

What species can be targeted with a 9wt?

9-weight rods are ideal for a variety of species such as Permit, Snook, Striped Bass, Peacock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and more.

Is a 9-weight rod difficult to cast?

Although heavier than a standard 5wt, the casting mechanics remain virtually the same with a 9wt. The best thing you can do before any big trip is to practice your casting. Even better, hire a professional casting instructor for a lesson to work out any kinks.

What fly line should I choose for my 9wt?

Choosing the right fly line depends on many factors such as target species, the size of fly you’ll be fishing, and the water temperature. For lots of specific information about picking the right fly line, check out our Blog.

How do I choose between a fast-action and medium-action 9wt rod?

Fast-action rods are generally stiffer rods that offer more power and line speed but at the expense of feel or “flex”. Typically, fast-action rods are best for windy conditions, casting bigger flies, and casting heavier fly lines. On the other hand, medium-action rods flex deeper into the rod blank, offering more “feel” and increased finesse, but at the expense of power. Most anglers who prefer medium-action rods appreciate their finesse and overall gentler presentation, especially for spooky fish. Generally, medium-action rods are more beginner-friendly to cast, whereas a fast-action rod might take more practice to get the timing just right.

What are the key differences between premium and budget-friendly 9wt fly rods?

We are fortunate to have many budget-friendly fly rods that still perform quite well. That being said, there are some distinct differences between premium rods and their economic counterparts. Primarily, the materials used in premium rods will be of higher quality than those found in budget rods. Some of these materials, like the graphite used in the blank, can greatly affect the rod's performance. Other materials, like the reel seat insert and the paint finish, are more cosmetic and subjective. Additionally, warranties may differ between premium and budget 9-weight fly rods. Premium rods tend to have a more substantial warranty, but you should check with the manufacturer for each specific model.