The 8 weight fly rod is an essential tool for nearly every fly angler. Whether targeting Bonefish, Steelhead, Bass, or Pike, its versatility is unrivaled. Fortunately, there are many excellent 8 weight rods available today, with features that suit any angling pursuit. Today, we’ll take a look at several of the very best 8 weights of 2024, to help you pick the right tool for your fishing.
Hardy is no stranger to making excellent saltwater fly rods, but their last flagship saltwater series, the Zane Pro, didn’t galvanize the fly fishing community quite like their past rods. The Zane Pro wasn’t a bad rod, but perhaps a little dare-we-say ordinary. We’re here to tell you the all-new Marksman Z is anything but typical and one of the most exciting saltwater fly rods we’ve cast in a long time. If you are looking for a new high-performance eight-weight for your next salt destination trip, you will not want to miss this review.
Over the past few years, the top rod manufacturers in fly fishing have released new high-end rods, but Orvis has stayed surprisingly quiet. They are opting to ride out the H3 series, which has proven to be critically and commercially successful. Orvis has added three models to the Helios 3 lineup, giving them a “Blackout” makeover and redesigned for purpose-driven applications using existing Helios technology. Considering we are well underway with striper season here in Maine, we thought it would be appropriate to review the 8ft 5in 8wt model, which seems tailor-made for our fishery. However, it faces stiff competition, so If you want to see how the new Blackout H3D 8wt stacks up against the G. Loomis NRX+ Swim Fly 8wt and 8’4” 8wt Scott Sector, read on.
The fly fishing industry has seen several high-profile, saltwater-specific rod releases these past few years. There is a hint of irony here, considering destination travel has been severely limited due to Covid-19. Nevertheless, Thomas & Thomas is the latest major rod manufacturer to get in on the action with their latest saltwater rod, the Sextant. T&T has a penchant for designing excellent saltwater rods, and the Sextant is generating a ton of buzz. If you are interested in seeing how the Sextant stacks up against the cream-of-the-crop, you will not want to miss this review.
Hardy is no stranger to producing great saltwater fly rods. The Zane Pro’s predecessor, the Zephrus Salt, was especially well-received by the anglers who had the opportunity to fish them. Read on to see if the Zane Pro stands out in a crowded market filled with exceptional 8wts geared for the flats fanatics.
I was just entering the industry when the Helios 2 was launched. I don’t remember it. But I can say that there’s been a significant amount of marketing behind the Helios 3. I doubt there’s any avid fly fisherman who hasn’t read/heard/seen it yet. Needless to say, there are a lot of questions out there about how it performs. I’m here to put those questions to bed.
Today I cast the all-new Helios 3F and 3D alongside its cousin the Helios 2 in the 9’ 8-weight configuration. No question about it, I’m a fan. Read on to see why.
Sage changed things up a bit this year when they released the SaltHD to replace the 3-year-old Salt, disrupting their traditional 4-year replacement schedule. In traditional Sage fashion, the SaltHD has won every award it’s been up for including the prestigious IFTD “Best in show” award. While it’s clear that there’s nothing stopping the Sage marketing juggernaut, read up to see how this rod really preforms.
