The eight is the go-to rod for many anglers searching for hard-fighting gamefish abroad and locally. Its versatility is unrivaled, and many see it as the perfect choice between too light and too heavy. But you don’t have to be a redfish or bonefish angler to reap the benefits. Whether you toss poppers to largemouth bass, Clousers to nasty pike, or indicator nymph for steelhead in Pulaski, you can count on the 8wt. Sold on the eight but unsure which rod is right for you? Read on because you will not want to miss this review!
With the R8 Core, Sage seems to be back on track by making rods with a smooth, progressive taper that gives the caster exceptional feel and feedback but still delivers plenty of power. When Sage announced the new Salt R8 would replace the Salt HD, we were excited about the rod's prospects but a little apprehensive over a new salt-specific Sage Rod. Has Sage finally delivered? You will not want to miss this review!
Thomas & Thomas has long been known for building some of the finest saltwater fly rods in the world, and the Sextant series continues this tradition. Typical of T&T, the Sextant features high-end components and a build quality that few other production rods can match. While we appreciate the sharp looks, these are high-performance tools for the discerning destination flats angler, providing a nice balance between feel and power.
Scott is no stranger to making great mid-price rods like the salt-friendly Tidal and the fresh-oriented Flex, which were nearly impossible to find during the pandemic. With Scott officially throwing both into the discontinued graveyard, it seemed like they planned to focus on their flagship models until they released the brand new Wave seemingly out of nowhere. At $675.00, it is cheaper than the fantastic Sector but also pushes the boundaries of what constitutes ‘mid-priced.’ Will the Wave crash the mid-price market or make little more than a ripple? Read on to find out.
When Temple Fork Outfitters announced the Mangrove Coast, it grabbed our attention immediately. The Mangrove Coast is legendary saltwater fly angler Flip Pallot's new signature model and the Walker's Cay Chronicles star designed the Mangrove Coast with the intermediate angler in mind. At $289.95, the rod certainly is affordable compared to high-end options out there, but how does it perform? With Flip's name behind the Mangrove Coast, we were curious to see if the rod had anything to offer the advanced saltwater fly angler. If you are interested in learning the results, you are going to want to 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.
The holy grail of saltwater fishing, the Permit, drives anglers crazy. Seriously people go insane for this fish. Permit are temperamentally snooty and senselessly selective. There are other species that are similarly difficult to catch but none as frustratingly conceited as the Permit. People spend thousands of dollars and go on more than a few trips to catch one Permit on the fly. Choosing the right fly rod helps. Read on to see which rod is best.
Redfish are thrilling to catch on a fly and often tail their way into shallow water to be sight fished by patient anglers. They’re fish that feed with the tide, so care and attention should be paid to tidal patterns and fish behavior during the range of tidal oscillation. Effort should also be expressed in choosing a fly rod for these heavy-shouldered predators. Most Redfish enthusiasts will hand you an 8wt and send you on your way. There are times, however, when a 7wt or a 9wt is a better tool for the job. How do you choose? Read on to find out.
Needless to say, a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach doesn’t work when choosing a fly rod for Stripers. Trust me, you don’t want to fight a 1lb fish and a 30lb fish on the same fly rod. That being said, fish size isn’t the only consideration when choosing a fly rod for Stripers. We’re here to offer some advice and to highlight useful recommendations.
