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 2025, to help you pick the right tool for your fishing.
G. Loomis holds an esteemed reputation amongst saltwater fly anglers thanks to big names like Gary Loomis and Steve Rajeff pushing boundaries with innovative rod designs. Saying the sport wouldn’t be where it is today without G. Loomis isn’t hyperbole. Unfortunately, for budget-conscious anglers, high-performance G. Loomis fly rods have always come at the expense of the angler’s wallet. After we got our hands on the new mid-priced IMX-Pro V2 8wt, we were excited to give it a spin. After all, it has the Loomis name behind it, and at $595, the price tag is pretty reasonable in today’s hyper-inflated market. If you have ever drooled over the Loomis section at the fly shop but walked away in tears after glancing at price tags, read on to see if the IMX-Pro V2 8wt is the mid-priced saltwater Loomis you’ve been waiting for!
Sage is a brand with a long history of building legendary saltwater fly rods. However, their past few flagship salt series have largely disappointed. Sure, there were a few solid models, but most were too stiff, fast, and clunky for the average angler. When we had the opportunity to cast each rod in the new R8 Salt series, we were immediately impressed by Sage’s commitment to developing a salt-specific series that is enjoyable to cast for the average angler.
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.
