Scott Wave Fly Rod Review

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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.

Outfit

Scott Wave 9' 8wt Fly Rod

Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bonefish Fly Line

Fit & Finish

Scott built the Wave to handle all the punishment that salt can dish out while keeping the price down. The first thing that immediately stood out was the reel seat which features a blue checkerboard-like design unlike anything else we’ve seen. The rings on the seat do feel a little on the small side, and we would prefer burlier ones on a salt-oriented rod. Scott uses top-shelf cork on the full-wells grip with a standard fighting butt. The grip’s top section tapers out and is noticeably slimmer than the bottom portion, which we found comfortable. While we prefer Recoil guides, the Wave’s hard chrome stripping, and snake guides suffice. Overall, the Wave is one handsome rod with its unsanded blank and light blue wraps!

Distance

The Wave is a fast, power-hungry machine designed to push the limits. While casting far distances isn’t always required in many saltwater fly fishing situations, rest assured this rod has you covered.

Accuracy

• 40 feet - The Wave is surprisingly accurate for a faster-action rod at shorter distances. It is a great rod to pick up and make accurate shots at fast-moving targets close to the boat.
• 60 feet - The Wave surprisingly lost a little accuracy as we stepped back to middle distances. Despite not being able to drop a fly in a teacup, it still felt good in hand, thanks to its lively taper.
• 80 feet - At longer range, the Wave held up remarkably well, and it actually delivered flies to the intended target with a little more consistency than at 60 feet.

Flex & Feel

The Wave lands firmly in the fast-action category, which might shock some anglers looking for the Tidal 2.0, which was a much softer rod. Despite its relative stiffness, we were impressed with the feedback in close. Its quick recovery speed is impressive and helps tackle the conditions commonly encountered in the salt. The Wave also feels pretty light in hand, which makes for an overall pleasant casting rod.

The Wave shares the DNA of a long-distance sniper rifle, and a longer-bellied line such as Scientific Angler’s Amplitude Bonefish is a perfect pairing for delivering Crazy Charlies’ to spooky fish on the flats. If your fishing leans more toward the mangroves, marshes, and brackish estuaries, a heavier, more compact line such as the RIO Bonefish Quickshooter, SA’s Amplitude Grand Slam, or even your favorite redfish line should work.

Warranty

Lifetime

Conclusion

While not entirely perfect at one thing, the Wave does everything well enough. Don’t expect the feel, responsiveness, mid-range game, or accuracy of the Sector, but its ability to generate high line speed and push flies through the wind to distant targets makes the Wave an excellent choice for the everyday saltwater angler.

Pros

• Attractive Price
• Built-in the USA
• Solid across-the-board performance

Cons

• Pushes the boundaries of what is considered ‘mid-price.’
• Not as accurate at middle-distance