TFO Professional 8 Wt

I'm looking to expand my fishing horizons to include fishing for Stripers in the "Delta" in Northern Ca. I'm looking to buy an 8 wt rod to throw a shooting head(T-14 or so) to get the flies down into the deeper water.

Since I never have owned a TFO rod, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with them and what they thought of them ?

I'm also looking at going with the Scientific Anglers Wet Tip Express in order to throw one seamless line. I saw JC's review which indicated that they worked well.

Overall, not having thrown shooting heads/sinking lines, not having used fly rods bigger than a 6 wt, and not wanting to invest a huge amount in a rod at this time( just in case I can't cast the heavy lines well or don't get out in the Delta often enough), I would appreciate anyone's thoughts on the TFO and Wet Tip Express.

I never tried the 8wt but I got me a 5 wt tfo pro from www.flyshopcloseouts.com under there rod outfit section for a great deal with line backing and orvis reel and all! it casts great! I love it and it have a lifetime warranty! that place has free ship and fast shipping also. I believe they have a 8wt there with fighting butt now. comes with a orvis mid arbor reel I believe and the other comes with a redington reel. . that orvis mid arbor reel is great! the drag is so smooth! I love mine I have one for my custom 7wt.. on my tfo pro I got the orvis rocky mountain reel and that is great too!

Not sure on the TFO I have an echo 8wt that works well with the lead heads. But whatever you buy look into the t-11 you can throw 27-30' and that gets it at about 300gr (280-310 has worked best for me on all my 8wts)I found the longer length will help you turning loops over a bit smoother. just loop connect the ends and attach it to a running line. But the best way is to experiment. I just started experimenting with them, and there are some on here who have alot more experience than I do. Casting them takes a bit of an adjustment, feels more like a lob. Getting them out of the water to recast takes a bit of practice as well. But, if you want distance it's ridiculous. I have no practical use for them really here on the great lakes, unless I get out on a boat. Other than that I cast them and whisper "holy crap" as massive lengths of running line shoots through the guides..I have heard really great things about the tfo pro but have not cast one. I'm really happy with the echo.
Janus

Wow,,, the TFO rods are just fine and what I said about the wet-tip express remains true. BUT,,, is there any way possible for you to try ANY??? 8wt rod? And/or any frontloaded flyline? These things are 'different' and you will need a slight learning time. They are not hard,,, just different.

Good comments and advice. Thanks.

I will make an attempt to try a few different rods out prior to purchasing. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to cast some front loaded lines to get the hang of it.

Regards,

Bob

I can't help you with line info but I do own 2 TFO Pro rods. I have a 10' 7 Wt. and a 9' 9 Wt. They are well worth the money. I have not tried the 8 Wt. Based on the 2 that I own---- I like them.

Bob,

The TFO Pro 8wt is a great rod for the money and I know some anglers who prefer it to the faster action TFO models for casting shooting heads all day as in CA delta striper fishing. However, a great many anglers consider a head made from T14 to be a bit heavy for an 8wt and use 28-30 feet of T11 instead. Also, many striper anglers prefer the Streamer Express line with its intermediate running line to the Wet Tip Express with its floating running line. The Streamer Express with its intermediate running line will track deeper during the retreive. It will also sink slightly faster too.

I have a 9ft 8wt TFO pro rod. I love it. Great rod. I have not thrown sinking tips on it yet but the bass bug line on it works great.

-wayne

I had the pro 9'6" 8wt and it was, in my opinion, actually a 9wt. It worked fine on Norcal steelhead, even though it was in most cases way too much rod for them. Sold it to Danbob for pike fishing, finally.

All good information. Thanks much.

I was wondering what grain weight line might be appropriate for an 8 wt. I was thinking a T-14 might be too heavy so the feedback on that is great. I have read about the Sreamer Express, but wasn't quite sure that it would be an option.

I'm glad to hear the positive feedback on the TFO's. I was also considering using it for Steelhead fishing.

As was previously suggested I will need to get out and cast a few different rods in order to make a decision. Despite the fact that I could afford a premium rod if I really wanted to, I am compelled at this time to ease into this segment of fishing and the higher rod weights.

One of my objectives at this time is to conserve some cash in the near term(while entering the heavier wt rod market) so that I can spoil my grandaughter a bit and also treat my parents to a little extra when I visit them back in NJ in December.

I haven't tried the wet tip express line, but the 8 wt TFO Pro is a good rod. I like the Pro series rods and the TFO warranty is good too.

Rex

Bob,

I use a 300 grain streamer Streamer Express often on my 8wt rods, a Sage RPLX, Sage FLI, and Redington Saltwater model. Also a 30 foot T11 shooting head (330 grains), a 27 foot LC 13 shooting head (351 grains), and several fast sinking 10wt shooting heads (280 grains). When I started casting shooting heads and integrated head lines I found that I was most comfortable with 280 - 300 grain lines on my 8wts. With more experience I could handle heavier lines.

If you look at the manufacturers specifications for integrated head lines like the Wet Tip Express, Streamer Express, Rio Outbound, Teeny T or TS series, Orvis Depth Charge, Airflo Depthfinder, etc. you will find that they list recommended rod weights to match the line to. Typically you will see lines from 250 to 350 grains recommended to match an 8wt rod.

S.A. recommends that 300 gr Wet Tip Express or Streamer Express to match with an 8 or 9 wt rod or a 250 gr line to match with a 7 or 8 wt rod.

My experience and observation is that most anglers can handle 300 grain line on just about any 8wt rod if they have basic casting skills. At 350 grains, more developed casting skills are helpful. At 250 grains, the line will cast well, but may be a bit light to optimally deliver the large flies usually used for Striper fishing.

I know about a half dozen anglers that have the TFO Pro 8wt. All but one uses a 300 grain line. The other one uses a 350 grain line.

Not to get off subject of the TFO's but, I recently bought an orvis silver label intermediate shooting head. The head is rated for an 8wt but it is 38' so actually the first 30' of it is a standard weight of a typical 8wt head like you would find on a WF floating line. The extra 8' make it weigh as much as a 10wt WF head would be. It makes sense on paper and will load an 8wt well, but it is hard for me to carry that much line in the air. I can do it but it is more false casting than I care to do and some serious hauling. I can handle about 35' comfortably it's interesting how a couple of feet make such a difference. If I cut it to 35' it would be around a 9wt afraid to take out the scissors but I might just have to go for it. I actuall fish it like a normal line and make 20' cast with the end of the head partially still on the reel and it works that way as well. The heads are all over ebay for about $18..not to confuse but if you bought a 12wt head and cut off 8ft you would have a 30' 10wt head that would work really well on an 8wt. I have an LC-13 head and ended up cutting it back to about 24' (312gr) until if felt comfortable on my 8wt but it's short and the casts run out of gas, the head unrolls to quick and drops to the ground quicker than it should. Still works though and is very useable. The T-11 would get me at that weight but would be 28' so I might have to pick one up. These lead head sink like stones so just be ready to start stripping . 300gr would be perfect..
Janus

Quote:

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Originally Posted by California Bob

I'm looking to expand my fishing horizons to include fishing for Stripers in the "Delta" in Northern Ca. I'm looking to buy an 8 wt rod to throw a shooting head(T-14 or so) to get the flies down into the deeper water.

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I have the Pro in 7wt and 9wt -- nice rods. Dan Blanton prefers the 8wt TicrX for what you plan on doing, though. He raves about that rod.

Suggest you find a shop that sells them and cast them all. Don't forget the new Axiom as well.

Great thread with some good info. I'm seriously looking at 8 wgts as well, the application being the mid stretch of the Delaware river. Big water & winds, and it will have to be able to handle clouser minnows. The opportunities are incredible with the kayak, and TFOs are on my short list for sure.

I have the 9' 8wt. TFO Pro and the 10' 8 wt. TFO Pro.
I also have the Sage Z-Axis 9' 8 wt.

I use the 10' rod for high stick nymphing egg patterns and beads for steelhead and big rainbows.

I use the 9' rods for swinging big articulated weighted streamers for big rainbows.
I use the 9' 8 wt. TFO Pro with a 10' Type III sink tip for swinging streamers.
I use the 9' 8 wt. Z-Axis with a 15' Type VI sink tip for deeper swinging.

I like the TFO Pro's a lot but I would not be able to cast some of the heavier lines discussed with my 8 wt. I would stay under 300 grains with a bit shorter tip with the TFO Pro. If you need a heavier line, I recommend a stiffer rod than the Pro. Remember, you've got to lift the line out of the water to cast it. A long tip makes it difficult with a more flexible rod. You may need to roll cast the line to the surface and then make your pickup. I hope you can cast some of these combos on the water to decide.

Bigfin56:

Outside of price, what differences do you see between your TFO Pro 8 wt and your Sage Z-Axis 8 wt?

Is one a stiffer rod than the other ?

The Z-Axis is stiffer in the middle third of the rod, has a faster tip and is faster overall. It's also a lot lighter in the hand. I like it quite a bit for my heavier sink tips.

I am not a fast rod guy at all. In the lighter line weights (3-5 or even 6) and with floating lines, I prefer medium action rods. But for swinging big flies with a sink tip I like a faster rod. I'll keep all three strung up if i'm in a boat. When I beach the boat, I'll grab the one that fits the water best.