Bass Rod?

I'm thinking of getting a new bass rod. I currently fish with an original Orvis Clearwater 9ft 6wt with a Rio Coldwater Clouser line. I love the rod and love the action for smaller bass flies, but the larger flies are wearing me out. I was thinking of a faster action 7wt - I'll interject here that I've had an 8wt before and it was just pure overkill...I really wore myself out fishing with it.

So, what fast action 7wts are out there that you would recommend...say under $400 bucks? I can't swing the cost of a SAGE One rod or something like that.

Thanks.

I cast the TFO Hawgleg rod at the Cincinnati Fly Fishing Show a couple of weeks ago. I am not a fan of fast rods, but I was impressed. I am thinking about getting one for my self. They hve 2 models, a7/8 wt and a 9/10 wt. I cast the 7/8 wt. The only thing that I did not like was the HUGE stripper guides. I think the first one was a
about a size 20 and the next one was about a 16. It cast like a rocket(at least for me), and I think it will be perfect for largemouth fishing on some of the lakes I go to. Should also work well for chasing carp in the local rivers.

By the way, they are only availabe at Bass Pro. At $149.00, I believe it will be a good buy.

http://www.basspro.com/Temple-Fork-O...1201040501122/

Brad

I love my Sage 790 RPL and wouldn't swap it for a brand new Sage rod. That being said, there are a number of used Sage 7wt rods on ebay that you might want to take a look at. One in particular is this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sage-Smallmo...item43b8b0f220 which should do a great job at what you're looking for. Just a thought...

Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by AGrant

So, what fast action 7wts are out there that you would recommend...say under $400 bucks?

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In that price range, there are plenty. I'd probably start with a TFO -- maybe a BVK or a TiCr X.

I can recommend the TFO BVK. The 5wt casts some of the bigger bass bugs I use pretty well, and catches 27" carp just fine also. I got a 6wt for Christmas that will improve on that. I can only imagine the 7wt might be exactly what you're looking for. $250 just about everywhere.

TFO Mini Mag 6-8 lined with a WF 8 or WF 9 line. Pleasant to use all day. Great rod for $200 with lots of muscle in the utt section. It is heavy on the scale but the 8' length results in a lighter swing weight compared to longer rods. I prefer my Sage BASS rods but they cost much more. If I didn't have the Sage rods I would have the Mini Mags.

Also look at the Redington Predator, Ross Flystik.

I have used several 7wts and have always uplined to a 9wt line for bass bug fishing at distances of less than 50ft. The heavier line helps carry bulky flies without as much effort by the angler. The secret to the Sage bass rods effectiveness is really the heavy line included with the rod.

I have 2 Redington Predators,a 6wt & an 8wt.The 6 gets fished a lot and its really a 7wt rod,just doesnt load with a 6 line.I throw poppers up to about a 1/0 with no problems.It is light,fast and has plenty of power in the butt to pull fish out of the pads.Definately worth taking a look at.

The BPS in Atlanta has a President Day sale starting 2/22 with a TFO Signature in 5-6- 8 wts. reduced from $149 to $79. It's probably the best deal on a TFO I have seen in a couple of years. I would expect the store in Flowood to have the same deal.

I have an 8ft Scott A3, 8wt, which I use an AirFlo Bass and Muskie line on, casts the big stuff really well and can throw the whole line with smaller hair bugs ( #4 bugs). I have been very happy with this set up for bass fishing down here. And it also works well in the mangroves for shorter casts.
As far as the Mini Mags go, I almost bought one instead of the Scott, it casted great, but I could cast the Scott better.

I use the TFO Ticr x rods. Good price, nice action (for me). Warranty and service are excellent. Had a guide come loose on one. Had it back in 3 days. Never a problem since. I have them in 7,8, and 9. A pro series in 6. They work very well one line size over the list, but maybe that's just me. My 8 is my favorite, bass to bones, this thing is a cannon and has the backbone needed to horse them when necessary. All are heavier than the same class BVK's, but I'm confident that when I need to jerk something out of the sticks, it won't break. The 7 works just as well with bass flies and is a great stick, I just prefer the 8. I had the opportunity to lawn cast at the shop against some of the other brands, and this just worked better for me.

Buying a new rod is a heck of a lot of fun. Hopefully you will be posting photos of your catch with your new rod. Good fishing to you. :) I have a couple 8 wt. rods, a FLyLogic and a J.P. Ross, both of which are excellent rods.

Thanks for the advise and direction. I've been looking at the BVKs...look like nice rods and really affordable for what you get.

AGrant,

my opinion, take it for what it's worth since its an opinion and everybody had one, is that the echo3s are one of the best, if not the best, 7 -10 wts under $400 on the market. I like the way the TFO bvk cast, but i had breakage issues with them (not trying to turn this into an argument, just my experience adn most people that I know have said the same). As for the clouser rods, I LOVE those as well. So I would really push to try either the echo3s or the clouser. I own 7's of each adn love them both - like the echo for floating lines and clouser for sinking line or floating line. Echo is 9' and the clouser is 8'9" so depending on what casting stroke you have/want, one may suit you better than the other.

hope this helps some

Although somebody menitoned and 8' A3, sounds interesting....

Yes the Echo3 is very good as is the Sage Response.

I am looking to get my hands on one of the new TFO Mangrove series fly rods, which sound like they might make good bass bugging rods.

If I were going to spend that much on a rod I would get Keven Proctor (Colorado Custom Fly Rods) or Steve (Midwest Custom Fly Rods) to build me something. Kevin's website is http://coloradocustomflyrods.com/ ; Steve's http://www.midwestcustomflyrods.com/

I know there is a fascination with faster rods today but I'm old and old fashioned. My favorite rod years ago was a Shakespeare Wonderod with an 8wt. Now I'm using a bamboo rod called the Para 17. This is a true parabolic action taper that handles lighter bugs/streamers or shorter distances in upper 1/3 of rod easily. When you begin to push the rod with longer reach or bigger bugs the action works right thru the midsection which has little taper down into the lower 1/3 of the rod. Maybe it's the years but I find this so much more relaxing to fish than my Scierra 9' 8wt or my 9' 6wt. 'Course being into almost all bamboo these days means the glass and graph is saved for situations where speed in recovery and placement is critical, like a drift boat in fast water.

Nick

so did you end up getting anything? if so what?

no real reason, just curious

AGrant, I don't know if you've made a purchase yet or not. My son in Texas does some bass fishing and wanted to try his hand at fly fishing for them. I got him a St. Croix 6'6 7wt 2 piece. Now it's been a few years and I'd have to ask him if it's the truth but I believe it was a glass rod. I picked it up on ebay with an older Cortland reel for about $40. He has used it and liked it. That's been a few years too. Last time he told me he used it was down around Galviston for red snappers. Jim

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Originally Posted by AGrant

I'm thinking of getting a new bass rod. I currently fish with an original Orvis Clearwater 9ft 6wt with a Rio Coldwater Clouser line. I love the rod and love the action for smaller bass flies, but the larger flies are wearing me out. I was thinking of a faster action 7wt - I'll interject here that I've had an 8wt before and it was just pure overkill...I really wore myself out fishing with it.

So, what fast action 7wts are out there that you would recommend...say under $400 bucks? I can't swing the cost of a SAGE One rod or something like that.

Thanks.

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Here in Oklahoma with all the wind, I still prefer throwing a quality 8 wt. I stand a better chance of punching those large wind sensititive bass patterns into a strong south wind with a heavier rod and line. It's not a matter of overkill as much as it is the right tool to get the big patterns to where you want them in the water.

Thanks to all. I've not bought one yet. Not in a big hurry. Still kinda looking around for that good deal to come along.

Thanks
Alan

check out the Albright site. Always good rods on sale.

Hi Guys. I fish bass alot, mostly from shore. typically I catch almost all my fish either within the first 2-3 strips of line or right when the fly is at shore- just as I am getting to recast. I also fish big flies. most of my flies for bass are 3-5" long. My advise - over line your 6wt with a 7wt bass taper. The Bass tapers on the market today all come in at close to 190+ grains....heavy front loaded lines that toss bass flies with ease. I would not spend the extra $$ on any rod, till you try this 1st. If you don't like it....you can always go and spend the extra $$ on a 7wt rod....your already looking in that direction..so buy the line 1st and give it a shot.

~WES

If you want to have alot of fun, but not worried about winning any distance tournaments, find your self an old Fenwick FF85 or FF858 (8 1/2' 8wts). The rod will easily throw an 8wt line for easy turnover of the big nasty bugs, yet will flex deeply with even a 10" bass on the line! You should be able to find a good Fenwick glass rod in excellent to mint condition for under $150. Glass puts the fun back in bass fishing, and it you let the rod load, it will be alot easier on your arm and shoulder at the end of the day compared to a similar graphite rod.

aa

This may have been stated but get out to the shops, clubs, a friends house whatever and cast as many different brands as possible and see what you like not what we like. We all have our own casting style and some rods are better suited to it. We all could go on and on about what brands and models we like but we are not you. Most of the rod manufactures are putting out some great rods for well under 400 bucks. Look the companies warranty over pretty good some like St. Croix have been going down hill for a time and I would never recommend them but again that is just my 2cents worth..

I just picked up a "new" 9' Winston BiiX 7wt on the bay for under $350; it's a demo model, cast some but never been fished. I already have this rod in 6wt and really like it, so I'd been looking for a 7. I think Winston terms these rods fast action, but I'm not a fan of fast rods and would term this maybe more medium fast. I guess my point is there are some decent buys out there on new or nearly new rods.

I agree with with fifasoccer if you have not tried a bass taper line you might want to try one first. Don't know about over lining it though.

Knucks

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Originally Posted by Carp

This may have been stated but get out to the shops, clubs, a friends house whatever and cast as many different brands as possible and see what you like not what we like. We all have our own casting style and some rods are better suited to it. We all could go on and on about what brands and models we like but we are not you. Most of the rod manufactures are putting out some great rods for well under 400 bucks. Look the companies warranty over pretty good some like St. Croix have been going down hill for a time and I would never recommend them but again that is just my 2cents worth..

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So, you're going to bash St. Croix on every thread now? Give it a rest.