New 6 wt recommendation ?

[waynep]

I am looking for some ideas here on some rods to look at. I figure you all can suggest something I may e overlooking. My main smallmouth rod is an Orvis 9ft 6 wt, Mid flex. It has the saltwater reel seat. I want a faster rod. I made the mistake of casting a Sage Z-Axis 6 wt and I really really like it. The problem is the price. My most expensive rod to date is under $350. I just am having a hard time spending almost $700 on a rod. I would like someting that casts similar to the Z-Axis but at a lower price.

Right now I am considering a Orvis T3 Saltwater 6wt in a Tip Flex. I like Orivs rods but also own St Croix, Sage, Scott and TFO rods. So I am not into a single brand.

Building, I have thought about it, and have built one before, but am not sure I want to do that, but may consider it.

I would like to keep it under $400. I know the T3 is more than that but I am the T3 as top dollar and no more.

I use a Clouser Line as well as a SA Quad Tip line. I mostly wade fish and use a lot of weighted flies in sie 4-6. Medium lead eyes, some small lead eyes. I also throw deer hair bugs and other poppers, but understand that a 6 wt is not a big deer hair launcher. I have 7-9 weights also for that.

What else should I look at in a 4 piece rod??

One rod I am curious about is the TFO Axiom. . . .

-wayne

[RS1]

Maybe this might interest you. It also comes with it's own line.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...:referralID=NA

[DarrinG]

I must say that I've owned several 6wt's and the only one I've owned that will always have a home here is the St Croix Legend Ultra 906-4.
That is one schweeeet stick. And moderately priced around 300 bucks. USA made.
The 906-4 is the cream of da crop in the LU lineup too.
I've tried several lines on it and the SA GPX WF6F is a perfect marriage to the rod too.

Good luck!

[shorthaul]

I have a 6 wt Echo II---it does a respectable job but its not a Z-axis---under 300 with 2 tips.

[Lucky489]

Echo II is my 6# sweet stick and 2 tips.

Also try here http://www.midwestcustomflyrods.com/ he builds sweet rods. Tell what you want the rod for and he will hook you up.

[Hooligan]

Ditto on Midwest. Steve is an outstanding guy and does great work. You can view some of his work on his site (posted above) or on rodbuildingforum.com (site name- steeldrifter).

Don't shy from making your own. I just finished a 6 wt. Dan Craft that's a beauty, and I'm no artist!

John

[Chris Dore 1]

Have you considered the XLS from Composite Developments here in NZ?
I use them as my guiding rods and my american clients are always surprised by them. Many have purchased these rods before leaving NZ.

Killwell's Innovation is another NZ rod with a great 6wt action, and CTS make top quality fly rod blanks also here in NZ.

All retail around $499 - $700 nzd.

I feel the XLS is very comparable to the Z Axis, and many other rods of the top dollar group.

[Micropteris]

This rod is a little different than what you are looking for but in number 3 makes a whicked all around flyrod that can pop a deerhair bug out there like nothing I have ever tried but can also throw a very fine light line with dry's as well.

http://stripermoon.myshopify.com/pro...lmo-saxtilis-1

I took the number 3 out river fishing for smallmouth a couple weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised. I used 5 wt through 11 wt lines on it for deerhair bugs, nymphs, dry's as well as streamers.

They are great line control rods.

350 bucks

[Hoochman]

Get a Scott A2; under $300 and it is an amazing stick. I love the company and have always had great luck with their rods.

[MrFishingToughGuy]

Hey Chris (Dore),

Good to see ya here mate. How are you boys doing down on the SI these days? All the best...

Marty