Hello, I’m down to these finalists for steelhead, 9’ 8wt rod. I fish the tribs of Lake Erie, may take it to Cancun this year to surf fish. they are about equally priced and warrantied. I have been fly fishing 3 years and have limited experience. I am asking for your opinion on each rod.
I am especially interested if you own one of these.
also how much rod difference is there going to be between a medium action rod and fast action rod??
Buzz, the Scott says medium-fast. I don’t have the benefit of a fly shop that carries both in my area. Or a fly shop that I would buy from.
The Powell is available from the company website at a fair price $279 and the Scott from $295
I’ve casted 4 fly rods in my fly fishing career, I own 3 of them. I broke my White River on a steelie this spring and had it repaired. It’s just not the same though and I decided that I would go out and buy a new one.
It’ll mainly be a steelhead rod but I will fish bass, pike, muskie with it too. I intend to try muskie in the float tube this summer. It should make things interesting
Chris, i’m a lake Erie Steelheader as well. I generally use a 10’ rod for most of my steelhead fishing (except for bigger water, then I use my spey). A 9’ foot rod will work fine, but the 10 footers seem to work better. The most common line weight would be a 7, but an 8 works well too. The 8 may give you more versatility for the other species you mentioned.
That said, I would probably go with the A2. I have a 6 wt. SAS, it’s previous incarnation, and its a light, smooth rod, with a medium fast action. I can’t comment on the TiMax, as I haven’t heard anything about them.
BUZZ, he was asking about the A2, not the G2. The G2’s a sweet, little trout rod.
I was really hoping to get some feedback on the Powell, I hear that the Scott is sweet. The Powell has peaked my curiosity though.
I was thinking about the 9’6" Scott A2, or even a sage VT@ 8’6" 8wt
Chris…I deleted my posts cuz I mis read yours. sorry
Chris, I just bought one of the new VT2’s and it’s an awesome rod. I got the 9’ 4wt and really like it. Very similar to the old RPL (which is one of my favorite rods). Of the three, I would go with that.
Chris
I fish the Salmon River in NY and bought a 10 ft TFO 4 piece rod last year. It works great and the extra ft. makes a big difference mending the line. I also have a 9ft St Croix Legend Elite that I barley use anymore. TFO is a great rod for the money. I would definitely go with the 10 ft.
Good Luck
Steve
I have a 5wt TFO that I love. I decided that i would keep an American working instead of sending more money to China.
I may be trading one of my downrigger rods tomorrow for a G Loomis (the guy has no idea but needs a downrigger rod) so keep your fingers crossed. I’d probably go 2 downrigger rods for this but he doesn’t need to know this. I should be able to make a sweet deal! I’ll keep you informed!
pspaint, I fish the tribs west of Buffalo. I’m lucky to have great fishing in my backyard.
smg, I have fished the Salmon River in October…yet to figure out that whole lifting thing…especially with a fly rod. I have also fished the Ausable and hit it at the right times and knocked their fins off! One of my favorite places to fish is Lake Champlain, in a kayak with the fly rod.
Chris, I fish those same streams. I live just outside of Buffalo. What type Loomis are you trading for? They make some awesome rods.
I love the AuSable. You wont find a prettier area and river. It hasn’t fished as good as at use to, but still worth the trip. The Salmon’s cool too. I had a couple arm breaking days up there last fall chasing the kings around.
pspaint, I live in Hamburg, less than 1.5 miles from 18 Mile Creek. I fish Catt, Chautauqua Lake, Erie of course and the ponds behind the Lakeview Post Office (with my float tube).
Wow man, I live in Lancaster. I fish 18 alot as well as the Catt and numerous other steelie streams. Right now, i’ve been hitting the Genny mostly. That’s my favorite trout stream. I didn’t know there where ponds behind the Lakeview Post Office. Are they public or private? I was born in Lakeview and lived there til I was about 4 or 5.
Yes, 2 in Pine Lakes, accessable from the post office off route 20, 1 behind the softball fields at the Nike base and 1 behind the model airplane airfield on Lakeview road. The one behind the airfield is supposed to have northern pike in it.
I’m fishing the ponds behind the post office tomorrow with my float tube and 8 wt. The largemouths love that big old mouose pattern, they jump right out of the water. 18 mile is pretty fished oout and low now, as you may expect.
Hi Chris - Since no one has given you any feedback on the Powell TiMax, I thought I’d chime in. Bought my TiMax a couple of years ago at the Somerset NJ show. It is an 8wt 3 piece 9 footer. The new TiMax is a 4 piece rod now. My TiMax is a fast action rod and makes it easy to throw a lot of line. I haven’t used it for steelies yet, but caught a bunch of bass with it. Every person I’ve allowed to cast it loves the way it casts. That said, I’ve never cast a Scott rod I didn’t like. One thing in the Powell’s favor - it is very nicely finished and is a much nicer looking rod than the A2. YMMV…Ed
I would look at the history of both companies.
Scott is a rock while Powell is three companies removed from the name on the rod!
What good is a warranty if the company closes or switches hands?
Thanks, I actually think I am going with the Sage VT2 9’6". Going to bid on EBAY for it.
Any thoughts on EBAY and fly rod purchase???