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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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
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.
I have a couple 8 wt. rods, a FLyLogic and a J.P. Ross, both of which are excellent rods.