Saltwater Fly Rods Reviews for the Northeastern United States
Words + Photos By: Josh Thelin
If you keep up with our blog, you might have seen the article "8wt or 9wt For Striped Bass?" which covers why I believe the the 9wt wing rod is really the most commonsensical saltwater rod for "New England saltwater fly angling." In this article, however, we're going to test a number of 9wts to see which ones actually rise to the top.
First of all, what is "New England saltwater fly fishing?" At that place is quite a deviation between the type of fly fishing nosotros do up hither every bit opposed to the flats of the Commonwealth of the bahamas or Belize, or even in Louisiana or Florida. Here in New England, we target mainly striped bass, simulated albacore, and bluefish. The techniques and environment which nosotros fish in are drastically unlike than other places. It is mostly blind casting in the surf, heavy current tidal rivers, or off of ledges and rocks. This technique of blind casting larger/heavier flies on more often than not intermediate or sinking lines renders us to simply trying to encompass a lot of h2o efficiently with minimal imitation casting. Extreme accuracy and delicate presentation is not of high concern here. At that place is certainly situations and areas where yous can sight fish for striped bass, but the old technique is really the nearly mutual.
This ways that the gear which gives us the nearly efficient and benign experience is different than that of other types of saltwater wing fishing. Faster rods which can handle lifting heavier sinking lines, shooting on minimal false casts, and dealing with harsh weather is actually the criterion for a good New England saltwater rod. I have either owned or currently own rods which are incredible for sight fishing for bonefish, merely would not be my starting time choice when trekking out on the littoral rocks of Maine. So, I gathered a group of local anglers who are accomplished fishermen in their own right, are experienced saltwater anglers in Maine, and accept a broad range of experience in other fisheries as well to requite them a good point of reference.
The goal with this shootout was to asses some of the current 9wt rods bachelor here at All Points which take been either top sellers or of loftier interest by customers for striped bass. We wanted to come across which 1(s) would exist the all-time rod for New England saltwater fly fishing and why. Hither's how we ready information technology upward...
In like style to other fly rod shootout/reviews, we took to a local field and ready some targets at designated distances. But that'southward where the similarities to other rod reviews stopped. Instead of using one fly line, nosotros took various lines from tropical floating lines to heavy full sinking coldwater lines. The (cold) saltwater lines included in the test are the well-nigh popular and purchased fly lines here out of the store for striped bass. Here are the lines that were used:
Wing Lines
- Rio InTouch Striper 300gr & 350gr
- Scientific Anglers SONAR Total Intermediate WF9I
- Rio InTouch Striper WF9I
- Rio Coastal Quickshooter 8I XP (yes 8I, more on this later on...)
- Airflo Tropical Dial WF9F
- Scientific Anglers Sink 30 Cold 300gr
Each rod was rigged with every one of these lines and tested out. Although some of these lines are quite similar, they all however have their ain season and profile/taper. This gave united states of america the about diverse setups for seeing how each rod interacted with the given lines. The Airflo (Bruce Chard) Tropical Punch line was included as this is an aggressive tapered tropical floating line. It's a fiddling heavier/more than aggressive than a traditional "bonefish line" and I felt it was a good wing line to include in this test because information technology would be a proficient yardstick for seeing how well these rods would perform in other situations/environments besides. Plus information technology really broadened-out the diversity of lines each rod would cast. Tropical saltwater floating lines are typically lighter than cold saltwater lines so it wouldn't exist surprising if some rods would do actually well casting tropical lines and not then well casting heavier coldwater sinking lines, or vise-a-versa.
The Best Fly Line??
Although this was non intended to be a "Fly Line Shootout" likewise, what was interesting is that the Rio Littoral Quickshooter 8I XP was the near favored line beyond the board of fly rods and also with every participant. It provided the best shootability with minimal false casts on the broadest range of rods, did non tangle much compared to others, and simply was all-time catered to the fashion of fishing we do here in New England. The reason we used the 8I XP (the XP stands for extra powerful)c and non the 9I XP is that the 9wt version is simply too heavy. Fifty-fifty for some of the faster rods in the examination, the 8I XP matched up much better. At 330gr the 8I XP is the same weight as the SA SONAR Titan Full Intermediate WF9I and is much more inline with what a "9wt wing line should be" equally opposed to the 9I XP at 375gr. When yous are including doubling hauling into your cast, creating line speed which is necessary peculiarly when dealing with heavier flies and winds, the 375gr line on a 9wt is too much to deal with. If you were simply "flicking" it out there as a beginner or intermediate pulley, the 9I XP could work withal.
The Casters
Joe Webster
Instagram: @fsh_big_207
Joe, forth with his teammate, was this year's Maine Declension Striped Bass Tournament (shore) winner, has worked at a local tackle shop in years past, and spends an equal corporeality of time in freshwater every bit he does the salt. Joe wrote a great article for All Points: "Autumn/Winter Fly Fishing For Brown Trout & Steelhead In New York"
Jake Nichols
Instagram: @jakenichols28
Jake was last year'due south One thousand.C.S.B.T. (shore) winner, used to piece of work at Rise fly angling, ties a popular striped bass fly for the shop (YouTube video HERE), and is equally comfortable fishing for trout and salmon as he is for striped bass.
Leif Catania
Instagram: @leifalweapon
Leif is a recent employee of All Points. Earlier he came on lath here, he worked at Snake River Angler in Wyoming. Leif has spent time fishing the backcountry of Wyoming for native Cutthroat, on the flats of Belize, and on the rocky shores of Maine for striped bass.
Josh Thelin
Instagram: @allpointsfly
I am the owner of All Points Fly Shop + Outfitter. I am a registered Maine Guide and custom wing tyer. I not only have experience here in New England merely I am lucky enough to have fished internationally from tropical Caribbean flats, South America, to the wood of northern Canada. Although I am a participant in this shootout and you will meet my opinions written inside this article, I put more than weight on the reactions of the other three guys.
The Wing Rods
ane. Echo Boost Salt - $249 (Click HERE for more than product info)
From Echo: "Crisp, fast action. The Boost Salt is built for anglers with an ambitious casting stroke to achieve maximum line speed. The Heave'southward high modulus graphite construction and its fast, crisp activeness are the result of Tim's relentless tweaking."
ii. Thomas & Thomas Zone - $545 (Click HERE for more than product info)
From T&T: "The Zone series pushes the envelope in both functioning and cost, bringing the latest R&D from Thomas & Thomas to more wing anglers than always earlier. Sharing the advanced StratoTherm resin developed for the acclaimed Avantt and Exocett series, Zone rods are rolled and built by mitt alongside those flagship models right here in our Massachusetts, USA facility."
3. Redington Predator - $299.99 (Click HERE for more production info)
From Redington: "The Predator is the ultimate fly rod for large flies, heavy lines, and aggressive-fighting fish. Information technology features a powerful, intuitive fast action that commands enough power to combat big gamefish and pick upwardly and cast today's heavy lines and massive flies. Its action is designed to perform in both freshwater and saltwater scenarios, and all components are saltwater-ready."
iv. Sage Salt Hard disk drive - $950 (Click HERE for more product info)
From Sage: "The Table salt Hard disk lineup of rods are synthetic differently - each with purpose. The fast-moving inhabitants of the salt require anglers to make quick shots and even quicker second shots. With the introduction of KonneticHD Technology, the Salt HD puts situational tools in hand to increase your odds of success. Assuasive you to reach farther, quicker, more than delicately, and providing yous with the ability to brand your angling dreams, lasting memories."
v. Echo EPR - $469 (Click HERE for more product info)
From Echo: "A Rod for Large Flies, Big Fish, and Big Winds. Big game fisheries require a rod that tin handle the big stuff. Whether information technology's casting craven-sized muskie flies, fighting heavy winds, or dealing with the fury of a GT, the EPR has delivered."
six. Thomas & Thomas Exocett - $925 (Click HERE for more product info)
From T& T: " T&T'southward Exocett Serial of high-performance saltwater fly rods are infused with the infrequent strength and dampening characteristics of our proprietary StratoTherm Resin. These low-cal-weight rods are divers by a powerful, fast-dampening activeness that lifts line off the water with ease, and a thin-bore tiptop department that slices through the current of air for quick and accurate casts. Once hooked-up, Exocett rods support anglers with immense strength and reserve power to boxing and land the baddest fish on the planet, from giant trevally to tarpon."
vii. Temple Fork Outfitters Mangrove - $299.95 (Click HERE for more product info)
From TFO: "Congenital with the hardcore angler in mind, the Mangrove series fly rods utilize our proprietary TiCr blank coating, which helps protect the rod from the occasional standoff with a weighted fly, and our durable, proprietary Tactical Series™ guides, which are complect and saltwater safe."
The Shootout
Targets at 40, lx, and 80ft were setup for each caster. The participants were given a questionnaire for each rod. These sheets included reactions/comments for each altitude and fly line, general first impressions, comments on construction/aesthetics, and overall casting notes. Each rod went through the aforementioned casting process. Each line was rigged with a 9' 20lb leader and yellow yarn. This allowed only the weight of the line and the caster involved to be the variables. I thought about having some clousers and deceivers involved with the test, but a lot of people employ dissimilar (weighted) eyes and materials, so this would be difficult to make the review transparent and/or relatable.
Scoring System...
The scoring organisation for this wing rod review was not purely based on numerics. There were no 8/10 or 19.five/20 type results. Every bit it is indeed piece of cake to understand technically that a 8/ten is non equally good equally a ix/10, trying to logically decide how a rod is a 9.5 vs a 9 is tough. Farther, if i rod were to score overall equally a ix and another equally a ix.5, are you but going to think the 9.v is meliorate for you ? Is that .v point difference really calculable? And so, what the scoring sheets that we used asked for were reactions and assessments. The following results will be as detailed every bit possible and then that you tin make the call on your own...
The Results
The following results are a combination of anybody'southward opinions and notes. Subsequently I went through all the paperwork, in that location were three rods that stood far out from the pack. These rods were able to bandage the Airflo Tropical Punch to the heavy sinking lines with ease, hit longer distances without much endeavour, didn't suffer too much on accuracy with the heavy lines, could pick up and shoot line without (many) fake casts, and felt like they could be fished all day without much Advil needed in the evening.
THE Pinnacle 3
#1 (Winner) Thomas & Thomas Exocett
Information technology was pretty clear after everyone casted the rods, that the T&T Exocett was going to be at least in the top three. I have personally been angling this 9wt for the past couple of seasons for striped bass (and other species). When I start brought it out to target stripers, I had a hard time getting the fact that this rod is is as well an ideal flats rod out of my caput. I kept trying to handicap information technology thinking: "well, it's a fantastic rod, but maybe more suited for a let rod than a striped bass rod." But, the more I brought it out on the rocks & ledges in my area, the more I liked it. Further, once I got it situated with a practiced set up of properly matched lines, information technology came alive. At 4.3oz, along with the Table salt Hard disk and Predator, they are the lightest rods in the examination.
Jake Nichols: "Feel similar I could fish this rod all day with giant flies and not be tired at the terminate. The rod was light and powerful which is a groovy combo for the Maine coast."
Leif Catania: "Light to hold - responsive & crips with a sinking line. Plenty of backbone to pick up line"
Joe Webster: "Accurate. Comparable to the Table salt Hd. Good at long altitude. Handled lines well with easy turnover."
In terms of lines, the favorites were the various total sinking lines at 300gr. These included the Scientific Anglers Sink 30 Cold and Rio Striper 300gr. It was easier to get distance with these. I call back this is mostly due to the weight than anything else. For instance, although the SA SONAR Titan Full Int. and Rio Coastal Quickshooter (at 330gr) cast very well on this rod, they are actually at the superlative cease of the rod's adequacy in terms of weight.
In the lineup of Exocetts, the 9wt is the offset model which includes an enhanced (beefed upwardly) butt section. The 9-12wts all take this. I think this makes a big divergence with the rod'south range of capabilities. It allows the caster to handle heavier lines, pick upward lines better, deal with heavier flies, and negotiate big fish when hooked. If the 9wt Exocett was treated like the 8wt model (without the enhanced barrel section) I think it would make this rod quite dissimilar. So keep this in mind if you are considering an eight or 9wt Exocett. Conversely the 8wt has more finesse and is tuned much more for the flats.
#2 (Tie) Echo EPR
This was the fastest rod in the exam. Information technology could handle, unlike most, the 350gr sinking lines comfortably. Non platonic, merely achievable. With a steady double booty, the Echo EPR managed every line and could deal with the fairly windy conditions without much issue. The EPR is designed in a manner that is mostly geared towards what a good striper rod should be - lots of muscle, tin shoot ambitious tapered + sinking lines, and is made for large/heavy flies. But the counterpoint to this is that information technology is sort of a ane-trick-pony. Unlike the Exocett or Salt HD which accept broader applications, the EPR is a utilitarian rod with essentially 1 purpose. And then, if y'all are looking for purely a "meat chucker," proceed this rod in mind...
Joe Webster: "Powerful and accurate. A picayune beefy in feel. Seemed similar it was able to handle heavier lines and flies well."
Jake Nichols: "(With the Rio Coastal Quickshooter) every bit smooth and piece of cake of a combination equally I've casted. Of all the rods tested, I feel as though I could do a 12hr solar day and be the least tired with this rod."
Leif Catania: "Holy fast! Fastest rod in test. Awesome with the Coastal Quickshooter. Requires some musculus though but perfect for distance....I am purchasing this rod!"
Although the EPR lies within the "mid price" category at $469, there is clearly some high-end performance being had here! Earlier we even started the examination, I was very curious how this rod would stack upwards to the rest. With a quick "store wiggle" I knew it was actually fast, just we ended upward being impressed with the bandage-ability every bit well. Another notable feature is Echo'due south new "Dual Zone" cork. Although I'grand non 100% sure on all the specifics of this, information technology was i of the nearly comfortable grips in the test, peculiarly for us who have larger hands. A big factor in casting fatigue is rooted in the grip. If you feel similar you need to grip the handle harder, this leads to a tired manus and forearm much much quicker than a properly fitted cork. At 4.7oz it is at the heavier cease of the rods tested.
#2 (Tie) Sage Table salt Hard disk
In essence, these top 3 rods are fairly interchangeable. All three performed incredibly well in all aspects of this test and would be a practiced choice for our New England saltwater fly fishing. The Sage Salt Hard disk and Thomas & Thomas Exocett were the only two high-end rods in the test and they were also conspicuously head and shoulders above the other rods because they not only shined in this shootout, just offer a broader range of capabilities and also share a much more detailed and refined fit & finish. This was something that I institute pretty interesting about this review. It showed that you indeed become what y'all pay for. It is very difficult to make a fly rod, and even harder to make a really adept fly rod! As mentioned to a higher place, the Echo EPR was fantastic for N.East. fly fishing applications. But the Sage Salt Hard disk would well-nigh likely accident the EPR out of the h2o on a bonefish/allow flat. It simply had enough of ability, but offered loads of experience and accuracy. So within the confines of this exam, the EPR and Salt HD were neck-and-neck, but if you are looking for a rod for multiple applications, await at the Exocett and Salt Hd to fit that beak. It shares the same weight of iv.3oz with the Exocett and Predator.
Jake Nichols: "Will do well in heavy winds while still maintaining good accuracy. With the Sink 30 Cold, it was easy to unload lots of line with minimal effort"
Joe Webster: "Effortless. Accurate. Not the fastest (in the examination) but felt better with a heavier line"
Leif Catania: "Cracking casting rod, very similar to the Exocett but maybe a tad bit faster and burlier. Overall appearance is gorgeous, yet simple. Solid striper rod, specially for throwing heavier stuff like clousers"
The Salt Hard disk drive was slightly faster than the Exocett, only non past much. Notwithstanding this stiffness provided slightly better comparative operation with the heavier lines. I would exist very curious how these two would fare in an accuracy shootout! Joe Webster preferred the Common salt HD over the Exocett and here were a couple of quick notes he sent me:
- bigger & amend fighting butt
- better quality reel seat
- performed improve with the heavy lines
- preferred the looks of this rod over the others
The Middle Of The Pack...
#iv Redington Predator (best upkeep rod)
Since I opened All Points, this has been the top selling "budget" minded striper rod out of the shop. It is similar to the Repeat EPR in theory as it's a very fast activity rod congenital for big flies, big wind, and heavy lines. The accuracy of this rod especially at longer distances leaves a petty to be desired compared to the meridian three. Merely as described in the outset of this article, this is not the top concern while blind casting for striped bass. The Predator is besides a popular rod for those looking for a great smallmouth and largemouth bass setup. Weight: 4.3oz.
Joe Webster: "Non the most authentic, just powerful. The Rio Quickshooter balanced very well. Would be able to turn over large flies - great depression end streamer rod!"
Leif Catania: "Non a fan of (most of) Redington'due south rods, merely this rod is trying to change my mind!"
Jake Nichols: "Surprisingly powerful and authentic for the price indicate. Will handle wind/large flies/heavy lines well."
When we are talking most "budget" or lower end rods, there are and then many variables that one needs to consider. Sacrifices are fabricated somewhere in the construction of budget rods, so as a consumer you should know how this might effect you lot or the type of fishing you lot will be doing. Within the context of the Redington Predator, one of the outlying factors is its durability. I get a fair amount of broken tips with this rod.The rumor is that this rod shares the same design/taper as the (now discontinued) Sage Ane, but but made with lower end materials (which also changes the activeness some). This is similar to the effect that has been apparent with the TFO BVK in terms of breakage. I would have been interested to come across how the BVK did in this test, but they recently stopped production on the 9wts and higher.
#v Thomas & Thomas Zone
Equally the showtime mid priced rod that T&T has offered, there was quite a fleck of expectations backside information technology. The Zone won best Saltwater Fly Rod at last years IFTD and has been making some serious noise with flats anglers looking for an authentic tropical rod at a more comfortable price. Compared to the Exocett, the Zone is not as fast...or "snappy." It's certainly in the category of a fast action rod, only information technology was pretty clear that the Zone is geared more towards the average caster. This usually doesn't effect its accuracy much, just for the purposes of this examination, a softer rod can suffer on the coast of Maine. However, that was non the instance here. The Zone was able to bandage most of the lines with ease, other than the 350gr Rio Striper which but overloaded information technology specially at long distances. It has smashing feel and shares similar characteristics to the Salt Hard disk drive and Exocett. The Zone started to endure a little at the longer distances especially with the wind equally information technology required a little more endeavour and energy to get that line to turn over and reach those targets in the wind. It was also i of the heavier rods in the test at iv.7oz.
Leif Catania: "Love this rod! The SA SONAR Full Int. feels good. Information technology'south fast action with good feel."
Joe Webster: "Squeamish rod. Good experience. Has a corking reel seat and nice handle equally well."
Jake Nichols: "Felt a petty tip heavy with the Waterworks-Lamson Guru (a lighter reel), but otherwise counterbalanced well. Good accuracy with minimal endeavour."
For those looking to purchase a fly rod with impeccable structure at a lower cost-point, the Zone should be high on your list. It provided plenty of ability for our striped bass fishing and at simply $150 more than the Redington Predator provides a much better constructed rod.
#vi Echo Heave Salt
This rod, I retrieve, performed better than its ranking shows. At #6 virtually people would first to dismiss this equally 1 of the to the lowest degree favorite rods in the examination, just we were quite impressed. It'due south a tried and true fast action rod. Handled sinking lines, dealt with the day's air current well, and at $249 out performed the TFO Mangrove ($299.95) past quite a bit. The Boost Table salt and Redington Predator are substantially in the same family unit...fast activity, budget minded fly rods that are high on performance simply lower on the construction/aesthetics side of things. What made the Predator rank higher than the Heave Salt was the fact that the Predator has a sole purpose of being super fast and intended for all things "big." The Repeat Boost Salt is certainly a fast rod and was able to negotiate all the lines well, but we institute that at the 80+ft mark it didn't quite hitting the marker as easily as the Predator. Information technology was simply super piece of cake with the Predator. But what was a high mark for this rod was that information technology could easily exist used for other applications besides. You might not have that dead-on accuracy of the Exocett or Salt Hard disk drive, but this rod could certainly be capable and authentic at casting to tailing redfish or bonefish. Information technology shares the same weight of 4.7oz with the EPR and Zone.
Leif Catania:"$250 is an astonishing price! Casts well...would exist a skilful striper rod."
Jake Nichols: "Easy to throw tight loops. Fairly easy to unload the line but feels a piddling clunky with the heavier lines."
Joe Webster: "Nice feel in hand. Lite and fast."
The Echo Heave salt definitely had a sweet spot. Annihilation under 40ft provided picayune feel, but once I got more line out it started to actually do well. And then, after about 80ft, the rod started to require some very specific timing and endeavor. At present, near of the states are angling within that thirty-80ft zone anyway, and so how much of that is really applicable is up to you. This was the case with near of the lines nosotros tested too, which is interesting. The aesthetics of this rod is where every participant felt at that place was quite a chip to be desired. A matte grayness cease with mid-course components is certainly the reflection of Echo'southward desire at operation over looks. If you are looking for a more "all around" rod that is within a slimmer budget, I'd recommend checking out the Boost Salt.
Bottom Of The Pack..
#7 Temple Fork Outfitters Mangrove
This was clearly the most disappointing rod in our test. I take fished this rod in many dissimilar situations (in the mangroves of Florida and here in Maine) and have e'er felt that it's a decent rod for various purposes, only when you toss on heavy shooting heads or sinking lines, information technology starts to really suffer. It does very well at authentic presentations with a floating line within 60ft, but thats virtually it. If you fish for redfish, snook, or bonefish - the 8wt model is a good pick. But, when yous get into the "big stuff" there are meliorate options out in that location. However, if y'all consider yourself a new/beginner pulley, this is a proficient rod to learn how to "saltwater cast." The Mangrove weighed in at 4.4oz.
Joe Webster: "Too slow and (swing weight is) heavy."
Leif Catania: "Struggles to striking the 80ft mark. Goes to noodle-manner speedily."
Jake Nichols: "Seems ok for beginners, but if you want to throw bigger flies with heavier lines it might be hard."
I am upset that I wasn't able to get a 9wt Axiom II-Ten rod for this test! I think that would be probably the best offering from TFO for striped bass and New England saltwater wing angling. The Mangrove was simply too soft for our review. This rod certainly has its identify in other capacities, just non hither. An upside to this rod however, is that it does non suffer the breakage event(southward) that the BVK does. It has a niche following in the 12wt model for tarpon anglers looking for a decent "presentation minded" rod.
(Did Non Place) Thomas & Thomas Exocett SS 250 + 350
I originally bundled to go each of these rods to throw into the test too. I was very curious and specifically how the 350 would practise as it's designed around the 350gr zone and advertises itself as a dandy rod for heavy lines and meaty shooting heads. It would brand sense that these might be good options for striped bass. Simply we had a very hard time finding lines that worked on these. Fifty-fifty with the Rio Striper 350gr sinking line (which you'd assume would be a match), the Exocett SS 350 felt uncomfortable. I call up a few years ago I was able to bandage a prototype of the 350 at the T&T facility. I rigged up the Airflo Tropical Dial WF10F which is 330gr. That matched up pretty well. But when we cycled through the lines that we included in the test on the SS 350, we were simply non able to nail downwards what this rod wanted. So I decided to get out it out of the equation until farther review.
Overall
Although I selected the nigh popular and/or asked about rods out of the store for striped bass and theoretically they all should be at least "decent" at this application, I was pleasantly surprised by these results. Information technology was adept to see that there are some really great options for the budget minded angler such every bit the Echo Heave Table salt and the Redington Predator. Both of these rods share characteristics which make them killer rods for New England saltwater wing line-fishing. Further, it also proved that taking the jump upward to a college end rod like the Sage Salt HD or Thomas & Thomas Exocett certain does indeed yield tangible benefits.
When selecting a fly rod for striped bass it is important to remember that we might have one of the most unique fisheries around which requires specialized flies, lines, leaders, and rods to help y'all exist successful. With all of the options out at that place for fly rods, it can be daunting. Further, not every 9wt out in that location is appropriate for all applications. I hope this review has helped inform you lot a little on either wing rod option or striped bass fishing as a whole here in New England.
If you accept any questions please feel free to contact me! - josh@allpointsflyfishing.com
Source: https://allpointsflyfishing.com/blogs/all-points-fly-shop-outfitter-news/the-9wt-fly-rod-royale
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