Hey guys...new to the forum. Looking to retire my 25 year old Lamiglas g1298 6wt....Budget is not real high, want to stay $300.00 max. Interested in the Echo Boost Blue. Any one out there have any experience / thoughts on this rod for targeting beach cutthroat and coho...or any other suggestions for other rods in this price range ? thanks for any input.....Mark
6wt beach rod........
- Thread starter Markjb
- Start date
I absolutely love my Echo Boost Blue 6wt for the applications you're describing. It works well with the lines I like (Arctic Silver Compact 2.0) and my somewhat unrefined casting style. If you're looking for subtlety and finesse it might not be the best thing out there but it gets a lot of line out there in the general direction I'm aiming which is pretty much what I'm looking for.
So much so that I'm going to sell my lightly used Redington Predator 696 and my "only used for 20 minutes" Echo Stillwater 6100 to get another one.
So much so that I'm going to sell my lightly used Redington Predator 696 and my "only used for 20 minutes" Echo Stillwater 6100 to get another one.
Scudley Do Right
Legend
might be able to find an imx pro on discount around there
I believe another Echo rod a lot of folks beach fish with is the Ion XL. It might be worth checking out as well.
SF
SF
The Boost Blue has become my primary 6 wt rod replacing my Echo 3S and Ion XL. The Ion XL is another great option if u you are looking to save a little cash.
The Boost Blue handled the fat unclipped Coho that I caught this morning without issue. I'd recommend the rod for your needs.
The Boost Blue handled the fat unclipped Coho that I caught this morning without issue. I'd recommend the rod for your needs.
FYI- The Echo Ion XL can also be had in a 10ft version. A lot of folks prefer 9 1/2 or 10’ rods for the beach, as it keeps your fly just a bit higher on backcasts to reduce hitting the sloping beach rocks on your back cast. I’ve wrecked a lot of flies from repeatedly smacking rocks on my back cast when the beach was steeply sloped.
Divad
Whitefish
The 10’ 7wt Ion XL is a heavy swing weight rod, sold mine because I didn’t enjoy the fatigue. The 6 might be better. On the flip side it’s very strong, can be smacked repeatedly with lead eyes and still hold true.
@Vandelay Industries do you think the Boost is a lighter swing compared to your Ion XL?
@Vandelay Industries do you think the Boost is a lighter swing compared to your Ion XL?
My first saltwater fly rod was the 10' 7 wt Ion. That was a broom stick but worked well. I did get tired. It got replaced with a 10' 7 wt Ion XL, which felt a lot lighter. It's still very strong and has a backbone. That's my late summer/fall Coho rod.
I do have the 10' 6 wt Ion XL as well. It's my rod for steep beaches. It's easier to cast but just as strong and durable as the 7 wt.
The 6 wt Boost is a lighter swing but has just as much power as the 6 wt Ion XL. Both are great rods for the price.
cedarslug
Steelhead
I have an Echo Ion XL 690. I don’t fish the sound as much as I should, but have hooked up on sea runs most of the time I go out.
I have’t handled a lot of “saltwater” fly rods, and think the Ion XL has a fairly large grip; the top and bottom of the grip is fairly pronounced, compared to other rods’ grips, e.g. Sage Maverick, etc.
The Ion XL is pretty quick, but not super fast, and does feel like it has a stiffer butt. With enough line out, the rod does load nicely in the mid-tip sections. I primarily use a sinking and intermediate lines. Haven’t found a floating line I love on the rod yet. Ditto on the durability of the rod.
Not sure where you’re located, but if you wanna borrow the rod for a few outings, let me know! I have a beater Sage Fli as a backup.
I have’t handled a lot of “saltwater” fly rods, and think the Ion XL has a fairly large grip; the top and bottom of the grip is fairly pronounced, compared to other rods’ grips, e.g. Sage Maverick, etc.
The Ion XL is pretty quick, but not super fast, and does feel like it has a stiffer butt. With enough line out, the rod does load nicely in the mid-tip sections. I primarily use a sinking and intermediate lines. Haven’t found a floating line I love on the rod yet. Ditto on the durability of the rod.
Not sure where you’re located, but if you wanna borrow the rod for a few outings, let me know! I have a beater Sage Fli as a backup.
fatbillybob
Steelhead
No 2 hand lovers...like boost beach or beulah opal? I see guys with 9ft. saltwater rods double hauling with lots of false casts in barely any wind just killing themselves. 2 hand it's pick-up or snakeroll (left or right current) to one false cast and shoot line.
I would match the 8 wt rod with an 8 wt line.
A Spey rod doesn’t make up for a lack of skill, which is what I think the challenge is for most of the folks who give it more than a few false casts, but I agree that it would work well, especially for coho from the beach.
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Thanks for your response and appreciate the offer to throw the XL !!! Ordered a Blue today.... thanks again...Mark
Make sure to report back with your first fish picture with the rod! Good luck.
Will do !!!
I think most people that fish the beaches a lot are launching their casts with no more than two false casts, if not one. I do see folks make 5-7 to get off a cast and agree that is a great way to wear yourself out.
With folks using two handed rods, I see them giving up a ton of valuable fishing real estate at the rod tip to set-up their next cast, some of which is a pretty significant distance. They are missing opportunities in that area. Most also don’t get any extra distance versus the single hand folks. There are plus and minuses to both. You just have to fish what you enjoy.
SF