Slow Flex Graphite Rods

Wetswinger

Wetswinger

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Has any of you ever used a graphite rod with a slow flex rating.? I am wondering if there is much difference between them and a standard fiberglass rod.? They would definitely be lighter in weight. I’m a fan of glass rods but sometimes their loose, floppy tips bother me. Would a slow flex graphite rod be an option.?
 
What glass rods are you using?

I would never classify any of my Steffen Bros as having a floppy tip. In fact their recovery is rather crisp and quick. Even the Redington CT I had, which was quite slow for graphite, just wasn't anywhere close to my comparable Steffen.

Maybe an older Fenwick HMG? That's one graphite rod I wish I still had. Mine was 8' 6wt and an absolute delight to cast. Slow by today's standards, but super crisp w/ fast recovery.
 
In graphite they are usually called “moderate” action. I like quick recovering (no flop), deep flex rods. I have never taken a liking to fiberglass even though I learned on glass and have tried many. To reduce fiberglass flop, one strategy is to stiffen the butt-mid and move the flex higher up the blank, which works, but reduces the sweet deep flex.

Lots of makers have had deep flex graphite rods over the years. Sage SLT and others, Winston TMF (and others), T&T Paradigms, list goes on and on. One of the nicest that I ever tried was a Sweetgrass graphite rod on a blank rolled by Burkheimer - and Burkheimer can set you up with any deep flex action you want.
 
I use a Rainshadow 1142c, it's a 9.5' mod action blank. Most guys build them up as a steelhead side drift spinning rod. I wanted a baitcaster with a soft action, enjoy using it.

Bends like a 9.5' in a fly 7 weight. Bigger fish will take it to the cork
 
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Wetswinger said:
Has any of you ever used a graphite rod with a slow flex rating.? I am wondering if there is much difference between them and a standard fiberglass rod.? They would definitely be lighter in weight. I’m a fan of glass rods but sometimes their loose, floppy tips bother me. Would a slow flex graphite rod be an option.?
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I don't know what its "flex rating" is, but my circa 1998 Sage LL Graphite III 486 is what I consider a slow graphite rod. I love it. My 3-wt Redington Classic Trout is a slowish rod, too. Have you cast those?
 
Scott made a rod called flex a while ago but I've never held one. Older graphite rods are gonna be slower in general like an IM6. Maybe find an S glass rod. As far as bend to the butt and not break goes I think fiberglass is the ticket. @clarkman is probably on the right track with not all fiberglass being equal. A $300 fiberglass blank would feel nicer I would guess.
 
Discussing rods with a teen on the Fall River last winter, he offered his 8' 5t Redington Butterstick for some casts....tipped with a BWO I hooked up within a few minutes, and that rod was such a grin...will shortly be ordering one as I prepare for my switch from lakes to winter spring creeks.
 
Styskal said:
The Scott G series rods come to mind. I would say they are moderate action. I have a 9' 6wt and a 10ft 9wt. I love both of them.The 9wt is a great sine hand spey caster.
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I’ve seen the new G series rods cost $1100. I’ll keep dreaming…
 
clarkman said:
What glass rods are you using?

I would never classify any of my Steffen Bros as having a floppy tip. In fact their recovery is rather crisp and quick. Even the Redington CT I had, which was quite slow for graphite, just wasn't anywhere close to my comparable Steffen.

Maybe an older Fenwick HMG? That's one graphite rod I wish I still had. Mine was 8' 6wt and an absolute delight to cast. Slow by today's standards, but super crisp w/ fast recovery.
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I built a Greywolf 247 S2 glass FST 5# this Summer and just can’t feel the love with it. Almost like a fast graphite rod with a firm butt and middle section and a soft tip area. Has a dead feel to me unless you over line it. It’s powerful and could really be rated a 7#. It’ll be in the classifieds later on this year…I do have and love my 1970’s Fenwick 8’-6#…
 
1. No one wants a rod with a slow flex rate. That's just poor design and they cast poorly.
What you want is a rod that flexes deep into the butt but recovers quickly from bending.
 
Scudley Do Right said:
Scott made a rod called flex a while ago but I've never held one. Older graphite rods are gonna be slower in general like an IM6. Maybe find an S glass rod. As far as bend to the butt and not break goes I think fiberglass is the ticket. @clarkman is probably on the right track with not all fiberglass being equal. A $300 fiberglass blank would feel nicer I would guess.
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I am a huge fan of IM6 rods. That is all I have. Loomis and Winston are great! A few of mine I bought new are from the 80's.
 
Most of my rods are full flexing rods. I have a Winston IM6, several Winston Biit’s, several Orvis Superfine’s. I have several Orvis Silver Label’s which along with the Rock Mountain rod series, are built on Superfine blanks. Have an original Scott G series and several others. Full flexing rods are my favorite.

You used to be able to pick up Orvis Silver Label’s and Rocky Mountain rods on EBay in lightly used or brand new condition for around $150.00. They’re hard to beat for a made in the USA rod in that price range. Good thing I stocked up on them as I guess others have caught on and they go for quite a bit more now.

Please note that if you are looking at picking up a Orvis Silver Label rod, I would like to point out that there is also a Orvis Silver Label TL rod series and that series is not built on the Superfine blanks.
 
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My old Lamiglas GF114 7/8 (9'6") 2-piece, that I built in the 90s, bends deep and is a slower paced rod. It was their matte grey blank, not the brown G series. I've retired it for the most part. It was my primary steelhead rod for many years.
Every once in a while I'm tempted by a custom one on ebay. There's often blanks on there too. There's a GF108 9/10 blank on there right now that would make for a fun carp rod project! 😁
 
I have a Scott A4 that is a slower rod, but that is just because it's 10-15 years old. I think they called it "moderate-fast" at the time.

I also have a Flex, but it is definitely faster than my A4. I think Scott also called that "moderate" fast. Both rods were their lower cost (for Scott) rods at the time.

I know what you mean by "loose" for glass, you have a slower recovery speed compared to graphite. You might want to look around for older graphite rods.
 
I received a Loomis Streamdance Metolius as a replacement for a GL3. This was the non GLX version. Took it to the beach, fished it for an hour then sold it. Super wimpy, didn’t like clousers. Would have been a fun dry fly rod based on its action.
SF
 
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