Pink Nighty
Legend
The best 9ft 5wt is actually a 10ft 4wt.
The best ALL-AROUND freshwater 5wt? Scott or Sage?
- Thread starter Fast Action Freddie
- Start date
jaredoconnor
Peabrain Chub
I think it's hard to say one brand is better than another. The way it feels is a matter of taste. I think it's fair to ask can I do XYZ with rod A and B, but especially at a certain level you gotta try to differentiate for yourself.. Frankly I think there are probably few bad rods out there, especially from the popular makers. Just a matter of selecting the right rod choices for the task, budget, and you most likley won't go wrong. Will it be the best for you? Only oneself could really decide.
Sorry I really can't help, both have had outstanding reputations though and that doesn't happen by accident.
Sorry I really can't help, both have had outstanding reputations though and that doesn't happen by accident.
Always loved those busy summer days when a half a dozen folks walked into the shop needing me to answer this very same question as there is no wrong answer unless you don't know your current inventory.
Haven't had a 5 wt in my hand in a good many years, and no longer own any. But when I did fish 5 wts my all time favorite was the Z Axis 590. Man that rod was sweet sweet sweet
My go to rod in the summer time (This is just about the only time I go fishing any more) is a rod I got about 10 years ago. A TFO Finesse Rod, in a 7'9" 3wt. I only fish small skinny water so long casts are not needed. But soon I'll be playing around in lakes here in Montana. I also have my 9' GL3 5wt. I can boom long casts with a WFD-F 5wt line. But if I want longer cast I'll stick on a 6wt reel and line. I put that reel and line on my TFO Pro 9' 5wt and was hitting the opposite shore on the Beaverhead. That rod is a cannon with a 6wt line on it.
Fast Action Freddie
Smolt
oops
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Fast Action Freddie
Smolt
best all-round rod is 2 rods ????
thanks to you and Dime - I got my Radian.
Like OMJ said - I must have money to burn on rods ... not exactly. Like my Dad always used to say - "Son, do you know what the best thing to do with ill-gotten gains? Spend em". Besides it's my first rod purchase in 25+ yrs (and that was used) which followed my only other 5wt that I've ever owned (built myself with imperfect blank from Patrick's).
So if a Radian fits the bill as a fast-action/power rod (+ all-around?), what would you all say is the Ultimate 5wt for presentation (accuracy, fly/line presentation drift, dry flies, spring creeks, smaller streams, shorter casts) -- Scott G-Series? G.Loomis NRX? ... I'm ready to venture out beyond 30+ years of only Sage ...
For this rod - maybe a 4wt? ... would that work with 5wt line/reel?
Thanks in advance ...
First I would like to commend you for taking care of your rods. Very few of us can say we still have our original rods! BTW I can...
I started out with Loomis IM6 moderate action rods and still have them. I have owned and fished Winston IM6 rods a lot also. When I downsized my number of rods upon retirement I kept all my Loomis IM6 rods. I just liked the feel better - nuances one could only feel when fished side by side. Several of my friends have Scott G series and swear by them. I have fished them and I enjoyed them a lot.
As you know there are cults for Winston IM6, Sage LL and Scott G series rods. For good reason! Any true to 4 weight would be my leaning for creeks, dry fly, shorter casts and in the 8' range. It really depends on what you enjoy. I sent you a PM with some articles about moderate action rods. Enjoy the read. It might help you narrow down what you are looking for.
Something you may not of thought of is bamboo. There is a bamboo fling coming up and the amount you would learn by attending - priceless.
Griswald
Steelhead
This is actually truth. I used to spend (literally thousands ) on Sage and other really high end rods. Not going to argue they are nice, but in my mediocre casting style after 40 years I can cast 50 feet just as well with a TFO or Echo, or Cabelas... it is truth, my father in law or brother in law can out fish, out cast and out perform 99% OF fly fishermen I have known with any rod you hand them. And do it while being humble and very positive to sub par fishermen like me!
Fast Action Freddie
Smolt
Thanks RCF - 2 follow ups
1. Re “and in the 8’ range” I assume you mean rod length not cast (plop) distance
2. Re: “any true 4 weight would be my leaning” … ok with 5 weight line/reel?
On having my original rods - I’m more lucky than careful. My luck finally ran out reeling in a middlin’ trout (16” inches … on still water!) … wasn’t fighting too hard wasn’t playing it too hard —- tip just snapped. I had been thinking of an upgrade for a loooong time anyway.
East Coaster
Steelhead
@Fast Action Freddie, just my opinion, but if you're limiting the use for this second rod to dry flies, spring creeks, smaller streams, shorter casts, I'd go with a 4 wt or 3wt. I wouldn't overline it as that will defeat the purpose of going with the lower weight rod. Keep it on the longer side if you want better mending capabilities, but no need to put a 5wt line on it. If you're trying to avoid buying a reel, you can always use the same reel (it's not that big a deal if it's a little heavier than "ideal" balance) with an extra spool for the lighter line. Or just buy a cheap reel (assuming you're fishing for trout, you don't need to break the bank on a reel).
Porter2
Legend
Everything on the used market is high priced. And a lot of it is selling at those high prices. Be a good time to unload gear but then what? What do you buy and for how much? Like the housing market in Seattle area. Could sell easily and make coin, then what?…. Only if you can move outside Seattle and the further is better would it make any sense.
I have not cast the R8 but if it is at all like it’s fast action predecessors (One and X) I’d go with the Centric. I love the One, X and Ignitor for big streamers and double hauling all day from the beach. I own all three. I also recently purchased a Sonic and would say the same about it as well. I would not consider them for applications I would use a 5 weight for though. Now the Radian is different. It’s definitely a fast action rod but has enough feel to be a very good 5 weight IMO. I own the 6 and would have considered the 5 if I was in the market for one back when they were around. I own the Centric in a 7 and would say the action is similar to the Radian.
When I start thinking 5 weights and under, dry fly mainly applications, my mind starts thinking Winston, Hardy, TFO and others.
When I start thinking 5 weights and under, dry fly mainly applications, my mind starts thinking Winston, Hardy, TFO and others.
Still is....
