Budget 4wt shorty recs?

My 2 cents on this is - if you have time to be patient, do that. Check all the forums/boards consistently for a while and you will find what you are looking for. I always seem to find exactly what I was looking for right after I pull the trigger on a 2nd or 3rd option.
 
someguy23 said:
I didn't say I wanted a moderate rod that I recall. Indeed, I said in a reply that a moderate-fast would likely be a better option for me.
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My misunderstanding. Since a good majority of the conversation was about the Redington CT (and it not having enough power), I thought that was the rod you were considering. Sorry, I didn't read every reply.
 
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Zak said:
My 1990s Sage LL Graphite III 8'6" 4wt is my favorite rod and can easily cast 40+ feet. I have a quiver of rods from 6' 2wt on up and I keep coming back to the LL. You might keep an eye out for one used. I believe the Sage VPS was the same blank as the LL, with downgraded components at a lower price.
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If I remember correctly the vps was the rpl blank and the “vps light” was the LL blank.
 
I'm a softy, but I picked up a TFO Legacy 8'6" 4wt for those times I wanted shorter. It almost became my favorite 4wt. I was surprised how good a faster rod could feel. I still prefer my LLBean 9' 4wt.
 
someguy23 said:
I guess it's time to close this thread out. Seems like the CT is the only rod anyone has experience with. Used is an option, but right now there's not much on the auction site in my budget.
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😆. Ok.....
The reason the CT gets mentioned so much is that it's a damn good rod (for any price point) for exactly what you describe. Personally I've fished around half of the rods you mentioned....none of those can hold a candle to the CT (again, for exactly the location and type of fishing you describe). 😵‍💫🤷‍♂️
 
Glad you're getting some input here.

I have the 8' 4wt Aetos and it might be my favorite rod...ever. The swing weight on the Aetos line punches well above it's weight class and the 8 footer only accentuates that. I have whatever gen (1st maybe?) was sold new in 2019. The reel seat is pretty bargain-ish and the cork is good, but not great. The latest one is vastly improved for both of those items. Glad they upgraded those.

Mine casts way farther than it should when lined with a SA Frequency Boost. 50-60' no problem.
I can fish a bushy #14 dry no problem. I've even fished a #12 Chubby with a #16 Blow Torch dropper out of a boat with it.
It's my go-to when fishing small emergers on lakes. Really good for #16-20 BWOs on the Yakima. So fun!

It also performed very well with an old-new stock SA Ultra line. It has the ability to cast moderately slow or really fast. Not sure I've owned a rod that was able to do that as well as this one.

It's landed 17" bull trout while casting a OPST Skagit 175gr head and 40gr OPST Micro 5' tip. Also ridiculously fun. And effective!

So many great rods to pick from these days it's hard to go wrong, but if I was looking for an affordable short 4wt it would 100% be the Aetos. It's an absolute joy to fish with.
It does suck that they aren't in more fly shops, but I assume that's one way they've kept the price down.

I also own a 1st gen 9' 8wt Aetos and love it. It's my go to carp rod since it's light and really accurate, but enough backbone for a 15# carp. I've yanked on it in the lily pads with 12# Max, popping for bass, way too many times. I've abused the darn thing since 2022 and it hasn't failed me yet.

Good luck!
 
Good news is there are tons of solid options these days - many of which have been called out on this thread already. Another option you might want to try would be a used Hardy Zephrus (8’6 4 wt). My guess is used Zephruses (sp?) might pop up periodically in forums. I have a number of 4 weights with variety of materials and lengths and I like em all, but I find myself reaching for that Zephrus a lot when I’m thinking 4. YMMV. I wish you luck in your search!
 
I have a Redington CT in 4 weight x 8’ that I have always thought is a great value and a decent rod. I just bought a used Thomas and Thomas LPSII in 4 weight and 8’6”, always been intrigued by the T&T line and their reputation. Not a lot of them in my circle, seem to have a bigger following on eastern part of the country. I strung it up with the Rio DT line I use with the CT and WOW! I’m roll casting 45’ easily with no haul in a moderate breeze. I have no doubt it’ll hit 60’ easily, 45’ is the limit in my pool. The folks familiar with the rod say it rocks with a Wulff Triangle Taper so that’s on the list. I got the rod for $350 used, like new condition. I have never had a cause to return a rod for warranty claim in 50+ years so I have no issue in buying top tier rods used.
 
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