Opinions on 9' 5wt rod for indicators on stillwaters

Tom Butler

Tom Butler

Grandpa, Small Stream Fanatic
Forum Supporter
OK, I know I'll get a lot of opinions and choices, but throwing this out there.
Got plenty of 6wt's, and am currently using the 10' 6wt Echo Stillwater quite a bit. Pro, I like to fish it and suits where I fish and It really throws an indicator rig in the wind. Con's, arm gets tired, just a bit too much rod for the average stocker size trout. Got lots of 4wt's. The only really issue they don't go through the wind like a 6, but on a still day I can get an indicator out far enough usually. Both my 5 weights are 8', mostly for river wets, softhackles, nymphs and streamers, bamboo and glass. A bit short in many of the shore spots.
So, don't want to spend a fortune, it won't get fished all year, and I really don't want to send $1000+ to the bottom from a floating device. What do you like and why?
 
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Echo 3 or Hardy Shadow are two rods I have that weren't super expensive that I really like.
I think you could find both for around $300 or less - but you'd probably have to get them used. Both are pretty damn easy to cast and will get a bobber out there for you.
 
My indicator rod in my float tube and boat is an 8 foot fiberglass rod. I have a 5 wt Rio Gold on it. Works fine really, never had a desire to get a 10 foot rod. I like the slower rod for throwing open loops, less tangles. But I don’t set any distance records for sure, but it’s more than far enough.
 
Wayne Kohan said:
My indicator rod in my float tube and boat is an 8 foot fiberglass rod. I have a 5 wt Rio Gold on it. Works fine really, never had a desire to get a 10 foot rod. I like the slower rod for throwing open loops, less tangles. But I don’t set any distance records for sure, but it’s more than far enough.
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I have fished 9' and 10' rods from float tubes and boats. I agree with your observation of open loops mean less tangles. The 10' was faster action and just meant faster to tangle. And I did not see that much difference in casting distance.... But then I am not a great caster except for getting wind knots...

Tom, I would ask @Northern and @FishingGirl about their thoughts since they both cast well and cast a lot from their kayaks...
 
I really like my Redington Classic Trout (9 ft. - 5 wt.) Can't beat the price $150-200 for that quality. It casts an indicator with chironomids quite well from a seated position in my rowboat. It helps if you cast nice open loops, which is never a problem for me. ;)

I haven't tried to cast that gear into the wind, however. A stiffer action might help if you do a lot of that. Of course, you could always switch to your 6 wt. In that case.
 
Often I am fishing from shore, no floating devices allowed. A longer rod works for dealing with the reeds and backcast brush.
 
RCF said:
I have fished 9' and 10' rods from float tubes and boats. I agree with your observation of open loops mean less tangles. The 10' was faster action and just meant faster to tangle. And I did not see that much difference in casting distance.... But then I am not a great caster except for getting wind knots...

Tom, I would ask @Northern and @FishingGirl about their thoughts since they both cast well and cast a lot from their kayaks...
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Thank you for the compliment, RCF, but I very seldom throw indicators - for either moving or stillwaters - so not much help with this one!
 
I'll second BriGuy on the Redington Classic trout. It's a great value for the price point. The rod is lightweight and and has a slower action, which makes it really comfortable and forgiving to cast. Still enough strength to cast heavier flies if you want to. Been really happy with mine.
 
As far as inexpensive but lighter rods go you cannot go wrong with an Orvis Clearwater. I have several of those and the Access rods, but the Access rods are a bit heavier. I normally fish a 5wt for floating lines and use a cortland 200gr line as it has a really short head and can shoot bigger flies easily. It is not a slow rod so if that is what you prefer then go with the Access. When using an intermediate line I am using my 6wt Orvis Recon. Not as cheap but very light and powerful. I blind casted the helios 3F and the recon in the 6wt and couldn't tell a difference. Went with the Recon for obvious reasons. I now own several different weights. For indicator fishing I am usually using the Recon. I just love that thing!
 
Tom Butler said:
Often I am fishing from shore, no floating devices allowed. A longer rod works for dealing with the reeds and backcast brush.
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and here I was about to say, just use your Steffen. ha!

is that the B lake you're fishing?
 
FishingGirl said:
As far as inexpensive but lighter rods go you cannot go wrong with an Orvis Clearwater. I have several of those and the Access rods, but the Access rods are a bit heavier. I normally fish a 5wt for floating lines and use a cortland 200gr line as it has a really short head and can shoot bigger flies easily. It is not a slow rod so if that is what you prefer then go with the Access. When using an intermediate line I am using my 6wt Orvis Recon. Not as cheap but very light and powerful. I blind casted the helios 3F and the recon in the 6wt and couldn't tell a difference. Went with the Recon for obvious reasons. I now own several different weights. For indicator fishing I am usually using the Recon. I just love that thing!
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I cast that Clearwater and it got me thinking. It's just gone up $50 in a few months and imp......... and I wasn't quite sold enough to pull the trigger. With lots of fish in the #1.5#-3# range yesterday I was glad to have the 6. I was thinking maybe another echo stillwater, only a 10' 5wt. It's not like I really need one, just, well, you know.
clarkman said:
and here I was about to say, just use your Steffen. ha!
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I found the leonard 8' fine until I wanted to fish from the reeds, otherwise yes. No, I spend the river down time on the lakes over in the "T" drainage. No fill water in "B" yet, and no bass or crappie active yet that I can find. I think water goes in next week?
 
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I'd recommend one of the TFO 10' 5 wts. I have several BVKs in that length and weight and they seem to do fine with indicators and most anything else for my kayak lake fishing. I suspect the new TFO Blue Ribbon series is pretty much a relabeled BVK. Great company that backs up their very affordable rods. I actually prefer the 10' TFO's over my 9' 5 wt Sage X.
 
What's wrong, Can't make up your mind anymore. Get what YOU want. Not what everybody else says what YOU need. Check out the shops. Cast a few rods with different lines. Make up your own mind.. I've never asked for advice on here about gear. And I usually bought what I wanted. Your wants are different from everybody on here.
 
Old Man said:
What's wrong, Can't make up your mind anymore. Get what YOU want. Not what everybody else says what YOU need. Check out the shops. Cast a few rods with different lines. Make up your own mind.. I've never asked for advice on here about gear. And I usually bought what I wanted. Your wants are different from everybody on here.
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Your right of course, but I've learned to trust the opinions of folks around here. Had a great time with a 4wt today because the wind wasn't blowing. Seems like I just had a thought after an outing.
 
We all have been confronted with bushes/reeds behind us. Is a 1' longer rod actually going to fix the issue? What is behind the bushes/reeds? Is there a hill behind that? Maybe taller bushes and trees?

The answer my friend is rolling with the wind...

A roll cast....
 
Old Man said:
What's wrong, Can't make up your mind anymore. Get what YOU want. Not what everybody else says what YOU need. Check out the shops. Cast a few rods with different lines. Make up your own mind.. I've never asked for advice on here about gear. And I usually bought what I wanted. Your wants are different from everybody on here.
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No, I can't. Probably 'cause I need a new rod like another hole in the head. I fished a 8.5' 4wt cortland brook 2 days ago and my 9' 4wt recon yesterday. The brook is supposed to be more a dry fly rod, the recon an all arounder. I can get maybe a few feet more from the recon and it handles a bigger fish better, but the cortland is just easier to cast. Since I'd never describe well enough what feel I want, you're correct in that I'm just going to have to cast a few to find the feel I'm looking for on the windier days.
 
I have a 10’ 5 weight Echo 2 that I love for fishing deep with an indicator from a boat. With the right line, a little tail wind, and standing up for leverage, it will handle a 30’ leader. There are a few lakes where I plan on doing this.

Mostly though, a med/fast 9’ 5 weight with enough oomph to cast across the wind with a 15-20’ leader is what I use. I’ve fished several rods that work fine. Echo Carbon and an older Cabelas L-tech are in my current rotation. A nymph-taper line makes a difference as well.
 
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