Slow Flex Graphite Rods

[Wetswinger]

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.?

 

[clarkman]

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.

 

[Mossback]

Those HMG were good rods, I still have a 10 wt...

 

[Fly-by]

The old Rocky Mountain series from Orvis are slow and very affordable at this point.

 

[SSPey]

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.

 

[chrome/22]

I use a Rainshadow 1142c, it's a 9.5' mod action blank. Most guys build them up as a 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

 

[Zak]

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.?

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?