Suggestions/ recommendations on a 5w rod under $200?

Ty · Senior Member

Suggestions/ recommendations on a 5w rod under $200?

vince · Senior Member

I really like the Avid series by St. Croix. Fast action, four or two pieces (I have the four piece in the 6 wt). If you'd like to try my 6 wt, I'm in Davis. I just checked the prices, and the 5 wt starts at $230. I'd say finding a better rod in this price range is hard. Plus, they have a great warranty and a neat upgrade plan.

shon42073 · Senior Member

Everyone I know with a TFO rod likes it, May wanna check them out.

Codym · Senior Member

Take a look at TFO, they are built on great blanks but the components are pretty cheap and start to fall apart. although TFO usually replaces rods no questions asked.

shon42073 · Senior Member

Good points codyM, I think most rods are built on good blanks with a good taper, Its the eyes, the wraps, the cork, the reel seat that they tend to skimp on.

Codym · Senior Member

it also depends on how much and how hard you fish. if you fish you fish are look for a good deal on a used quality rod or invest a little more in a quality rod. if you fish hard with the cheaper TFO it will begin to fall apart. hmm

Nohackle · Senior Member

Cabela's sells a Fenwick HMG 9' 5 wt for $179.� I have been using one for years and I like it's fast action.� Others think it casts like a broomstick.� The best part, however, is the fact that it come with a 25 year UNCONDITIONAL guarantee.� This means that even if you slam a car door on it, it will be repaired or replaced.� That's pretty hard to beat.� If you are a regular Cabela's customer (like I am), periodically they will send you a $20 discount coupon for purchases over $150 so the cost drops down to $159.� �

-- Edited by Nohackle on Tuesday 17th of March 2009 08:34:49 PM

drifter · Senior Member

I have found out the secret to getting killer deals on fly gear lately........E-bay. �Although i would agree, a tfo is a great rod for the price, if you look online you can find high quality rods, like sage, for around $200, that have been slightly used (and by used, i mean their basically new). �Most of the time (based upon my own experience and the experience of others i Know), even though your buying a used rod, you can still send them in and get a new one if you break it (just make sure your not buying a demo, i don't believe companies will honor warranties on those). �

Ty · Senior Member

Thanks for all the input guys.� And Vince, I appreciate the offer.� I'm gonna take a look at the TFO's.

fear no fish · Veteran Member

Two other great rod companies are Sage and G-Loomis. A little more money but face it if you buy one it will be your last fly rod purchase hopefully. Plus with the amount of action you will put on it over your life time you want to have good quality.

Best of Luck

FEAR NO FISH

WT · Senior Member

I would second the G.Loomis suggestion, they are my personal fav.

ez · Senior Member

welcome TY...for under 200.00....try and make your own...not very diifficult to do ...just time and patience....fell theenjoyment next time you catch with the rod you made....nuttin like it....

fear no fish · Veteran Member

I also know that cabellas has some really good combos if you need a reel also. Also they have an excellent warrenty, and stand behind there equiptment 110%. Chesk out there website

ez · Senior Member

i remember when i mentioned that cabelas i got my butt chewed out....whats up with that...

stlhdr · Veteran Member

The Sage Fli is discontinued, but there are still some around to be found on line for about 200 bucks...$315 originally and a pretty nice rod...I use the 9.5 ft 5 wt on the Trinity and it handles those steelies just fine...-Mike

WT · Senior Member

Ty,

Check these rods out:

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=65954&p=3&topicID=25015614

Money goes to a great cause too!

-- Edited by keith bigelow on Saturday 21st of March 2009 07:07:02 PM

Ty · Senior Member

So I finally made my purchase.� I got a TFO signature series at Kiene's for $110.� I hope it catches more fish than my old rod!� Thanks for everyone's input.

AbelBoy · Senior Member

Hi Ty,
Congrats on the purchase. Enjoy the rod.

AB

brian clemens · Senior Member

i have a 7'6" 3wt tfo sign series and i absolutly love it. i have caught some huge fish on it, my best brown yet on the Little Truckee 26"s, a 25" steelhead on the american, and a 22" rainbow on putah creek. you will love this rod. great entry level rod for the price.

enjoy

Ty · Senior Member

Brian, those are some biggins on a 3wt.

putahcreektrout · Member

Hey WT-thanks for the plug on the fund raiser! These two rods are good quality imports and the redington has the lifetime warranty. I think redington's were a BC favorite in the old days (last year) biggrin

-- Edited by putahcreektrout on Monday 30th of March 2009 02:41:20 PM

brian clemens · Senior Member

Those redingtons where and still are up there on my fav list. lifetime warranty, and they are tanks, i have put them through the trenches and they handle it just fine. got a 10' 7wt red fly 2 for salmon and steelhead (my swinging rod) a 10' 6wt red fly (one that my buddy uses for steelhead) then a 9' 6wt red fly 2 (i use this when my 5wt breaks)(which seems to happen to me all the time) LOL