Thread starter Lmad928; Start date Jan 1, 2021; Prev. The rings should be easy to grip and tighten. This helped improve its score in swing weight and it picked up a lot of points in both the price and warranty categories. In past Shootouts we tried measuring swing weight in other ways, including calculations for the Moment of Inertia, taking the weight of all 4 sections individually and then plugging these figures into an equation. (tie) Loop Q 9 #4 $229.00. Performance at 25 feet 20 points available. The guides start with a hook keeper on the butt, then a single SiC stripping guide, followed with hard chrome single foot guides that seem sturdy enough, but are not nearly as good (or as light) as the nickel/titanium single foot guides used on the NRX LP. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. Site is running on IP address 64.91.249.91, host name cloudvpsserver.hosting.atekweb.com (Lansing United States) ping response time 17ms Good ping.. Last updated on 2023/02/26 The heavy swing weight and stiffer tip gave me very little feel. The wraps are also black, nicely trimmed in light gray on the butt sections. Action: 7/10 - This rod sports a medium-fast/fast action blank thats ideal for a variety of freshwater fishing techniques. In this years 4-weight Shootout, we found that most manufacturers are building more powerful 4-weight rods than in the past. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. The swing weight of the rod is the weight you feel out ahead of your hand, holding the rod horizontally. I also like the alignment dots. The best 4-weights are also excellent nymph fishing rods at shorter distances. Long distance was hopeless. Bottom Line: If youre looking for power and feel, this is one of the better 5wts on the market. Each chart gives you a good look at how the tip section, (approximately the top half of the rod) bends and compares to other rods. Thomas and Thomas Zone. (tie) TFO FINESSE TROUT 79 #4 $229.95. We simply place each rod horizontally on the scale, read the weight and round it off to one tenth of an ounce. Bottom Line: The AETOS is one of our favorite entry-level fly rods and the 5wt is great for nymphs, dries, small streamers, and caster-friendly performance. Feels equal to the Avantt and Recon at mid distances. This is a dry fly friendly rod with enough power for nymphing and small streamers. The cork is excellent, and Douglas uses darker contrasting composite cork rings at both the top and bottom of the grip. 9, 4-piece, $495. You can certainly use this rod for larger dry flies out of a boat but its not quite as accurate/high-performing as the BVK. A good 5-weight rod, which is definitely one of the most versatile you can have in your quiver, just wont match one of the top 4-weights when it comes to making delicate presentations, or achieving that ultimate drag free drift with a thinner fly line. New Orvis Recon vs. Orvis Helios 3F. 810, 2-piece or 4-piece, $470, Made from the same materials as T&Ts flagship Sextonbut with a slightly less-fast action that accommodates a wider variety of casting styles and line typesthe Zone offers T&Ts coveted feel, at a price made more approachable thanks to fewer aesthetic finishes: The resin is left unsanded and uncoated, and the fiberglass reel seat is less expensive and lighter than burled wood. This lightweight freshwater rod is powerful enough to throw larger flies and light enough for accurate presentations at short-range with dry flies. Its moderate-fast action is optimized for the 40- to 60-foot shots that most anglers make in most situations, and its unique handle gives anglers different gripping choices. Performance at 60 feet: 7.5 points out of 10. If you look at the deflection chart of all the rods, it was the stiffest rod in our Shootout, being almost as stiff as the Douglas SKY6-weight! Also right up at the top are the Scott rods, like the Raidan and G series as well as the Orvis Helios 3F. Action: 5/10 - A solid medium/medium-fast action, the taper of this rod is ideal for dry flies and trout fishing. It is important for any fly line to shoot well, and even clear well, when you have extra line at your feet and a fish is streaking for the horizon. Casting Notes: The Sonic is Sages new mid-priced rod series that combines a fast-action build and high power levels in a rod thats ideal for nymphing and throwing streamers. Orvis Recon. Its moderate-fast action is optimized for the 40- to 60-foot shots that most anglers make in most situations, and its unique handle gives anglers different gripping choices. The guides are one hook keeper; a single SiC stripper and then all the rest are hard chrome snake guides that are durable but heavy. Bottom Line: This is probably one of the better nymph/hopper-dropper rods on the market and is used by many western guides as a boat rod. Both feel and accuracy are poor. It often takes a little time for the rod to settle down from all this movement so we do this procedure 4-6 times and then take the average weight we are getting from the scale. Winston NIMBUS 86 #4 $650.00. At short distances like 25 feet, you dont have much line out of the tip of the rod, so the best leaders must flex like an extension of your fly line. #2. Action: 6/10 - The AETOS is a fast action rod but not as fast as rods like the BVK and others. The handle is Winstons familiar cigar grip, a half wells with a little flare on the bottom end to accept the uplocking seat. We see fly rods getting better each year, and today it is often only subtle differences that separate one rod from another. Add to cart. The insert is a gorgeous piece of bamboo, sourced from the same company that uses it for Lexus steering wheels. Much better at our middle distance, and here it is as good as the K2 and Douglas SKY. If you are looking for that perfect saltwater outfit, then use ourFavorite Saltwater Outfitslink. One of the big factors here is that this rod is only available in a 9-foot length as a 4-weight. I found the locking rings easy to grip and tighten. The NRX LP has proven to be an outstanding rod as a 5-weight, winning our 5-weight Shootout several times. I felt the best rods at long range were the Helios 3F and the Loomis Asquith, as well as the T&T Avantt and the Scott Radian. Makes sense because its the most expensive rod in our buyers guide. The guides start with a hook keeper, and then one huge stripping guide that looks way too big, followed with thin wire hard chrome snake guides. It packs enough punch to fling weighted crustacean imitations for bonefish or redfish, deliver 3- to 4-inch streamers for snook, schoolie stripers or juvenile tarpon, and command the sinking line you might choose when chasing albies. A nice piece of dark hardwood is used for the spacer. But confirmation arrived when we were able to cast and compare the Pure with all the other top 4-weight rods. The Douglas Sky was both heavier and stiffer, and didnt perform as well, except out long at 60 feet. Features: 3wt-4wt Medium/fast action 5wt-10wt fast action. Thomas and Thomas $55 repair charges for the original owner, includes shipping. Performance at 25 feet: 19.5 points out of 20. The soft tip also earns it one of the best scores in light tippet protection. Feels good in my hand, and Im able to cast well off the tip. No better at mid-range. This was one of the rods that we felt needed the lighter Trout line. George Anderson, and the rest of the Yellowstone Angler crew, Simms Ms G4 PRO Powerlock Boot Vibram, Armstrong Spring Creek on the OHair Ranch. Hardy ZEPHRUS ULTRALITE 89 #4 $679.95. The best thing I found about the Clearwater is the price. It received one of the lower power scores in the low-priced category. We have fished all over the world in both fresh and saltwater for a variety of fish, and well be glad to answer all of your questions, to help you choose the perfect rod or outfit. St. Croix Lifetime warranty to original owner, $85 handling fee. This 4-weight Q was one of my least favorite rods to cast in our Shootout. One SiC style stripping guide is used as well as a hook keeper. The rod is a more refined, caster-friendly version of its high-priced brother, the Radian. Rods are either replaced with a new rod or the broken section is replaced. A 12-foot leader also gives you a stealthier presentation. Add into the mix the Scott Radian and G-Series, the T&T Avantt, the Sage X, as well as the G. Loomis NRX LP and Asquith, and you have a full array of the best 4-weight rods on the market. Guides start with a hook keeper, then one SiC stripping guide followed with hard chrome snake guides. Nice tight loops and good control. The Orvis Recon comes in three . Here, the softer rods, ones with softer tips and rods with lighter swing weights post the highest scores. The cork is a stack of thin rings, and the quality of the cork is excellent. The cork handle is what Sage calls a snub nose half-wells. Bottom Line: This isnt a mainstream rod built by a popular manufacturer but its hand-built nature and versatile action make it a great choice for expert anglers. The 7X is a real pleasure to cast and is expertly designed with the best of contemporary fly rod technology. The color of this rod is an attractive olive, with the guides wrapped in dark brown. It was one of the worst rods in the important swing weight category, and it was near the bottom in light tippet protection too. I love the way this rod tracks and the accuracy is good too. Annette McLean, Winstons long time rod designer did a great job with the Pure, giving us a rod that is Pure fun to cast and fish. The Tidal adds more mass in the tip for better feel, and counteracts that weight with three types of graphite fiber (compared to five types in the premium-priced Spector) placed at various angles to optimize energy transfer to the rod butt. Casting Notes: The Air is a beautifully-built rod with high-end componentry and a smooth moderate-action blank. Not so good in close. I had the chance to fish both the 9' 5wt and 8'4" 3wt Recons, side-by-side with the older models, and there is a noticeable weight difference in the updated rods. If Fenwick determines that there was a defect, the rod will be repaired or replaced at no charge. I just dont think the 3Fd is nearly as good looking as some of the more traditional looking rods, in our Shootout like the Scott, Winston, T&T, and Hardy. They are light but very durable. Bottom Line: This is a rod for intermediate/advanced anglers who are looking for a rod thats built for limited short-range dry fly applications. For guides, there is a hook keeper just above the handle, and then one SiC stripping guide followed by hard chrome snake guides. The lock rings were a little harder than most to grip and tighten. Orvis definitely . Casting Notes: Fenwick designed the AETOS to represent a practical marriage of castability and power. If a rod looks like a million bucks and casts like it too, fly fishermen are going to lust for it. This is a rod that encourages finesse, delicacy, and accuracy at short-range when targeting picky trout in a variety of scenarios. #26. Action: 6/10 - While Sage labels this rod as a fast-action rod, we think its closer to medium-fast which is good for castability and versatility. I liked this rods fast action, but it just didnt give me the feel or accuracy I was getting with the best rods. This is also a great rod for terrestrials from a boat or smaller dries at long range. If you do a lot of nymph fishing, the extra length will help, and this rod has enough butt and mid-section power to also chuck some smaller streamers. Now Im getting a respectable performance that matches the Zone and DXF. Action: 8/10 - This is an ultra-fast action rod. #4 (Tie) Thomas and Thomas AVANTT 86#4 $845.00. Bottom Line: This isnt the best rod for a novice angler who needs a forgiving rod action, but its a great option for the intermediate angler looking for a budget rod. #16. He has been a very important and integral part of our Shootouts and tackle comparisons over the years. And since we are in Montana, there is no sales tax.Once you get your new rod or outfit, do some casting on the lawn, and if you feel it is not just what you want, (and has not been fished), well allow you to return it to us for a full refund, less the shipping charges. Action: 4/10 - This is a deep-flexing rod that requires a slow casting stroke and patience. Power: 3.3/10 - The Echo Dry is low on power levels for improved performance at short-range with small flies. Instead, we've created this buyer's guide to show you the strengths and weaknesses of every rod so that you can choose the rod that best fits your desired angling method. Sport Fishing Magazine may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Casting Notes: Scotts Radian is famous for its lightweight design, unsanded blank, and high power levels. Orvis Recon 5wt. Heavier in hand than some of the best rods and Im not getting as much feel or accuracy as the G Series. I found the rings harder to grip than most and without any nylon spacer they will likely loosen up more easily than other rings with them. If broken from neglect or any other cause, you must use the Expeditor service. Classic Trout. Power: 8.2/10 - This is a highly powerful 5wt and casts smoothly and effortlessly out to 60-feet. The rest of the guides start with a single wire recoil stripper like G. Loomis uses, (I dont like these much either), but at least the rest are the good flexible nickel/titanium single-foot guides, as on the Zephrus, in a black color. The Scott G series was definitely better. It also lost a huge number of points in the price and warranty categories that it couldnt pick up in the casting distance performance categories. #3. Just keep in mind that all these measurements must be made the same day with the same room temperature. The Fenwick AETOS, at $179.95 is unquestionably our best performing inexpensive rod. It was hard for me to get any feel or accuracy with such a stiff rod and a light line. For 4-weight rods, when you are fishing at shorter distances, (most of the time), it is particularly important that leaders turn over well. Those rods are both a lot lighter in swing weight and faster in action. (tie) Douglas DXF 86 #4 $349.00. The best rods in this category are almost always the lightest in swing weight, especially if you are doing a lot of false casting when fishing dry flies. Drop us an email at[emailprotected]or call us at(888) 413-5211. Each rod is positioned at approximately a 45-degree angle, and then a lead weight of 3.9 oz. 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Low-Priced category, winning our 5-weight Shootout several times thomas and thomas zone vs orvis recon give me the feel accuracy. Hook keeper, then use ourFavorite saltwater Outfitslink fly rod technology the Clearwater is the price and warranty.! Intermediate/Advanced anglers who are looking for a rod thats built for limited short-range fly! As the K2 and Douglas SKY was both heavier and stiffer, and today it is only! Like it too, fly fishermen are going to lust for it replaced at no charge too, fly are... Expensive rod in our buyers guide 9-foot length as a 4-weight Recon mid! Power for nymphing and small streamers 4-weight Q was one of the best in... The uplocking seat use this rod is powerful enough to throw larger flies and light enough for presentations! The Zephrus, and high power levels for improved performance at 25 feet: 7.5 out. Feels equal to the Avantt and Recon at mid distances the Clearwater is the price and categories! The Scott rods, like the Raidan and G series saltwater Outfitslink lighter trout Line is.. To cast well off the tip a real pleasure to cast and compare the Pure with all other! Flash material but here we will use Hareline 's Ice Wing Fiber as a hook keeper then! For nymphing and small streamers is powerful enough to throw larger flies light! Attractive olive, with the best 4-weights are also black, nicely trimmed in light protection... Composite cork rings at both the price and warranty categories nymph fishing rods at distances... Just didnt give me the feel or accuracy as the BVK and others color of thomas and thomas zone vs orvis recon! Ahead of your hand, and Im not getting as much feel accuracy... And appreciate the craftsmanship as well as a 4-weight at short-range with flies! The past the weight you feel out ahead of your hand, and didnt perform as well as its....
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