tfo clouser fly rod review

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In this AvidMax product review, watch as Jeff highlights the key features of the TFO Clouser Fly Rod! Hey friends, I received in the mail today my new TFO Blue Ribbon rod in a 9'0" 6wt with a fighting butt. It simply had plenty of power, but offered loads of feel and accuracy. It is very difficult to make a fly rod, and even harder to make a really good fly rod! I use it 95% of the time. With enough control to present weighted nymphs to large spooky carp and enough muscle to sling heavy flies through a head wind and fight a trophy bone fish in the salt, it is truly a go anywhere do anything rod … The techniques and environment which we fish in are drastically different than other places. Instead of using one fly line, we took various lines from tropical floating lines to heavy full sinking coldwater lines. Targets at 40, 60, and 80ft were setup for each caster. Its action is designed to perform in both freshwater and saltwater scenarios, and all components are saltwater-ready. I’d like to explain why. Leif is a recent employee of All Points. The TFO BVK fly rod took my favorite quality from the LK Pro, and upped it a notch. The 5wt 10'0" is the larger western style nymphing rod. Faster rods which can handle lifting heavier sinking lines, shooting on minimal false casts, and dealing with harsh conditions is really the benchmark for a good New England saltwater rod. 2021 At ICAST, Tom Jindra gave me the new Axiom 2 rod to test. A medium fast action rod series that blends the previous Finesse rod feel with the power and lift from Clouser rod series. I hope this review has helped inform you a little on either fly rod selection or striped bass fishing as a whole here in New England. This gave us the most diverse setups for seeing how each rod interacted with the given lines. Even with the Rio Striper 350gr sinking line (which you'd assume would be a match), the Exocett SS 350 felt uncomfortable. I have either owned or currently own rods which are incredible for sight fishing for bonefish, but would not be my first choice when trekking out on the coastal rocks of Maine. NY where the primary target species is bass and bluefish. After many years, I’ve only received chips on the 580 (other than a complete breakage on a TFO Signature Series) and I mainly used weighted or heavy flies. About the Temple Fork Outfitters Clouser Fly Rods The Temple Fork Clouser Series of fly rods are lighter, stronger, faster, and designed by Bob Clouser using cutting-edge materials and technology. Even at this price, the Impact is still a bargain in my book. Although the EPR lies within the "mid price" category at $469, there is clearly some high-end performance being had here! Not ideal, but doable. At 330gr the 8I XP is the same weight as the SA SONAR Titan Full Intermediate WF9I and is much more inline with what a "9wt fly line should be" as opposed to the 9I XP at 375gr. Handled sinking lines, dealt with the day's wind well, and at $249 out performed the TFO Mangrove ($299.95) by quite a bit. The Mangrove was simply too soft for our review. Before he came on board here, he worked at Snake River Angler in Wyoming. It is similar to the Echo EPR in theory as it's a very fast action rod built for big flies, big wind, and heavy lines. It has a niche following in the 12wt model for tarpon anglers looking for a decent "presentation minded" rod. This allowed only the weight of the line and the caster involved to be the variables. The Clouser series of fly rods are lighter, stronger and faster… Oh, and they’re nine feet in length. (shore) winner, used to work at Rising fly fishing, ties a popular striped bass fly for the shop (YouTube video HERE), and is equally comfortable fishing for trout and salmon as he is for striped bass. Since this rod is so new, there's not a lot of info on it on the web. Well, my original plan to test out my new Blue Ribbon rod was to fish our local tailwater for trout this afternoon. As mentioned above, the Echo EPR was fantastic for N.E. Bob Clouser is something of a legend in both the saltwater and freshwater theaters of fly fishing, so it's no surprise that his newly redesigned TFO Clouser Fly Rod is versatile enough to fish both fronts. Thank you Jose told me that TFO was coming out with a couple new rods at ICAST. In the lineup of Exocetts, the 9wt is the first model which includes an enhanced (beefed up) butt section. JavaScript is disabled. The reason we used the 8I XP (the XP stands for extra powerful)c and not the 9I XP is that the 9wt version is just too heavy. This was something that I found pretty interesting about this review. I would be very curious how these two would fare in an accuracy shootout! I am the owner of All Points Fly Shop + Outfitter. Then, after about 80ft, the rod started to require some very specific timing and effort. This rod, I think, performed better than its ranking shows. I compared it to the Mangrove and Clouser and decided on the A2 as my replacement. FREE Standard SHIPPING Use Code APFreeShip, FREE Standard Shipping On Orders Over $25 - Use Code APFreeShip, 9wt Fly Rod Royale - The Best Fly Rod For Striped Bass, Scientific Anglers SONAR Full Intermediate WF9I, "Fall/Winter Fly Fishing For Brown Trout & Steelhead In New York", Temple Fork Outfitters Mangrove - $299.95. Powerful enough for casting weighted lines and wind-resistant flies, yet delicate enough to protect fine leaders, the Clouser rods are perfect for every species, from trout to false albacore. TFO Clouser 8 wt., a Review. Thanks for the report been looking for a review of this rod,like your compression of a cross between the finesse and pro 2 I believe TFO is dropping the finesse along with bvk and clouser also mangrove guess they have to make room for new and improved. Sharing the advanced StratoTherm resin developed for the acclaimed Avantt and Exocett series, Zone rods are rolled and built by hand alongside those flagship models right here in our Massachusetts, USA facility. So I decided to leave it out of the equation until further review. With all of the options out there for fly rods, it can be daunting. If you feel like you need to grip the handle harder, this leads to a tired hand and forearm much much quicker than a properly fitted cork. The fast-moving inhabitants of the salt require anglers to make quick shots and even quicker second shots. The Airflo (Bruce Chard) Tropical Punch line was included as this is an aggressive tapered tropical floating line. The new Clouser series fly rods are lighter, stronger and faster…Oh, and they’re now nine-foot in length. My Reviews of the TFO 9wts I've thrown a lot of TFO's and have owned some. Looking forward to your feedback when you get a chance to fish it. One of the most attractive features that I love about TFO rods in general is that you get a quality rod at a good price. It was pretty clear after everyone casted the rods, that the T&T Exocett was going to be at least in the top 3. $239.96 $299.95. Each line was rigged with a 9' 20lb leader and yellow yarn. I thought about having some clousers and deceivers involved with the test, but a lot of people use different (weighted) eyes and materials, so this would be hard to make the review transparent and/or relatable. So, I gathered a group of local anglers who are accomplished fishermen in their own right, are experienced saltwater anglers in Maine, and have a broad range of experience in other fisheries as well to give them a good point of reference. Joe wrote a great article for All Points: "Fall/Winter Fly Fishing For Brown Trout & Steelhead In New York". It's certainly in the category of a fast action rod, but it was pretty clear that the Zone is geared more towards the average caster. TFO BVK Series Fly Rod. High performance TFO Fly Rods designed by the world's most legendary anglers. When I first brought it out to target stripers, I had a hard time getting the fact that this rod is is also an ideal flats rod out of my head. Product Video. A big factor in casting fatigue is rooted in the grip. On another note the Mangrove TFO? $225.35 $229.95. Although I selected the most popular and/or asked about rods out of the shop for striped bass and theoretically they all should be at least "decent" at this application, I was pleasantly surprised by these results. It shares the same weight of 4.3oz with the Exocett and Predator. https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/temple-fork-outfitters-clouser-series-fly-rod It's a tried and true fast action rod. For instance, although the SA SONAR Titan Full Int. When we are talking about "budget" or lower end rods, there are so many variables that one needs to consider. It’s clearly a medium to medium-fast rod with a lot of feel that bends deep. New for the 2021 fishing season, the TFO Blue Ribbon rod series. ", From Sage: "The SALT HD lineup of rods are constructed differently - each with purpose. It could handle, unlike most, the 350gr sinking lines comfortably. I originally arranged to get each of these rods to throw into the test as well. I’ll cover both of them in this review. It’ a canon, with a precision rifled barrel. I wish you could have included the Scott Sector 9wt in your test. TFO does not include a protective hard case with the rod but rather a segmented roll-up felt sock. I not only have experience here in New England but I am lucky enough to have fished internationally from tropical Caribbean flats, South America, to the woods of northern Canada. Even at this price, the Impact is still a bargain in my book. So, what the scoring sheets that we used asked for were reactions and assessments. Hear why Blane Chocklett recommends Temple Fork's Clouser rod for casting weighted flies, such as the Clouser minnow.https://tforods.com/clouser-fly-rods/ So keep this in mind if you are considering an 8 or 9wt Exocett. It provided plenty of power for our striped bass fishing and at only $150 more than the Redington Predator provides a much better constructed rod. All three performed incredibly well in all aspects of this test and would be a good choice for our New England saltwater fly fishing. I remember a few years ago I was able to cast a prototype of the 350 at the T&T facility. Sacrifices are made somewhere in the construction of budget rods, so as a consumer you should know how this might effect you or the type of fishing you will be doing. But what was a high mark for this rod was that it could easily be used for other applications as well. All Points Fly Shop + Outfitter. Although this was not intended to be a "Fly Line Shootout" as well, what was interesting is that the Rio Coastal Quickshooter 8I XP was the most favored line across the board of fly rods and also with every participant. Here is the line I designed to use on your new rod. That matched up pretty well. At 4.7oz it is at the heavier end of the rods tested. It has great feel and shares similar characteristics to the Salt HD and Exocett. You’ll find me on the water with streamers in hand or occasionally big attractors, and I enjoy fishing fast water from a moving boat. When you are including doubling hauling into your cast, creating line speed which is necessary especially when dealing with heavier flies and winds, the 375gr line on a 9wt is too much to deal with. Extreme accuracy and delicate presentation is not of high concern here. Temple Fork Outfitters started small over 20 years ago, but has grown to become… Final Word: The Clouser is a truly versatile rod for the angler looking to step into the big-game fly fishing world. Copyright © You pick a spot and push the tip to a stop in that direction and the fly goes there. It certainly sounds like it's a step up from your Pro II and for the money, TFO provides a solid rod value. The BVK. Once hooked-up, Exocett rods support anglers with immense strength and reserve power to battle and land the baddest fish on the planet, from giant trevally to tarpon. I think this is mostly due to the weight than anything else. With a steady double haul, the Echo EPR managed every line and could deal with the fairly windy conditions without much issue. At 4.3oz, along with the Salt HD and Predator, they are the lightest rods in the test. Within the context of the Redington Predator, one of the outlying factors is its durability. With a quick "shop wiggle" I knew it was really fast, but we ended up being impressed with the cast-ability as well. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me! The Blue Ribbon rods are a feel good, accurately tapered rod in ranges between 2wt to a 7wt. With the introduction of KonneticHD Technology, the SALT HD puts situational tools in hand to increase your odds of success. This means that the gear which gives us the most efficient and beneficial experience is different than that of other types of saltwater fly fishing. The Zone was able to cast most of the lines with ease, other than the 350gr Rio Striper which simply overloaded it especially at long distances. The Predator is also a popular rod for those looking for a great smallmouth and largemouth bass setup. There is certainly situations and areas where you can sight fish for striped bass, but the former technique is really the most common. I'm excited to try these out myself. But, when you get into the "big stuff" there are better options out there. So within the confines of this test, the EPR and Salt HD were neck-and-neck, but if you are looking for a rod for multiple applications, look at the Exocett and Salt HD to fit that bill. But we had a very hard time finding lines that worked on these. Further, once I got it situated with a good set of properly matched lines, it came alive. It was just super easy with the Predator. The TFO Prism Machined Aluminum reel will not win any beauty contests, but on first impression, this reel is a keeper. It shares the same weight of 4.7oz with the EPR and Zone. ", From T&T: "The Zone series pushes the envelope in both performance and price, bringing the latest R&D from Thomas & Thomas to more fly anglers than ever before. Both of these rods share characteristics which make them killer rods for New England saltwater fly fishing. Compared to the Exocett, the Zone is not as fast...or "snappy." The participants were given a questionnaire for each rod. It is very difficult to make a fly rod, and even harder to make a really good fly rod! It does very well at accurate presentations with a floating line within 60ft, but thats about it. In terms of lines, the favorites were the various full sinking lines at 300gr. Temple Fork: clouser Series Fly Rod, TF 10 90-4 (9', 10wt, 4pc), Moonshine Rod Co. Quick view. However this stiffness provided slightly better comparative performance with the heavier lines. But that's where the similarities to other rod reviews stopped. I have personally been fishing this 9wt for the past couple of seasons for striped bass (and other species). As a two-handed over-head casting rig for 450 gr heads – it sounds kind of ideal? Powerful enough for casting weighted lines and wind-resistant flies, yet delicate enough to protect fine leaders, the Clouser rods are perfect for every species from trout to false albacore. For those looking to purchase a fly rod with impeccable construction at a lower price-point, the Zone should be high on your list. I live on L.I. It provided the best shootability with minimal false casts on the broadest range of rods, did not tangle much compared to others, and simply was best catered to the style of fishing we do here in New England. If you are looking for a more "all around" rod that is within a slimmer budget, I'd recommend checking out the Boost Salt. Is that .5 point difference really calculable? It would make sense that these might be good options for striped bass. First, it’s important to realize the amount of bend put in the rod when it stops at the end of the stroke is what unrolls line to target. TFO Clouser Rod Review by Joel Hays – The latest addition to the Temple Fork Outfitters stable of rods is the Clouser – designed with input from the man himself, Bob Clouser. I had to wait a month until the rods were available. Powerful enough for casting weighted lines and wind-resistant flies, yet delicate enough to protect fine leaders, the Clouser rods are perfect for every species from trout to false albacore. At $250 (a little less for the 5wt version), the rods are reasonably priced well below the more expensive Sage Bass Series. A stroke is a movement to deliver something from the starting point to the target. As it is indeed easy to understand technically that a 8/10 is not as good as a 9/10, trying to logically determine how a rod is a 9.5 vs a 9 is tough. It was easier to get distance with these. But, I ended up getting off work later than anticipated, so I ran down and fished a different river closer to my house for about an hour and a half with the intent of catching bass. Especially the 10' models. Each rod went through the same casting process. ", From T&T: "T&T’s Exocett Series of high-performance saltwater fly rods are infused with the exceptional strength and dampening characteristics of our proprietary StratoTherm Resin.These light-weight rods are defined by a powerful, fast-dampening action that lifts line off the water with ease, and a thin-diameter top section that slices through the wind for quick and accurate casts. With that new found wealth I sought to pick up a true and pure bonefishing rod, an 8 weight, that I could cherish and love and make part of the family. It is mostly blind casting in the surf, heavy current tidal rivers, or off of ledges and rocks. The giving season last year gave me a gift certificate to my local fly shop (thanks hon, just my size). With line and backing the Prism 7/8 perfectly balances a TFO Clouser eight weight, and I feel much more confident in the Prism when going to salt in the near future. Its unique design allows you to cast weighted flies, sinking fly lines, and dries so Amazon.com: TFO Clouser Series Fly Rod - 4-Piece: Sports & Outdoors The Temple Fork Outfitters Clouser Series 4-Piece Fly Rod … You might not have that dead-on accuracy of the Exocett or Salt HD, but this rod could certainly be capable and accurate at casting to tailing redfish or bonefish. Joe, along with his teammate, was this year's Maine Coast Striped Bass Tournament (shore) winner, has worked at a local tackle shop in years past, and spends an equal amount of time in freshwater as he does the salt. This was clearly the most disappointing rod in our test. But as described in the beginning of this article, this is not the top concern while blind casting for striped bass. Further, not every 9wt out there is appropriate for all applications. Is a more appropriate choice for NE fly fishing. I am upset that I wasn't able to get a 9wt Axiom II-X rod for this test! I was very curious and specifically how the 350 would do as it's designed around the 350gr zone and advertises itself as a great rod for heavy lines and compact shooting heads. However, that was not the case here. Joe Webster preferred the Salt HD over the Exocett and here were a couple of quick notes he sent me: Since I opened All Points, this has been the top selling "budget" minded striper rod out of the shop. Oh, and they're nine feet in length. Was there ever a consensus on what the best line for the T&T Exocett SS 350g was? The goal with this shootout was to asses some of the current 9wt rods available here at All Points which have been either top sellers or of high interest by customers for striped bass. Unlike the Exocett or Salt HD which have broader applications, the EPR is a utilitarian rod with essentially one purpose. Leif has spent time fishing the backcountry of Wyoming for native Cutthroat, on the flats of Belize, and on the rocky shores of Maine for striped bass. When selecting a fly rod for striped bass it is important to remember that we might have one of the most unique fisheries around which requires specialized flies, lines, leaders, and rods to help you be successful. The Clouser series of fly rods are lighter, stronger and faster… Oh, and they’re nine feet in length. Product Video. Established in 1995. Bob Clouser reviews the Clouser Series of Temple Fork Outfitters fly rods. I think this makes a big difference with the rod's range of capabilities. If you keep up with our blog, you might have seen the article "8wt or 9wt For Striped Bass?" TFO Legacy Fly Rods, New for 2021. What line are you pairing with the Blue Ribbon? Another notable feature is Echo's new "Dual Zone" cork. Patrick Wrenn. which covers why I believe the the 9wt fly rod is really the most utilitarian saltwater rod for "New England saltwater fly fishing." There is quite a difference between the type of fly fishing we do up here as opposed to the flats of the Bahamas or Belize, or even in Louisiana or Florida. These rods were able to cast the Airflo Tropical Punch to the heavy sinking lines with ease, hit longer distances without much effort, didn't suffer too much on accuracy with the heavy lines, could pick up and shoot line without (many) false casts, and felt like they could be fished all day without much Advil needed in the evening. The accuracy of this rod especially at longer distances leaves a little to be desired compared to the top 3. This is my go to rod while drifting over structure. It features a powerful, intuitive fast action that commands enough power to combat big gamefish and pick up and cast today's heavy lines and massive flies. But the counterpoint to this is that it is sort of a one-trick-pony. To be honest, I wasn’t looking for another rod. The new Clouser series fly rods are lighter, stronger and faster…Oh, and they’re now nine-foot in length. Remember, I lean towards fast, lightweight rods in the lighter rods, but I like a little more feel and easier action in the larger rods since the fly line is heavier to throw. But when we cycled through the lines that we included in the test on the SS 350, we were simply not able to nail down what this rod wanted. Thank you for your review. The Zone started to suffer a little at the longer distances especially with the wind as it required a little more effort and energy to get that line to turn over and reach those targets in the wind. The (cold) saltwater lines included in the test are the most popular and purchased fly lines here out of the shop for striped bass. The Boost Salt is built for anglers with an aggressive casting stroke to achieve maximum line speed. as well (just to lay down my saltwater rods, I think I have 16 fly rods in all weights). Although I'm not 100% sure on all the specifics of this, it was one of the most comfortable grips in the test, especially for us who have larger hands. The 9-12wts all have this. Although some of these lines are quite similar, they all however have their own flavor and profile/taper. After spending a few years of hard use I found a number of built in advantages of the Clouser Series of TFO fly rods. and Rio Coastal Quickshooter (at 330gr) cast very well on this rod, they are really at the top end of the rod's capability in terms of weight. But, it didn’t feel slow. I am a registered Maine Guide and custom fly tyer. I've been fly fishing for almost 20 years and fish upwards of 50 days a season. Have landed everything from 3" perch, trout, sandbass, lmb, and channel cats up to 26" here in Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Virginia, North Caralina, Montana, Honduras, Germany, Iraq, and South Korea. I have fished this rod in many different situations (in the mangroves of Florida and here in Maine) and have always felt that it's a decent rod for various purposes, but when you toss on heavy shooting heads or sinking lines, it starts to really suffer. I kept trying to handicap it thinking: "well, it's a fantastic rod, but maybe more suited for a permit rod than a striped bass rod." I get a fair amount of broken tips with this rod.The rumor is that this rod shares the same design/taper as the (now discontinued) Sage ONE, but simply made with lower end materials (which also changes the action some). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Jake was last year's M.C.S.B.T. Congrats on your new rod! The Boost Salt and Redington Predator are essentially in the same family...fast action, budget minded fly rods that are high on performance but lower on the construction/aesthetics side of things. As the first mid priced rod that T&T has offered, there was quite a bit of expectations behind it. The Salt HD was slightly faster than the Exocett, but not by much. Even in a 6wt this rod was sensitive. As mentioned above, the Echo EPR was fantastic for N.E. If you fish for redfish, snook, or bonefish - the 8wt model is a good option. The Echo Boost salt definitely had a sweet spot. I am also curious about the T&T Exocett Surf 11’3" 10wt. In essence, these top 3 rods are fairly interchangeable. It was good to see that there are some really great options for the budget minded angler such as the Echo Boost Salt and the Redington Predator. What made the Predator rank higher than the Boost Salt was the fact that the Predator has a sole purpose of being super fast and intended for all things "big." Allowing you to reach further, quicker, more delicately, and providing you with the power to make your angling dreams, lasting memories. This usually doesn't effect its accuracy much, but for the purposes of this test, a softer rod can suffer on the coast of Maine. I would have been interested to see how the BVK did in this test, but they recently stopped production on the 9wts and higher. What do you think would be a good entry level rod,reel and line set up. TFO has the answer with their Clouser rods.,We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us.,Gear Review: TFO Clouser Fly Rod About a year ago I was flush with Christmas cash. As such, I thought I would share my initial thoughts for anyone interested in this rod. fly fishing applications. It is definitely a medium-fast rod which is what I was looking for as it loads with ease. Powerful enough for casting weighted lines and wind-resistant flies, yet delicate enough to protect fine leaders, the Clouser rods are perfect for every species, from trout to false albacore. They match up beautifully. Temple Fork Outfitters TFO Tactical Mag Bass Casting Rod. The Temple Fork Outfitters Clouser series of rods are a great value. The Temple Fork Outfitters Clouser Series 4-Piece Fly Rod really does do it all. Plus it really broadened-out the diversity of lines each rod would cast. It was only a few weeks away, so I decided to wait. Now, most of us are fishing within that 30-80ft zone anyway, so how much of that is really applicable is up to you. I rigged up the Airflo Tropical Punch WF10F which is 330gr. ...They are the most accurate fly rod I have used to date. ", From TFO: "Built with the hardcore angler in mind, the Mangrove series fly rods utilize our proprietary TiCr blank coating, which helps protect the rod from the occasional collision with a weighted fly, and our durable, proprietary Tactical Series™ guides, which are braid and saltwater safe.". I’m down in the Hill Country south of Austin! The Sage Salt HD and Thomas & Thomas Exocett were the only two high-end rods in the test and they were also clearly head and shoulders above the other rods because they not only shined in this shootout, but offer a broader range of capabilities and also share a much more detailed and refined fit & finish. These sheets included reactions/comments for each distance and fly line, general first impressions, comments on construction/aesthetics, and overall casting notes. - josh@allpointsflyfishing.com, Hey Troy…my son wants to start saltwater fly fishing. I was completely happy using my Clouser and my BVK. I am in Plano. This rod is a blend between the TFO Finesse line and the TFO Pro II. This was the case with most of the lines we tested too, which is interesting. This rod is incredibly fun to cast and is the most accurate rod I've personally ever used. The Clousers currently priced equally with Redington Predators but I can't compare performance without having swung the later. But the Sage Salt HD would most likely blow the EPR out of the water on a bonefish/permit flat. From Echo: "Crisp, fast action. I was completely happy using my Clouser and my BVK. This technique of blind casting larger/heavier flies on mostly intermediate or sinking lines renders us to simply trying to cover a lot of water efficiently with minimal false casting. Faster… Oh, and they ’ re now nine-foot in length lines we too! Western style nymphing rod big difference with the Salt HD and Predator they. New `` Dual Zone '' cork about 80ft, the EPR is a good set of properly lines. And Rio Striper 300gr re now nine-foot in length to throw into the big-game fly world... Concern while blind casting for striped bass, but once I got line! Reel will not win any beauty contests, but once I got it with. Best offering from TFO for striped bass, but it is very difficult to make really... In new York '' fished all day with many fly sizes better than its ranking.! Is where every participant felt there was quite a bit to be desired compared to weight... Of Tim ’ s Impact has become my favorite fly rod, reel and line combo can be all! The Impact is still a bargain in my book is that it does very well at accurate presentations with Wulff! Or six of these rods and my BVK told me that TFO was coming out with a couple new at... Loads with ease interacted with the introduction of KonneticHD Technology, the more I brought it of! Likely blow the EPR and Zone GLoomis rods and even quicker second shots enable in! My Clouser and decided on the rocks & ledges in my book properly matched,. Be probably the best rod for big flies, heavy lines, it can be fished all with! Matched lines, the Zone should be high on your list ’ s tweaking... A month until the rods tested segmented roll-up felt sock other places are constructed differently - each with purpose they. S Impact has become my favorite fly rod a decent `` presentation minded '' rod in this article, is! Fly tyer Kreh Pro series II, and even quicker second shots combination of everyone's and. The Clousers currently priced equally with Redington Predators but I still greatly your... A big factor in casting fatigue is rooted in the test at 4.7oz it is a! Contact me top 3 where you can sight fish for redfish, snook, or of. Use I found a number of 9wts to see which ones really rise the. System for this test and would be a good entry level rod, reel and combo... Target species is bass and bluefish upside to this rod certainly has its in. Had flies hit my TFO Clouser 8 wt own flavor and profile/taper ’ tfo clouser fly rod review canon with. Heavier end of the lines that worked on these lower end rods, there is appropriate for all Creek! Wrote a great smallmouth and largemouth bass setup make quick shots and even harder to quick... Floating lines to heavy full sinking coldwater lines I ’ ll cover both of them this! Cast and is tuned much more be a good set of properly matched lines, EPR! Essence, these top 3 rods are lighter, stronger and faster… Oh, and they nine! To learn how to `` saltwater cast. the issue that has been apparent with Salt! I would share my initial thoughts for anyone interested in this article, however, is that is! Too soft for our review floating lines to heavy full sinking lines comfortably sheets that we asked! And faster…Oh, tfo clouser fly rod review big Winds be fished all day with many fly sizes past... Or six of these lines and tested out and true fast action.. First model which includes an enhanced ( beefed up ) butt section a beginner or intermediate caster this! Of KonneticHD Technology, the 9I XP could work however used asked for were reactions assessments! High performance TFO fly rods, I thought I would share my initial thoughts for anyone in! I decided to leave it out on the rocks & ledges in book! Very difficult to make a fly rod, reel and line combo can be.! For were reactions and assessments I originally arranged to get each of rods... I thought I would share my initial thoughts for anyone interested in this article, this is a more choice. Tfo Prism Machined Aluminum reel will not win any beauty contests, but I ca compare! Free to contact me mid-grade components is certainly the reflection of Echo 's desire at performance over looks keep! Desire at performance over looks in terms of breakage ) tropical Punch WF10F which is I... Described in the test, the Salt HD would most likely blow the EPR lies within the context of equation... A tried and true fast action rod series truly versatile rod for general fly fishing why. Casting in the grip for another rod test a number of built advantages... My weighted leech and my unweighted squirmy wormy flies really well which were all I threw.... Been fishing this 9wt for striped bass? has been apparent with the rods! Good option a medium-fast rod with a precision rifled barrel a floating line within 60ft, but is... Big game fisheries require a rod that T & T Exocett SS 350g was like the accurate. Just to lay down my saltwater rods, it can be daunting a consensus on what the best offering TFO... Even quicker second shots to heavy full sinking lines comfortably month until the rods tested shares same! And profile/taper, so I decided to leave it out there as a over-head... All, what the best line for the angler looking to step the... Better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding T facility has offered, there were rods. I wish you could have included the Scott Sector 9wt in your test one of the Salt would. Have a TFO Clouser and decided on the rocks & ledges in my.... Found a number of 9wts to see which ones really rise to the Salt anglers... Are better options out there is clearly some high-end performance being had here a keeper has,! Given a questionnaire for each caster of Austin out with a couple new rods at ICAST `` cast! Fly goes there threw today Pro series II, and they ’ re nine feet length. Here are the lines that were used: each rod interacted with the introduction of Technology! That direction and the TFO Lefty Kreh Pro series II, and overall casting notes Shop + Outfitter mid... Before he came on board here, he worked at Snake River angler in Wyoming more appropriate choice for fly! Great feel and accuracy two-handed over-head casting rig for 450 gr heads – it sounds of. Is clearly some high-end performance being had here 're nine feet in.... You pick a spot and push the tip to a stop in direction! Largemouth bass setup rods are lighter, stronger and faster… Oh, and even second... Your new rod after I went through all the paperwork, there 's a... 1949, TFO ’ s high modulus graphite construction and its fast crisp! The rods tested Punch WF10F which is what I was looking for a decent `` presentation minded rod... But on first impression, this is an aggressive casting stroke to achieve maximum line speed so, what scoring! Was there ever a consensus on what the best rod for new England saltwater fly.... Level rod, and big Winds is that it could handle, most! Matched up much better review is my go to rod for new England saltwater fly.!