3.5 ~ 5wt Rod "Booze and Women" Challenge
Fly Rod Challenge
You have $400 to spend. Sell me on the 4~5wt rod you would buy and why. As an extra incentive to the "would be" purchase and to economize the money spent, every dollar you spend under $400 gets matched by a bartender for you to spend on booze and women.
As an example. If you only spend $300 you will still have $100 left over plus the bartender matches your $100 so you now have $200 to spend on booze and women - along with a nice new rod.
Some rules:
Only 1 rod 3.5~5 wt
The price must be the retail price for a new rod (no auctions, sales or knowing the manufacturer). I am using Cabelas as a reference
You would have to agree to live with your choice for at least two seasons and its the only rod you would be able to use during that time
You can't use a rod you already own and spend $800 on booze and women
You must include why this is the rod!
The winner will receive the first ever production official TroutPad t-shirt and be featured in a future article. The winning entry will be determined by the official TroutPad team of Bruce, Robert and Beamer (in case of a tie)
Entry must be in by Friday February 13th. (extended until may 13th)
You have $400 to spend. Sell me on the 4~5wt rod you would buy and why. As an extra incentive to the "would be" purchase and to economize the money spent, every dollar you spend under $400 gets matched by a bartender for you to spend on booze and women.
As an example. If you only spend $300 you will still have $100 left over plus the bartender matches your $100 so you now have $200 to spend on booze and women - along with a nice new rod.
Some rules:
Only 1 rod 3.5~5 wt
The price must be the retail price for a new rod (no auctions, sales or knowing the manufacturer). I am using Cabelas as a reference
You would have to agree to live with your choice for at least two seasons and its the only rod you would be able to use during that time
You can't use a rod you already own and spend $800 on booze and women
You must include why this is the rod!
The winner will receive the first ever production official TroutPad t-shirt and be featured in a future article. The winning entry will be determined by the official TroutPad team of Bruce, Robert and Beamer (in case of a tie)
Entry must be in by Friday February 13th. (extended until may 13th)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Scott on -
I purchased an Orvis Helios 4 wt last spring and am amazed by it! Light and accurate. My 50th birthday present to me.
No kidding guys,my casting improved 10 fold!
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Permalink Reply by Bruce Friedman on -
This seems to be on everyones list. I am sure its in the top 5. Good call.
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Permalink Reply by Robert Henley on -
I think a lot of it is personal preference and you should cast a few before you decide or buy. Over the past 12 years now I've gone from basic, cheap stuff to quality tackle and it definitely pays to buy good equipment. I have an Orvis ZG 4wt that I LOVE and a T3 5wt - both are fast action rods. I've thrown Sage and I have a G Loomis that I like in a 7wt.
I think when you start getting to the high end rods the differences become cosmetic and consistency on the name brands of your fishing wardrobe. they are all good (and they should be or the price).
It also matters how you are going to treat them. I'm a lot tougher on my 7wt bass rod and 1 and 2wt perch rods than I am on my trout rigs. So I think that Temple Fork makes an excellent, low price, durable rod that you can bang around with.
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Permalink Reply by Brent Hodges (ReelFly) on -
I'd have to agree with Robert on choice becoming a personal preference, I try and find a rod that has exceptional quality for decent money. It's also important to know your company.....WARRANTY! I break rods all the time and i've noticed some companies charge allot for repair...and some do it for S&H.
People have different casting methods that may change with time and skill level, therefore changing choice of style and stiffness (speed).
I have several rods that i use for different conditions, but recently started throwing a Redington CP $259.00 Its great for the money, fast, durable, reasonably priced and the company has a great warranty program.
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Permalink Reply by Rommel Mercado on -
Well, can't say I'm an expert caster, but I know what I like. :-) I picked up the TFO S-Glass rod before X-mas and really enjoy it. I do prefer a medium, medium-fast action and the 5 wt rod is really nice. I also have a Loomis in 4wt and a Scott in 6wt. I'm still thinking about getting a Scott G2 in the 5 wt. as well. Fished with a guide's G2 in the Smokies and fell in love with that rod.
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Permalink Reply by Cary Marcus on -
All Sage, of course :
TCX 9' 7-weight My new Redfish, big Spec, Bonefish favorite.
TCX or Z-Axis "691" ---- 9' #6 with full wells grip & SW reel seat Smallmouth, Redfish, Bones, Trout streamer flinger
Z-Axis 10' 4-weight My main Ark. Trout rod
Xi2 9' 10-weight Workhorse
Xi2 9' 12 weight SERIOUS Workhorse
ZXL 8'6" 4-weight or 3-weight Norfork River
TCX 7'10" 1 or 2 weight Norfork & Hill Country
Bass Rods The Smallmouth version for Reds, the "Bluegill" version for Hill Country
Sorry that this is far more than "5", but for those of y'all who know mw & who've seen the butt end of my Suburban, you KNOW I couldn't possibly limit it to 5.
Aw geeeeeeez ..... I just NOW saw the "4 to 6 weight "limitation" on the question. Sorry. Guess I'll have to re-post.
Cary
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Permalink Reply by Cary Marcus on
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Cary Marcus said:All Sage, of course :
TCX 9' 7-weight My new Redfish, big Spec, Bonefish favorite.
TCX or Z-Axis "691" ---- 9' #6 with full wells grip & SW reel seat Smallmouth, Redfish, Bones, Trout streamer flinger
Z-Axis 10' 4-weight My main Ark. Trout rod
Xi2 9' 10-weight Workhorse
Xi2 9' 12 weight SERIOUS Workhorse
ZXL 8'6" 4-weight or 3-weight Norfork River
TCX 7'10" 1 or 2 weight Norfork & Hill Country
Bass Rods The Smallmouth version for Reds, the "Bluegill" version for Hill Country
Sorry that this is far more than "5", but for those of y'all who know me & who've seen the butt end of my Suburban, you KNOW I couldn't possibly limit it to 5.
Aw geeeeeeez ..... I just NOW saw the "4 to 6 weight "limitation" on the question. Sorry. Guess I'll have to re-post.
Cary
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Permalink Reply by Bruce Friedman on
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Fly Rod Challenge
Thanks for the input so let me put it back to you. You have $400 to spend give me the 4~5wt rod you would buy. As an extra incentive to economize, every dollar you spend under $400 gets matched by a bartender for you to spend on booze and women. Some rules:
Only 1 rod 3.5~5 wt
The price must be the retail price for the rod (no auctions, sales or knowing the manufacturer). I am using Cabellas as a reference
You would have to agree to live with your choice for at least two seasons and its the only rod you will be able to use
You can't use a rod you already own and spend $800 on booze and women
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Permalink Reply by Brent Hodges (ReelFly) on
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The perfect rod for under $400?????
I have to say i've casted a great deal of rods in my life...never for booze and women,......ok maybe some for both.
The Redington CPX I've found to be an amazing rod for the money. It delivers the backbone to cast heavy tungsten Buggers with 12 feet of leader an amazing distance, but also gives me the "lightness" to cast dry flies to rising trout on the other bank without the "ker-plunk" factor.
The really great thing about this particular rod is it's Red Core Technology......what the heck?...That's what I said! It's durable, yet very light weight. A unique spiral core wrap guarantees the often sought after combination of lightness and durability. For the nuts and bolts of the rod, it has Pac-Bay TiCH stripping guides and hard chromed snake guides, premium Portuguese cork, a woven graphite reel seat....and something that i really like is the length and line weight designation on the ferrules for ease of identification and alignment dots make stringing up your rod a breeze! Also a lifetime warranty that....wont cost you an arm and a leg when/if you break it!
In Rod construction, its hard to find a rod that can take the abuse that I give and be lightweight and fast.
Redington CPX 5wt 4pc is it......... and the retail cost for this rod $299.00
Which gives me an extra $100 to spend on....???
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Permalink Reply by Bruce Friedman on
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Actually $200 since the bartender matches every dollar you saved.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Jackson on -
Chris Jackson said:My vote is for Echo Classic 3wt 7'6, or anything Echo as far as that goes. The Echo Classic 5wt 9', and Echo2 5wt 9' with accuracy tip both have great reviews. Tim Rajeff (owner and rod designer of Echo) was formerly the designer of G-Loomis and gold medalist in World Casting Games. All rods have a lifetime warranty and the Classic retails at $149 and Echo2 retails at $269. The absolute best rod for the money! I can give you a handful of local fishing guides (even Orvis endorsed guides) that will give Echo a big thumbs up. Those of you that don't know Echo, it may be because Cabelas doesn't carry Echo. Echo is one of the few companies that still believe in protecting the small fly shop. I've attached some links to reviews to back up my claim.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc9pgoTHGwI
http://www.talkflyfishing.com/index.php?showtopic=17229
http://commblogging.blogspot.com/2008/04/echo-classic-76-3wt-review...
http://www.activeangler.com/flyfishing-products/macnair-echo_2.shtml
http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/f60/satisfied-echo-fly-rod...
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Permalink Reply by Bruce Friedman on
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Chris - I may come by and give these a try this week.
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