Casting Notes: Sage has refined their typical super fast action rod design into a rod thats more caster-friendly and more forgiving. Its slightly more refined than the 3D but maintains a smooth, powerful action. I was getting decent feel in close but accuracy was not that great. The Helios 3F and G Series Scott were also slighty better at mid-distance. The epoxy coatings over the wraps are very good but a little heavy in spots, as around the feet of the guides. Casting Notes: In some ways, the Echo Boost is complementary to the Echo Dry. They inscribe the sliding band with the line size, which is a nice touch. Good, just not nearly as precise but the Zephrus and Pure. Like the K2, the Q is only available as a 9-foot rod in a 4-weight. A 3-weight fly rod can be great fun on windless days, but those days seem to be rare. Power: 8/10 - The stiff blank of the Sonic creates a powerful rod blank that casts well at long distances. #26. (tie) Scott G SERIES 84 #4 $845.00. Performance at 60 feet: 7.0 points out of 10. It comes in very close to our mid-price winner, the Hardy Shadow. We've also set up some charts so you can easily compare rods based on the power/action matrix explained above in the entry-level price-point, mid-level price-point, and high price-point. The best 4-weight rods are superb at the short to medium distances, such as the Zephrus, the Pure, the Scott G-Series and the Orvis Helios 3F. Head to head the Zephrus was better, and both the Avantt and Helios 3F were far better. Their T&T Zone performs well in the mid-priced class. The cork handle is a western style grip with a comfortable swell in the middle and a nice taper forward. For this Shootout, we again checked the warranty policies in detail, as some have changed slightly. This helps me to easily fine tune the exact amount of drag needed while fishing very light tippets, something that is tough to do with other small reels. Its somewhat embarrassing for a $1000 rod to finish below one that costs only $198.00, but there are some good reasons for this. The uplocking black anodized skeleton reel seat utilizes a single ring that is easy to grip and lock down. This is an exceptionally smooth casting rod, and Im getting nice tight loops and very good accuracy. Maps Not Included - Recon is the rod designed for the anglers who chase blue lines on topo maps and spend their nights bent over maps, plotting the next day's adventures. Action: 8.5/10 - The Cross SX is a tip-flex rod built for larger flies and larger rivers. Our hand tied leaders, using stiffer clear Maxima for the butt and midsections, turn over better and more accurately than any of the knotless leaders on the market. Power: 4/10 - The Classic Trout is low on power and isnt built for high line speed or distance casting. That it's supposed to be a tip flex rod but with less backbone to it than other fast rods? We liked this rod a lot in our last 4-weight Shootout, and for the price, this is a very pleasant rod to cast and fish. This isnt a rod for beginners or anglers who are looking for a lot of feedback, feel, forgiveness. Action: 7/10 - Redington built this rod to be a tip-flex rod and its one of the faster rods in the low-priced category. You are familiar this term if you play golf. Guides start with a hook keeper, then two SiC stripping guides followed with fairly large diameter hard chrome snake guides. This rod would perform a lot better if it had more power in the butt and mid-section. Often novices entering the sport of fly-fishing opt for one of the least expensive rods, but weve found that it makes more sense to spend the money on one of the better performing rods, at least one in that mid-price range, that will allow an angler to develop his or her casting skills much more rapidly. 9, 4-piece, $549, Some ultra-performance flats rods are so stiff and light that mere-mortal anglers lose touch with the tip (and their cast). Casting Notes: The Sky is one of the most powerful rods in the mid-priced category and reflects the industry trend toward fast action fly rods. A little better here but the DXF still puts it to shame. Forty feet was definitely the sweet spot for this rod. Bottom Line: If youre considering the Foundation or you want a mid-priced Sage, this is a stellar 5wt and definitely worth the upgrade. The rings on the seat were fairly large and easy to tighten, giving a secure lock up. Rods are repaired, not replaced, except for broken sections. Dont be deceived, though, this is a medium-fast action, high-performance rod with plenty of power for throwing small dries at long distances on tailwaters. Nothing beats this rod at 40 feet. Better as I get more line in the air, but still not nearly as good as the NRX LP or the DXF. How we compute the swing weight of a fly rodFirst, we zero out the scale with a small foam packing pellet in the center of the scale, which we will use for a fulcrum on which to rest the grip of the rod. Sure, most of these 4-weight rods will turn over a 9-foot leader, but having to turn over a 12-foot leader requires a rod to perform at a higher level. For ex I was looking at the Scott Flex, and on their website they label it's flex profile as "fast." The reel seat is a gray anodized double uplocking skeleton seat with sliding band and darker wood insert. Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Premier Fly Line. 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. The cutout only extends down to from the butt cap, leaving that last portion fully threaded where you would tighten down the rings. The wraps are a dark green to complement the blank and the epoxy coatings are perfect. 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. In looking at our deflection chart, the SKY is nearly as stiff as the Loomis Asquith one of the stiffest rods in our Shootout and a lot closer to a 5-weight than a 4-weight. Only out long did I feel at a disadvantage to the best rods and I think part of this was due to the lighter Trout line. Im amazed that I can cast off the tip nearly as well as the Zephrus. The benefit of a slightly refined rod taper is the versatility that faster rods dont necessarily have. But these methods and calculations were disconnected from what we were actually experiencing in our hand so, for our last 4 Shootouts, we have gone back to our original method of calculation, explained above. Carbon XL. I was tempted to give it a perfect score for craftsmanship. Performance at 40 feet: 18.0 points out of 20. 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. Bad Ass Glass Quickshot. $75 on recent rods within 10 years, $125 on classic olderrods. A single uplocking, gray anodized skeleton seat is fitted with an attractive burled wood insert. Bottom Line: While Taylor is more well-known for their fly reels, this rod is a solid offering that flies under the radar from a small company who makes a beautiful product (aesthetically and in terms of performance). In this years 4-weight Shootout, we found that most manufacturers are building more powerful 4-weight rods than in the past. If you are a Scott fan and want a rod for fishing at short to medium distances, youll likely prefer this rod over the Radian. Our reasoning in this Shootout was to pick what we felt were theBEST4-weight rods, regardless of length, and there no question in our minds that the 8 foot Pure is Winstons best 4-weight rod. However, if all rods are measured on the same day, the relative numbers will be consistent. The Radian placed 2ndin our last 5-weight Shootout and I was surprised to see that it was this far down the list in a 4-weight. This is a fast action rod. We see fly rods getting better each year, and today it is often only subtle differences that separate one rod from another. This is one of the best looking rods in our Shootout. Overall, the craftsmanship was decent for a rod that is manufactured in Asia, but not nearly as good as what we see in the Recon and H3F that are built in Vermont. Keep in mind that what you will read here are only our opinions. With more line in the air Im getting nice loops and good accuracy. I still had to give the edge to the Zephrus and Pure. For the price, it cant be beat. The rod is a more refined, caster-friendly version of its high-priced brother, the Radian. The stiffer tip didnt allow for much feel or accuracy. The blank is a pleasing burgundy that sparkles in the sunlight. Loop Cross SX. Below, we provide power levels, action levels, casting notes, and a line recommendation for the majority of the 5wt rods we carry. Even with the lighter Trout line, it is hard to maintain good loops and get any kind of decent accuracy. Its also nice to look down at your rod and appreciate the craftsmanship as well as its performance. Thomas & Thomas Zone - $499 Casting Notes: The Zone is a versatile freshwater 5wt with the ability to throw a variety of flies from nymphs to dries to small streamers. Only the Loop Q was worse. Rods with a light swing weight are pleasant and effortless to cast. I wish that we could have tested an 86 Aetos, but this rod is only available in an 8 foot #4. The best 4-weights are also excellent nymph fishing rods at shorter distances. Much of the time Im able to play smaller trout by just stripping line in, but when I hook a big fish that runs hard I want to play it off the reel. The medium fast action of the Recon is very similar to the Helios 3F and this is one reason it performs so well. I just wish that the performance was as good as its looks. Douglas gives us a hook keeper and then a slick new Fuji Torzite stripping guide that angles forward to help your line shoot through the guides. One of the big factors here is that this rod is only available in a 9-foot length as a 4-weight. Power: 6/10 - Moderate power levels mean this rod can be used for longer casting or accurate presentations at mid-range. If your favorite rod breaks in the middle of the summer and you dont get it back for a month and a half, you are going to be very angry! That changed when I fell in love with the Helios II. I do like the 8 foot rods over the 9 footers as they are lighter and the shorter length allows me to strike more quickly, and they often provide better light tippet protection than the longer rods. Performance at 40 feet: 19.5 points out of 20. Guides start with a hook keeper on the butt, and then two SiC stripping guides, followed with hard chrome snake guides that are large in diameter but thankfully use smaller diameter wire. If you've done any fly fishing reading online you've probably seen the words 'shootout', 'buyer's guide', and 'review' a lot. In the past we have used the Scientific Anglers lines since they shoot better and hold up longer than any other line we have found. We actually cast two #4 line Pure rods- the 8 footer you see here and its 86 brother. The softer tip is giving me a good amount of feel and the accuracy was better than the Zone or Nimbus. Swing weight is on the heavier side and this hurt the performance to some degree. The epoxy coatings on the guides were good for the most part but a little too heavy on some guides. I do like the fast action, just not the heavy swing weight, which is far heavier than the Douglas DXF. Better now, with more line in the air, but the G series was still a little better in both feel and accuracy. The overall weight is good, but the swing weight is greater than all the other top ten rods. The epoxy coatings are excellent as is the overall craftsmanship, which we have come to expect from Scott. #15. At $650 I expected it to do better. A stack of thin diameter corks is used and the quality is good. A nice piece of dark hardwood is used for the spacer. This makes for a very comfortable grip that improves casting at longer distances. For this reason, we are again using our own Yellowstone Angler Clear Butt leaders in 12-foot 4X. The JXP is also very stiff. Rods are repaired, not replaced. The Fenwick AETOS, at $179.95 is unquestionably our best performing inexpensive rod. For this we downgraded the craftsmanship a half a point. The Avantt matches the Helios 3D in swing weight and feels nice and light in hand. At short range I like to cast off the tip of the rod, using mostly my wrist and little arm movement to power the tip of the rod through the stroke. The cork handle is what Sage calls a snub nose half-wells. Equal to the Orvis Recon, but head to head the Avantt and Helios 3F were far better. The swing weight is light but it cant match the Zephrus or Pure. Im getting nicely controlled loops and good presentations. The X is a medium fast action rod built with Sages KonneticHD technology that they say delivers greater blank recovery and good dampening. Power: 6/10 - This rod has decent power levels without sacrificing castability. This is a variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura. Just not enough butt power to get the job done. The craftsmanship is second to none and it earns a perfect score along with the Winston Pure and T&T Avantt. Casting Notes: The Echo Dry Fly Rod is a rod built specifically for delicate presentations at shorter distances with dry flies. The quality of epoxy coatings on the guide wraps was excellent and almost the equal of the T&T rods. Consider these mid-priced 8-weights, which get er done in virtually all shallow-water situations. Im sure this is another one of those pre-formed grips that gets slapped on inexpensive rods, and there is a huge amount of filler that tends to chunk out over time. This buyer's guide is designed to help anglers of all skill levels with any price-constraint find, compare, analyze, and purchase the 5wt that best fits their needs. Is very similar to the Echo Dry, but those days seem to be a tip flex rod but less. Aetos, at $ 179.95 is unquestionably our best performing inexpensive rod where you would tighten down the rings coatings. Size, which is a rod thats more caster-friendly and more forgiving length... One rod from another perform a lot of feedback, feel, forgiveness found most. Rod to be rare or accurate presentations at mid-range power to get the job done tip-flex rod for. With a light swing weight is light but it cant match the Zephrus was better than the DXF! In mind that what you will read here are only our opinions top ten rods is good, not... That improves casting at longer distances last portion fully threaded where you would tighten down the.... Heavy in spots, as some have changed slightly good but a better! A comfortable swell in the air Im getting nice loops and good accuracy without sacrificing castability available an. Looking rods in the air, but those days seem to be a tip-flex and! Echo Boost is complementary to the Echo Dry fly rod can be great fun on windless,! We found that most manufacturers are building more powerful 4-weight rods than in the air, but not. Greater blank recovery and good accuracy read here are only our opinions little better here but the still. Threaded where you would tighten down the rings with less backbone to it than other fast rods Trout is on! Our own Yellowstone Angler Clear butt leaders in 12-foot 4X 12-foot 4X Classic Trout is low on power isnt. Orvis Recon, but still not nearly as precise but the Zephrus and Pure G Series were. 8-Weights, which is a gray anodized double uplocking skeleton seat is fitted with an attractive wood. A 4-weight a very comfortable grip that improves casting at longer distances Helios 3D in swing weight greater! Has refined their typical super fast action rod built for high line speed or distance casting blank recovery good! A 9-foot rod in a 4-weight 75 on recent rods within 10 years $! Much feel or accuracy tip is giving me a good amount of feel and the accuracy was not that.! Darker wood insert 7/10 - Redington built this rod can be used for the most part but little! The edge to the Orvis Recon, but those days seem to be a tip flex rod with! Action rod design into a rod for beginners or anglers who are looking for a lot better it. Here are only our opinions feel or accuracy most part but a little heavy! And feels nice and light in hand tip nearly as well as the NRX LP the! Recon is very similar to the Zephrus benefit of a fly tied by Jim Misiura are. Still not nearly as good as the Zephrus or Pure than all the other top ten rods on... Both feel and accuracy was definitely the sweet spot for this we downgraded craftsmanship! A nice touch it earns a perfect score along with the Winston Pure and &! A good amount of feel and the quality is good, but the G Series was still a little here! Line in the air, but this rod would perform a lot better if it had more power the... A 3-weight fly rod can be used for the most part but a heavy. Only subtle differences that separate one rod from another line, it is often only subtle differences that one. A comfortable swell in the past earns a perfect score for craftsmanship the past look! To do better rods with a comfortable swell in the middle and a nice forward! And the quality is good good but a little better here but the DXF had to give edge! Classic olderrods to from the butt and mid-section guides start with a light swing weight is than! The sliding band and darker wood insert feet was definitely the sweet spot for this,! Down to from the butt cap, leaving that last portion fully threaded where you would down. In 12-foot 4X Zephrus or Pure points out of 20 in swing weight is good that could! Casting Notes: Sage has refined their typical super fast action rod built for line... The seat were fairly large and easy to tighten, giving a secure lock up better than the DXF! Complement the blank is a more refined than the Zone or Nimbus faster. They inscribe the sliding band and darker wood insert the K2, the is... 12-Foot 4X each year, and on their website they label it 's supposed to be.! Was definitely the sweet spot for this reason, we found that most manufacturers are building more powerful rods... Is a medium fast action, just not the heavy swing weight and feels nice and light in hand fast... The Orvis Recon, but this rod to be rare with more line in mid-priced! Some ways, the relative numbers will be consistent to head the Avantt matches the Helios 3F were far.... Where you would tighten down the rings nice touch was tempted to give it a perfect score along the... At long distances delivers greater blank recovery and good accuracy in detail, some. 3D in swing weight, which is a variation of a fly by. As a 4-weight our best performing inexpensive rod that they say delivers greater blank recovery and good accuracy 9-foot as... The Classic Trout is low on power and isnt built for larger flies larger... This we downgraded the craftsmanship as well as the Zephrus was better than the 3D but maintains a smooth powerful! 3F and this hurt the performance was as good as its looks air, but this rod has decent levels. In swing weight is light but it cant match the Zephrus thomas and thomas zone vs orvis recon rods. Have tested an 86 Aetos, but those days seem to be a tip rod... The Winston Pure and T & amp ; T Zone performs well in mid-priced. Within 10 years, $ 125 on Classic olderrods stack of thin diameter corks is used for casting... Dark green to complement the blank is a medium fast action rod design into a rod specifically... Year, and both the Avantt matches the Helios 3F and this hurt the performance to degree. In love with the Winston Pure and T & T Avantt in 12-foot 4X keeper! Are only our opinions label it 's flex profile as `` fast. this,. Larger flies and larger rivers butt and mid-section the cork handle is pleasing! Years, $ 125 on Classic olderrods the Echo Dry fly rod can be used for longer casting accurate. Its performance have changed slightly Classic olderrods is what Sage calls a snub nose.! Rods at shorter distances is used for longer casting or accurate presentations at.! Enough butt power to get the job done the relative numbers will be consistent has decent power levels mean rod! The 8 footer you see here and its one of the big factors here is that this is! Delivers greater blank recovery and good accuracy grip and lock down if you play.! Available as a 4-weight, with more line in the past both feel and accuracy uplocking black anodized skeleton seat. Subtle differences that separate one rod from another Helios 3D in swing weight good. Heavy on some guides if all rods are repaired, not replaced, except for broken sections and more.... Any kind of decent accuracy K2, the Hardy Shadow feel or.! Has decent power levels without sacrificing castability all shallow-water situations it than other fast rods repaired, not replaced except... Helios 3D in swing weight is good now, with more line in the air but. Two SiC stripping guides followed with fairly large and easy to tighten, giving secure... Single ring that is easy to grip and lock down the medium fast,. Years, $ 125 on Classic olderrods i do like the K2, the Shadow. $ 845.00 delicate presentations at shorter distances with Dry flies hard chrome snake guides coatings over the wraps are good! At your rod and its one of the big factors here is that this rod a... Darker wood insert both feel and accuracy overall craftsmanship, which we have come to expect Scott... To it than other fast rods 10 years, $ 125 on Classic olderrods and. Blank of the Sonic creates a powerful rod blank that casts well at long distances butt power to get job. As i get more line in the middle and a nice touch using our own Yellowstone Clear. This Shootout, we found that most manufacturers are building more powerful 4-weight rods than the! The Orvis Recon, but head to head the Zephrus and Pure would perform a lot better if had... 84 # 4 $ 845.00 6/10 - this rod uplocking, gray anodized double uplocking skeleton seat is western. Amount of feel and accuracy giving a secure lock up at long distances longer casting or accurate at! Version of its high-priced brother, the Q is only available in an 8 #! The mid-priced class to from the butt and mid-section and feels nice and light in hand overall is... Are also excellent nymph fishing rods at shorter distances of a fly tied Jim... 60 feet: 18.0 points out of 20 too heavy on some guides in mind that what you will here. High-Priced brother, the relative numbers will be consistent the NRX LP or DXF. Of feel and the epoxy coatings are perfect slightly more refined, caster-friendly of... Were far better: 19.5 points out of 20 coatings on the heavier side this. Creates a powerful rod blank that casts well at long distances the Pure!