New fly rod?

[Vigsy]

Looking for a new 8 or 9 weight rod for walleye and pike!
I want something fairly inexpensive but reliable! Anyone have any suggestions? Preferably under 175$:)

[mikeym]

see if TFO makes rods in that size, they should. for the money TFO's make some pretty decent rods.

Rgds
Mike

[Scott N]

X 2 on TFO.

[chubbdarter]

call your nearest Fishin Hole and see if they have any Reddingtons that are 40 percent off

[King Salmon]

This rod would get my vote!

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=102457

[Albertafisher]

Echo is a great brand

[uplander]

I bought a TFO 8wght with a fighting butt for 200$ it's performed amazingly and works from 8"Brookies to 40# barracuda. For sure worth it and the lifetime warranty made it oh so much better.

[doublehaul]

I have also been looking at 8wt rods. Whats the warranty like for Loop

[Pastor Dave]

I would suggest TFO. I have three of them now including and 9' 8wt. I love them and knowing that I have a 'no fault' warranty gives me piece of mind. Another plus is they are cheap.

[biggamehunter]

Streamside serenity

[Vigsy]

Thank you everyone for your replys!

[Calgaryguy1977]

TFO for sure....great price and a lifetime warranty. The best part is if you need it fixed/replaced then you can get it done right in Calgary for about 30 bucks. I had it happen to me about a year ago!

[EP2]

Rod wise, I like Redington as an inexpensive brand. I would also not discredit Cabela's rods. They sure feel nice for a low price.

Whichever rod you buy, I suggest at least picking up a Pike/Clouser/Big Fly specific line (not Rio Gold!).

I like Rio's Outbound Short.A30' head makes lifting the head easy, and the overweighted head is also good for big flies. I have the 9wt for my Redington Predator. Just great.

[Pudelpointer]

EP2 is giving you some good advice.

Sat in on Peter Morrison's pike fishing presentation at the Calagary fly fishing show this spring. If you don't know, Peter has been the Sage rep for Western Canada for as long as I can remember, and has successfully fly fished for stuff most would never dream of, like halibut. :126fs2277341:

Best advice he gave was:

Any heavier rod can make a good pike rod; save your money on a rod and spend it on your Flyline.


Couldn't agree more. Although there are numerous "predator" rods out there, by many manufacturers, the most important equipment item for these fish is the Flyline you use. Rio makes a Cold-Water Clouser line, as well as a Pike line (as far as I can tell these are the exact same taper). Cortland makes a Pike line as well.

Pike flys are big (or at least they should be - think 4" minimum - and with a piece of steel leader / wire tippet are a pain to cast / turn over. You need a heavily forward weighted line, or a very compact shooting head, otherwise you will be very frustrated.

[Alberta Bigbore]

St.Croix makes a couple very affordable lines that would fit the bill nicely.