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[Neil Chilson]

I have a 9ft 5wt and a 7ft orvis encounter combo which is also a 5wt (although it seems much lighter than my other rod).  I'd like to add a heavier rod to my arsenal - ideally something I can do heavier freshwater fishing and some basic shore-based salt water fishing with.  What weight and length would add the most diversity to my current setup? Any recommended brands (both my rods are orvis right now).

Thanks!

[peter odell]

an 8 wt is a great rod to have - steelhead, saltwater (except big stuff like tarpon), and big rivers - also good if you throw big bass bugs or heavy streamers on a sinking line in lakes. I have a 10 foot that I like for nymphing and when I'm in my kayak, but the 9 foot length should be fine on a general purpose basis.

Orvis has good rods (I have 3),but my favorite has become Echo 4 piece rods - good action, less expensive, faster fix time.Great selection of reels depending on what you want to spend and pursue (high end drag system can ratchet up the price).

[Owen Williams]

What a fun question! 

I'm guessing that you'll want to go with a 8 wt if most of your fishing is heavier freshwater (largemouth?). Length would be partially determined by your primary type of fishing situation (shorter for tight quarters, longer if you'll be fishing from a drift boat or usually dealing with multiple currents). 

While there's no comparison to seeing how a particular rod suits your casting style, these reviews have helped me narrow my decision-making process in the past: 

https://www.yellowstoneangler.com/gear-review/2020-8-weight-challenge/

A few years back, I went with the TFO BVK for throwing big bugs on a bass taper and big streamers on a sinking line. Just be aware that the the weight will take a bit of time to get used to. 

Best, 

Owen Williams

[Rob Shane]

I'd put a TFO BVK up against any high end rod in the 7-8 wt category. I like them so much I have 2. 

[Dan G]

I have become found of matching rods with reel kits; one complete reel and two spool.  Lampson offers all models as kits.  You can purchase different styles of lines to maximize the performance of your new rod.  The most important thing is to find equipment that suits your needs.

[James McCeney]

I've got a 9ft 8wt Orvis Recon that's basically the perfect tidal potomac rod (for me anyway). I have a Lamson Liquid that goes on it with 2 spools, one for floating line (bass/snake) and one for full sink (shad).  Love it.   Chucks shad darts, damsel nymphs, and big bass poppers with no problems.

Others to consider are the Sage Bass (do they still make this?) and as others have mentioned the BVK.  Both great rods, although the Sage is shorter in length for better bank casting.  As Owen pointed out, the yellowstone yearly shootout pages are great resources for getting an idea of how rods cast - although those guys do tend to favor faster rods with more flexible tips.  Not a bad thing, just a preference thing if you prefer slower action.

Now, if you want to expand your search to glass (I highly recommend at least trying this because it's a blast) you can check out the Echo badass glass or the Fenwick Fenglass, or the Orvis Superfine 8wt.  Also, Blue Halo has an outstanding reputation for larger glass rods, but I've never cast one.  While glass is extremely fun to fish with, distance casts are a bit harder due to the softness of the rod.  Definitely cast the Orvis 8wt if they have one available so you can see how it feels - and compare it against the Recon if you can so you can see side by side how glass compares to graphite.

Have fun

On Sun, Sep 13, 2020 at 10:32 PM Neil Chilson <chi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I have a 9ft 5wt and a 7ft orvis encounter combo which is also a 5wt (although it seems much lighter than my other rod).  I'd like to add a heavier rod to my arsenal - ideally something I can do heavier freshwater fishing and some basic shore-based salt water fishing with.  What weight and length would add the most diversity to my current setup? Any recommended brands (both my rods are orvis right now).

Thanks!

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[Kevin Brugman]

Neil,

Earlier this year I contemplated the same issues.  I had a several rods that were 7 Wt and below.   I was looking for a rod that I could do some saltwater fishing and looking at Salmon fishing as well.   I talked to folks in the TPFR, other fly fishing friends, folks at a couple of different fly shop to include the local shops of Woodbridge Orvis Shop and District Angling and a number of others at the Virginia Fly show in January and the Lancaster Fly show in February.   It was down to an 8 or 9 wt.  The general consensus was that an 8 wt was the best weight rod for what I wanted.  I tried out a number of different brands and rods within the brands.  It came down to the TFO BVK and Axiom II-X.   In my humble opinion, the BVK seemed to be a little slower and the Axiom was a little faster.  Both cast well.  The one thing that I swayed me to the Axiom was that the lifting strength.   The consensus of several folks was that the BVK was the better Rod up to 7wt and the Axiom was the better rod at 8wt and above.   Even the TFO folks at the Lancaster show said that the BVK should be fished properly in the 8 wt whereas the Axiom was not as prone to breaking at that size and above.  Both have outstanding lifetime warranties if they do break TFO will fix or replace.  I paired that with a Lampson 3 pack that Dan recommended below, with a floating and weighted line.    I am really happy with the Axiom-IIX and appreciate all the inputs I got.  This is not to disparage any other rod.  Orvis makes great rods, Rob Snowhite and others recommended Risen Flies rods and they were nice rods at the fly shows but no local dealers that I could find, plus there are a lot of other good rod makers.  The TFO Axiom IIX was my final choice.

Kevin

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[Yambag Nelson]

I am also a fan of TFO rods, especially when you consider the price.  The axiom II is a pretty fast rod.  I like it for saltwater fishing, less so for casting sinking lines on the potomac.   The bvk is also very nice but a bit of an acquired taste in my opinion.  I believe they sell them at district angling.  Not sure about the Axiom.  TFOs warranty is as good as it gets.  They are not made in america if that is something you care about.

But i think you are right to go with a 9 foot 8 weight.  I have a 9 weight (bvk) that essentially gets used a few days a year if im fishing for permit and thats it.  

[Kevin KB]

I bought my Axiom through District Angling.  A quick plug, I am a fan of District Angling's great customer service.  Throughout the pandemic they supported me with curbside service and before the pandemic answer a myriad of questions about rods and reels before I finally purchased one.

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