Topic: The Best Fly Rods for Bass, Tested and Reviewed (Read 30 times)
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The TFO LK Legacy is proof that you can still get a high-performing, fast-action fly rod for a reasonable price. This rod held up admirably against the more expensive models on the list, and even outmatched some of them.
Unlike some rods, which excel in specific fishing situations, the LK Legacy is more of an all-rounder. It was accurate and powerful enough for nearly any fishing scenario I threw at it, casting everything from small poppers to heavy crawfish patterns with ease.
What really makes this rod stand out, though, is how easy it is to cast. It’s still a fast-action rod, which means it flexes more at the tip instead of further down in the blank. This allows for higher line speed when casting, but requires the caster to time their back and forward casts more precisely. The LK Legacy seemed a little more forgiving in this department. It would make a great rod for an intermediate-level fly rodder who wants to take their game to the next level.
The rod I tested featured a half wells grip and no fighting butt, however TFO also offers a full wells grip and fighting butt option in the 9-foot, 6-weight model.
Although it’s made overseas, it’s a good-looking rod with solid co*ponents. It co*es with a lifetime warranty, and TFO has a great reputation for turning repairs quickly and affordably.
The Helios 3D is the most powerful rod in the lineup, and it has a reputation as one of the best fast-action fly rods on the market today. Bass anglers who regularly cast long distances will appreciate what this rod can do.
The only problem with all that power is that it’s not always easy to harness. I cast the Helios 3D farther than any other rod in the test, but I found that doing so consistently was a challenge. This rod is better suited for intermediate to advanced fly anglers with a faster, more powerful casting style.
When fishing the Helios 3D, it felt a little more accurate when casting at longer ranges (50-70 feet) than it did at close range (30 feet or less). I was still able to tuck flies under the bushes, however, and I never felt limited by the rod in terms of what patterns I could throw. The stiffer rod allowed for solid hooksets and helped me land bass quickly.
The Helios 3D features high-end co*ponents and every Helios rod is made in the U.S. It co*es with a 25-year warranty that’s backed by Orvis’ excellent customer service department.
The NRX+ SF is made for throwing big flies to big fish. The “SF” stands for “swim fly”, as it was designed to cast some of the larger, swimbait-style flies that are designed for bass, pike, and other predatory fish. It also excels at throwing sink tips and full-sinking lines.
It’s a niche rod designed for turning over big flies and heavy lines that other rods would struggle with. The rod’s slightly shorter length (7 feet, 8 inches) makes it easier to cast in tight quarters without sacrificing much in the distance department. The shorter length also translates to more lifting power when fighting a fish.
As the lone 7-weight in the test, the NRX + SF felt a little overkill on some of the bass ponds I was fishing. But it could handle the biggest flies in my box without skipping a beat, and it was fun to fish in tight quarters. It would be a great rod for fishing narrow rivers and creeks with heavy cover, along with other waterbodies with lots of vegetation to work around.
Otherwise, the SF model is similar to the NRX+ in terms of the quality of the build, the co*ponents used, and the fact that it’s made in the U.S. It also co*es with the same rock-solid warranty as other G. Loomis rods.
The Orvis Clearwater kit is a great starting point for anyone who wants to try fly fishing for bass but is intimidated by all the gear required to build a setup. It co*es with everything you need to hit the water, including a reel spooled with backing, a floating fly line, and a tapered leader. Just add a fly and you’re ready to fish.
I enjoyed fishing with the Clearwater, and I only felt limited when casting ultra-heavy crawfish patterns. But most beginner anglers don’t need (or want) to fish the heaviest possible flies at first, and I had no issues hooking or landing fish with the Clearwater.
The rod is designed for people who have never cast a fly rod before. It has a slower moderate action and bends deeply, which allows the angler to feel the rod load more when casting. The trade-off is that it’s not incredibly accurate or powerful, and intermediate to advanced casters might eventually feel limited by the rod. As with other starter kits, you can always upgrade the fly line for better performance.
The Clearwater kit is a convenient package that includes everything you need to get started. It’s backed by Orvis’ 25-year warranty program.
Redington has been offering starter fly rod kits for decades, and the Wrangler carries on this tradition. It’s an affordable option for beginners who are just getting into the sport.
When trying to choose the best beginner kit, it was a toss-up between the Orvis Clearwater and the Wrangler. They both had a similar action and beginner-friendly feel, and they were neck-in-neck in terms of power and accuracy. I was able to cast the Clearwater a little farther, although the difference was minimal. The differences I felt when fishing were also negligible, but the Wrangler felt a bit heavier, which would make a difference when casting to bass all day.
The Clearwater also got the nod because the Orvis Clearwater reel felt more solidly built than the Redington Crosswater reel. Orvis also has a better warranty program than Redington. The tradeoff is that the Orvis kit costs nearly $200 more, which is significant when buying your first rod.
The Pro III is the newest iteration in TFO’s Pro series, which are designed with beginner to intermediate anglers in mind. It’s noticeably slower than the LK Legacy and it’s not quite as accurate or powerful as that rod. But it’s not supposed to be. It’s billed as a “casting improvement tool,” and its slower action allows the angler to feel the rod load and adjust their cast accordingly.
The Pro III was an effective fishing tool, but its versatility means it’s not exactly a bass-specific rod. It turned over some of the bigger bass flies, but not as efficiently as some of the other rods in the lineup. It would be a good crossover rod for bass anglers who occasionally target trout and other game fish with smaller flies and lighter presentations. The version I tested featured a half wells grip and no fighting butt, but TFO offers a full wells grip and fighting butt options, too.
Still, it’s a step up from the Clearwater and the other beginner kits in terms of overall performance. It’s a rod that intermediate anglers can grow into. It would also make a great backup should you decide to upgrade to a higher-end rod.
Like the LK Legacy, the Pro III is designed in the U.S. but manufactured in South Korea. It co*es with the same lifetime warranty as every other TFO rod.
The Wave fills an interesting niche in Scott’s lineup. It’s meant to be a middle-of-the-road option for anglers who want a high-performance rod without paying top dollar. It’s also part of the all-water rod trend. These rods are designed to fish in both fresh- and saltwater, and they offer a good blend of touch and power.
The Wave is one of the faster and stiffer rods in the lineup. While fishing with the rod, it provided plenty of power when casting into the wind. The stiff butt section also gives the angler more lifting power—which came in handy when trying to keep bass out of the sticks and weeds. The downside to this stiffness is that it’s harder to feel the rod load, and it wasn’t quite as accurate as some of the other options.
Scott also makes some of the best-looking rods on the market, and this one is no exception. And because the Wave features saltwater-resistant co*ponents, it’s a great option for freshwater bass anglers who occasionally dip their toes in the salt. But for my money, I’d cough up another $370 and upgrade to the Scott Sector, which was the best overall pick in our review of the best saltwater fly rods.
Like the LK Legacy, the Wing isn’t necessarily a “budget rod”, but it’s an affordable option that’s roughly a third the price of the most expensive rods in this lineup. It’s also a solid performer with a beautiful fit and finish that’s on par with some of those pricier rods. The wooden reel seat, AAA grade cork, and the touches of red on the blank and guide wraps help the rod stand out from the rest.
In terms of on-the-water performance, the Wing is billed as a medium-fast action rod, but it felt softer than some of the other rods and lacked the punch required to turn over heavier flies in the wind. This can be a benefit when making more delicate presentations at close range, but it wouldn’t be my first pick when casting to the biggest largemouths. That said, it would be a good option for anglers targeting bluegills, crappies, and smaller bass.
The only other knock against the Wing is the size of the cork grip. It’s noticeably narrower than some of the other grips I tested, and it felt a little too small for my hand. (I don’t have huge hands and typically wear a size large glove.) At the same time, the smaller grip is something that kids, women, and other anglers with slightly smaller hands might appreciate.
The first consideration when choosing a fly rod for bass is what weight to go with. I focused on 6-weight rods for this test because it’s a good middle-of-the-road size that can be used in a variety of different bass-fishing scenarios—from blind-casting at structure to sight-casting in a clear river. These rods also work great for casting streamers to trout and other game fish. The 6-weight rods I tested are the standard 9-foot length, and they all break down into four pieces, which makes traveling more convenient.
I had to throw in one shorter 7-weight because some bass fishing scenarios call for a heavier rod, especially when casting large, wind-resistant flies and heavier sinking lines. But all the 6-weight’s I reviewed are offered in 7-weight versions as well. These rods share most of the same characteristics as their 6-weight counterparts but might cast a little differently depending on the model. Something to keep in mind if you’re shopping specifically for a 6- or a 7-weight.
If you really want to break out the big guns and step up to an 8-weight for bass fishing, check out our review on the best saltwater fly rods, which can do double duty in freshwater.
The next most important consideration is price. Fly fishing is notoriously expensive,