Hi

I'm treating myself to a new rod for UK SWFF mainly for bass. My budget is probably only up to £150. I think I'm after a 9 to 10 foot- 8 (possibly 9) weight which is good at casting some Airflo shooting heads which I get on well with. (I suppose I can always get more lines if I need to to make the new rod work) I've been using a 10ft 6\7# Greys GRXi which I like but I could do with a bit more grunt despite the rod feeling Ok with lines heavier than it is rated.

The rod I'm after may seem on the heavy side to some of you. Many of the marks I fish in South Devon seem to face due south west and I spend lots of my time battling in to a head wind. My casting is probably not up to a really fast rod but I can double haul reasonably well and would like to keep casting largeish 6 to 7 inch flies.

I'm open to suggestions but seem to be gravitating towards the following rods . Does anyone have any experience- good or bad- with these? Ideally I'd like to to try the rod out first though this may not be possible. I'm based in Bristol.

- Airflo bluetooth nano series
- Lefty kreh professional
- Lefty kreh ticr

Itching for new season to come

cheers
Will

I have an Airflo Bluetooth nano. Fantastic rod for the money. I would say if you're casting really big flies then maybe consider a 10weight.

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Hi buddy

Well I have a airflo bluetooth nano and it is a lovely rod I've had pike on it and a bass, it casts well with my 8 weight lines, although if your casting light flies then I can recommend another rod which I bought from e bay I will be buying another one soon and that's a flextec xrd 9 foot 8/9 it is a great rod for the money, I have the 10 foot version of it for when I can afford to go out sea trout fishing, there are some on e bay now when I bought mine it was £25 notes, oh I did get my first bass on it last year 9 times out of 10 I'll go for my flextec before the airflo, good luck there fella

Interesting read:

Fly Rod Comparison on 8 weight rods Albright G.Loomis G-loomis Orvis Scott Temple Fork TFO Thomas and Thomas St. Croix Orvis Zero Gravity Orvis T3 Redington CPS Albright XX Sage Xi2 Sage Z axis Loomis cross current Loomis Native Run

I have the TFO BVK and its a much better rod than either the TiCR or Professional, which are good rods in themselves (I have owned and fished both). Only drawback is you can't get them in the UK yet but even from the states it should be around your budget.

I have no experience of the Airflo.

Hmmm

interesting replies

Simples and MJB- how would you describe the action and fishability of your Airflo Nano

JRT- thanks for the heads up on that review- lots of info to digest but would still prefer not to buy blind- mind you, few of these rods are anything but good

Will keep thinking and exploring- gets the juices flowing
cheers chaps
Will

Sorry I posted the old review not the latest:

8weightshootout.saltwaterflyrodreview.flyrod.comparison.flyrodtest.LoomisNRX.HardyProAxis.BVK.St.Croix.LegendElite.SageXi3

Hi Will,

I have a Greys Greyflex M2 9'6" #7/8 that i'm looking to sell if you are interested, I have used it with #8 lines for bonefish and it performed superbly - its in great condition, super light in the hand and no probs punching into the wind. Would sell it for less than half what you have budgeted. I'm in Bristol too so if you want to have a cast with it (with no obligation to buy) then let me know.

Cheers,

Luke

From your list the Ticrx is by far the best. But it is a beast of a rod. The BVK is getting rave reviews - but I havent cast one.

Peter Cockwill (Albury Angling) may have some TFO rods in stock, as may Rokmax.

If you can a find a cheap one; the Bloke 9ft 8wt and the 9ft 4" 7/8 are lovely.

A mate of mine may have a Greys 9ft 4 piece 8wt for sale if you are interested.

Hope this helps.

Fairly fast, but forgiving. I'd class myself as an average caster, with a rough and ready double haul and I can regularly get the best part of a whole 30 yard line out in fishing conditions with the Bluetooth.

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Thanks for your reply all- very useful

I seem to be boiling down to a TFO rod- if decide to spend a bit more I'll get a TFO BVK from the States- seems to be getting rave reviews. If I buy from UK I'll maybe go with a TFO ticr or ticrx. Have any of you guys fished with the BVK, TICR or TICR-X?

I now seem to be having some indecision about 8 or 9 weight. The BVK 9 weight gets a guardedly good review here http://wildflies.co.nz/reviews/tfo-b...-and-9wt.html- seems the 9 weight is a big jump up from the 8.

What do most of you guys fish for bass- 8s or 9s?

Most of my good marks often seem to have a full on head wind but if I overline the 9 with a 10 weight shooting head then I'm worried I'lll be casting a brick

Nearly ready to spend

cheers all
Will