Fly Rods

Our Best Sellers in Fly Rods

Sage R8 Salt Fly Rod

Scott Sector Fly Rod

St. Croix Evos Saltwater Fly Rod

G. Loomis NRX+S Fly Rod

Hardy Marksman Z Fly Rod

Recommendations for Beginners

Good for you for starting your journey in fly fishing! We love seeing more people get involved in the sport; it’s a blast to learn the techniques of casting with a fly line . Word to the wise, it’s very different from conventional fishing so get prepared for some learning. If it’s your first time choosing a fly fishing rod, we’ve got some tips to help you decide.

Things you should consider when choosing a fly rod:

Saltwater or Freshwater Fishing: First, think about the type of fishing you’re planning to do. Saltwater and freshwater fishing are vastly different. Casting in streams and casting on a huge windy flat in the Florida Keys are completely unique experiences that require different gear and techniques. We carry both fishing styles but look at which rods are for inshore when choosing a rod for saltwater fishing.

Single or Double-Handed Rods: It’s up to you how you want to fight the fish. A single-handed rod is pretty standard so you can reel in most fish but a double-handed rod is good for larger species.

Line Weight: The line weight ranges from 2-14+wt . Lower weight like 2-4 is for small stream fishing. 5-7wt is for larger freshwater fish and smaller saltwater species. 8-10wt is great for heavy freshwater applications and most inshore saltwater. 11-12wt is for the big boys with a lot of fight in them like tarpon. 14+ wt is for the biggest of the big billfish like Marlin, Tuna, and Gt’s. See below for “What Fly Rod Weight Should I Use?” to learn more about the type of fish you can catch for each line weight.

Rod Length: Rod length will range from 7-11+ feet . Are you fishing in a small creek for brook trout and rainbows? Go for a shorter rod (7-8 feet). Need something for a wide open space where you need to get some distance for casting? Get a longer rod (9 foot). See below for our answer to “What Size Rod is Best for Fly Fishing?” to learn more.

Action: Action refers to how much the rod bends and where along its length the rod flexes when you’ve got that fish on the line. The feeling of the rod when casting and the fight with the fish is completely dependent on the action of the rod. Action ranges from slow to fast. Slow action bends throughout the length of the rod with a deeper flex in the ]midsection. As the name implies, it’s going to be slower so it’s better for short-range casts. Medium action bends midway through the blank, letting you have more flexibility and it’s a smooth cast. Fast action rods bend at the tip and stay stiffer in the midsection, allowing you to have a more powerful, long-distance cast requiring less effort.

Fly Rod FAQs

What Fly Rod Weight Should I Use?

Yes, each rod can be a different weight so you’ll want to know what weight you feel better casting with. But the rod weight in fly fishing isn’t about the rod itself, it’s about the weight of the line you’re using. This means that a lighter line weight isn’t going to cast very far with your fly and you’ll use it to catch smaller fish. Heavier line weight will cast further and is for larger species. The weight range is 2-12 ; here’s an easy breakdown of weight you’ll need for fishing:

2-4wt: Small stream fishing.

5-7wt: Larger freshwater fish like large brown trout and carp, and saltwater species like smaller redfish, and speckled trout.

8-10wt: Saltwater fishing for your legendary bonefish, permit, redfish, and snook.

11-12wt: We’re talking large, powerful species like tarpon.

What Size Rod is Best for Fly Fishing?

Ok, this really depends on the type of fish you’re catching. Fly rods start at 7 feet and go past 12 . How much does this matter? A lot for a good fishing experience, especially if you’re a beginner.

Rod length by species:

7-8 feet (short length): Great for tighter spaces and smaller stream fish such as trout and panfish.

8-9 feet (medium length): This is a typical length for anglers thanks to the versatility of your fishing style. You can use this for rivers, lakes, and possibly moderate inshore saltwater conditions. Use it for small or medium-sized fish like bonefish or bass. We recommend this for most anglers to have in their shed.

9-10 feet (long length): These sizes are excellent for longer casting and larger fish in open water like saltwater fishing. You’d be targeting pike or steelheads with a length this long.

11+ feet (very long length): This is where the seasoned anglers can cast. Anything 11 feet or more is used for fishing techniques like nymphing, euro-nymphing, or large game fishing. If you need a long drift (euro-nymphing) or targeting large fish species like salmon or tarpon, this is the best length range to use. Rods of this length can handle heavier flies and are great for super-long casting.

If you need a recommendation, ask our team what they’d prefer for a fishing trip like yours.

All Fly Rod Brands We Sell

Echo Fly Fishing

Far Bank

G. Loomis

Hardy

Orvis

Redbone

Sage

Scott

St. Croix

TFO

Thomas & Thomas