If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what best 8 weight fly rod is, then we recommend the Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod as the best one.
Having the best 8 weight fly rod gives you the versatility you need to handle different fishing scenarios. Whether its large fish, trout, quick casts, or high winds, an 8 weight fly rod can handle it. Here are a few tips and reviews to help you find the best 8 weight fly rod for your next fly fishing trip.
In this article we are going to review the following best 8 weight fly rod:
- Redington Fly Fishing Combo Kit
- Orvis Encounter Rod Outfits
- Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit
- Echo Ion XL Fly Rod
- Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod
Considerations When Choosing the Best 8 Weight Fly Rod
Action
Within each rod’s weight, you will find an enormous difference when it comes to action. Even a manufacturer will have different action for each rod, and it’s hard to say which is best and what isn’t. However, there are a few guidelines you can follow.
Beginners to intermediate anglers will find that a medium-fast action rod will be an excellent choice. An all-water fly rod model is a desirable choice for those starting out or that don’t have a lot of experience.
An advanced angler should look at a faster rod that lets you create more line speed and use a heavier fly. With a faster rod, you will have an easier time punching your line into the wind. A rod that is created to catch saltwater fish is an excellent choice for advanced anglers as well.
Glass Vs Carbon Fiber
Fiberglass was the most popular material just a few decades ago. This type of rod used E-glass creating a heavy rod that didn’t have the recovery speed that you get in modern rods. These days, fiberglass has made a comeback featuring a different glass type that uses less material and has a higher tensile strength.
Still bulkier and heavier than carbon fiber rods, there are benefits to using fiberglass including a rod that flexes deeply into the blank before it will break thanks to fibers in the glass that extend easily. Seasoned billfish and shark anglers prefer rods made of fiberglass. Plus, they allow you to slow down and enjoy your fishing experience thanks to their moderate actions.
A carbon-fiber rod will always be lighter and able to make those quick shots to catch moving fish. Ideal for anyone that plans to fish all day or that has issues with their shoulders, carbon fiber has a low overall weight that reduces fatigue and strain.
Color
Typically, you will find rods in black, dark blue, dark green, or neutral gray colors making them is easy to match with a black or gunmetal color reel. A fiberglass rod can come in several assorted colors and many of them are bright. It really doesn’t matter what color the rod is, if it feels good to you and casts well.
Feel
Always make sure you try casting a rod before you buy it. It’s important that the rod feels good to you since not all rods are the same and feel the same to every user. Even within a brand, not all the rods will cast the same way.
Presentation
If you have good technique, a good 8 weight rod will allow you to create high line speeds. While most fishing is done from a short to medium range, with a high line speed, you make longer casts, and you can fish in high wind situations. When fishing in saltwater, the best 8 weight fly rod is perfect to use when you want to target bonefish.
Fighting Ability
Having the best 8 weight fly rod will also help you protect the light tippet. When used in saltwater, you may find yourself fishing 10 lb. leaders on an 8 weight rod, but the rod will need to have enough strength to have enough pull when it’s needed.
Durability
One of the biggest adversaries for your fishing gear is corrosion. Always look for a fly rod that has corrosion-resistant components, especially the line guides and reel seat. Keep in mind that corrosion-resistant components are only able to protect your rod to a specific point and that you also need to take good care of your fishing equipment by rinsing them off and properly cleaning them after each fishing trip.
Best 8 Weight Fly Rod Reviews
Redington Fly Fishing Combo Kit
Measuring 7’6”, the Redington Fly Fishing Combo Ki is a 4-weight fly fishing rod that comes with a Crosswater Fly Reel. Simple to cast, this medium action rod is made of graphite and perfect for beginners. You have the option of a 2 or 4-piece model that gives you the flexibility you need for traveling, plus you can buy just a single rod or a total outfit that makes it easy to start fly fishing.
Perfect for any type of water condition, the Redington Fly Fishing Combo Kit features an anodized machined aluminum reel seat, and it comes pre-spooled. This affordable and functional fly-fishing combo has a unique design that is made with a durable polymer. It also comes with a reliable disc-drag system that easily stops fish while also offering a stylish look.
Equipped with Cordura Rod Tubes, the Redington Fly Fishing Combo Kit will keep your combo set protected and comes with plastic reinforced end caps that provide a long-lasting design. This is an easy to set up combo kit that features alignment dots to make it easier for beginners.
Pros:
- This is an easy to set up rod combo that comes pre-spooled
- There is flexibility in storage and portability
- It has a stylish look and easy for a beginner to use
Cons:
- It’s stiffer than some users expected
- You can’t use the line that comes with it, it’s too stiff
Orvis Encounter Rod Outfits
Affordable and well-built, the Orvis Encounter Rod Outfit is made for hardcore anglers. This four-piece rod offers a crisp and smooth performance and includes a large arbor Encounter reel, a leader, back, and a weight-forward floating line.
While many may think the affordable price means this is an entry-level rod, it is more of an all-around rod that you can use for bigger trout water. The Orvis Encounter Rod is nine feet long and a terrific value for small budgets offering impressive performance from a fully rigged outfit.
Pros:
- This rod is an immense value
- For the price, this is a well-built rod not intended for beginners
- You can catch some pretty big fish with it
Cons:
- Some users had issues with the tip snapping off
- The fly line causes some problems
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit
If you’re looking for a great entry-level rod, the Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit has a good feel for an affordable fly fishing rod. This medium-fast rod is forgiving and crisp, which makes it perfect for beginners. This high-quality rod also comes with a soft tip that protects lighter tippets.
Using Helios technology, the Orvis Clearwater Fly rod is a wonderful choice for both big game and trout. It features a Clearwater line, a Clearwater reel, a rod tube, and Dacron backing, as well as a 25-Year guarantee. This rod throws streams well, can handle dry flies, and is overall a great entry-level rod.
Pros:
- This is a great choice for beginners
- It has a really long guarantee
- It’s affordable and has a high-quality construction
Cons:
- The grip doesn’t suit the rod well
- It does not have a hook keep
Echo Ion XL Fly Rod
The Echo Ion XL Fly Rod is a great all-around saltwater rod. With incredible versatility, you can use this rod in either freshwater or saltwater, although it is designed for saltwater. Created to be accurate from a distance, this fly rod casts well and has a solid performance.
Featuring a graphite design, the Echo Ion XL Fly Rod is equipped with a slim profile and a responsive blank to give you tons of power. This is a medium-fast action rod that has both long and short distance capabilities allowing you to feel comfortable as you cast it in a wide range of situations. Plus, it has oversized stripping guides that let a large saltwater line shoot through nicely while also allowing knots to run through quickly in the event of a tangle.
Durable and lightweight, the Echo Ion XL Fly Rod has a reel seat protected from weathering with anodized aluminum along with a feature that locks any reel into place. The reel also features alignment dots to make setup easier. Plus, you get a fabric covered rod tub that will keep the rod protected when you aren’t using it.
Pros:
- This is a lightweight and durable rod
- It’s designed to work in saltwater
- It has a lot of power and casts well
Cons:
- It does not include a hook keeper
Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod
This saltwater grade fly rod has forgiving action and a low swing weight. The Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod is an 8-weight nine-foot rod that comes with corrosion-resistant components. Featuring a matte, midnight blank, the Helios includes a blue accent wrap along with black main wraps.
Equipped with a reel seat made with Type III anodized aluminum, the Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod also has stripping guides made of titanium, a midnight black carbon insert, and REC recoil snake guides. Featuring incredible accuracy along with enhanced power, this rod is super accurate and remarkably strong. You can easily place a fly where you want it from a distance.
Designed to reduce variable at the point of release, the Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod focuses the energy of the cast on its intended target. You get a crisp release with the energy of the forward cast with a significant reduction in vertical and horizontal tip frequency. This incredible precise fly rod also comes with a rod tube made of aluminum, Dacron backing, and Pro SW All-Rounder Textured line.
Pros:
- It’s extraordinarily strong and powerful
- This rod casts well and allows you to hit your target precisely
- It’s designed for use in saltwater
Cons:
- Some of the components are weak
The winner of the best 8 weight rod is the Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod. With forgiving action, this saltwater grade fly rod has a low swing weight and corrosion-resistant components. Equipped with a reel seat made with Type III anodized aluminum, this fly rod also has a midnight black carbon insert, stripping guides made of titanium, REC recoil snake guides, Dacron backing, and Pro SW All-Rounder Textured line.
Featuring incredible accuracy along with enhanced power, this rod is super accurate and remarkably strong. You can easily place a fly where you want it from a distance. Designed to reduce variable at the point of release, the Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod focuses the energy of the cast on its intended target and a crisp release with the energy of the forward cast with a significant reduction in vertical and horizontal tip frequency. The definite winner of the best 8 weight fly rod is the Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod hands down.
Check out our great article on the top 5 best fly fishing waders!
