Best 8wts of all time

Fly Fishing
1

For anyone who loves talking about rods, I am looking for opinions on the best 8wts of all time. Currently throwing the new Air 2 max and NRX+ as my two.

Not looking for input on what to purchase, just like talking about rods

1 Like
2

Welcome aboard @Lowcountry-fly-guy Don’t be shy. There is no shortage of opinions on here regarding gear preferences.

1 Like
3

I have an NRX 890-4 with the blue wraps that I’m afraid to fish/break but I like that one a lot.

I think the Hardy Marksman Z 1-piece may end up being an all-timer.

2 Likes
4

Why are you afraid to fish it?

1 Like
5

Too hung up on damaging it and not being able to replace it. I probably need to use it or sell it and let someone else enjoy it.

1 Like
6

I have a GLoomis NRX Pro 1 8 wt., @rovster wants to get his hands on it so bad!

5 Likes
7

@Will
That’s like having a super car and not using it in fear of getting hit.. USE THE ROD!! :joy:

4 Likes
8

Undisputed champion!! What do I win?!? :rofl:

IMG_3027
IMG_3027828Ă—962 42 KB

8 Likes
9

Bet you could put a spinning reel on that thing and you wouldn’t know the difference :rofl:

4 Likes
10

Shhhhhhhhhh :shushing_face:

Don’t advertise that :winking_face_with_tongue:

3 Likes
11

I have 4 8s. Have not cast a new Sage I got yet so I’ll leave that out.

I like all my 8’s but in order of my favorite to least favorite, none of which I don’t like but if I had to eliminate them this is how I rank them from favorite to least…

  1. Sage RPLXi (5pc) (SA Grand Slam)
  2. Orvis Helios 2, tip flex (SA Bonefish Plus)
  3. TFO Mangrove Coast (Sa Grand Slam or Rio Flats Pro Elite)

I usually use the Orvis and TFO, as the Sage is a travel rod and don’t want to mess it up because would be difficult to replace… I have considered getting a 3 piece which are more readily available and not expensive…

2 Likes
12

For power- NFC/Edge F-890 Gamma Beta

For finesse- NFC F890-1 Psi

I have owned most of them and casted the rest. Gary Loomis is still the best in the game, without question.

1 Like
13

GLoomis Pro 1. There are many flavors, but they are all good. I think I have the Crosscurrent GLX.

14

It’ll be hard to convince me that the Orvis H2 isn’t the best 8wt out there.

2 Likes
15

So many rods that I have not tried. In chronological order my favorites have been 2-piece GLX (with Z-Axis very similar), NRX Pro 1, and now Asquith for most fishing situations. For wind and distance it was Method, now NRX+.

16

The winston A2M is the best I’ve used. Better than any of the other rods I own or have used: NRX, NRX+, Asquith, Scott Meridian, Sector, H2, H3 etc.

1 Like
18

I got outrageously bored at work when I started this thread, and also posted it on a few more forums just out of curiosity as to what people are fishing out there. I will say that the only modern rod that has been said consistently across the board is the new Winston, and I definitely agree. What are you chasing with it?

19

Interesting. Can you expand on how the A2M compares to the others in terms of speed, power, recovery, damping, feel, etc?

20

Not enough people have experienced using Winston rods in the salt - they are the unsung salt water weapons on the market.

Of all time…. I’d go with the Winston BII-MX - but the newer models are pretty awesome. But my BII-MX are over 15 years old now and still hold up to the newer stuff.

3 Likes
21

i am now a firm believer that the old loomis pro4x ss (the 7’6”) in a 7/8 is the greatest redfish rod ever made. nothing compares inside 40’.

2 Likes