Hey all, have been kicking the idea of a new 8 wt for a while, and maybe even a 7 wt for those few calm days we get in Texas. I currently through a 8wt mangrove coast with SA Grand slam as my primary and have a Sage Foundation 8wt as my secondary. I still feel “new” to fly fishing as I only have been doing it for a few years and am about 50/50 on conventional vs fly but trying to change those numbers.
I have come across a really good deal on a Orvis Recon and looking for honest opinions. I know everyone will say go throw it, but I cant do that as I work offshore on the rigs and will be here for several more weeks. Think of it as an internet only type of deal.
With that said does anyone have any feedback on the Recon? How do you think it is compared to the mangrove coast?
No help here but if it’s a great deal go for it. You could probably unload it for what you paid. I have a collection of older used rods because I’m still “finding myself”. Plus it’s fun to have variety. Recon has lots of positive reviews and they have their following.
No experience with the Orvis, but I gotta ask why?
If the Coast is your primary rod, you like it and it works for you, what are you trying gain from the Orvis that the Coast isn’t providing?
Imo the Coast is a great rod. I have it, myself lined with Cortland Redfish, and absolutely enjoy casting it.
Its more of a what if! What if I love this recon more than my mangrove coast. What if it unlocks a special casting power I didn’t know I had. That’s usually what runs through my mind at least
I did pick up an older loomis recently that I absolutely LOVE. The what if spidey sense worked
@rovster touché
I’m not one to talk. My arsenal went from I broke everything I had, to why in the heck to I have (3) 8 weights now?
Redington replaced my old RS3 with a Vice. Really wasn’t expecting much out it, threw on a Monic Bonefish line I had laying around. Damn rod cast out to 90’ like nothing. A little on the heavy side, kinda stiff, not a lot of feedback, but it puts the line out there, fast and straight..
Maybe I ought to throw a Helios sticker on it and brag to friends about it..
Stick with 8 wt you have. The Mangrove Coast is a great rod for the price. I was using an 8 wt Mangrove Coast over the weekend chunking poppers at bass and I could really put out some line on that thing with one or no false casts.
A 7 wt is not that big of a step down from an 8. I love 7s - I use a Scott Tidal as my go to rod all the time at the TX coast, but have my 8 wt WInston rigged up when winds pick up. But I love throwing my 6 wt when things really slick off.
The Mangrove Coast is easier to cast, especially at short distances - many reds pop up close, so having a rod that is good at close range is ideal. Faster rods are not good close in - they are too stiff to load quickly.
So maybe consider a 6 wt instead, or upgrade the reel instead of getting a third 8 wt.
Also, since you are new to fly fishing, it is better to stick with the more forgiving action of the Mangrove Coast. Jumping to a faster rod changes casting mechanics with more emphasis on double hauling and line speed.
If you are motivated to do more fly fishing, then you may be ready to learn the differences in rods and lines and how each casts differently. Loogie says the Recon is slightly faster, so it will provide a new data point in the search for combinations that suit your natural style. If the Recon feels better, then the next step is to try something even faster.
Lighter lines make rods feel faster (and vice versa), so there is some learning available from having 7 and 8 wt rods and lines so that you can try all combinations.
It is a slippery slope! Before long, you may have a closet full of rods and a drawer full of lines, and “fishing” means fly only!
