Why do these threads remind me of dialing in a prop on a new outboard?
Dave we men spend our lives looking for the sweet spot, including fly casting😎
I can relate, it just struck me the similarities.
We can’t help it. Men love to tinker with their rods!!
Since this thread started I’ve aquired both a 2x and a Coast.
The Coast is a bad lil mamma Jamma.
I threw a Cortland all purpose tropical line on it, that was on the rod it replaced.
It’s definitely not a shooting line and it takes a few extra hauls, to get it going but I was hitting 90’ with it cast after cast with yesterday in calm conditions.
I’m extremely impressed with its capabilities.
It did struggle a bit up close, 10-15’ but that’s definitely more on the line than the rod.
Accuracy at 60’ and beyond was great.
I took the 2x out with SA GS on it, and it did ok. Not initially overly impressed with it at all.
Nice tight loops.. accurate out to 60’
but I struggled to really get any distance out of it. 70-75’ was about it. Now I’m no Flip on the stick so it definitely could be on me. I also think once I get it setup the way I want it, it’ll be great.
I really wanted to play with it more yesterday, but alas… I broke it.... Completely my fault..
TFOs warranty side though…Holy smokes there is customer service, then there is TFOs customer service. Hands down the best I have ever experienced. Within 30min of the initial call I had multiple email updates and tracking information, all at Zero cost.
My thinking with these two rods was to have one that’d go the distance and battle the wind(2x) and one for closer sight fishing duties (Coast) but I guess they missed missed the memo....
I’m thinking the SA bonefish on the 2x may help it perform better for me than the GS.
The GS loads and shoots fast, and is accurate but getting it beyond the 60-70’ with a bigger fly has proven to be difficult.
@Zika spot on!!!
I would 100% rather setup a prop/outboard than deal with this madness When the prop don’t act right, a little hammer action can get it right back on track..
That Coast probably works very well paired with the Flats Pro WF8F/I 15’ ghost tip. That’s my go to line for those type of actions, the Coast is similar to the Meridian and the Meridian loves that line.
I started my Mangrove Coast with a Rio Flats pro. Liked it a lot. Tried a Grand Slam on it. Liked it more. I just really like that Grand Slam line for shooting to the mangroves. Feels a little more responsive and quicker. Flats pro might be better in open areas for me. It does have a longer head and slightly heavier. Mangrove coast with that Flats Pro was the first real rod and line combo I casted when getting started (thanks to @Loogie ) and it was sooooo much better than what I was trying to teach myself with.
As I’m typing this now I feel I need to revisit the FP and do a proper shootout between FP and GS now that I’m initiated🤔
I do most of my fishing with a 10 wt axiom 2x. I fish in the surf for striper and this thing is a serious stick. This rod will easily cast the whole line on a 350 grain rio striper sinking line but it also can handle a 9 wt airflo cold water float. I find it can handle shooting heads with ease but doesn’t like to be over lined very much. When I put on a 10 wt outbound short the rod collapses. Great rod for distance and fishing big flies.
@BillNye I was struggling getting any real distance out of the A2X with SA Grand Slam on it. Good fast and accurate shots out to 65’-70’ but beyond that was difficult. My intention was to really work with it last week, then I broke it.
The replacement section will be here this week as well as the Cortland Bonefish that im going try on it. I think it’ll be different animal with that line.
This is way off topic, but I really wish TFO still made the BVK. I have an old 8wt BVK that is such a sweet casting rod. I have both the Mangrove Coast and Axiom IIx, but I prefer the BVK for any application. I remember reading that the LK Legacy was supposed to be very similar to the BVK but hardly see anyone fishing one.
I loved the BVK as well. Now @MaverickMA has it. I would have held on to it, but it became harder and harder to find used ones to build a quiver with. The Axiom IIx is close but I just wish it had a stiffer butt section. It’s honestly shocking that the Mangrove butt section is stiffer than the Axiom IIx.
I was throwing a buddies BVK #10 with a sink tip and big baitfish pattern. It took me bit to get a handle on it, but it’s a solid rod as well.
Old mangrove is now the pro 3, moderate caster with plenty of backbone, but not a rod for super accurate presentation. Any fast or extra fast rod will be better for those situations. The coast will be slightly faster but not a cannon either. Excited to try the moment as I really like the blitz! Ax2 is great but not close up, I use it for intermediate now.
I haven’t much time with my A2x, but relined this week with a bonefish taper. Did some initial yard casting with it, and it’s a completely animal now. Really looking forward to getting it in the water.
The Blitz looks like great rod as well, but now, I have the Coast and the A2x which should do everything I need.
Reddington did step up and replace my old RS3 with the Vice, but it hasn’t arrived yet. Not sure what I’m going to do with that yet.
Either pay it forward or hold on to it for a backup.