A comfortable full wells cork handle is used with a stack of very high quality thin-width cork rings as on the Loomis and Scott rods. It just makes roll casting, water loading, and fishing heavy gear, heavy rigs, heavy nymphs, really, really easy. A 12-weight takes some time to. Bde danske, svenske og amerikanske reviews. About Us. The winner of our 2016 8-weight Shootout very nearly pulled it off again this year and is still the fantastic rod. The new Orvis Recon Big Game is the best mid-priced rod that handled all distances well, but especially longer distances or casting in the wind. Its a great rod, light, fast, and accurate. Menu. You can see which rods have faster actions than others, (the tip bends more) or if a rod possesses a moderate, slower action, (the tip bends less). Choose a 12-weight rod of youre going to target the biggest fish on the flats. These new SKY G rods are composed using G-Tec platelets. Only at the 100 foot mark did I feel it was not quite as good as the Asquith and NRX. Here is where that beefed up power will help. And they love the feel and accuracy the Meridian gives them when casting at close range. The deep, dark blue finish is gorgeous in the sunlight. Performance at 60 feet: 19.8 points out of 20. It gave me a wonderful sense of feel, especially at shorter distances. Loomis uses a stack of thin width, very high-quality cork rings that have proven to hold up well with hard use. It's thoroughly in the "want" category for me. Rinse the rod after every days use and thoroughly clean and polish the finish once you arrive back home. This is a video Scott Sector Fly Rod Review - IFTD 2019 By The Scott Sector fly rod is the hotness for 2020. My accuracy was good, just not in the same league as the top rods. The rod features Orvis dependable 25-year guarantee. The Sector has some new innovations, the primary one being Scotts new Carbon Web Technology, which it is claimed improves torsional stability and rod durability by encasing the unidirectional fibers in a web of ultra-light multi-directional carbon fiber. Whatever that is, this seems to work, as this rod is a joy to cast, at short to medium distances, giving me a lot of feel in close as well as good accuracy. The ORVIS Helios 3 fly rods come in two different actions. The Orvis Clearwater launches long casts and consistent loops with surprisingly good feel and decent line control. These rod comparisons and Shootouts take considerable time and effort. This was apparent in our 2019 9-foot 5-Weight Shootout, where the NRX+ won in the power rods category. If you are not going to do a lot of long-distance casting, youll love this rod. What it actually means is that if theres a manufacturing defect, the rod will be fixed free of charge. Seems to be little more work to throw than the 4 piece meridian or even the helios unless really trying to shoot it (it seems like there is more friction in the guides than the other rods), but you can really feel the rod and be in control. Rather than do another full blown 8-weight Shootout, we decided to collect these new rods and see how they compare to the top rods in our 2018 8-Weight Shootout. For all practical purposes this rod was perfect. On the plus side, we have sold a lot of Asquith rods and see very few being broken. Still surprisingly good, but I can tell it is starting to run out of steam. At 35 feet the combination of great feel and accuracy was matched only by the Orvis Helios 3F. The cork handle is Scotts modified wells style, like the Radian, where the swell is slightly forward of the middle of the grip. These snake guides will bend but never break. Once you get your new rod or outfit, do some casting on the lawn, and if you feel it is not just what you want (and has not been fished), well allow you to return it to us for a full refund, less the shipping charges. But this rod has plenty of beans to cast long too. All of which result in rods that are much lighter, smoother and more accurate than anything we have experienced in the past. The backing, fly line, salt water leader, hook, knots, saltwater fly reel, and most importantly, the rod will have to stand up to the task. The Meridian was the winner of our last 8-weight Shootout. In this 8-Weight Challenge, the Asquith and the new NRX+ are the only two rods that perform extremely well at all distances. These rods arent meant to be cast consistently, and therefore mainly used off boats and during sight fishing scenarios. The Sector won the ATTFAs award this year for the best new saltwater rod. Orvis has packed a bunch of technological advancements into these rods and they're lighter, more accurate, and more dynamic than ever before. The cork handle is a full wells, with rubber/cork rings at the top and bottom for better durability. But these days are very few and far between. The new Recon has tons of power, tracks well and delivers nice casts at mid-distances, giving me good accuracy. A stack of very high-quality thin diameter cork rings are used like on the other best rods. I especially liked the two large uplocking rings that were easy to grip and tighten securely. Yes, there are cheaper and also more expensive reels, but you wont find one that is better. If so, how long have you've been fly casting? Scott Meridian 8wt The accuracy was good but could not match the top four rods. Orvis Helios 3D The Helios 3D by Orvis has made a name for itself with anglers across the country. In this section, I go over 5 of my favorite saltwater fly rods. The reasoning for this was that many new saltwater anglers have trouble double hauling and the heavier line will help them flex the rod better. The cork handle is a long, full wells style but designed so that you can grip it either towards the bottom of the grip or closer to the top. The Meridian was right in the middle. Its got a really nice tip that keeps you from splashing your cast. At mid-distances like 45-75 feet, (that I find myself fishing an 8-weight most of the time), nothing can touch the Asquith. Having a rod with sufficient pulling power will enable you to turn that big fish around. The Meridian is a handsome rod with some of the finest craftsmanship weve seen. There are no other rods in our Challenge that are as smooth, dampen as quickly, or track as well as the new NRX+ rods. Still, the Recon would be our choice for the best mid-priced rod if you want something that will perform well at all distances, but is especially good at mid to longer distances, and in the wind. No hook keeper is used. Fast action. At the longest distances the 3F just didnt have the power to get it done as easily as the Asquith or NRX+. The coating also adds to the longevity and durability of the line, an important consideration as line prices escalate. The grip is very comfortable and it forces you to choke up on the rod ever so slightly, making the rod feel even lighter in your hand. Im getting a lot of feel as well and this gives me a lot of confidence in where Im putting the fly. I am also looking at the Sage One, which is now EOL, but i have seen it on sale in places, and some offers 2nd hand on Ebay at good prices. Required fields are marked *, Hey, I'm Ben, a fly fisherman for over 20 years and also an aspiring blogger. 60 feet was by far my favorite casting distance for this rod, and I gave it top marks. rdr2 kieran fishing mission disappeared; reggie lewis son basketball. Now the Asquith and NRX+ are noticeably better. The Aetos is no long-distance cannon but at 35-60 feet it is surprisingly impressive. The Helios 3 Blackout, however, seems to have made a bigger leap than usual. When last have you heard of a premium rods cork coming loose or a ferrule that wont stay secured properly? The Orvis H3 (Helios) series ranks among the best fly rods ever built. Honestly, it had to be, because Orvis is going all-in with this rebranded flagship rod. The Asquith is an absolute joy to cast, and for me it stood out from the other rods in our Challenge the second I got it in my hand. Both the Asquith and NRX+ were dramatically better. A stack of thin width, very high-quality cork rings is used with a rubber/cork ring at the bottom for durability. Well, in the saltwater fly fishing world you need to arrive equally well-armed. I just love the feel at short range combined with superb accuracy. The new rod is finished in a deep metallic blue with black wraps. To get a rod that will perform better, you will have to spend another $250 $400! The Nautilus reels also have a lower start up inertia than any of the reels we tested. Todays latest graphite fly rods are using lighter higher modulus graphite materials combined with new resin systems like the new nano-resins, as well as different methods of cutting and laying up the graphite layers and better rolling techniques. We have several reels rigged with the various line sizes, and leaders, all ready to go. Normally we wouldnt do two Shootouts in the same year, but after seeing how well the NRX+ rod did, winning our 2020 5-Weight Shootout, we were excited to see how the NRX+ 8-weight would compare to our 2018 8-weight Shootout winner, the G. Loomis Asquith. While the recent advancements in graphite construction are not as revolutionary as the initial jump from fiberglass to graphite rods was, there have been significant technological improvements that have greatly advanced graphite rod construction. There are more euro-nymphing rods on the market today than ever before. Get a Print Subscription Get a Digital Subscription However, the new Recon is a lot heavier than the Prime 4pc in swing weight, and not nearly as good at the two closer distances. Nice tight controllable loops are giving me superb accuracy, and this rod handles a lot of wind easily. scott meridian vs orvis helios 3. A black anodized double uplocking seat is used with two locking rings that were very easy to grip and tighten. Of course, this will bump up the swing weight somewhat, but it will still be one of the lightest 8-weights. 60 ft. is really easy to hit with the Meridian. I've been into fly fishing since my graduation from spin fishing when I was 12 years old. The Aetos is also a surprisingly handsome rod. Saltwater fly casting is all about accuracy. what day does pilot flying j pay; western power distribution We hope you have enjoyed reading the 2020 8-weight Challenge and found it helpful! The Salt HD is incredibly light in hand. As you will see in the Final Results table and in each testers Performance Only chart, the two Loomis rods were head and shoulders above the other rods. The 9 foot #9 and 9 foot #10 have proven to be terrific rods for permit, and for big tarpon I use the 9 foot #11 Asquith most of the time when Im not using my one-piece NRX Pro 1. These particles are distributed evenly and uniformly, unlike older resins where the particles were mixed in. I'm looking to buy my first premium rod after staying in the sub $300 range. Alignment dots are used on the ferrules, a nice touch. Scott Fly Rods is known for producing some of the best fly fishing rods available, and the Meridian is no exception. Key Features and Specs Length: 9 feet Line Weight: 5 Action: Medium-Fast Pieces:. However, all the top rods were noticeably better. By now you are familiar with the format of our Shootouts. The Helios 3F was much lighter in hand at a swing weight of 9.9 oz. The accuracy is exceptionally good, bettered only by the Helios 3F. I do recommend spending as much time as possible casting this rod before going on a fishing trip. scott meridian vs orvis helios 3. speedway gas octane levels; oklahoma county court clerk filing fees; glidden porch and floor paint color chart; melvor idle best ranged weapon; robin morgan obituary; jennifer moreno clinic optometry; scott meridian vs orvis helios 3. easton rebel vs rival. (tie) Scott Meridian 58.5/60 $865.00. The navy and cobalt blue thread wraps look sharp on the signature unsanded blanks. 2022-06-22; what do these words have in common solver . The Meridian performed really well at 80 ft. 1stimpressions:Classic Scott un-sanded blanks. This meant leaving out a lot of very good rods, like the Thomas and Thomas Exocett, the tried and true Sage X, the fabulous Hardy saltwater Zephrus, and the ultra-powerful Loop Cross 7X. 6. The rod is nicely balanced, allowing easy casting without having to exert much grip-pressure. The Sector is light in swing weight, but slightly heavier than the Scott G, Helios 3F and Asquith. The quality of the epoxy coatings over the wraps was excellent. It is very light in hand but has a huge amount of reserve power coming from a fairly stiff butt and mid-section that allows it to handle the longest distances with ease. Douglas explains that Platelets are like building blocks that are microscopic in size. There is some light blue trim on the butt. A good 8-weight fly rod will protect lighter tippets but have the power to handle bonefish. If I had to guess, I would say 7 out of 10 people end up choosing the Scott Meridian over all the other rods they tried. Here youll find our recommendations in three price ranges: The Ultimate Outfit, Mid Priced Outfit and Best Buy Outfit. The other is the expeditor warranty policy that gets you a new rod in just a few days but can cost up to $250. Two titanium frame stripping guides are used, followed with the excellent nickel/titanium recoil snake guides that will flex but never break. get used to, especially when youre used to casting trout fly rods. At our shortest distance of 35 feet, I just loved the 3F, and gave it a perfect score for its wonderful feel and accuracy. Not only does this help keep swing weight down, but the larger size guides allow line tangles to better escape through the rod. I just cast the 8'5" 8 wt on Woodward the other day. If you have any questions about the right fly rod for you. The Orvis Helios 3F, Scott Sector, and Douglas SKY G all perform with excellence up to 60 feet but lack power when casting at the longest distances of 80-100 feet, or when battling a headwind. It was tough to hit 100 feet, and if there was any wind it was a no-go. With these two rods, you will be able to target all saltwater species with success. But it isnt in the same class as the Helios 3F or the Loomis rods. I designed these leaders with very stiff butt and midsections, and a short taper that allows them to turn over extremely well, even in a harsh wind. Shimano, (G. Loomis parent) builds the Asquith blanks in Japan and then ships them to G. Loomis where they complete building the rods in their Woodland, Washington plant. The Nautilus G-7/8 is still our reel of choice on any 8-weight rod, especially when you need the ultimate in performance to handle sizzling fast bonefish runs or the bulldog like power of a big Louisiana redfish. Orvis follows suit with the new Helios 3F. The cork handle is a comfortable full wells Rajeff design that is slightly larger ahead of the handle swell. And since we published that 8-Weight Shootout, two other very good new rods have piqued our interest the Scott Sector and the Douglas SKY G. Would any of the new mid-priced rods be able to outscore the Orvis Recon, our 2018 mid-priced winner? I love the Primes light swing weight, second only to the Douglas SKY G. The Primes softer tip gave me great feel and very good accuracy in close. There is some exceptions in the models though. We have been impressed with the Helios 3 rods, and there is no question that they are among the best 8-weights. I especially like the handle shape, putting the swell slightly ahead of the middle of the grip. Yeah it's all that. They are light in weight, yet have a totally sealed drag system that utilizes four sets of ball bearings and a carbon fiber disc drag that provides very smooth and strong resistance, with a wide amount of adjustment. The best fly rod suited to your casting style will enable you to deliver a fly to the intended quarry. We have fished all over the world in both fresh and saltwater for a huge variety of fish, and well be glad to answer all of your questions, to help you choose the perfect rod or outfit. It just makes roll casting an absolute dream. A short one inch extension butt is used with a rubber/cork cap. scott meridian vs orvis helios 3. washington court of appeals briefs. There are many new saltwater lines on the market now, but we have yet to find one that beats our long-time favorite, The Scientific Anglers Bonefish Taper. The guides start out with two new CeRecoil stripping guides that have flexible nickel/titanium frames and a slick zirconia ceramic insert that will never separate. However, two specific weights will allow you to cover all saltwater fishing scenarios a 9 and a 12-weight. Keep in mind that fast action rods are not necessarily stiff rods, as many anglers assume. The 8-weight is an extremely light rod with a swing weight well below any of the other rods. Below, we take a look at 6 different fly rod weights and their intended purpose. This rod is made here in the USA in Montrose, Colorado. Standard sized cork rings of very high quality are used, trimmed with a rubber/cork ring at the top. I let a 124cm giant trevally fall on top of the butt section of my old Sage Xi2. The Meridian produces awesome, tight, controllable loops. With your support we can continue to give you more Shootouts and head to head comparisons on tackle and equipment in the future. We decided not to compare all these rods again, except the Orvis Helios 3F, which had previously impressed us. Ive even seen one land a 95cm giant trevally in large surf conditions in South Africa. I also like the little touches such as the line weight designation on the sliding band on the double uplocking aluminum seat. I liked this rod a lot. Call us at406-222-7130, or e-mail us at[emailprotected]and we can discuss your needs and wants. It is one of the very lightest rods in swing weight, second only to the SKY G. It also proved to be extremely well dampened and very smooth to cast, right out to 60 feet. The Asquith, with its softer tip offers the ultimate in power and feel, and was created with the SA Bonefish line in mind. These are the scenarios where rods take the most beating. The quality of the cork was only fair, as quite a bit of filler is used. This rod is an absolute steal at the low price of $189.95. Other anglers prefer super-fast action fly rods. Ive been impressed with all the Asquith rods in various sizes, and use them much of the time for my own fishing. It is a great fishing rod, especially in the 8 and 9-weight varients. I like the Meridian a lot at close range. Our deflection charts have been an integral part of our Shootouts and we have included them again here in our Challenge. This new line has the S.A. Tropi-Core technology a stiff coating and stiff core, and their AST plus coating, a slickness additive that aids in shooting (and clearing) line, all perfect for warmer climates. The Meridian is just one of those rods that performs well at every distance. As G. Loomis explains, the new GL8 resin is self-propagating, meaning the resin creates its own nano-particles. The NRX+ has a stiffer tip, and was designed with the SA Mastery Saltwater line in mind, a line that is a half a line size heavier, (similar to the MPX freshwater lines). The only performance disadvantage is that it has a narrower sweet spot, so anglers will have to apply the power more precisely to benefit from this rods full potential. At mid-range nothing comes close to the Asquith. If you are an angler that appreciates more feel over a stiffer rod, you should really give the Meridian a try, youll like it! I know the guys at Orvis in Royal Oak enjoy demo-ing rods. This rod seems to track amazingly well at mid-range and certainly has the power to handle these mid-distances with ease. A full wells cork handle is used, with standard sized corks. The new Prime is a very light rod, with a nice soft, quick loading tip. The Scott Meridian was 2016s Shootout winner and honestly I didnt think there would be a rod that would knock it off the top. It's a slightly faster rod, but the Zephryus is slightly stiffer. No rod could touch the Helios in close and it was easy to give it a perfect score. The rod can handle large giant trevally and tarpon. What a nice light feel in my hand, and Im getting nice tight loops with superb accuracy. Performance at 80 feet: 19 points out of 20. If you are fishing mostly in close or out to 60 feet, your best mid-priced rod will be the Echo Prime 4pc. Another great flyshop that will demo rods is the Painted Trout in Dexter. Scott claims that this allows them to build a stronger and one less likely to break rod. Most have very small, incremental advances and, like a car, aren't really worth checking out unless you need a new one. If youre looking for a dedicated bonefish rod this is it. Most of the time I was just happy to have a fly rod in my hand or be guiding someone onto something, knowing the gear could handle it. 4. This let us do all the casting outdoors at a park in Englewood on Floridas west coast. We brought Orvis into the shop this year for the 2020 season because of the strides Orvis has taken lately to make some baller fly rods including the Helios 3 and the newly designed Recon series of rods. For more information about choosing the correct fly rod, or to . Lightning line speed and unheard of power are delivered not by increased stiffness but by relying on exceptional recovery speed. The silver rings look good but are rather thin and harder to grip and lock up than most. The Blackout series takes that. The Meridian is especially sweet at the short to medium distances where anglers are fishing much of the time. Deserving of the hype.