I'm looking to get a 9' 8 wt for east texas bass. A good rod to throw big bass bugs. Been looking at the TFO Mangrove. Anyone have this rod, or comments about it?

Andrew

Andrew
My wife has one in 7WT, and I use it a lot. Very smooth and different in action from BVK. However my friend Jeff thought the mangrove might be his new coast rod, and after casting both 8 weights side by side he preferred the BVK's action. That said the hardware on the Mangrove is much sturdier.

If it were me I'd go to Tailwaters Fly shop if you don't mind driving to Dallas and test drive both. If Shreveport is closer go to Grey Wolf fly shop and see my friend Howard Malpass, he likely has some you can try.

Les

I like the TFO Mangrove rods and the more I fish with them, the more I like them. To me it is a fun rod to fish with. I have a 5 wt and a 10 wt.

But, Les has given you the best advice you're going to get, go cast one and get the rod that feels best to you. You'll be the one fishing with it.

i know its not the rod your asking about, but for bass fishing i really like the mini mag.

I like the 6-8 wt Minimag too. 8 feet > 9 feet in some situations. I really like my 7-8 wt cabelas CGR too. 7'6" but plenty of oomph to cast big flies. Cast all day without fatigue. The CGR has been offered for $65 from cabelas several times.

I have the 8 wt BVK and it's a go to wading rod. But I like a shorter rod standing in a boat or kayak especially if I'm planning on doing a lot of casting.

Rods seem to be very personal. Like others have said, get one that fits you.

I have the mangrove 8wt.. I use it for kayaking and carp. My goto rod is bvk 6wt. . Although I've had two break I love it. That stated the mangrove is not gonna get you the distance the bvk does, it's not supposed to. It's a realistic caster made to be simple. Bvk is touchy as far as errors go in casting. The mangrove was difficult for me to use at first it was like going from a sport bike to a Harley. Once I slowed down stopped trying to force it beyond what I and it can do I love it. It's smooth forgiving and plenty of back to lift fish keeping wfish from getting you hung up. If u can test them do. If not I don't think u would be dissapointed with it. 8 can be surf and fresh. Yes I am fan of TXO. GREAT SERVICE sss

Thanks guys. Yeah, I'm looking for one rod that can handle bass and coastal fishing. I'm not quite good enough yet to justify a rod for every species. I've heard good things about the BVK except for the breakage. I'll check out the mini-mag also.

I have a Sage #8 I used for steelhead but now also have a TFO Mangrove #10 kit on layaway. Intending to use in in the lower Luguna Madre From what Dtheg said above, I think I can live with it, my #6 is an old Orvis impregnated bamboo Battenkill which does not really like to be rushed. Comments?

I have a Sage #8 I used for steelhead but now also have a TFO Mangrove #10 kit on layaway. Intending to use in in the lower Luguna Madre From what Dtheg said above, I think I can live with it, my #6 is an old Orvis impregnated bamboo Battenkill which does not really like to be rushed. Comments? Oh, Abogue77, I used to live at Horseshoe Club lake on the edge of Tyler (Chapel Hill)

By all means try them. I certainly don't claim to be an expert, but I tried a Mangrove and absolutely hated it. Yet most like it........ Make sure you will before you spend the shekels.

I have a 5 and a 10 wt and I like them. But, the best advice you'll get is to cast a rod and decide for yourself.

Update. Above I mentioned having a Mangrove on layaway. However I found a NOS Sage DS2 1090-2 and canceled the Mangrove. However talking to the owner of the shop that had the Sage, he agreed that if I loved my Sage #8, I would love this as well. On the Mangrove, he said that he had ordered a couple for different customers and they cast them outside. The Mangrove was a bit stiffer than the Sage but it would really pick up a lot of line as a result. My casting is perhaps a little unconventional so I will be sticking with a rod that works for my "style"... Any casting instructors in the Valley?

Good information