I'm moving back to central Texas. I currently have a TFO Pro II 8' 4wt rod that I use for trout in New Mexico and sunfish when I'm at my parents in central Texas.

I have been a big bass and whitebass angler in the past when I was in central Texas and I'm also interested in going after some Redfish and Specks along the coast so I'm interested in getting a 9' 8wt setup.

What are your thoughts on the Sage Accel and Orvis Recon compared to the TFO BVK?

I really like the TFO products especially their pricing but I'm also open to trying something else.

No experience with a Orvis, but the Accel is a slower rod than the BVK. If you like the action of the BVK, you may want to consider other fast action rods from Sage like the Pulse -$450, One (closeout $500), or the discontinued Response series for less than $300.

Or stick with TFO, lots of guys love their BVKs.

I have 2 Orvis Recon 8 wts. The 7' 11" for bass and the 9' for saltwater (or when I'm bank fishing with a high bank and weeds behind me). The shorter rod is less tiring when casting all day.

I haven't fished either the TFO or Sage.

It's my understanding that if you're going to be close in fishing the Recon is more accurate, but if you wanting to boom out long distance casts the BVK is superior.

The BVK is also less expensive than the Recon.

Recon all the way! I love mine, go to your local Orvis store and talk to the fishing manager. They will let you cast one and you can get a feel for it!

I know a lot of guys like/love their BVK 8 wts, but it doesn't do it for me.

I'd go with the Recon or a Sage One.

I have the BVK 8wt. I don't use it much as I seldom wade for reds or trout, but prefer standing and fishing in my hybrid kayak. I like shorter than 9' rods for kayak work.

The BVK is pretty good. It does get heavy if you have a day where you are casting a bunch. The BVK is supposed to have a lot of power, but I think that attribute isn't as important as middle and close distance control and accuracy here on the upper Texas coast anyway. But what do I know, I like fiberglass rods that bend all the way into the butt so that they are pretty much the opposite of the BVK and Sage.

Well, I'll actually be fishing out of a kayak unless I'm in an area that I feel compelled to wade.

Cabelas still have the SAGE VXP 9'-8wt in stock for $375.00 . Just throwing that out there . I have it in 5-wt , used it a couple weeks ago . I am more use to a M.A. rod so my Cabelas RLS+ combo in 5-wt was easier to cast for me than the SAGE VXP was . However I probably just need more practice with the VXP .

SAGE VXP
Sage One as mentioned is still $500.00 but has limited supply :

SAGE ONE
They also have the SAGE Approach for $350.00 :

SAGE Approach

So here's a related question. What size fly do you typically cast for bass?

I found some information on the SAGE Bass II rods and thier design really interest me for the bass side. They also come with special upsized line for throwing poppers and bigger flies.

That Sage Bass II does look good. Would probably be a great kayak or skiff rod for redfish too. I really like rods in that 8 foot range. I have the TFO 6-8wt. minimag and it's a fast 8'rod with a lot of lifting power. Never tried the Sage Bass II but it seems to be much like the Minimag from the dimensions and description.

Well, that's another thing. I will be doing most of my fishing from a kayak so a shorter rod might be good. Also Bass tend to hand out in some sort of cover so a stouter rod might have an advantage.

I had the Sage Smallmouth series rod which is more like a 7 wt. I preferred fishing it with a Rio Outbound line over the Sage line. The Bass series could easily launch big poppers and 6 inch flies.

I fly fish out of my yak all the time, and actually prefer 9 ft rods while sitting. I use a 7wt Sage Method for most of my fishing. If I want to throw wet socks, I toss a 9 wt Sage TCX.

There is some good information in this thread. I might have to get 2 fly rods now lol.

I'm seriously thinking about getting the TFO BVK and Mini-Mag or similar in the Sage or Orvis line up. Of course I'm probably going tospread the purchases out over the next year.

I am looking into purchasing an 8wt as well and I am leaning towards the BVK or Recon. Both rods performed very well in the 2016 Yellowstone Angler 8wt Shootout and ranked high among rods in the $800 range. The biggest knock I keep seeing on the BVK in multiple reviews is durability. TFO will replace the rod under warranty if it snaps but I was wondering if any of the BVK owners on this thread can speak to that. It sounds like an outstanding rod and it is $170 cheaper than the Recon.

The Yellowstone Angler Shootout reviews are detailed and I enjoy reading their take on things.

2016 8wt Shootout - Yellowstone Angler

I've never broken My 8wt BVK and I don't baby my gear. I can't say I've put thousands of casts on it, but certainly hundreds and maybe into the low thousands. Use it for when I want to wade fish deep wading, waist deep or thigh deep in windy conditions on the wadeable bays. Most of the time, I'm moving to lighter line weight rating rods these days when I can.

Even though it's a light in weight 8wt as compared to many others, it doesn't feel especially light when swinging it for a while. It is fast action but not crazy fast.

The only thing I have with TFO rods is the finish has worn off on some and the cork has come loose on the handles. The finish doesn't really doesn't bother me and I,was able to epoxy cork back into place.

The three you mentioned match each other pretty closely as far as speed. It all depends on your casting stroke of course. I have a few BVK's, but the Mangrove moves bass flies better - and salt a lot better. I have managed to downsize rod weights though - with the Sage Bolt in 6. Depends a lot on budget really. If I can find a couple of nickels to scrape together, I am going with the Sage X for next season (freshwater), and a Gary Loomis Edge (salt).

I've been fishing an 8 wt BVK on Texoma since the series came out. I've had no issues with the rod.

If you get a chance, I'd test cast a TFO Mangrove 8 wt. I really enjoy fishing the Mangrove rods.

Good luck!

Great info! Thanks.