TFF - I need ya'lls help. I started fly fishing back in March when Bass Pro has their White River intro combo on sale for $49. I picked up the 8 wt combo and haven't really fished with any of my baitcasters since then! I'm completely hooked on fly fishing!!!

Well, I'm ready to upgrade and my B'Day is in about 3 weeks. My wife is gonna by me a new fly rod and reel. I went to Bass Pro the other day and looked at the TFO TiCRx rod in a 6wt. But, it really seemed to lack strength at the tip. The guy suggested that I look real hard at the BVK's.

I mostly bass fish. But, I also hit Texoma and the coast a couple times each year. I'm leaning towards a 6wt.

Needs suggestions on rod's and reels. If Sage's didn't cost $700 a pop, I'd get one. But, that's out of my budget...

You gonna stick with eight weight? The BVKs are indeed fine rods. There are plenty of fine rigs in most all price ranges. I just know that the BVKs are good ones from having had some experience with them.

As for rod for the dollar, I like the TFO professional series and the Echo ION. Both under $200 and both fine rods. I fish with both. However, I got the ION in a 8wt. 10' - extra length is nice for yak and deeper wading. Note - the ION comes WITH the rod case. That said, I would definitely recommend an 8wt to cover the variety of conditions and fly sizes you will be tossing. Good luck!

I have a 5wt ticr x and have caught some nice bass on it just purchased an 8wt I was so pleased I just ordered a sink tip line to overline it and hoping it will launch a fly like the 5wt but you can get a really good deal from cabelas and if you buy a cabelas reel with a decent rod remember that they are actually lamson reels with cabelas logos I have a few off them and there higher end rods in lower weights are really nice too.

I have a new SAGE Flight 8wt eith a new Ross CLA5 reel on it plus line and backing for sale for $550.00 if interested. Never been used.

I am a big fan of the Lamson reels if you decide to go the new direction. The bvk is a damn fine rod, at least in 5wt it is.

I don't think I'm going to go with the 8 wt on this set-up. I'm really kinda leaning towards a 6 wt.

I looking hard at the TFO BVK in a 6 wt with the Orvis Battenkill Bar Stock reel.

Keep the comments and suggestions coming!!! I'm still very new to fly fishing and need all of the comments and suggestions that I can get.

If you are talking coastal fishing and some bigger fish and you want a rod with some backbone I would forgoe the BVK and get a TFO Axiom. If you are fishing coastal winds or North Texas winds for that matter this rod is the one for you. I have an 8wt overlined to a 9 WF bass line and a seperate reel with class V full sink line and this rod begs to be cast. The more line the better and it handles all the line and all the fish you can throw at it. Like the website says it truly is a launch pad for rocket casts. I hear the minimag is great as well, but its shorter stature keeps it in a niche category for me.

The Axiom is going to be hard to cast for someone without a lot of experience...just too stiff. I'd stick with the BVK.

As for reels, a Lamson, either a Konic or Guru will serve you for a long long time. The Konic series is priced as is the Battenkill and the Lamson drag is much stronger than the old style Disc drag that Orvis uses.

Line? I'm partial to Rio Gold, but SA GPX Mastery is a good one. Come out to the store and we can show you most of the options...except the Orvis reel. We can put together a Combo deal where the line and backing are free. You won't get that with Orvis/TFO... Orvis makes good stuff (and I've owned and fished it), but in my opinion, it is over priced when compared to comparable Ross or Lamson reels.

I agree for coastal waters with a lot of wind - The Axiom is hard to beat - it a cannon.

I differ with David tho - Axiom and BVK very similar for my load and shoot casting style - the BIG difference is in very apparent weight differece.

I agree with Sexycarpenter on the Axiom, I have it in a 6wt that I use for bass, light saltwater and slinging big streamers for trout and it is a beast but it can be tamed with a little instruction and practice. As far as line, the GPX series or if you are going to stay "bass" you might look at the Bass Taper as well.
If you will come out to BP Grapevine on a Saturday morning at 10 and take my casting class we can go over your options and discuss them as well.

I'm just going with the info he provided. He tried the TiCriX and the tip wasn't stiff enough. I think he would be very pleased with the Axiom.

Take Mike up on his BP Grapevine offer

I'll throw the TFO Mini-Mag hat into the ring...

I have the 8-foot, 6-8 weight with Sage 290 grain Bass Series line. Casting it takes some getting used to, but when you do...it shoots like a dream. Way further than I can cast with any other of my rods. I am no casting pro and it did not take me long. The super weight forward Sage Bass line punches those big bass flies through any wind.

The stripping guide is extra large. I find that this offers forgiveness to a guy that does not have the best control when shooting the line.

I'm not 100% sure, but i think that Mike was the one who put the backing and line on the combo that I bought this past spring.

Mike - as soon as my son is done with Saturday morning soccer games, I'm headed your way!!! I'm real curious to see if i can throw the Axiom. The rod that I have now is fairly stiff -a heck of a lot stiffer than that TiCRx rod that I looked at. So, I bet I'll be OK.

Assuming that I can narrow it down between the Axiom and the BVK, I just need to figure out which reel to get.....

If you can make the 10:00 class it will help you a lot with this decision. Now that you've been casting a little bit, a casting class will make more sense and you'll see an improvement in your casting skills. (I've had multiple lessons and I still have a lot to learn.)

The best advice I can offer is to cast both the Axiom and the BVK rods yourself and then get the one you like best. My favorite rod might not be the rod you like best. Either way, they are both great rods.

If possible use the same line on both rods when you test cast them. That way you get an apples to apples comparison of the rods.

Good luck!

Hey BP, I will be here all day Saturday so we can cast both rods as long as needed.

Well, all the information here is correct...that is, it is very much an individual thing. Since you are new to fly fishing, your at the beginning of a great journey. I will tell you my opinion. I have a 5 wt 8'4" travel rod from Sage. It is a moderate action rod, and I can cast it all day long. I have a 6 wt 9' Sage rod, and I can cast it all day long. I recently bought a BVK 8 wt 9' long that I can cast comfortably for hours, but not all day long w/o feeling it the next day. (Something to consider as you get a little older) The BVK was my choice because it is extremely light, yet strong enough to make 100 ft casts. In salt water, the length of the cast is very critical. Not so in fresh water. Also, in fresh water, and especially for a 6 wt system, drag is not really a big deal. I have caught a ton of bass on my 5 wt and rarely work with the drag (but you do need to get the fish on the reel asap). Even this year, on Puget Sound, I had no trouble landing 5-7 pound pink salmon without really getting into the drag, and what I needed was available on simple cheap trout reels (an old Lamson and an old Ross Cimirron). Sage 1060 or so, is a great reel for $100, but it is heavy. Presentation is going to be far more critical to you, with your 6 wt system, then power. That is, placing the fly where you want it and how you want it whether it is to hit the water hard for some bass, or very softly for some trout. The power behind an Axiom is really intended to lift heavy fish. You will be able to cast your bass flies just fine with the BVK, and it is a better rod for presentation. Finally, you are on the right track here, but buy an entry level reel, and put the money you save into better fly line...I love rio gold.

According to the "Power Matrix" section of the TFO website, the TiCR X has the most lifting power, the Axiom second, and the BVK last of the rods everyone is talking about here. I have a 6 wt. Axiom with a Ross Rhythm reel. It slings large flies with ease. I casted the TiCR X in 8 wt. and it was going to be my choice, but I sold one of my motorcycles and bought a Sage Xi3 with a Ross Evolution LT 4 and spare spool instead. I have Rio line on all of my reels which is 4 and a spare spool. Here are a few caught on the Axiom.

If you are concerned with the soft tip of the TicRx, then the BVK will not help in that aspect because it is much softer in the tip than the Axiom as well. If you want something with a lot of backbone go with the Axiom or Mini-Mag. The Echo 3 is also a good choice because it is a fast rod with a lot of power. I cast one with Scientific Angler's new textured bonefish line and was hitting targets at 90 feet with ease.

As for reels, if you want good quality but low price, the reels I recommend are TFO Prism, Orvis Battenkil or Access. They all have great backing capacity. If you aren't fishing the salt very much and aren't concerned about backing capacity, go with Okuma SLV or Integrity.

I caught my first tarpon on a Mini-Mag 6-8 and completely kicked the fish's butt. That gives you an idea of how much pressure these rods will take. My second tarpon was caught on a Professional Series 8wt. I put as much pressure as I felt I could and would definitely say the fish was on top most of the fight. Above all else, cast as many of these rods as you can and then make your decision.

Hey Mike,
I dropped by this afternoon and threw the 6 wt Axiom. Loved it!! I think that is what I am going to go with.

But, a buddy of mine just called and said that he found brand new Z Axis Sage's on ebay for $395....

JP was a big help! Tell him thanks for me!

A 6wt is a good all around rod. I would suggest buying a 4 piece "Travel" rod. So much easier than a 2 piece rod. Sage does have some less expensive rods... (remember all their rods are guaranteed for life... break it and they replace it )

Something to consider is the Sage "Smallmouth" rod. I also have the "Bluegill" and "Largemouth" model rods. The Smallmouth is my favorite. Your local fly shop should let you test them.

As for reels... unless your after big fish that will get you into the backing... a reel is just for storing the line. I've never had a largemouth or peacock bass, even up to 8 pounds, get me into the backing.

As with all fishing tackle, the better the quality (more expensive) the longer it will last and better it will perform.

I will pass the thanks on to JP. Good deal on the Sage and it is a fine fly rod, enjoy it.

Doesn't look like BPS carries the Sage Smallmouth....

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