So, I recently bought an Orvis Clearwater 8 weight rod for using at the coast for redfish and trout. What I'm curious about is if there is a rod brand and weight yall would suggest for freshwater trout and white bass. Trout would be on the White River in Arkansas and white bass around Three Rivers or Canyon Lake maybe. I'm looking for something that won't break the bank. I've been searching on Amazon but can't decide on one. Also been looking on OfferUp app. Any suggestions are appreciated!!!

For more budget friendly rods, i would look at TFO and Echo rods in a 6wt. 5 wt will work, but for small streamers for white bass and indicator rigs, the extra oomph from the 6 is nice. Wish i could help more with a specific model, but i havent really gone super in-depth with either brand.

I use a browning or Wright/McGill 6/7 wt for most of my freshwater fishing in Texas. I have also used White River rods from BassPro and they would be fine for white bass and trout. For trout and white bass you could just use the 8 weight you have. Although you could go smaller, an 8 wt is great for carp, buffalo, striper and catfish.

Used a 4/5 wt Echo Ion Reel and Redington Classic Trout 9' 5wt and a 6wt flyline for years, then swapped the fly line with an OPST Commando Head 220 Grain and a mono running line for one handed spey casting. Still have it; still liking it a lot. Currently, using a 6/7wt Echo Ion Reel and TFO 9' 6wt and OPST Commando Head 225 Grain with coated mono running line.

Either setup would use for freshwater fishing in Texas. Still fish with traditional flyline on other rods but really am a fan of the OPST Commando Head... less false casting, and easier to cast when my back cast is clobbered.

The 5 wt setup was bought during a Cabelas clearance sale, under $140. The 6 wt was also bought on sale - rod from Cabelas was under $100; reel from FishUsa for $59. Noticed that if I wait till the end of the season sales, can get equipment much cheaper.

I support the ftangler response!

Another FTA supporter. The Fenwick Aetos is another good rod,high value. I also like Echo Carbon at similar price point. TFO and Redington have rods that are a good value. Piscafun reels. If you are a good caster already, then a 5 wt would offer better play and be a good match for BG and crappie; but if you are after WB and indicator, go to the 6 wt.

On the White I’d suggest a 6wt rod with a fighting butt. That is a deep and fast river when the generators are running and you normally have to really weight down your fly to get it down to the fish. The 6wt will help you sling those shotted flies. And the fighting butt helps you to lift it out of the water, not to mention bring in those huge brownies.

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Just got done building this 9' 5wt

I use echo carbon xl 5wt, cabelas longhorn 8wt. Echo is very nice, I prefer carbon rods.

For budget friendly, IMO for less that $200 for the rod, Echo, TFO, and Redington are the ones I've casted. They feel about the same to me. Quality is on par, and they cast just fine. If you can, you should try to cast as many rods as you can. The performance can differ so much between the individual caster, it's hard to say what's the "best deal" or "best rod" for each person.

But those fore mentioned companies make good stuff. I can't cast an old $1000 slow action bamboo rod worth a darn, but give me a $150 fast action Echo or TFO, and I can make it sing. Or at least I think I can. Faster action rods just feel better to me. All on the individual.

I good fly line can make a lot of difference as well as far as casting performance. I wouldn't worry about the reel too much unless you are doing salt where drag matters. The only freshwater fish that I had take me to the reel was a 5 lb carp on my 5wt. Just saying.

100% agree on the good line

Since the line has been mentioned - here's how to allocate your budget money when setting up a new rig.

1. Quality fly line
2. Rod
3. Reel

If fishing saltwater, your reel is at least of equal importance to the rod if not higher.

I got a Remington Classic Trout 9’ 5 wt. I’ve come to really enjoy.

I do find that Heavier streamers and big, air resistant popping bugs are harder to cast. I spend more time tossing dry flys to trout and accept this situation. Depending on how much time you expect to be fishing for a specific species, you may find heavier line weight suit you better.

The rod weight is more about what you’re throwing than what you’re throwing at. Pick a weight that will handle the flies you will use under the conditions you’ll be using them. There are many choices, but TFO is a great one.