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.....