Streamer fishing is a very versatile and incredibly useful way for you to fish for brown trout, musky, pike, and bass. If you are fishing on the water and having no luck with your nymphs and dry flies, then switching to the streamers can make your whole experience different.
If you are heading to the market for your new fly rod, then let us help you. Rod manufacturers tend to innovate, incorporate and improve the rods and add new and latest features to it.
As a beginner, this can be confusing for you to choose from; to help you with your shopping, read this article. We have compiled the review of the best fly rods along with their buyers guide for you to use; read on below.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Streamer Fly Rods
- OUR TOP PICK: G. Loomis IMX-PRO
- RUNNER-UP: Douglas Sky Fly Rod Series
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Sage Fly Fishing
Comparison of the Best Streamer Fly Rods
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What is a Streamer Fly Rod?
To understand what Streamer fly rod is, you need first to understand streamer fishing. Streamers are bigger flies. These flies act as the bait, and you fish them on the retriever. Streamers are the lures of fly fishing. To make it easier for you to understand, streamer fishing is a type of fishing technique that uses these flies and the streamers.
This kind of fishing is done using a streamer fly rod. Streamer fishing is a tricky task and requires tricks, skills, and perseverance. For this reason, the right equipment is necessary. A special rod known as the streamer rod is used in streamer fishing. These rods have unique features that make them perfect for this kind of fishing.
What Size of Streamer Fly Rod Do I Need?
All anglers are quite aware of the fact that the size of a fishing rod can make quite a difference in your fishing experience. The range and size of the rod can be quite extensive. There are many ways out there to choose the right rod.
When it comes to streamer fishing, it can be even more crucial that you always select the right rod. Streamers are larger than lures, which makes them more challenging to cast. Streamer rods often have a floating line due to which many different kinds of fish could be caught.
What Should I Look For When Buying a Streamer Fly Rod?
When buying the best Streamer fly rod present on the market, there are some features you need to look for. These features make your rod work efficiently and also provide it with a long life span. Make sure you know what to look out for before investing in these materials; these features are as follows:
Fly Material
These rods are constructed with various materials but are commonly available in fiberglass, bamboo, and graphite.
Fiberglass
These rods are perfect for beginners and people who are looking for a cheap and durable option to buy.
Bamboo
Bamboo rods are perfect for experienced anglers. These rods are heavy and are naturally slow action ones. They require intensive care and maintenance for their usability. However, these rods are considered to be the most beautiful rods present as they have a natural and old feel to them.
Graphite
This type of rod is the most popular and latest rods present on the market. Since graphite is human-made, these rods can be light as well as moderately heavy. Graphite rods are the most popular ones because they are lighter than fiberglass and are more accurate. These rods are also the most sensitive out of the three and make it easy for hooking.
Fly Line Weight
Fly rod weight is placed on a measurement scale from one to twelve. The heavier the rod’s weight is, the heavier the fish you can catch. If your rod has a weight of three, then you can fish for a panfish as well as a small stream trout. Similarly, a nine weight rod will be better for large bass and even an ocean fish or a large saltwater fish.
The most popular weight rod is a five to six weight rod as this can be used for trout, small fish, and even some bass.
Fly Length
Fly rods usually have the length in between 7ft to 10ft. The benefit of having a longer rod is that it improves the casting distance, which is very important if you want to grab hard to reach fish. However, if you want to get small fish and fish in marshes, streams, creeks, and mangroves, then you must get smaller rods.
Key Terms to Know
To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.
- Materials: The materials the rod is made of.
- Handle: The material and/or type of handle on the rod.
- Available Length(s): The length(s) this rod is available in.
- Available Power(s): Power refers to how much force it takes to bend the rod. These fall under the designations of ultra light/med-light/light/medium/med-heavy/heavy/etc.
- Available Action(s): The actions the rod is available in. This refers to where the rod flexes and includes slow/moderate/moderately-fast/fast/extra fast/ etc.
- Compatible Line Weights: The line weights the rod is compatible with.
- Number of Pieces: The number of pieces the rod breaks down into.
Review of the Best Streamer Fly Rods
When buying the best streamer fly rod, there is plenty of research that you need to do. You need to find the pros and cons of the rod that you like along with who it is suited for the most and what is an essential quality that makes it stand out. To help you find the best steamer fly rod, we have reviewed the top five present; read on below to find the best one for you.
Best Overall:
G. Loomis IMX-PRO
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have all been quite happy with the fishing rod; the build quality and the design have both been quite impressive. Their lifetime warranty and fantastic design make it one of their best purchases. It is swift, and the hi-tech reel seat provides for a fantastic fishing experience.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This Loomis rod stands out because of the outstanding features it offers and the price range it offers in. This rod is high-quality and a premium rod that allows you good accuracy and performance. It is an ideal rod for typical trout distance fishing.
Who Will Use This Most
The G.LoomisNRX Lite is one of the lightest weight fishing rods available. That is the reason it makes number one in our picks. It is incredibly responsive and purpose-built. It is not only great for the shorter cast but works wonders in long and medium distance casts. In terms of competition, it is one of the best picks.
Bottom Line
As mentioned earlier, this rod is one of the best fishing rods for short distance casts. It’s impressive build quality, and hi-tech reel performance makes it number one on our list. It is extremely lightweight, and the action provides the perfect amount of stiffness and grip.
Product Specs
Materials:
Cordura
Handle:
Full Wells Cork
Available Lengths:
8 ft 6 in, 9 ft, 9 ft 6 in, 10 ft
Available Action(s):
Fast
Compatible Line Weights:
4, 5, 6, 7 wt
Number of Pieces:
4
Runner-up:
Douglas Sky Fly Rod Series
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The buyers were very satisfied with this product and found it to be very lightweight and effortless in functioning. This rod can also cast well over fifty feet and allows you to fish without getting your wrist all sore. The accuracy provided by this product is what attracts the consumers in the first place.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This Douglas sky rod is one of the best rods present since it can adapt to any condition when needed. It is durable and keeps away from wear and tear and is also incredibly strongly built. Since it comes with fast action, this tool is ideal for beginners and even veteran anglers.
Who Will Use This Most
We think that this is ideal for stream fishers who tend to use different kinds of a fly as bait and want a robust, well-equipped rod. The sensitivity provided by this rod ensures a fluid response that you can enjoy at your fingertips. Since these rods are sensitive and long-lasting, they are ideal for buying.
Bottom Line
Many fishers regret buying rods that can break when it undergoes stress; however, this fly rod will never give up. It has a flexible and strong construction and accompanies you in your wildest fishing adventures. This rod is built to satiate your hunger for stream fishing.
Product Specs
Materials:
Nano carbon, Fuji Torzite Titanium Striper Guides, REC Titanium Recoil Guides
Handle:
Full Wells Cork
Available Lengths:
9 ft, 10 ft, 11 ft
Available Action(s):
Fast
Compatible Line Weights:
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 wt
Number of Pieces:
4
Best for the Money:
Sage Fly Fishing
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to recent buyers, this product is incredibly lightweight. This makes it easy for handling on your fishing adventures, and since it also provides you with perfect accuracy, it is worth investing in. The short length of this product makes it easy for you to handle as a novice.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The design of this product is incredibly stylish and attractive. This rod is reliable and durable, which allows it to remain protected from all kinds of wear and tear and last for a long time. It is also resistant to corrosion, and its well-built nature is what makes it stand out.
Who Will Use This Most
According to the features of this product and its length and weight, this rod is perfect for beginners. It allows you to not only show-off its design and look, but it's resistant to corrosion, and durable nature makes it worth buying.
Bottom Line
Sage rod makes catching fish easy for you. It provides you the right balance between weight, accuracy, and even strength. It is durable and allows you to carry it with its lightweight nature as well. It ensures perfect accuracy and is worth getting your hands on right away.
Product Specs
Materials:
Ceramic, graphite
Handle:
Cork
Available Lengths:
9 ft, 10 ft
Available Action(s):
Fast
Compatible Line Weights:
4, 5, 6, 7, 8 wt
Number of Pieces:
4
4. Echo E.P.R. Fly Rod
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to buyers, this rod is perfect for their use because it can hold large and even smaller flies. Since it is durable, they can use the rod and casting all day long without any worry, and it's build makes fishing an accurate task that ensures users to catch at least a single fish.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit stands out since it can work perfectly with every anglers casting style. The graphite present in the rod makes it stiffer and firmer and allows the top part to flex only when it is under a lot of pressure. It allows you to catch big streamers and bugs without any problem.
Who Will Use This Most
The user-friendly fast action makes this rod the perfect buy for beginners. Beginners will find it easy to learn fishing on this and allows them to catch fish. It is also very easy to cast this rod as compared to other delicate streamer sticks and trout rods.
Bottom Line
At the low price it comes at, the Echo XL Fly rod is a great fishing accessory to invest in. Its casting abilities, regardless of its accuracy and ease, is incredibly good. The casting feel is also very excellent. This is an exceptional rod for beginners and is versatile in use.
Product Specs
Materials:
Aluminum, graphite
Handle:
Full Wells Cork
Available Lengths:
9 ft
Available Action(s):
Super Fast
Compatible Line Weights:
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 wt
Number of Pieces:
4
5. Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to recent consumers, this fishing rod is ideal for past time fishing. It is lightweight, easy to use, and very versatile. It has moderate action and a reasonable price point, which makes fishers love this product and makes it easy for them to buy.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product is one of the best streamer fly rods as it not only helps you catch your bait but also ensures that you have a good time. Its lightweight nature and moderate length ensure easy controlling and use of this rod. It is durable and very dependable and stays away from wear and tear.
Who Will Use This Most
This Orvis Helios fly rod is perfect for beginners. It is not ideal for professional usage since it does not catch fish all the time. This rod is ideal for moderate distance hauls and perfect for beginners.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Orvis rod is ideal for beginners as it is lightweight and easy to handle. This rod is also average at accuracy and is reasonably priced. If you are entering the fishing world for the first time, this rod should be your go-to rod.
Product Specs
Materials:
Aluminum, SiC/titanium stripping guides
Handle:
Full Wells w/Fighting Butt
Available Lengths:
8 ft 5 in, 9 ft, 10 ft
Available Action(s):
Fast
Compatible Line Weights:
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 wt
Number of Pieces:
4
Types of Streamer Fly Rods
There are plenty of streamer fly rods present on the market, and they usually differ from each other in terms of build quality, actions, and budget. You need to know about these things before investing in these streamer fly rods.
Actions
The action of a fly rod usually implies the flexibility and stiffness of the rod. It also implies its recovery, and this means how quickly the rod stops moving at its end. Some rods are stiffer from the grips and have flexible tips, whereas other rods are flexible in the middle and stiffer in other areas. While buying your rod, you must keep the action in your mind and then choose what you prefer.
Budget
Different rod materials come with a different price point. Spending a lot of money on the rod you like regardless of knowing its feature is a rookie mistake, and you must not do that even if you are really rich. While keeping your budget in mind, along with the essential features, you can easily choose the kind of rod that is perfect for you.
Build Quality
As with every product, the build quality is very important. A rod that is very well built will last for a long period and even get by without any wear and tear. Also, a fly road that comes with a stream attached will perform equally well with both thirty to sixty feet; it will be an all-purpose rod. When going shopping for rods, make sure you get a balanced, and well-built rod for yourself.
Conclusion
With all the information above, finding the best streamer fly rod can be an easy task for you. You can make use of the buyer's guide along with the review of the five products mentioned above to find the best streamer fly rods of 2020.
People Also Ask
Even with all the information present in this article, there are still some questions that people ask frequently. We have answered the questions below for you.
What's the Ideal Streamer Fly Rod Weight?
The ideal streamer fly rod weight for larger flies and fish is a seven unless you want to use heavy and huge flies rather than weight 9 is ideal for you.
