Redfish may be the perfect fish for novice saltwater anglers, though there’s plenty about this species for experienced anglers to like, too. Their bright orange, gold, and reddish hues really “pop” in the water, making them easy to spot. You don’t need to be as precise with your casts, and most casts are under 30 feet. Best of all, the fish have a propensity to bite.
We’ve highlighted a few rods from Echo, G.Loomis, Sage and Scott. You can’t go wrong with any of these rods, although we favor a stiff, fast action rod for accuracy and distance. Redfish put up a good fight and will easily bend a 9 or 10 weight rod. Any saltwater-specific 8- to 10-weight rod (12 if you want to be prepared for the big ones) paired with a smooth, large arbor reel to shorten the fish’s initial run is a winning combo.
Looking for a reel, too? Check out our recommendations of best fly reels for saltwater fly fishing.
| Reel | Line weights | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Echo EPR fly rod | 8wt–12wt | $449.99 |
| G. Loomis NRX fly rod | 3wt–12wt | $730.00 |
| Sage SALT HD fly rod | 6wt–16wt | $950.00 |
| Scott Meridian fly rod | 6wt–15wt | $865.00 |
Price: $449.99
Line weights: 8wt - 12wt
Our own Pat Ehlers at The Fly Fishers collaborated with Echo’s Tim Rajeff to design the Echo EPR fly rod. With a super-fast tip and the most powerful bottom half Echo has ever built, these are the most powerful fly rods Echo makes—with ample power for long casts, but enough feel for short casts.
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Price: $730.00
Line weights: 3wt - 12wt
The NRX is an all-water, 4-piece rod available in 3-weight to 12-weight sizes. Built with lighter and higher density carbon fiber infused with Nano Silica resins, these rods are lighter, more durable and more responsive than conventional carbon fiber rods.
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Price: $950.00
Line weights: 6wt - 16wt
This saltwater-specific line of fly rods incorporates Sage’s KonneticHD Technology for more stable casts and better accuracy. These rods give you more pulling power than standard Fast Action rods, making it easier to bring in stronger fish. Available in 6wt to 16wt.
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