On the plus side, we have sold a lot of Asquith rods and see very few being broken. The Scott Meridian was 2016s Shootout winner and honestly I didnt think there would be a rod that would knock it off the top. 4. Throws the whole line easily. There are many new saltwater lines on the market now, but we have yet to find one that beats our long-time favorite, The Scientific Anglers Bonefish Taper. Best Fly Rod for Rivers and Streams Scott Centric Check Price 9.7 Scott has ever made. The titanium snake guides are very large and durable, but also thin and light at the same time. He is a certified casting instructor and accomplished flats fly-fishing guide, who has his clients fishing an 8-weight rod for most snook and redfish. The other is the expeditor warranty policy that gets you a new rod in just a few days but can cost up to $250. Both the Asquith and NRX+ were dramatically better. This rod forms nice tight loops effortlessly, and its light swing weight makes it is a joy to fish all day long. I found that the Sector performed best at the shorter distances, from 35-60 feet, where you typically fish an 8-weight. Only the Orvis 3F felt as light and had equal feel. Use this as a starting point and work from there. These new SKY G rods are composed using G-Tec platelets. Although each angler has his or her own casting style and personal preferences, almost everyone loves the way the Scott Meridian performs. And once youve picked out the perfect rod, stay and enjoy a few days on the water with one of our top guides. The NRX range has always been highly regarded in the outer atolls of Seychelles as being incredibly durable. get used to, especially when youre used to casting trout fly rods. To make the deflection chart we place the rods at a 45-degree angle and then hang a weight of 6.2 oz from the tiptop. The type III anodized reel seat has proven to hold up very well against salt crystals and general wear and tear. This fly rod is a workhorse and is also one of our best picks as a bass fly rod. 5. In casting the new NRX+ 8-weight, this improvement in recovery and dampening was dramatic! A fairly wide bottomed 1 inch fighting butt is used with a gray rubber ring at the end. The only performance disadvantage is that it has a narrower sweet spot, so anglers will have to apply the power more precisely to benefit from this rods full potential. At 35 feet the combination of great feel and accuracy was matched only by the Orvis Helios 3F. With spooky, pressured fish becoming the norm, more guides are instructing their clients to make a quick roll cast, which creates less movement than a regular cast. Information is provided 'as is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice.Disclaimer . why is channel 2 not working today. The Meridian performed really well at 80 ft. Saltwater fly casting is all about accuracy. The guide set up starts with two large titanium framed SIC style stripping guides, followed with large diameter hard chrome snake guides and a large tip top. Choose this caliber rod when targeting tuna, giant tarpon, and marlin. Personally, I dont like the six inches of white logo on the butt section but it sure jumps out at you from the rod rack in a fly shop. I started flyfisherpro.com to help introduce as many people into this amazing sport. Is this something you are wondering about or going through the motions to by one? The cork handle is Scotts modified wells style, like the Radian, where the swell is slightly forward of the middle of the grip. A short inch extension butt is used that has a rubber cap end. A good 10-weight fly rod has ample pulling power, but can still protect tippet down to 20lb breaking strain. Theyve been top of their game for years. The Nautilus G-7/8 is still our reel of choice on any 8-weight rod, especially when you need the ultimate in performance to handle sizzling fast bonefish runs or the bulldog like power of a big Louisiana redfish. This fatigue often results in poor catch and release statistics. Realizzazione di idee; Mission; Discover; Servizi. Before going on any saltwater trip, spend enough time practicing your cast. If you're a beginner, then the starter rod variety on Orvis is far larger than Sage. 6. Fabricao e Manuteno Industrial Ltda. The tracking is fantastic and Im able to fire very tight loops easily and with more accuracy than with the other rods. We value your comments about our Shootouts and this Challenge and invite any questions you might have about them or your tackle needs. The one thing that was a negative is the heavier swing weight. The NRX+ series are powerful rods in general but are also dampened better than any of the other rods weve found, including the Asquith. I like the appearance of this new Recon more than the previous version. The Meridian is a handsome rod with some of the finest craftsmanship weve seen. There is a good chance youll like it the best. Pieces: 4. Performance at 35 feet: 20 points out of 20. There is some light blue trim on the butt. That means when you go on a trip youll take 4 rods with you. Being able to deliver the fly into the feeding zone of the fish is the single most important element in saltwater fishing. Again, another perfect performance. Performance at 80 feet: 19 points out of 20. The new lightweight, smooth and powerful G.Loomis NRX+ earns the overall win as 2020s best saltwater 8-weight rod. Nothing has changed about the Meridian, however this year the Asquith had the edge at 80 and 100 feet. S det som mange troede var umuligt - at forbedre den ellers nsten perfekte Helios 2 serie - er lykkes. These are the scenarios where rods take the most beating. by . I noticed that it didnt fare as well in the wind as a couple of the best rods in our test, but there are only a few that best the Meridian at long range. He has an uncanny ability to design rods knowing how they will be used by anglers, from beginners to experts. Then we trace the outline of the rod. The NRX+ has a stiffer tip, and was designed with the SA Mastery Saltwater line in mind, a line that is a half a line size heavier, (similar to the MPX freshwater lines). If youre looking for a dedicated bonefish rod this is it. 1. This rod is the natural graphite gray, and in Scotts tradition, only lightly sanded, so that you can still see the tape marks. This rod has been manufactured with care to be the most accurate piece in the Helios Series. Performance at 80 feet: 19.5 points out of 20. Ive never cast a rod that tracks as well as the Asquith, or is as accurate, especially at the mid to long distances. . I designed these leaders with very stiff butt and midsections, and a short taper that allows them to turn over extremely well, even in a harsh wind. And now, Helios 3 rods take another giant step ahead of other Orvis rods and the competition. Easy to use in saltwater and freshwater conditions, this rod is perfect for a beginner about to enter the world of fishing. I like the Meridian a lot at close range. Steves idea is to get your pinky and ring finger closer to your palm, providing a more comfortable and more powerful grip, especially when you are throwing long. The grip is very comfortable and it forces you to choke up on the rod ever so slightly, making the rod feel even lighter in your hand. Line Weight: 5. There are more euro-nymphing rods on the market today than ever before. . scott meridian vs orvis helios 3 . The alignment dots are handy as well when putting your rod together. We also enlisted our good friend, Captain Skip Zink, who has been a tester on past 8-weight Shootouts. By no means is this set in stone. All of which result in rods that are much lighter, smoother and more accurate than anything we have experienced in the past. These rod comparisons and Shootouts take considerable time and effort. The Meridian produces awesome, tight, controllable loops. Performance at 60 feet: 19.8 points out of 20. So if you like what we are doing, and found our 8-weight Challenge helpful, the best way to thank us is to buy a rod, reel, or outfit from the Yellowstone Angler. There is some exceptions in the models though. If you own more than one Meridian in different weights, having a numerical designation on the sliding band will help you quickly select your bonefish, permit, or tarpon rod. $998; orvis.com Subscribe today and save. The new Recon has tons of power, tracks well and delivers nice casts at mid-distances, giving me good accuracy. The 3F is going to give the Scott Meridian a run for its money for sure. Workflow; Gallery; Contatti; wills o' nats last of the summer wine. Og alle 3 dele er lykkes til fulde. This rod is an absolute steal at the low price of $189.95. Smooth casting with nice tight loops, giving me good feel and accuracy but not quite up to the level of either the Asquith or NRX+. Action: Fast. 243 ammo 75 grain. Very well rounded rod at all distances, Looks sharp. The rest of the guides are the top-notch nickel/titanium Recoil snake guides that are flexible but cannot break. In the event of something happening to your primary rod, you have the backup to fall back to. Tight lines everyone! Two years ago, the Asquith won our full blown 2018 8-Weight Shootout, replacing the Scott Meridian as the previous 2016 8-Weight winner. Two titanium frame stripping guides are used, followed with the excellent nickel/titanium recoil snake guides that will flex but never break. In case youve missed it, click here to read this full Shootout: The Asquith is an amazing rod that delivers performance on a scale that seems to be on a higher plane than the other rods, though the NRX+ comes very close. We are always happy to help. Craftsmanship has always been excellent on the Orvis Helios rods. A stack of thin width, very high-quality cork rings is used with a rubber/cork ring at the bottom for durability. At 60 feet the Meridian was incredible, and super light in hand. Now the lack of overall power is becoming apparent, but it still hits 80 feet easily enough and with decent accuracy. The new rod is finished in a deep metallic blue with black wraps. It's thoroughly in the "want" category for me. But Steve Rajeff, wanted a rod that would perform well at short to medium distances also, and gave the rod a softer, more flexible tip. Performance at 100 feet: 19 points out of 20. Somewhat like the Helios, there is a 5 inch logo just above the handle with the new larger Orvis logo, but at least it is in gray rather than white. Key Features and Specs Length: 9 feet Line Weight: 5 Action: Medium-Fast Pieces:. After all the praise we have given Loomis rods over the years, anglers might think we are on G. Loomis payroll. This Saltwater specific range features rods from 6 to 15-weight, offering a premium solution for any fishing need. It just makes roll casting, water loading, and fishing heavy gear, heavy rigs, heavy nymphs, really, really easy. This meant leaving out a lot of very good rods, like the Thomas and Thomas Exocett, the tried and true Sage X, the fabulous Hardy saltwater Zephrus, and the ultra-powerful Loop Cross 7X. Compare a freshwater fly rod to these criteria and most rods will fall short. Its a great rod, light, fast, and accurate. scott meridian vs orvis helios 3. I recommend buying a spare rod for each of these two weights. Lightning line speed and unheard of power are delivered not by increased stiffness but by relying on exceptional recovery speed. The new SKY G is very quick to dampen and is very sensitive. The quality of the cork was only fair, as quite a bit of filler is used. scott meridian vs orvis helios 3venice beach boutiquesvenice beach boutiques Post author By ; Post date ben crawford michael crawford; 8227l firmware android 9 . scott meridian vs orvis helios 3. They are light in weight, yet have a totally sealed drag system that utilizes four sets of ball bearings and a carbon fiber disc drag that provides very smooth and strong resistance, with a wide amount of adjustment. Here the softness in the butt and mid-section hurts, and I cant punch in the power nearly as well as with both of the Loomis rods or the Helios 3F. Head rod designer Fred Contaoi reports that they will make a running change to give the SKY G 8-weight more power. Centric. To cast this far with the Meridian my timing had to be perfect. If you would like to tie your own we have the materials available for purchase and are happy to set you up with a formula. The reel seat is a black anodized uplocking seat with a gray graphite spacer. fast action all water. The wraps are gray with attractive two color blue trim on the butt section. chihuahua puppies for sale in maryland or virginia. A cannon at the longest distances! Scott Meridian 9 foot #8 $865.00. The + is no different. It was easy to hit this distance, but not with the confidence or accuracy I had with either the Asquith or NRX. You can see our fullOrvis Helios 3 Reviewhere. Yeah it's all that. Only the Asquith and 3F were as much fun to cast. One of the best things about the Meridian is the softer tip, which gives it wonderful feel and control at the shorter distances. Simms Ms G4 PRO Powerlock Boot Vibram, Armstrong Spring Creek on the OHair Ranch. I found the snake guides on the Helios 3F to be slightly smaller than the ones on the NRX+, especially up near the tip. The rod features Orvis dependable 25-year guarantee. It is popular for anglers planning on spending a long time on the casting platform due to it being more forgiving on the arm. With all that has been written about its introduction to replace the popular Meridian, (that won our 2016 8-Weight Shootout), we were all anxious to see the new Scott Sector. Therefore I not so much excited about Sage Salt HD, X, Scott S4S, Meridian, etc. Im digging it big time at 60 feet. With your support we can continue to give you more Shootouts and head to head comparisons on tackle and equipment in the future. This is another great looking rod from Scott, finished in natural graphite gray and only lightly sanded, in typical Scott fashion, so you can still see the tape marks. As you will see in our Performance Only scores, the Asquith was the best performing rod in our 8-Weight Challenge. Orvis uses the very best components on the Helios rods, and the rods are finished beautifully. The Zephrus range may not be as comprehensive as the other brands, but it features the most popular saltwater rod weights. At mid-range nothing comes close to the Asquith. Again, more butt and mid-section power are needed. These leaders are all hand tied (and tested) here in Livingston, MT. Each section is labeled 908, which is handy and makes for easy alignment. You can see which rods have faster actions than others, (the tip bends more) or if a rod possesses a moderate, slower action, (the tip bends less). The Echo Prime 4pc is the lightest and best mid-priced rod for fishing at short to medium distances, but lacks power at longer ranges. On the other hand, if you are a novice or an intermediate skilled angler, there is a good chance you might not be able to tell the slight differences between the Asquith and the NRX+. The rod is nicely balanced, allowing easy casting without having to exert much grip-pressure. Being comfortable with these heavy rods, especially the 11 and 12-weights, is critical to catch your dream fish. This is where labeling a rod as the best gets a little tricky as it has to do with feel and casting style. A fairly large 1 inch extension butt is used with a rubber cork cap for durability. Orvis Helios 3 er landet Orvis har arbejdet stenhrdt med at forbedre 3 ting med Helios 3: Prcision - vgt - og styrke. Still surprisingly good, but I can tell it is starting to run out of steam. scott meridian vs orvis helios 3; scott meridian vs orvis helios 3. I've been into fly fishing since my graduation from spin fishing when I was 12 years old. They cast with the ease of the beloved Meridian Series, but possess 10-15% more power in the butt and mid-sections. Other anglers prefer super-fast action fly rods. The rod has a progressive, crisp action that makes it ideal for using all day long. The epoxy coating on the guides was excellent. Todays latest graphite fly rods are using lighter higher modulus graphite materials combined with new resin systems like the new nano-resins, as well as different methods of cutting and laying up the graphite layers and better rolling techniques. This was apparent in our 2019 9-foot 5-Weight Shootout, where the NRX+ won in the power rods category. The quality of the epoxy coatings over the wraps was excellent. A large 1 inch extension butt is used, that is wider than most with a rubber cap. Of the top rods, only the SKY G was lighter in swing weight. Series Overview: The Orvis Helios 3F Series (along with the Helios 3D Series) replaces the much-loved Orvis Helios 2 Rod Series as Orvis' flagship fly rod. The components and finish of a saltwater specific fly rod are selected to be hard-wearing and deter corrosion. But this rod has plenty of beans to cast long too. The cornerstone of this new technology is the use of Steves multi-taper design, a process that removes material from areas where a rod is least likely to break, and adds material to prevent breakage where its more likely to break. Still booming! Sector. Like the Tibor and Abel reels weve used in the past,the Nautilus reels are bulletproof and will provide a lifetime of enjoyable service. When we were test casting all the rods, and watching the loops they formed in the air, it was immediately apparent that the NRX+ loops were smoother than the other rods, with very little apparent oscillation. Despite how I score the rods at 80 and 100 feet, when we take people out on the lawn they can almost always cast the Meridian farther than anything else. We have several reels rigged with the various line sizes, and leaders, all ready to go. The accuracy is exceptionally good, bettered only by the Helios 3F. There are no other rods in our Challenge that are as smooth, dampen as quickly, or track as well as the new NRX+ rods. The shape and swell feel just right to me. Did browse information in the net about Ignitor and Helios and the following concerns about each of the rods: Helios 3 - dealing with the strong wind (9 and 10 weight I need mostly for sea fishing) These wonderful reels have a wide arbor spool, with a big handle that you can grip very easily. We have been tying our own bonefish and permit leaders for over twenty years, using Masons hard nylon for the butt and midsections, and Seaguar Tatsu double structure fluorocarbon for the final two tippet sections. The Helios 3F is a fast action rod, and the action is about perfect with its softer tip. I had a lot of trouble maintaining good loops in the wind. The increased dampening and recovery also result in superior accuracy, which was evident at close range. The diameter of the butt section on the heavier rods is substantial. For Saltwater Fly Fishing your entire outfit needs to be dependable. This rod gives me the confidence that I can put the fly right where I want it, right out to 80 feet and beyond. I hope that you now feel confident to select a saltwater fly fishing rod suited to your needs. The 5 Best Wading Staffs in 2023 Buyers Guide, The 5 Best Sit On Top Kayaks Under $600 in 2023 Buyers Guide, The 5 Best Headlamps for Fishing in 2023 Buyers Guide, The 6 Best Fly Fishing Chest Packs in 2023 Buyers Guide, Saltwater Fly Fishing Tips, Tackle & Techniques, The 6 Best Fishing Watches in 2023 Buyers Guide, 150 Mount Locke Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Available weights: 8wt 12wt (in the saltwater specific range). Fast action. At the mid-distances it was still right in the running with the Loomis rods, but lacked their punch. Youll find these on our Yellowstone Angler home page atyellowstoneangler.com. The Meridian seems to have a little deep load to it and flexes more in the middle where the 3F flexes more in the tip. Over the past three years Ive fished the 8-weight Asquith as my go-to rod for everything from 20-pound rainbows at Argentinas Jurassic Lake, Atlantic salmon in Labrador, to the saltwater flats in the Caribbean and Florida for bonefish, redfish and snook. In our latest gear review, we will be taking a detailed look into the newest line of rods to come out of Vermont, the Orvis Helios 3 Blackout series. We brought Orvis into the shop this year for the 2020 season because of the strides Orvis has taken lately to make some baller fly rods including the Helios 3 and the newly designed Recon series of rods. Product developer Shawn Combs discusses the difference between the two actions and how to decide . These lines work great for permit and tarpon, but with an 8-weight rod, the Grand Slam or Tropical Punch lines turn over too quickly, and dont provide the kind of delicacy needed when fishing for flats fish like bonefish, redfish and snook. Combined with the new materials and resin is what Fred calls a G ARMOR coating. At the longest distances the 3F just didnt have the power to get it done as easily as the Asquith or NRX+. The NRX+ replaced the standard NRX a while ago. However, two specific weights will allow you to cover all saltwater fishing scenarios a 9 and a 12-weight. The original Sky G felt like it was running out of gas out long. The Sector won the ATTFAs award this year for the best new saltwater rod. We apologize if we have omitted your favorite rod or a rod that you wished to read about. Im impressed with the smoothness and the accuracy, second only to the Asquith. If your favorite local shop stocks the rods you are interested in, by all means visit them, try a few rods and purchase an outfit from them. An 8-weight is great for protecting lighter tippets and casting smaller saltwater flies. The guide wraps are black, trimmed in an attractive blue on the butt section and at the ferrules. 03 Jun. I must, however, point out that these rods will not make you catch more fish. Alignment dots are used as well as the size designation on each section, at the ferrules. Orvis: Helios 2: $895: 8: 9: 3.55: Full Wells: Yes: 23: 87.5: Quotes are not sourced from all markets and may be delayed up to 20 minutes. I felt that the Sector needs more butt and mid-section power to go long. We recommend a true-to-weight line for all series and models. This is a video Scott Sector Fly Rod Review - IFTD 2019 By The Scott Sector fly rod is the hotness for 2020. The key to this power and smoothness is a utilization of three things: Mega modulus + graphite, GL 8 resin, and a new multi-taper design. Go for a casting lesson or two. Well come out with you and offer you some help to fine tune your casting stroke or just help you with the basics. With these two rods, you will be able to target all saltwater species with success. The Aetos is also a surprisingly handsome rod. The guides start with two large Titanium SIC strippers, followed with hard chrome snake guides and an oversize tiptop. The blank is finished in a flat dark gray (which we all liked) with dark gray wraps. At our shortest distance of 35 feet, I just loved the 3F, and gave it a perfect score for its wonderful feel and accuracy. mother jonas brothers parents. We take a lot of people out on the lawn to cast and compare 8-weight rods at the Yellowstone Angler. Here is where the Asquith takes the lead. Another great flyshop that will demo rods is the Painted Trout in Dexter. All things being equal, cheaper is in this case, may be better, making the NRX+ a very appealing saltwater weapon. For those of you that want to refresh your memory on the rods we did not compare in this Challenge, please refer to our 2018 8-weight Shootout: After casting a number of good mid-priced rods, we decided to report only on the best, the new redesigned Orvis Recon, and a delightful new rod from Echo, called the Prime 4pc. I found this grip to be very comfortable and liked it a lot! Our Fly Fishing Rods selection is stocked with every make and model you need to cover ANY fishing situation you will encounter! 60 ft. is really easy to hit with the Meridian. Definitely one of the best rods at long range. At longer distances it was really about as good as the 3D, but at the two shorter distances, the softer tip on the 3F gave us much more feel and better accuracy. The guides start out with a hook keeper, then two fairly heavy SIC stripping guides. Now the Asquith and NRX+ are noticeably better. IFTD 2017 Update: Orvis Helios 3. We are looking forward to Freds modifications of this rod, giving it a little more power, which will boost its performance at the longer distances. It gave me a wonderful sense of feel, especially at shorter distances. I know the guys at Orvis in Royal Oak enjoy demo-ing rods. Although you might be able to land a large saltwater fish on a 6-weight, the prolonged fight, due to the low pulling power, will place excessive stress on the fish. My accuracy was good, just not in the same league as the top rods. That lack of butt and mid-section power is a handicap at the longest distances. The 9 foot #9 and 9 foot #10 have proven to be terrific rods for permit, and for big tarpon I use the 9 foot #11 Asquith most of the time when Im not using my one-piece NRX Pro 1. The new rod is a lot more powerful and handles those mid to long distances with ease, tracking well and giving me nice tight loops. The Orvis H3 (Helios) series ranks among the best fly rods ever built. Sage has truly come to the party offering the discerning saltwater fly fisherman a choice from an ultra-light 6-weight to a tuna-hauling 16-weight. But, even in these remote and wild destinations, shots at your dream fish dont swing by every single moment. I could hit the longest distance easily and here it was better than the Helios 3F but nowhere close to the Asquith or NRX+. The Orvis Helios 3D was the last rod I reviewed that made me think, I need one of these for myself, in a few different weights and lengths, just for good measure. Diseo y fabricacin de reactores y equipo cientfico y de laboratorio The rod youre fishing with should be suited to the intended species, size, and fishing situation. I'm looking to buy my first premium rod after staying in the sub $300 range. Usually, there isnt a Cabellas around the corner where you can pick up a new stick. If you are looking for an inexpensive 8-weight, look no further! Im getting a lot of feel as well and this gives me a lot of confidence in where Im putting the fly. The Echo Prime 4pc is the lightest and best mid-priced rod for fishing at short to medium distances, but lacks power at longer ranges. I do recommend spending as much time as possible casting this rod before going on a fishing trip. Scott uses a stack of thin cork rings to give us the ultimate in a high quality cork grip. Deserving of the hype. A great performance in close. The tips on the faster action rods bend more, and weve found this is the key to getting good accuracy, especially at closer distances. The new NRX+ Saltwater blank is dark gray with dark blue wraps, trimmed in lighter blue and silver on the butt. They say never take a knife to a gunfight. The cork handle is a full wells, with rubber/cork rings at the top and bottom for better durability. Fenwick uses a solid dark gray anodized, double uplocking seat. The advantage this spiral-x process provides is that Loomis can now build a blank that uses 15-20% less graphite material that is even stronger than their new NRX+ blanks. Learning to double-haul will also enable you to get the most out of your rod. We have employed identical methods and rating categories in this 8-Weight Challenge. When comparing the guides and components of all the rods, I felt that the Meridian had one of the best set ups. The epoxy coatings are excellent as good as on the Asquith. If youd like to try these out, we always have a fresh stock. An oversize tiptop is used. The Prime is an impressive new rod from Echo that I felt could be our best mid-priced rod, and it would have been if the performance had been better at the longer distances. The Salt HD is incredibly light in hand. Scott Meridian 8wt This is hands down one of my favorite 12-weight rods. Accurate from anywhere, Helios 3 fly rods are designed to deliver perfect casts with easy distance and seamless control for delicate mends. We just like their rods a lot, since they perform and hold up so well. In my saltwater arsenal, I have all rod weights from 8 to 12. I could hit 80 feet, but my cast timing had to be right on the money. As G. Loomis explains, the new GL8 resin is self-propagating, meaning the resin creates its own nano-particles. Both of these rods are amazing, and with this new technology, Orvis claims they have been . Like the Douglas SKY, this rod is made in Korea. Next a layer of muscle carbon graphite is wrapped the conventional manner, followed with a final wrap of the infinity tape, but at an opposing 90-degree angle from the first layer, forming an X-pattern. There is no hook keeper. I liked gripping it closer to the top, with the swell under my palm. Seems to be little more work to throw than the 4 piece meridian or even the helios unless really trying to shoot it (it seems like there is more friction in the guides than the other rods), but you can really feel the rod and be in control. I spent 9-months guiding and fishing on a remote outer atoll in Seychelles. The meat of our 8-Weight challenge is how these rods perform. In this 8-Weight Challenge, the Asquith and the new NRX+ are the only two rods that perform extremely well at all distances. The Orvis Clearwater launches long casts and consistent loops with surprisingly good feel and decent line control. This is a new rod from Douglas that uses their new graphene technology that we saw in their latest SKY G (the winner of our 2020 5-Weight Shootout in the Presentation category). We have been impressed with the Helios 3 rods, and there is no question that they are among the best 8-weights. In Seychelles, this rod weight is primarily used for targeting milkfish. Keep in mind that fast action rods are not necessarily stiff rods, as many anglers assume. Avoid using a rod with a wooden reel seat. Our 12-foot bonefish leaders, with a 30-inch tippet, will turn over far better than any of the knotless tapered leaders on the market, making them perfect for our rod testing.