Best 10 Weight Fly Rod For The Money: Reviews

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. more info

Today we are here to help you find the best 10 weight fly rod for the money. It’s important to understand what actually makes a good fly rod, so we first want to talk about the 4 main factors to consider before making a purchase.

In a rush? We recommend the Sage X Fly Rod (available at Amazon).

We have also covered detailed reviews our top 5 rod picks that in our opinion are some of the top contenders for the money that work really well with most fly fishing reels.

Product
Our Top Pick
Sage Fly Fishing X Rod
Okuma SLV Graphite 4-Piece Fly Rod
Orvis Recon Fly Rod
Image
Sage Fly Fishing X Rod
Okuma SLV Graphite 4-Piece Fly Rod
Orvis Recon Fly Rod
Our Top Pick
Product
Sage Fly Fishing X Rod
Image
Sage Fly Fishing X Rod
Product
Okuma SLV Graphite 4-Piece Fly Rod
Image
Okuma SLV Graphite 4-Piece Fly Rod
Product
Orvis Recon Fly Rod
Image
Orvis Recon Fly Rod

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Contents

So What Makes A Good Fly Rod?

Before you go out and buy a fly fishing rod, there are some main considerations to keep in mind.

what makes a good fly rod
You don’t want to make a purchase without thinking about the 4 following factors;

1. Rod Length

One of the most important things to keep in mind here is rod length. When it comes down to it, most fly rods are between 6 and 10 feet long.

The shorter the rod is, the more maneuverable it is, thus allowing for casting out of cover, plus this is good for short distance casting too.

However, the longer the rod is, the further you will be able to cast the line.

The most versatile fly fishing rods tend to be between 8 and 9 feet in length.

2. Line Weight

Line weight is another important thing to keep in mind here. As you might have noticed, this review article is specifically about 10 weight fly rods.

Well, the lower the weight class of the rod, the smaller and thinner the line it can handle. The smaller and thinner the line is, the smaller the prey you can go for.

For instance, a 3 weight rod is fine for small stream fish, whereas a 10 weight rod is great for saltwater fishing purposes and for catching large fish. The larger weight class the rod is, the thicker of a line you can use with it.

This is measured on a scale of 1 to 12, and it is very important to match the weight class of the fly rod with the weight of the line, at least if you want the best results.

3. Material


In terms of fly rods, there are 3 main materials which they are usually made of;

1. Graphite Rods

Graphite rods are manmade and they are the newest kind on the market right now. They can be light or heavy too, they are popular as they are usually lighter than most other rods, they have accurate and far casting abilities, and they are very sensitive too.

2. Fiberglass Rods

There are also fiberglass fly rods, which tend to be fairly durable and inexpensive, although a little heavier and harder to cast than graphite rods.

3. Bamboo Rods

The other kind of common fly fishing rod is the bamboo rod. These are heavy, they are slow action, and need quite a bit of care. People like these for nostalgia and because they look very nice, although the least user friendly of the 3 main kinds.

4. Action

Action is another important consideration to keep in mind here.

Slow Action

A slow action rod is very flexible and is good for beginners who are learning to fly fish. They are a bit hard to control and don’t always produce the best results.

Medium Action

There are medium action fly rods, which have a good combination of flexibility and stiffness, or in other words, power and sensitivity. These allow for longer casts than slow action rods, yet are easier to control than fast action fly rods.

Fast Action

And then there is the fast action fly rod, which are stiff and don’t bend much. They feature a lot of casting power and sensitivity too. It can be hard to achieve a high level of accuracy and a soft touchdown of the line and lure with these, so they are usually recommended for more advanced fly fisherman.


What We Think Is The Best 10 Weight Fly Rod

When it comes right down to it, our top pick for the money is the Sage Motive Rod. There are several reasons as to why we like it, so let’s take a closer look at it right now.

Sage Motive 1090-4 Fly Rod

First of all, this rod comes in 4 pieces. This is nice because you can break it down to size for easy transportation. It also comes with a nice waterproof carrying case with a strap that makes transportation even easier.

This is a 9 foot long rod, which makes it great for long distance casting and for fairly deep streams. It’s not the best for maneuverability or for casting out of cover, but it definitely allows for long distance casting. Now, it is also a little heavy, which doesn’t help in terms of maneuverability, but at least you know that it has some heft and durability to it.

This rod allows for fast line speed so it can handle wind with ease. It also comes with oversized guides to allow for very thick line and line intended for saltwater fishing. Yes, this rod has been treated to withstand the effects of saltwater. It’s a good rod for catching some fairly large fish indeed.

It also comes with a full wells grip, a unique taper, and a strong butt section. In other words, the Sage Motive 1090-4 Fly Rod allows you to apply a lot of pressure and power, while retaining good grip, in order to catch those big boys, plus it’s deadly accurate too.

The aluminum reel seat is another big bonus as far as we are concerned. In case you were wondering, this is a fast action fly rod, which means that it is highly responsive to your movements, making it good for various fishing techniques and fast retrievals.

Pros

  • Can handle heavy line and fish.
  • Extra-large guides and aluminum reel seat for saltwater resistance.
  • Great for long distance casting.
  • Breaks down into 4 pieces for portability

Cons

  • A bit heavy.
  • Length makes it hard to maneuver.

You can check the current price on Amazon here


4 Other 10 wt Fly Rods We Like: Reviews

In case you are not a big fan of our top pick, here are 4 other rods which we felt was also worth a mention.

1. TFO Lefty Kreh Professional

This is a nice graphite fly rod to go with, which is nice because it’s fairly lightweight and sensitive too, which allows you to feel the nibbles with ease, plus it does help make casting easy.

This particular rod is 9 feet long, which is a moderate length for fly rods, thus offering a fairly good combination of casting distance and maneuverability, although not as maneuverable as a smaller rod.

This particular rod is a medium fast action rod, which is good for long casting distance and rod responsiveness. The casts may be a little hard in terms of their landing, but you can achieve long distances and a fair amount of accuracy too. This is a 10 weight fly rod, making it ideal for thick lines, for big fish, and even for saltwater fly fishing too.

To be clear, this rod does come in other models with lengths ranging from 7 feet 6 inches to 9 feet. Also, these rods go from 2 weight all the way up to 10, so you can choose what works best for you. Some of these rods are medium action, and some are fast, yet another aspect that adds some versatility to the mix.

The anodized reel seats with aluminum inserts are made to be saltwater resistant, and the premium grade burled cork handle is nice for a good grip and accurate casting. This rod comes in a 3 or 4 piece option, which is also nice in terms of transportation and portability.

Pros

  • Good graphite construction.
  • Allows for long casting.
  • Many length and weight varieties.
  • Comes in fast and medium action.
  • Good for big line and saltwater.

Cons

  • Can be a little weak at the joints.
  • Not the most maneuverable.

You can check the current price on Amazon here


2. Okuma SLV Graphite 4-Piece Fly Rod

Yet another fly rod that can be broken down into 4 pieces, this is a nice option to go with. This particular one can easily be taken apart and put together, plus it comes with a nifty carrying case too, both things that make life a bit easier for you in terms of storage and transportation.

Yes, this is another 10 weight fly rod, which makes it ideal for 10 weight lines, or in other words, heavy floating lines that can be thrown into the wind. It can handle some fast moving currents, it works well for long distance casting, and the guides are made for big line too.

Everything here is made with strong and durable materials that can resist the effects of saltwater. The rod itself is made out of lightweight graphite, thus making it fairly easy to maneuver and cast with, all without getting fatigued. This is a 10 foot long rod, making it fine for long distance casts, but beware that this does take away from maneuverability quite a bit.

In terms of action, this is a medium-fast action rod, but more towards the medium side of things. Therefore, it has a good combination of stiffness, flex, responsiveness, and sensitivity. It does not particularly excel at any of those aspects, but is a good all-around option to keep in mind.

Pros

  • Portable.
  • Lightweight and durable.
  • Good for long distance casting.
  • Can handle very heavy line.
  • Good for saltwater.
  • Good all-around mix of features.

Cons

  • Long length decreases maneuverability.
  • Not particularly responsive for small fish and fast action fishing.

You can check the current price on Amazon here


3. Orvis Clearwater 910-4 Rod

For one, this is another 4 piece fishing rod, which means that you can easily break it down to size for easy transportation. It also comes with a convenient carrying tube, something which also helps make life a little easier. We do like the cork butt, as it provides for good grip, casting, and leverage too.

The rod itself is fairly lightweight, coming in at just over 3 ounces, making it super easy to control and maneuver. The lightweight design also makes casting fairly easy. This is a 9 foot long rod, which is pretty standard. It allows for long casting distances no doubt, but may be too long to maneuver in some cases. It’s a good option for throwing heavy line into the wind.

This is a 10 weight fly rod with extra-large guides. This makes it ideal for fairly thick line that can handle large fish with ease. It also features an anodized seat, which means that it can handle saltwater no problem. It’s a lightweight and fast action fly fishing rod that is both sensitive and responsive too.

Pros

  • Highly portable.
  • Lightweight.
  • Long casting distance.
  • Good for heavy line and fish.
  • Can be used for saltwater fishing.

Cons

  • A little weak at the joints.
  • Not the easiest to maneuver due to length.

4. Maxcatch Premier Fly Rod (best budget 10 weight fly rod)

When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, the Maxcatch Premier Fly Rod is a decent option to consider. First off, here you can choose from rod lengths ranging from 8 foot 4 inches to 9 feet. Yes, they are fairly long, making maneuverability a bit hard, but they do allow for long casting distances.

This rod is made out of IM8 carbon fiber, which is both strong and lightweight, for optimal performance. Personally, we like the hardened cork grip, which provides for good traction and easy casting, plus a good amount of leverage too. The special design of this thing makes it both lighter and stronger than other models.

What is also cool here is that this rod comes in many weight categories ranging from 3 weight to 10 weight. Therefore you can go with one that works best for you, especially in terms of line weight and fish size. The lower weights are great for small fishing purposes in freshwater, whereas the heaviest models are good for heavy line, long distance casting into the wind, and for catching fairly large saltwater fish too.

This is a medium-fast action rod. It has a good mix of responsiveness and sensitivity, and it allows for long casting distances too. If you need a well-balanced fly rod, this is a good option to keep in mind.

Pros

  • Lots of length choices.
  • Comes in various weight classes.
  • Made of durable and lightweight carbon fiber.
  • Works well for long distance casting.
  • Nice cork butt grip.

Cons

  • Some people don’t like that it is fairly stiff.
  • Alignment dots are a little off – makes assembly a little difficult.

You can check the current price on Amazon here

Conclusion

At the end of the day, as long as you pay attention to the most important factors such as rod length, the material, action, and weight, you should have no problem finding a fly fishing rod that works well for you.

Jason Downs

I created Fishtackly to share my 30 years of fishing experience and knowledge with others with the aim to help, and hopefully get more people involved and educated in this fantastic hobby that I love.