For hand-to-hand and close combat fishing experiences, fly fishing has no alternatives. And in this case, you must have a perfectly balanced fly-fishing rod. Almost all of the anglers can agree that 5 weight fly fishing rods are the perfect tool in this case. These are light and strong yet have the ideal balance for the ideal casting experience.
In the market of fly-fishing rods, you will have to consider things like quality, design, and features that will define if it is the perfect tool for you or not. We have gone through several of the best fly fishing rods. These are on an ideal balance and cover most of the needs when fly fishing. Let us get through the whole description of the rods.
Reviews of the 7 Best 5 Weight Fly Rods
Choosing the top 5 weight fly rods wasn’t easy. There are lots of new models coming every year, making it hard to find the perfect one. With picking the top reviewed fly rods of the market and reviewing them firsthand, we will discuss the 7 5 weight rods we found best for fly fishing.
Check out the fly rod comparison review to find your best match.
Orvis Clearwater 5-Weight 9′ Fly Rod
Orvis Clearwater flies fishing rod has the one advantage that you must have sought, which is the rod’s length. This too long, and this length can become more useful to you to reach closer to the fishes. You can also call it the best budget 5wt fly rod as this is a fundamental fly-fishing rod.
The total length of this fishing rod is 9 feet. You can easily reach a corner yet floating around the center of the water. The overall flex gives it more room to cover. This extended length will also be right for you if you are not feeling getting too close to the shores.
Another good thing of this is worth talking about is the portability. The overall weight feels like you have nothing. After you detach all four parts of this fishing rod, you can easily transport this anywhere. You can even pack this in your backpack if you want.
For any anglers, he is not limited to a specific type of fishes here. So, he can easily pull-out small bass, trout, and walleye if you are up for these. This is moreover a versatile tool for fly fishing anglers.
Pros
- Four-piece construction is super convenient for portability and traveling
- The super long rod is suitable for reaching the perfect spot
- The value you get out of this is incredible
- Perfect comfortable fly fishing gear to have any days
- Best rod for bass fishing in freshwater
Cons
- The super long length is a bit hassle to control and maneuver
Sage Fly Fishing – X Fly Rod
Sage has a monster of a fly-fishing rod that most people consider as one of the most reliable 5 weight fly rods for the money. This does cost a lot of money, but in hand, these are quite indestructible. If you look through the size choice, that is a never-ending list out there. You can find these in any size and any configuration.
The best part of having this specific rod is that it is made in the USA, and these are made without any automated system. In every detail of this fishing rod, you will be able to find the polish that you have always wanted or needed. The graphite reinforcement gives it a fast, very fast action which is necessary for medium fishes.
This whole package comes in four pieces. The 4-piece configuration is going to be beneficial for travelers. Unlike most of the cheaper alternatives, the joints are super tight. You can barely feel any kind of wobbling.
Moreover, the whole experience is supposed to be felt premium in this piece f gear. The line guides are made of ceramics, and they feel amazing when the line glides through.
Pros
- Has a supreme quality in details that makes sense as a handcrafted tool
- Fast action with a superior length is suitable for fly fishing
- Comes in different sizes, weights, and variants
Cons
- This piece of equipment is comparatively expensive
Hardy Zephrus FWS Fly Rod
Among all the fancy and featureful lines of fly-fishing rods, this is one of the signs that are worth mentioning. If you can buy this specific rod model, you will be amazed to see how much it bends. It has been discussed everywhere how controlled and processed the fiber glasses on these rods are. With one of these with you, you can go face to face with any type of fishes.
The whole construction of this specific model of the rod is kind of unique. These are hollow body construction makes it more lightweight than any others in the market. In the package, you will get a holster type of case used to carry the whole 9 feet fishing rod. You will also find these rods is 10 feet in length which is unbelievably long.
All of the joints here have metal parts that seem more than decent, and these can hold the whole construction just right. Another good thing worth mentioning the sensitivity. You can literally feel wherever your fishing line is going.
Pros
- Super sensitive blank is perfect for small fishes
- You can set this up with any fly-fishing reel that you are used to
- The handle and overall construction speak the high quality
Cons
- This is a primary fishing rod, and it costs a bit of money
Redington VICE Fly Fishing Rod
If you plan to buy a secondary fly fishing rod that serves as a charm, Redington VICE Fly is a perfect choice here. This comes in different sizes and actions and has a diverse budget range that is amazing for economical anglers. The first thing you will notice of this is the handle design. This is one of the most comfortable handles that are available.
The handle has a wooden part and a metal opening that is meant to be grabbed. It is painted matte so that you don’t feel any discomfort on hand. From the overall feel, it is clear that all the edges are well cut and refined in a machine. The outer layer of the rod is glossy and does not catch any water on the surface. This helps you get accurate results from casting.
Another incredible thing about this specific set is the lifetime warranty. You can buy one and go on forever using it. After using it for several weeks, you can feel that it will last a lifetime for sure.
Pros
- Comparatively cheap according to the quality of the rod
- The handle feels raw and natural to grab in classic style.
- The reel seat and joints are cut precisely to fit everything without any wobbling.
Cons
- The diversity of this rod is kind of limited to specific reel models only.
Sage Fly Fishing – FOUNDATION Outfit
Sage Fly Fishing combo is a mid-ranger king that most people don’t know about. There is no reasonable alternative that you can choose as a combo for you at this price range. For beginners, this is like the best 5wt fly rod for trout. if you are a professional fly angler and you want to have another significant fly fishing rod, this is the one you should invest
The most amazing part here is the harmony between these parts. The reel feels like this has been made to use with this specific fishing rod. The central rod comes in two parts like the G Loomis NRX, and those are the handle and the bottom.
The snub nose cork handle is one of the reasons people like the comfort of it. Better in this model than the NRX lp is the extra bit of comfort, thanks to the manufacturer’s making such a smart design.
Both of these are made of cork, and it feels nice on the hand and has the perfect diameter for small hands. The whole combo is a nice thing to have. Sometimes combos don’t include fishing lines which you will get in the package.
Just like the other one by sage we have mentioned in this review, it is made by hand in the USA. So the overall quality of the product is on point.
Pros
- A very nice combo for the best experience in this 5 weight rod
- Made by hand, which ensures the overall quality of the rod and reel
- These action rods are perfect for dry flies.
- The cork handle feels nice and fits any hand, including the bid hands
Cons
- There are a lot of alternatives in this price range which can be confusing sometimes.
Redington Path Fly Rod Kit
If you are bound to a sub-three hundred dollars for a perfect set of rod and reel, you should no further explore this option of choice. The 5 weight 9 feet rod should be the ideal choice if you think about the best all-around 5wt fly rod as a second rod of yours. It has been made to be used in every type of water. For versatility, there are no alternatives other than this.
It comes with a nice carrying case made to carry with the whole set of rod and reel. It does not take a lot of space, and it is cut super precisely for the specific tools. If you are using it while you are on the go, the setup process is super fast and reliable. The wheel feels pleasant and doable for the money you are paying. They have used aluminum in the construction of the reel. This is why the whole kit weighs lower than average. Aluminum is also a material that lasts long in contact with water and humidity.
If you look at different configurations of this rod, you will find that these also come in different weight combinations, which is a real nice thing to have for a versatile angling experience.
Pros
- An inexpensive angling set of reel and rod for everyone
- Works perfectly with the reel seat
- It comes with a nice carrying case which is impressive for carrying
- The aluminum reel does not get worse due to humidity and water contact
Cons
- The overall quality is not good enough to be a first-grade fly fishing rod
Wild Water Fly Fishing 9 Foot
If you are spending a lot of money on different expensive fishing rods and not getting the perfect one for angling peacefully, you should check this combo out. Even if you are not a professional, you can still use the whole combo as a perfect reel and rod to get a good result out of a small fishing trip.
Like the other one we have mentioned here, this comes with a carrying case that is amazing to carry. It also comes with other accessories like lifelike flies in a box which is convenient to carry. You can see the attention to detail when you hold the rod on hand. It feels smooth and has almost no flaws. It is because of being handmade and inspected in the USA. This is practically the perfect fly fishing rod for use in the USA continent. The reel comes that comes feels solid as it has been machine cut with precision.
The carrying pouch should be a point to buy this specific set of tools. So, you can use the strap to hand on your shoulder easily. The overall case is padded and has a small pouch on the sides.
Pros
- Almost a perfect set of fishing accessories for a beginner
- Designed to be used in USA continent
- There are a lot of accessories and tools inside the package for the perfect experience.
Cons
- Not all the accessories in the box are usable and represent high quality.
Temple Fork Outfitters TFO Fly Fishing Rods
TFO Fly Fishing Rods are the best casting 5wt fly rod that you should consider as a significant device on the go. You can find these rods in any kind of weight configuration and any size. The size starts from 7.6 feet, and it ranges up to 10 feet. With the most extended length, you can reach the shores that are more for the bigger and better fishes.
Compared to the other fly-fishing rods, this fishing gear does not cost a lot of money. This is a great thing to have as the weight might become more of an issue when carrying. Though the price range is below average, you are still going to get a decent fishing rod.
The four-piece design is going to perfect for you to carry them anywhere else possible. The medium-fast action is perfect for fishing medium bass, and with this kind of weight distribution, you can easily manage the live bait weight. Also, this rod is well comfortable for beginners to cast and have good performance.
Another big thing worth mentioning is the line guides. These are perfect line guides that are made super smooth. You can use both braided or wire fishing lines with the rod.
Pros
- An inexpensive option to keep as a second fishing rod
- It comes with medium-fast action with perfect weight distribution.
- This rod of 5 weights is easy to cast
- This action rod is available in different models, sizes, and lengths.
- Almost all the parts of this fishing rod have a perfect measurement for reels and lines.
Cons
- The overall finish on this specific model of line is kind of questionable.
FENWICK Mixer EQ DJ Scratch Fishing
FENWICK Mixer EQ DJ fly-fishing rod is known to have the perfect handle possible for all types of users. This is known to be the best 5wt fly rod for beginners for the design and price range. This fishing rod’s extended bottom is nice to have and has more control over the rod itself.
Let us just keep aside the fact that it has the best handle among all the budget fishing rods, and this also has a seamless design which is a pleasing experience to have. You will not find any fishing line tangling around the line guide. This solves a ton of issues that most beginners experience.
If you are a long fishing line in a short distance, this will give you a more relaxed fishing time. Unlike the other small handles, this has a more extended handle that makes the grip more pleasing and better to control.
As it is a four-part design, the joints are more defined, and you will not feel any jiggles while fishing with big fishes. For the money, you will have to struggle to find a better alternative than this one.
Pros
- Fast action is perfectly suited for small fishes.
- Handles the power for best freshwater experiences
- The whole rod is constructed with hybrid material that makes it more futureproof.
- The reel seats are correctly set up for fly fishing reels.
Cons
- This is not known to be the perfect fishing rod for professional fly fishing.
KastKing Emergence Fly Fishing Combo
Almost all professional anglers know that KastKing has been a leading industry making the best fishing tools for the people who are dedicated to angling. Emergence Fly Fishing Combo is one of their combo element for the people who require a secondary fishing setup. This combo is also known to be the best length five weight fly rod as the package is super compact and carryable for anyone, including a toddler.
If we talk about the case, it is a super clean combo that has been intended to sit in the corner of your supply storage. You can hang this on your back and take it whenever you are in an emergency. The name most probably came from the use case of the rod combo. All of the parts are painted black, which feels fantastic. There are no issues with color fading. You can get these both in the full handle and half handle models convenient for different types of users.
The whole combo is kind of a surprise for anyone interested in jumping into the fly fishing experience. From reel to line cutter, you are getting them all in one package.
Pros
- An inexpensive package for all-rounder usage
- Medium action rods with giving better line speed
- The carrying case is clean minimal, and clean to carry
- It comes in two different variants.
Cons
- This is not going to be a major fly fishing rod for a beginner who is just starting.
How to Choose the Best 5wt Fly Rod? Buying Considerations
Most of us have probably come to a point where we now have the idea that fly fishing is the most minimal and straightforward fishing technique. The attention to detail is super narrow, and there is still a lot to choose from.
The most contradictory fact we face is the price range. You can manage to get a fly fishing rod within a hundred dollars, and you can also get a thousand-dollar fly fishing rod that does not work for your fishing techniques.
We will be talking about some of the things that should be kept in consideration to get the best result out of your next purchase.
Length of the fishing rod
On the other types of fishing rods, we don’t think about the fishing rod length first. But in this case, we had to be a bit picky for the length of the fishing rod.
Most of the professionals out there suggest that you should get at least 9 feet fishing rod. The figure is not that constant. You can still get your works done with an 8 feet fishing rod. But the biggest drawback of a small fishing rod is that you might get a fast action with a little fishing rod.
The longer rods will also be helpful when you are fishing from the shores. You can get fishes out of the range of corners. If you are boat fishing, you should get at least a 10-foot fly rod.
Budget is a big thing for fly fishing rods
This is the part you should take care of. You will see that a fly fishing rod ranges from a hundred dollars to a thousand dollars. The price depends on what purpose you are going to use the fishing rod for if it is your primary rod or not.
If you are looking for the best fishing rod as a primary tool, you should spend at least five hundred dollars on that. This goes for combos as well.
There are too many professional anglers out there who tried out very expensive fly fishing rods, and they have specialized themselves on a mid-range budget.
But if you plan to buy a backup fly fishing rod that you might use on occasion or in an emergency setting, you can accommodate a budget of around two hundred to three hundred dollars.
How do you fish
People who use a fly fishing rod has more than ten types of condition. Fly fishing is the most versatile technique that you can apply in any weather and situation. If you are ashore angler and always target the streams from dry ground, you should get the longer rods.
If you are on a single boat and have access to the fish spots correctly, you can go for the smaller rods, and that will be the right choice for close calls and instant pulls.
Is it five weighted?
A five-weight fly fishing rod is the most versatile and suitable fishing rod that most professionals consider an ideal tool for fly fishing. Make sure that it has five weight points that make it balanced for your type of fishing.
How lightweight is the rod?
Weight is a significant matter to some people. The lighter the rod will be, the better you can carry them anywhere. The weight can also vary according to the choices of materials used.
The lightest rods will be, the less you have to take the hassle to carry them.
Also, keep in mind that lighter fishing rods are rated to catch medium to small fishes. If you are on a hunt to try out the bigger fishes, you must not compromise on rod weight.
How do you travel with it?
Almost all of the fly fishing rods we mentioned here comes with a carrying case. These carrying cases will be a big help when you are traveling to a distant pond, lakes, or streams. If you have an existing fly rid case, you should make sure that the parts will accommodate them inside the case.
Fly fishing Combo is a thing nowadays.
This is just a heads-up regarding the combos that the companies offer. These things come preinstalled, and also, you get a lot of things that will be necessary when fly fishing.
These combos will be more cost-efficient and do come with great value for the money. We have mentioned several of those combos that can be beneficial for your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers on 5 Weight Fly Rods
What size fish can you catch on a 5 weight fly rod?
Fly fishing is a technique has been established over six decades ago, and still, this is one of the versatile fishing techniques. Experts worldwide say that there are no limitations of fish variants that you can not catch by fly fishing. And yes, that is true.
If we narrow the whole thing down, it can be said that there are three types of targets that most of the anglers have. If it is winter around you or you live in an area where you find frozen streams, you are lucky to have trout, salmon, or steelheads. These are the most common fishes that you can get from cold water.
If we consider the warm water species, we must mention that bass has been a favorite fish by all the anglers. With a fly fishing setup, you can get bass of decent sizes.
You should also keep in mind that this is the most versatile fishing technique among all. You can hop on a boat and find grayling, walleye, and many more.
And yes, you can also get saltwater fishes like wahoo, tuna, and marlin. There is no such bound to this fishing technique. Just remember to take the best saltwater wading boots and clothes to take with you for these kinds of saltwater fishing.
What is a 5-weight fly rod good for?
There is no such statement on the whole internet that a 5 weight fly rod is useless on any fishes. No matter if you are a beginner or a professional angler, you can always grab a fly rod and get a decent amount of fishes with it.
This is a fishing rod that most beginners should start with. If your kid is interested in fly fishing, you can take him out on low stream fish parties. If the fish is visible, there is a definite chance that you can get it in your loot crate.
The 5 weight rods have the perfect balance of weight all over the rod and wheel mechanism. This is why you should get a 5 weight fly fishing rod.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth mentioning that budget is a big thing to consider when buying a fly rod. You can also come to a point to prove that a 5 weight fly rod is the best choice for the best fishing experience. Make sure you are maintaining all the other needs like the perfect reel and line setting.
It will be the best discission to go for a combo if you are a total beginner and start experimenting with different fishing techniques. Practice whatever you are doing. You know “Practice makes a man perfect”
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