M MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Fiberglass Fly Fishing Rod: 3wt/ 5wt/ 6wt/8wt in Blue,Orange, Purple or Transparent

I am revising my review as of June 2024 as I have been fishing these rods and learning more about them. The orange 3wt 7ft rod casts a 4 weight line with ease and even an 5 weight into a breeze. Good rod and great value. But it isn’t a real 3wt because it takes 4 or 5 weight line to load it when casting.I ordered a blue 8wt but was sent a 10wt. Didn’t realize it until I started casting it. Medium fast, strong rod for big fish and big flies. Could be a salmon, striper, carp, musky or saltwater rod. It is an 8ft, 4 piece rod with regular ferrules not the “spigot” ferrules like the 3wt. This 10wt rod has an action somewhat comparable to my Maxcatch 9wt Premiere but not quite as stiff as the graphite Premiere. The 10wt glass has a more sensitive tip and you might land more fish than with the stiffer graphite 9wt, but the glass 10wt is heavier than the graphite 9wt Premier which can make more tiring in my opinion to cast. The 9wt graphite is a foot longer which might be better from a kayak or boat. The quality of both of these s-glass rods (3 and 10wt) are good as is their value. I have tested their strength and think they can handle as big or bigger fish than graphite rods of their relative weights.As of 7/23 received their 8’6” 6wt in blue. As mentioned by other reviewers, it is heavy for an 8 1/2’ 6wt and doesn’t have great balance being tip heavy. The rod’s action is like the 7’ 3wt rod but long and heavy. I immediately put on a WF 7wt line to try casting. OK, but didn’t do well into about a 5mph breeze. An 8wt WF did better. I think you will want to overweight the line 1 to 2 sizes like the 3wt rod depending on wind and flies. The rod does, however, cast well. My reels didn’t fit well into the tight front slot behind the cork handle. This is unlike the many other Maxcatch rods I own. I felt the guides including the tip were too small which was also unlike other Maxcatch rods. It has some space between sections at the “spigot” ferrules which is ok. The rod should is strong and should play a big fish while the responsive tip should protect a light leader or small fly.Also got the blue 8’ 8wt version. Really like it. True 8wt, but believe it could cast 7 to 9wt line even though I haven’t tried those lines yet. More money than the 8 1/2’ 6wt but better balanced and without spigot ferrules. That 6wt would have been better as an 8’ rod; it just doesn’t have a great feel.Spring 2024 and I got the 8ft 4wt Unic Glass in purple. It is super. It is carbon glass rather than S-glass. Took a while to find what carbon glass is. It is fiber glass (S-glass?) with up to a quarter carbon fibers. June 2024 bought a purple 8 1/2 foot 5 weight Unic (carbon glass) and it is also great. The purple, carbon glass rods have a little faster tip action, but not a stiff tip. To sum up: I like all the Maxcatch S-glass rods real well except the 8 1/2’ 6wt which is too heavy and strains my wrist to cast and calls for a 7 or 8 weight line. I plan to give it to someone with stronger wrists. I don’t think it would a good rod for a youngster or woman. It is actually quite similar in action to my 1970’s two piece Fenwick 8 1/2 foot 8 weight. The purple, carbon glass rods feel and cast wonderfully (but haven’t tried the 3 weight). I have done my best to give you the best information on these fine rods to help you make a good decision. It is so hard to buy rods online without feeling and casting them. Best of luck.

Bought the 7 foot 3 wt rod for small streams 25 feet or less across. I had used an eight foot rod and this is much easier. It is a slower action rod good for the smaller brooks and streams. I used mine just recently and it worked fine, nice and easy to use from stream banks. I used mine to cast about 20 to 30 feet; would use a longer rod to cast further than that distance. Am very happy with this purchase.

I purchased the "transparent" 7 ft "3" wt. The build quality is excellent for a sub $100 rod. Per the suggestion of previous reviewers I spooled a reel with a wf4f fly line. It cast very well for near to medium distances.The transparent blank is more frosted than transparent; however, it is clear enough that you can still see a bit of the yellow glue used to attach the spigot ferrules inside the blank. Wraps an lettering are white and discrete against the mostly white blank.When assembled there is a small gap between rod sections. This isn't a defect. A quick internet search for, "fly rod spigot ferrule" will explain everything.It looks nice and casts well at distances suitable for this size and weigh of rod. If you want to try out a fiberglass fly rod without breaking the bank, this is a good choice. The only negative comment worth mentioning is that it casts a 4wt line so well perhaps it isn't really a 3wt.

This is the second such rod I’ve purchased in the 3 weight because I liked the first one so much (it was my first fiberglass rod) that at this price I wanted to be able to keep one in my truck just in case I happen upon a great spot along the road. Really though it was probably just an excuse to get this great looking color (my first one is the orangey brown one which also looks great).Both colors look just as good in person as they do in the pictures. Most importantly though, I love the way these rods feel. I have been fly fishing for 15ish years, probably above average to advanced ability and had previously owned several moderately priced graphite rods. I researched Fiberglass and liked what I read about their typical slower loading feel, and as a bonus I liked that they are sturdier than graphite since I’d already broken three graphite rods in various mild mishaps (I suspect my fiberglass rods would have survived each incident unscathed).I also just wanted to go old school and feel what fiberglass was all about. I love the feel of it and won’t buy another graphite rod. I’ve since purchased a moderately priced bamboo rod which I also enjoy, but if I had to pick only one rod to take with me on a trip it would be this one.

it's a decent rod, a little top heavy for a 6wt. The pieces don't necessarily fit together nicely, but with a little bit of light sanding it goes together. It casts like a fiberglass rod, you definitely get what you pay for.

Great rod for the price! Casts great, and very portable! The reel seat loosens on its own but no big deal. We better than spending $200 for the a brand name! Also got a max catch reel that is great! Just as happy with this rig as I am with my “performance” name brand 5wt

This little rod is everything I expected. Easy to tight areas. Really enjoyed small streams for trout. As a glass rod it has a nice action and it makes the trout a lot of fun.

For the price this is one of the best fly rods I have found. I am a member of the Fiberglass Flyrodders forum and several of our members have been very pleasantly surprised by the quality of this rod. The workmanship is worthy of a rod costing above $200. It is a little faster in action than most of my glass rods; I would describe it as a tip flex action with most of the flex occuring in the last 1/3 of the blank. However, it is very easy and pleasant to cast and it fishes well. For somebody who would like to try fly fishing without making too big of an initial investment, I would recommend this rod very highly. But even for somebody like me who has several expensive rods this was a great buy.