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Are you looking for a 5-weight fly rod? If you are a beginner, fishing would seem like all the more fun and an easy hobby. All you need is a little calm to learn and know what to focus on. In this article, we bring you the best 5-weight fly rod, which we have put together based on review and research on Amazon, blogs, and forums.
The five-weight fishing rod is the best rod for all-around fishing for many people. It works perfectly, from fishing trouts to dries and nymphs, and is backed with a lifetime warranty.
This is one of the most popular and versatile fly rods that fit perfectly for freshwater anglers. The anglers use this rod not only for trout but also for bass, bluegills, and perch. These rods can be used in streams, rivers, and lakes.
Best 5 Weight Fly Fish Rod
1. Temple Fork Outfitters Fly Rod – Best Overall
The Temple Fork Outfitters is great for two main reasons, one is quality and performance and the other reason being value for money. This rod is smooth for casting and is very powerful. It is idle for all types of anglers and is a well-crafted fly rod.
This rod is lightweight comes with all the latest modification and is ideal for both beginners and advanced anglers. It is compatible to be used in both saltwater and freshwater and offers the anglers a high skill level while fishing.
These medium action rods are perfect for fishing in windy conditions. The handles are smooth and sturdy to hold and comes with a good throw line. This 4 piece fly rod is easy to pack and carry. The TFO repairs and also replaces any defective parts which are caused due to poor workmanship or any manufactuig defect.
The new anodized reel seat is made of aluminum and carbon fiber for smooth holding. This TFO rod offers great value and flexibility.
Pros
- Ideal for beginners and advanced anglers
- Affordable
- Lightweight and stiff
- Easy to carry
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Low-quality cork grip
- Reel nuts get loose sometimes
- The finishing is dull and is not shiny
- Not ideal for long-term use due to TFO material
2. Redington Path II Fly Rod – Best for beginners
The all-new Path II Fly rod from Redington is a 9 foot 5 weight rod in the category that gives a smooth cast and is a medium-fast action flying rod with graphite make.
This comes as a four-pack rod that is easy to set up with alignment dots and can be easily be used in salt and freshwater.
As a real gift to the beginners, this rod comes at an affordable price. The reel seat is made out of wood and gives a better grip while casting.
The easy to change spool makes it handy and offers a high fishing performance for any type of users. They are perfect for streamers and heavy nymphs. This fly rod is easy and comfortable to cast and can cast up to 40 feet with precision. Read our complete review of Redington Path.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Appealing and composite design
- Durable inbuilt materials
- Best fit for beginners
- Lifetime warranty
- Easy to carry with an elegantly designed carry case
Cons
- Rod is stiff and does not bend easily
- Cork handle grip is small
- Not good for dry fly fishing
3. Sage X 5101-4 Fly Rod – Best on Big waters
This is one of the best fly fishing rods for both salt and freshwater. The rod is perfect for catching trout and panfish in rivers and lakes. This 9-foot long fly rod offers outstanding casting perfection.
This rod has redefined the way the anglerfishes with its superior quality loop control. These rods are made of high graded quality materials. This rod is an ideal choice for a long cast and shall make any angler a best caster be it a novice or a professional.
The high-density graphite blanks make it lighter to use and are a perfect stiff rod that gives powerful delivery while casting.
As 5 weight rod, this is one of the beautifully designed rods that fit all round weight and length for nymphing. The rod comes with a black and green finish and also has extended leverage with its long handle.
Pros
- Lighter and stronger with graphite blank
- Elegant spruce black finish
- High performance and premium build quality
- Lifetime warranty
- Premium aluminum rod tube and rod sock
- Free worldwide shipping
Cons
- Expensive
- Not a soft touch rod
4. Hardy HROZEP905F Zephrus Fly Rod – Best in Mid Price Range
A British make fly fishing rod, Hardy Zephrus, comes as a delicate presentation. This 5 weight fly rod is a medium-fast action rod built with high quality for top-performance. This budget-based rod gives a feel of a lighter weight rod and is backed with high power.
It is accurate for medium and long casting, and it is capable of holding up to 8-pound trout with no much problems. This rod comes in the mid-price range and is suitable for fishing in large or small rivers or lakes. This rod is accepted as an all-round fly fishing rod suitable for freshwater anglers.
This 5 weight fly rod comes inbuilt with Fuji titanium SIC blank and with a thin pearl black leg guides. This fly rod is worth the price and quality. With a lifetime warranty, the rods will be repaired, and parts shall be replaced on any damage. These rods are 9 feet long and are perfect for a long cast without much effort.
Pros
- Powerful lightweight rod
- Lifetime warranty
- Makes long cast easy with its 9″ rod
- High quality
- Excellent flexibility
Cons
- Softer and delicate presentation
5. Orvis Clearwater 5-weight Fly Rod – Best Value for Money
Orvis is one of the most in-demand and best fly rod from a very trusted brand for the last 25 years. This product can be sealed as one of the perfect fit fly fishing rods even for beginners. It is a perfect rod with high quality and is lightweight that helps you to catch the trout even in small streams.
Even though it is affordable, this rod has been built to match the quality and delivery of the rod. These rods come with an explicit 9 ft and is made with a high graded aluminum reel.
These rods also offers 25 years warranty. If there is any defect in the rod, then the same shall be repaired or replaced without charging any additional cost. These rods also give a short to medium distance casting.
This piece of the graphite rod reel also comes with a smooth disc system to ensure that reels spin through it quickly. They also come in a travel and protective case for ease of carrying.
Pros
- Excellent quality and finish
- Aseptically designed body finish
- High performance
- Ideal for intermediate and advanced anglers
- Long term brand value
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Is a bit heavy and stiff
- Not suitable for long-distance casting
What to look for in 5 weight Fly rod?
Before selecting a 5 weight fly rod, its good to identify some of the key elements that you can look into such as:
Fly line weight
All the fly rods are designed for casting a line of particular line weight. The line used should not be too low or too high. If you use the proper line weight, there should not be any casting issues. The line weight 5 is the most popular fly rod ideal for all-around trout fishing.
Fly rod length
It is good to have a longer rod length, which can result in better casting. It is always ideal for 5 weight fly rod to have a rod length varying between 8 feet to 9 feet for an excellent cast. Having a 9″ fly rod is advisable, which can give the angler a better balance while casting.
Fly rod material
The material of the fly rod is also an element that one needs to look at while choosing a fly fishing rod. The rods come in different makes, such as graphite, fiberglass, and bamboo. Graphite blank would be the best material for a 5-weight rod, which makes it strong, lightweight, and easy to cast.
Fly line Action
The fly action means the flexibility of the rod while casting. The rod action is called fast action, medium, medium fast action, and slow action. The medium action fly rod is the best when it comes to 5 weight fly fishing rod that enables smooth casting and is stiff enough for a long cast. Using medium-action rods in smaller rivers is always good, which gives more flexibility.
Budget
While buying the best fly rod, it is also essential to consider the budget. Beginners and experts look for quality and performance when choosing a fly rod. Most fly rods come as rod combos packed with hard case, line, and reel in one single pack, which is much more affordable. The 5-weight fly fishing ranges between $100 to $900.
What is a 5-weight fly rod good for?
The 5-weight fly fishing rod is an all-around good fly rod suitable for small fish. Anglers use it for catching trout and bass, bluegills, whitefish carp, and even catfish.
How far can you cast a 5-weight fly rod?
The 5-weight fishing rod can usually be cast at a distance of between 15-40 feet. This is ideal for trout fishing. Casting any further than the mentioned feet becomes a challenge for an angler. If you want to throw further, you need to slide your hand lower and make the cast.
What is the best 5-weight fly rod?
The best 5-weight fly rod is Sage X 5101-4 Fly Rod. This is one of the highly capable and efficient fly rods. It casts perfectly at all distances and is more stable when compared to others in the category. The rod is lightweight and has good control. This can be used for long hours of fishing without fatigue.
What size fish can you catch on a 5-weight fly rod?
The 5-weight fishing rod is mainly used for catching trout of all sizes, with an average size ranging from 16- 20 inches. It is also suitable for catching small and medium-sized fish also. It can also catch large and small-mouthed bass, crappie, brook trout, panfish, bluegills, and pounders.
Can you use a 6-weight line on a 5-weight rod?
Yes, you can use a 6-weight line on any modern 5-weight rod. You can also add a leader with a longer and heavier butt section. However, using the right line weight that matches the rod’s power is always better. If you use a heavyweight line on a light rod, then there is a danger of the rod breaking.
What does 5 6 mean on a fly rod?
It is closer to a 6-weight fly rod than a 5-weight fly fishing rod. Many new graphite fly rods can handle casts 30 feet of 3 different weights of the fly line. It also means the rod would work within the range of line weight and casting styles.
What is the difference between a 5 and 6-weight fly rod?
The fundamental difference between a 5-weight fly fishing rod and a 6-weight is in the delivery system of throwing the flies. It means that a 5-weight rod is suitable for throwing smaller flies. A 6-weight will throw larger flies. It is the system of releasing the rod’s reel to get an excellent cast.
Conclusion
According to our research and reviews and based on expert and customer opinion, the best 5-weight fly rod is Sage X 5101-4 Fly Rod. This fly rod is a lot more studier and top-performing one. It is more accurate and has a better presentation. It is also perfect for a long cast and a great rod for beginners.
If you’re looking for a value-for-money 5-weight fly fishing rod, then the Orvis Clearwater 5-weight 9′ Fly Rod and the Hardy Zephrus FWS Fly Rod fits in the mid-price category and are excellent choices for beginners. The Orvis Clearwater comes as a combo, and the anglers need not invest more in buying separate lines and reels.
