Fly rods come in a variety of weight classes, each designed for different jobs and to handle different types of fish. The ‘weight’ refers to the size of the fishing line being used, which also depends on what type of fish you intend to catch. A 5-weight rod lands somewhere in the middle and is suitable for small, midsize, and even some larger fish.
Manageable for even novice fishermen, and usable in a variety of fishing environments, 5-weight rods are perfect for beginners, or experienced fly-fishers who are looking for a versatile option to bring everywhere. Here, we’re sharing a selection of some of the absolute best 5-weight fly rods, explaining why we love them, and offering advice for choosing the best one for your needs in your price range.
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How To Choose | Best Rods Under $100 | Best Under $300 | Best Under $500 | Best Under $700 | Best Expensive Fly Rods
How To Choose a 5-Weight Fly Rod
Knowing you want to purchase a versatile 5-weight is a good place to start on your hunt for the perfect
Action
In the simplest terms, the ‘action’ of a rod describes how far it will flex under pressure. A fast-action
Fast-Action Rods
- Little flexibility
- Powerful casts/fast line speed
- Fast unload (requires good timing)
- Best for experienced individuals
Moderate-Action Rods
- Moderate flexibility that allows for fluid motion
- Moderate unload with forgiving timing
- Good for beginner and intermediate levels
Slow-Action Rods
- Highly flexible
- Slow line speed
- Slow unload for enhanced control
- Good for beginner and intermediate levels
- Best for shorter casts
Power
Rod ‘power’ describes how much pressure is required to flex the rod. Thicker, more rigid fast-action rods tend to also be high-power rods and produce powerful casts. Thinner, more flexible rods are low-power and produce slower, smaller, more controlled casts that are best in streams and small rivers.
Price
Fly rods come in all shapes, sizes, varieties, and price points, so no matter how large or small your budget may be, there is a good-quality 5-weight out there for you. While you can go all over the map in terms of price, be careful not to get trapped in the desire to buy the most expensive rod, and opt instead for the one that is best suited for your needs and experience.
Warranty & Service of Brand
If you plan to purchase the least expensive rod you can find to see if you even like fishing in the first place, choosing a
Many brands will offer life-time services, providing free repairs and discounted parts to owners of their high-end rods. If you fish often, having your rod protected under warranty can save you a whole lot of money on repairs, and a whole lot of stress knowing your season won’t be cut short by a broken part.
Weight
Some fish are teeny tiny while others are downright massive which is why there are a variety of tools designed for catching different types of fish. ‘Weight’ refers to the strength of the line being used, and to the type of line that is used by a rod. For example, a 5-weight rod size uses a 5 weight fly line, which is a versatile weight, good for ‘all-around’ fishing.
- Fly Weight 1-4: Small trout, panfish; small streams and ponds
- Fly Weight 5: Trout, small bass; medium rivers and lakes
- Fly Weight 6: Bass, small salmon; medium and large rivers
- Fly Weight 7-8: Steelhead, salmon; large rivers, lakes, and saltwater
- Fly Weight 9+: Saltwater; large rivers, large lakes, saltwater
Looks
No, the fish might not care what your rod looks like, but it’s fine if you do! When selecting a
Balancing With Your Reel
If you already own a reel, the process of purchasing a
General Feel
Every human is unique, so having some hands-on time with a rod before you buy can help you to determine whether you like its overall feel. It should fit comfortably in your hands, feel good to maneuver, and be a comfortable length.
Experience Level
When selecting a
Best 5-Weight Fly Rods Under $100
The old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ is certainly true when it comes to fly rods, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some excellent budget rods for beginners. Whether you are just dipping your toes into fly fishing for the first time, are on a strict budget, or just want an inexpensive rod for casual fishing trips, any of these under $100 5-weights are excellent options.
Wild Water Starter Combo
We’ve mentioned the Wild Water
Price: $94
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- 4-piece rod construction
- Cork handle
- Hard tube rod case
- Fly reel (85mm)
- Fly box
- Flies (9)
Benefits:
- Super affordable
- Includes everything you need
- Great for gifting
Echo Base
This four-piece 5-weight rod from Echo might not be flashy, but it makes up for that with plenty of power. Great for learning anglers wanting to improve their timing, the Echo Base
Price: $99.99
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- Alignment dots
- Medium-fast action
- Lifetime warranty
Benefits:
- Easy to pack on the go
- Great for learners/beginners
- Compact 4 piece design
Redington Crosswater
The Redington Crosswater is about as basic as fly rods come, perfect for beginners or experienced anglers that want a compact, easy to pack rod. Featuring a lightweight graphite and aluminum body, the Crosswater is delicate and precise enough for small-pond fishing, but sturdy enough to withstand a good fight with a mid-size trout. Classic, sleek, and simple, the look and feel of the Redington Crosswater are designed to let you focus on the water.
Price: $99.99
Length: 7 feet 6 inches
Features:
- Anodized aluminum reel seat
- Graphite rod
- Alignment dots
- Medium-fast action
- 1-year warranty
- Easy to cast
- Accurate
- Compact 4 piece design for fishing on the go
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Okuma Crisium
By far the least expensive
Price: $65.99
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- Rosewood reel seat
- Moderate power and action
- 1-year warranty
Benefits:
- Super affordable
- Convenient to carry as a backup rod
- Good for learners
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Best 5-Weight Fly Rods Under $300
Maybe you have outgrown your beginner rod, or you’re looking for a reasonably priced rod to take with you on the road, there are tons of great fly rods used by beginners and professionals alike that retail for less than $300. A fun way to treat yourself to a rod upgrade without breaking the bank, or something special to give to a loved one for the holidays or a birthday, you’ll notice a real difference between your first under $100 rod and one of these slightly more luxurious options.
Redington Classic Trout
If you have been working to perfect your accuracy and want to step up your game without challenging yourself too much, the Redington Classic Trout 5 weight
Price: $149.99
Length: 7 feet 6 inches
Features:
- Rosewood reel seat
- Alignment dots
- Rod tube
- Lifetime warranty
Benefits:
- Lightweight and comfortable to use
- Super compact
- Great for travel
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Orvis Clearwater
A sleek, sporty rod that will make you look and feel like a professional, Orvis describes the base model of their Clearwater series as “the best
Price: $198
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- Black nickel aluminum reel seat
- 2 handed design
- Rod tube
- 25-year warranty
Benefits:
- Versatile performance
- Great for traveling
- Highly reviewed
- Affordable
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Fenwick AETOS
Made from a proprietary nano-composite technology, the Fenwick AETOS 5-weight
Price: $199.95
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- Anodised aluminum reel seat
- Alignment dots
- 4-piece construction
- Rod bag
- Rod tube
- 5-year warranty
Benefits:
- Extremely durable
- Lightweight
- Compact for travel
- Affordable
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Temple Fork Outfitters BVK
Our pick for pros, this is the most technical rod in this price bracket, is and best for experienced anglers or novice fishermen looking for a challenge. Superfast action and an extraordinarily high power rating for the price, the BVK 5 weight
Price: $229.95
Length: 10 feet
Features:
- Carbon fiber reel seat
- Contoured wood handle
- Rod bag
- Lifetime warranty
- Perfect backup or travel rod
- Good for beginners and pros
- Durable construction and anti-corrosive
- Lightweight
- Affordable
St. Croix Imperial
Made from lightweight and durable graphite and featuring a machined aluminum reel seat, the St. Croix Imperial 5 weight
Price: $270
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- Flex Coat finish
- Cork handle
- Rod case
- Fast action
- 15-year warranty
Benefits:
- Durable
- Corrosion proof
- Versatile
- Affordable compared to similar rods
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Best 5-Weight Fly Rods Under $500
While the affordable rods listed above are all excellent, high-performing options, once you purchase your first high-end rod, we think you’ll notice the difference. Fly rods in this price bracket are designed with added finesse to make them more comfortable, more attractive, more durable, and more accurate than less expensive models, and designers spend years perfecting each component. Worth the splurge if you love to fly fish, here are some of the best under $500 fly rods currently available:
Hardy Shadow
An easy to use, super-modern rod with all the latest features at an affordable price might sound like a dream, but the Hardy Shadow
Price: $389.95
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- 4 piece design
- Cork handle
- Aluminum reel sweat
- Rod tube
- Warranty available with service fees
Benefits:
- User-friendly – good for learning anglers
- Affordable compared to similar rods
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Sage Pulse
Beautifully constructed in sleek graphite the 5 weight Sage Pulse
Price: $475
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- Graphite construction
- Anodized aluminum reel seat
- Cork handle
- Moderate action
- Rod tube
- Lifetime warranty
Benefits:
- Versatile
- Durable
- Accurate
- Professional look and feel
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Orvis Recon
Designed for versatility, the Orvis Recon 5 weight
Price: $498
Length: 10 feet
Features:
- 4 piece construction
- Alignment markers
- Anodized aluminum reel
- Rod tube
- 25-year warranty
- Extremely durable
- Versatile
- Made in the USA
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Best 5-Weight Fly Rods Under $700
It isn’t uncommon for professional anglers and dedicated hobbyists to spend big on high-end fly rods, and oftentimes, the additional investment yields better results. Sure, there are lots of affordable fly rods, but they won’t last a lifetime the way higher-quality rods can, meaning they could end up costing you more over time. If you want a rod that will serve you for years to come, paying a little more up front may serve you in the long run.
G. Loomis IMX Pro
Buying an expensive
Price: $525
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- 4-piece construction
- Cork handle
- Mid-weight
- Fast action
- Lifetime warranty
Benefits:
- Practical
- Sturdy
- Reliable
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Taylor Anomaly
If you are looking for the ultimate
Price: $559
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- 4 piece construction
- Alignment dots
- Flor-grade cork handle
- Aluminum reel seat
- Aluminum rod tube
- Lifetime warranty
Benefits:
- Versatile
- Extremely durable
- Lightweight
- Salt-water safe
Sage Sonic
Sage’s most popular
Price: $575
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- 4-piece construction
- Anodized aluminum reel seat
- Cork handle
- Aluminum rod tube
- Lifetime warranty
Benefits:
- Versatile
- Lightweight
- Anti-corrosive
- Suitable for fresh and saltwater
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Douglas Sky
If you sometimes struggle to know when a fish is on your line, the Douglas Sky
Price: $695
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- Alignment dots
- Flor grade cork handle
- Blackwood reel sweat
- Nanocarbon construction
- Rod sock
- Aluminum rod tube
- Lifetime warranty
- Advanced accuracy
- Easy use – good for experienced and novice anglers
- Versatile
- Moderate to fast action
- Salt-water safe
Best 5-Weight Fly Rods Money Can Buy
If money is no object, or you are a professional wanting to invest in the best possible
Thomas & Thomas Avantt
If you have always wanted a handcrafted rod, but haven’t been able to find one for a reasonable price, the Avantt
Price: $855
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- Graphite and resin construction
- 4-piece design
- Flor-grade cork handle with 2 hand design
- Aluminum rod tube
- Classy, low-profile matte finish
- Ash Burl reel seat
Benefits:
- Handcrafted
- Made in the USA
- Lightweight
- Fast recovery
- Precision
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Sage X
A fast action rod built for efficient casting, the X
Price: $950
Length: 8 feet 6 inches to 10 feet
Features:
- Graphite and resin body
- 4-piece construction
- Two-handed design
- Anodized aluminum reel seat
- Cork handle
- Aluminum rod tube
Benefits:
- Long-range
- Extreme durability
- Advanced control
- Versatile
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G. Loomis Asquith
A superbly powerful and accurate rod from top to bottom, the Asquith
Price: $1,100
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- High power and action
- Cork handle
- 4-piece construction
- Lifetime warranty
Benefits:
- Extremely lightweight
- Accurate
- Versatile
Orvis Helios 3D
Accuracy is the name of the game for the Orvis Helios 3D, so if you want something that’ll land right on target no matter how far you are from it, this is the rod for you. A joy to cast and a super fun rod to take with you in bigger streams and small rivers, the Orvis Helios 3D will give you the kind of target precision you’ve only dreamed of. Perfect for experienced anglers going into tougher waters, the Orvis Helios 3D is well worth the splurge.
Price: $898
Length: 9 feet
Features:
- Four-piece construction
- Anodized aluminum reel seat
- Rod tube
- 25-year guarantee
Benefits:
- Extreme precision/accuracy
- High speed
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Have you enjoyed learning a little bit about some of the best 5-weight fly rods? Hopefully this guide helps make your decision a bit easier. If you have any questions, feel free to chat with us or contact us with any questions, or changes you’d like to see in this article.
Disclaimer: These links are affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission for purchases made through these links. We do not let this effect our review as our goal is to provide readers with the best possible help when choosing a
Max DesMarais is the founder of Hiking & Fishing. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. You can read more about him here: hikingandfishing/about