Lately, there’s been a trend in affordable-priced fly rod manufacturers releasing new flagship models, stretching the bounds of what a budget-friendly rod is. These rods, while far from the price of premium flagship rods, are reaching above the $600 price point and, in some cases, nearing $1000. The big question is, are these rods worth the price?
One of the newest rods that fall into this category is the TFO Moment. This rod is TFO’s newest flagship saltwater rod. It’s touted as extra-fast and comes in at a price point of $649.95, the most expensive offering from TFO. To see what this rod was made of, I opted to test a 9-foot 7-wt for bonefish and redfish in South Florida. After a season, on the skiff, here’s how the Moment stacks up.
TFO
Moment
Key Features:
- Available sizes: 6-wt through 12-wt
- Action: Extra-fast
- Weight: 3.2-5.3 oz (depending on rod model)
Pros:
- Corrosion-resistant guides and reel seat
- Fast but accurate action
- Balanced feel in the hand
Cons:
- Most expensive TFO rod
What I Love
Power
When you get a new fly rod, the first thing most anglers, myself included, do is put it together and give it the wiggle test. While this really isn’t a good indicator of what the rod can do, it gives you some info about the blank—the less the wiggle, the faster the rod. I soon confirmed this with a trip to the casting lawn. I paired the 7-wt Moment with a Scientific Anglers Amplitude Textured Infinity Salt line. This is a half-sized heavy line, as is largely the standard for today’s saltwater lines. The 7-wt certainly fell into the fast category of fly rods, although the 7-wt still had a soft enough tip section to aid with accuracy and tippet protection.
On the water, the same held true. I spent multiple days fishing for reds and bones with Florida wind doing what it does best—blowing a stiff 15mph. The action paired well, throwing light bonefish flies into the wind. What really surprised me was just how well this rod did the same with larger red fish flies. Throwing 4- to 5-inch flies in stiff wind is never an easy task. Even more impressive was the fact that this 7-wt was more than up to that task.
The same power that translates to punching flies through the wind also translates to pulling on fish. Most of the rod’s power is in the lower two-thirds of the rod. Pulling from the legs with a low rod angle allows you to harness this power and tire fish in relatively short order.
Accuracy
While rod power is important in saltwater fly fishing, it doesn’t really matter if you can’t place the fly where it needs to be. Tailing bonefish and redfish are a testament to that, and lackluster accuracy has led to many blown shots on the flats. To ensure that the Moment was accurate, TFO built the blank with its Kevlar weave and reinforced graphene in key areas. In angling terms, the Moment’s blank is designed to track true and maximize rod recovery. Anglers often overlook rod recovery, but it is crucial to maintain tight loops and land a fly with pinpoint precision.
On a recent trip to Florida’s Gold Coast, accurate casts were the name of the game. When fishing for belly-crawling reds and tailing black drum, getting the fly in front of the fish where they can see it is a requirement. Time and time again, I was able to put that fly in front of fish with a one-foot lead, the optimal distance to draw a strike.
Fit and Finish
Despite this being a $600 rod, TFO did not splurge on components. For starters, the double locking reel seat features an integrated hook keeper. On most saltwater rods, no hook keeper has become the norm. By placing one on the reel seat, TFO saved weight while giving anglers an option to store their fly without destroying their cork.
TFO finished this rod off with REC Recoil guides. This style guides are designed to bounce back. For boat rods, constantly going in out of gunnel rod storage, these guides offer the durability needed for season after season. Lastly, the Moment like any TFO comes with their lifetime no-fault warranty.
Final Word
The TFO Moment checks all the boxes for a premium saltwater fly rod: fast action, good recovery, and premium corrossion resistant components. Factor in it’s price at just $650 and a lifetime warranty, and it’s a great rod for those looking for a reasonably priced saltwater stick. While it’s the most expensive rod TFO has ever made, in my opinion it’s worth every penny.
