timmyrawlins I’m not just saying this because Maxcatch sent me a free rod to try. I’m saying this because I saw This Video. The guy is obviously a seasoned Scandi Caster and he loved the rod judging from his comments below the video.
So, when Maxcatch ask me about making some videos for them, I told them I was interested in the rod.
Fast forward to when it showed up on my door. I lined it with a 225 grain OPST Commando head which was pretty good on the rod and a place to start.
My favorite line on the rod was a home- made 235 grain, 11′ shooting head I chopped off a 510 grain Rage compact. I love chopping Airflo lines because they are the easiest to weld using my daughters hair flattening thingy and clear shrink tube.
This head literally jumped off the rod. Literally. I think its because Airflo installs tiny legs on their shooting heads.
I had Varivas Airs running line, 25lb test on a reel that was not caged. This shooting head shoots like a mutha, but it is so fine that if you do get a tangle its a mess.
I somehow managed to produce the mother of all tangles while a was casting much further than necessary. I decided to chop the mess and granny knot it so I could continue fishing, but when I did, I let go of the wrong end and lost the entire running line, head a sink tip in the river.
So I’m working on coming up with another 11′ head for the brush patch in my backyard where a river with big trout sometimes manages an appearance behind the boulders in the overbearing riparian jungle.
In the meantime a 225 grain Commando is fine for the lower river. A 250 might just be the ticket, but I don’t have one at the moment. A 275 Commando Groove absolutely flies on this thing but It has the feel of old time Skagit whereas it really loads the rod but I would rather not attempt touch and go casting at that weight.
I love doing snake rolls with this thing so I’m still experimenting with buying and chopping different heads to replace my beloved Chopped 11′ 235 grain zinger. With this combo a moderate sink tip with little Skulpzilla flew like a bullet.
The more I do this stuff, the more I am absolutely convinced that getting the perfect line / rod match is paramount! Paramount I tell ya. I did order a Rio Skagit Max Trout Spey at 11” 250 grains. But 250 grains at such a short shooting head might be just a tad too much. We shall see.
The Rio Scandi Body 4 weight @ 23 feet and 235 grians is sweet on this stick!
thanks Richard! Great recommendation. Cheers!
I’m about to buy this rod! Any further recommendations on the line for it? It’s my first Spey rod.
225 OPST Commando head or SA 240 grn Spey lite Skagit. The 240 grain SA might load the rod easier for you but either should do the trick.
Awesome! Thanks for the input, and I appreciated the article!
I’m still a total noob, but I have definitely caught the bug. I got into the style because I love swinging wet flies and it seemed like a natural progression.
What I need is something a little lighter and preferably longer than my current Echo SR 4106-4 now that Spring is just around the corner here in the South. So, I think I’m gonna pick this one up. I’ll follow the link on your page. Hopefully you’ll get a little kick back from Amazon or somebody
Thanks brother, I appreciate the thought. I really love this little stick and I think you’l enjoy it immensely! All the best! Tim
So, my rod arrived on Friday and I went out to cast for a couple hours after work. Today I spent 6 or 7 hours on the water actually fishing. And, I have to say I was very pleased with my purchase. I’m not sure you could get a better 11′ rod for the money. I got mine for $115 + tax!
While it certainly did not feel like a high end rod – not by any means, it was absolutely a joy to cast. It was light and felt solid. Being new to two handed rods I put this rod through the paces a few times – especially now that I’m working on my touch-and-go casts. And while I threw plenty of casts that were pretty bad I never felt like the rod gave way or collapsed like many $80 – $200 rods may have.
I fished a 210gr SA Scandi Lite head with a 9′ Airflo versileader and about 4′ of 5x flouro. Most of the day I fished a gang of wets and early on in the morning I fished a bouface like thingy on the dropper with a starling and pheasant tail. This seemed to be a good setup for me.
Thanks again for the recommendation. I think this will be my go-to wetfly rod for big water – which is mostly what I fish these days.
Great to hear Phillip! Thanks for the report!
I just bought the Maxcatch 11’ 4 weight….there is no line recommendations on the rod, or anywhere for that matter….skagit and rage heads for me, but where do i start for grains? I couldnt wait to cast it, so i put a 200 grain ambush short on it with a 10’ t7…..nope, too light….im thinking commando in 275-300 grain with the 96 grain tip? Hints?
Dont know that rod in particular but for a 4 weight I think your in the Ballpark at 300 grains plus, minus, and thats the right sink tip.