Salt Water Rod

[Off in the Bushes]

I am loosely looking for a Salt water capable fly rod in 10 wt. I would also consider building off a blank to save a few bucks.
Would you recommend any?
Any rods to stay away from?

[Flyfishchrism46]

I have been to the tropics 6 times over the past 10 years and fished in Cuba and Belize using a 10 weight for barracuda, jack, baby tarpon and permit. I have a Sage Xi, Echo 3, and Temple Fork Axiom and TF Bluewater 400-500 grain...each in 10 and 12 weight. Of these I would recommend the Echo (3 or EPR). Echo are amazing rods and quite affordable and come with an extra tip...accuracy or distance; which is good because breaking a tip on a trip is heartbreaking. The Echo EPR I don't have, but tried one and as advertised, they are stupid fast.

There is no sense in my mind paying near one thousand dollars for a Sage Salt, Orvis, Winston, etc., when the wind and other issues (such as a moving skiff and line loops on the deck or in a stripping basket) on the salt render the perfect cast near impossible; rather, learn to double haul and make an accurate cast as quick as possible. Better buy the $500 rod and practice casting in windy conditions and hitting a circle, between 40 and 70 feet out.

[Off in the Bushes]

Where did you find the Echo rods to cast. They peaked my interest.

[Myles]

I'm an Orvis man. I have the Helios in 8, 10, and 12 wt for salt. Can't think of anything to stay away from, they're all pretty good these days.

[403Bowhunter]

I've got the 8 and 10wt Loomis GLX.. Really nice rods.. That being said, I was on a trip recently and cast the Helios.. Amazing.

Problem with building your own is when you break it, they send you back a blank and you have to build again.

[Okotokian]

I've got an 8wt Greys salt water rod I bought from Wholesale. I've used it to catch bonefish and similar sized fish in Mexico. Greys is a pretty well-regarded English rod. Not top end but good quality. Reasonably priced (under $300) and I was quite happy with it. Paired it with an Orvis Hydros reel. I got an 8 as I wanted it to do double duty with tropical and also pike, etc. here. I have never used it on the latter though. If I had it to do over again and get a rod for just the tropics, I would do what you are doing and get a 10wt.

Make sure you get a reel with sealed drag, anodized, that's rated for salt, and rinse it every night.