TFO Mangrove or Allen Volant 8 weight

[WdyCoachmen 0]

Hey everyone,

I am looking for opinions, or reviews if you have used booth rods. I am trying to put together a smallmouth 8 weight rod/reel.

The reel is going to be a Allen Kraken 3, but the rod I am still deciding between the TFO Mangrove, or Allen Volant 8 weight. I have handled a TFO Mangrove in Bass Pro, but not cast it yet, nor have I held or cast an Allen rod. Any opinions or stories of using these would greatly be appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Wdy

[Rocco 0]

Wdy,

 

No help from me on the rods as I never used either of them. but that Kraken 3 is one helluva reel. The drag is super smooth and it is rated for salt water and big steelhead/salmon too, So your 8 weight might prove useful in other venues too. Good luck.

 

wunbe

[WdyCoachmen 0]

Rocco,

Yep, it seems to be! I have my eye on the red one, plus with Allen's "Allen Bucks," promo, those reels are definitely worth the cost!

 

Wdy

[Saltybum 0]

Can't talk about the Allen but the Mangrove is a lot heavier than the BVK for the same money and the BVK rates extremely high in perfornance tests( yllowstoneangler.com ) against rods costing three times as much. I found it a breeze casting my BVK 8wt for reds and seatrout. And I have the Kraken 3 too, very nice reel.

[WdyCoachmen 0]

Really? I held both rods at the same time a couple of days ago and they about felt the same weight. Personally, I like the smaller diameter handle on the Mangrove better, Easier ergonomics for me.

[Saltybum 0]

What works for you is the important thing.

[notenuftoys 0]

I've cast both the Mangrove and BVK, and liked the BVK better. Obviously we all have different preferences and feel of fly rods.

 

I'd like to try out the Allen rods one of these days since I'm almost a neighbor of theirs.

[WdyCoachmen 0]

Any breakages of the BVK's? I read the Yellowstone 8 weight shootout, and yes it gives us hope that a lot of money is not necessary for a good fly rod. But, also read about BVK's breaking.

 

Thank you,

Wdy

[Saltybum 0]

Well mine ain't broke yet and I know some guys who sold their sage Xi3's because of braking too easily. If it does break...$25 and you get a new one. NOBODY beats that. Redington is a close second with warranty and unconditional at that too.

[Swamp Fly 0]

FYI TFO warranty service is now $30 (after 10+yrs @ $25). Still the same great service. I just sent in some rods in and found out they no longer have parts for the TiCr series so they told me "pick a rod, whatever you want". My 6wt is now a TiCr-X and the 8wt is now a Mangrove since I already have an 8wt TiCr-X. Can't beat that with a stick. I thought about getting the BVK, but I have not yet had the chance to cast one so I opted for the Mangrove instead. I've only lawn cast the Mangrove since receiving it but I know I'm going to like it. I can't really say how it fishes though. The only TFO rod I've just not liked at all was an Axiom, it just did not match my casting style (at least that day...). Other people love them. Whatever you choose insist on casting it first or find another retailer. Had guy at BPS look at me like I had just grown a second head when I said I wanted to cast a rod before i bought it. I told him that at $250 I was not about to play fly rod roulette. The guy kind of saw the point but said I had to buy it first and could return it if I did not like it. I declined and went to a "full service" fly shop instead.

[flyfishingdom 0]

I am another one who has not casted either rod you are talking about, but I own a BVK 8 wt. I am so impressed with TFO products and their warranty. I haven't used the TFO warranty, but for $30 they will send you a brand new rod in 3-4 business days. I'm not sure what Allen's warranty is like, but I think TFO has the best warranty in the business. That might be enough to go their route if you are are inclined to the Mangrove vs.the Allen.

 

I will say that after casting many upper end 8 wt rods at a fly show this Spring, I was most impressed with the BVK. It killed many rods 3x its price in performance (in my hands, at least). The BVK is an absolute bomber too. I'm not a professional caster by any means, but I can empty my spool of fly line with the BVK without really thinking about it...

 

My only gripe with the BVK is that the cork feels really low grade on the handle. Definitely not the flora grade they market on their website. Based on my experience with a TFO product, I'd recommend them to anyone.

[WdyCoachmen 0]

Thanks everyone for the feed back.

 

I went out yesterday with my OLD Orvis Rocky Mountain 6 weight to throw some size 4 weight flies. Yeah, that was a bust, my rod just did not have the backbone. So, I am definitely looking to an 8 weight now.

[flyfishingdom 0]

Oh and to answer your question about the breakage thing, I'm not sure where Yellowstone is coming from. I know two fly shop owners who carry TFO products and they have never heard or experienced the BVK being more fragile than other rods. Mine has been great so far and I've been putting it through the ringer.

[BuzFly 0]

Over the last few years I have started to switch all my rods over to TFO rods. I have them from a 5wt though 10wt. I have found the BVK, Axiom and Mangrove to be great rods and they do what I want them to do. I might be a good idea to also look at the TFO site and look at the chart that shows the performance cures that relates to Casting, Lifting and Presentation. It was a big help for me picking the rods for the situations I like to fish from casting under mangroves/docks and having to power to pull the fish clear of the structure, to casting for large Jacks and having enough lifting power to get them to the boat. The only rod that I am keeping is an old Sage RP 4p pics 8 wt.

Brad

PS - All rods break if you use them enough or are attached by the vicious Flying Fan Fish or the Snapping Door Turtle.

[Evans1 0]

I have a TFO 6wt Clouser and I can sling about anything. Great rod at affordable price point. Good backbone and sensitive tip. Love it. I have an Allen basic trout II reel on it as well.