Temple Fork Outfitter Rods?

[NMUbassin]

Hey everybody,

I'm looking to do some wholesale upgrades to my rods and reels this spring, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Temple Fork Outfitters rods, more specifically, the Tactical Series?

[roadwarrior]

Wow! 

 

The price is certainly tempting. I would like to hear about them from

someone that has fished the rods. I guess I missed this, I did not know

Gary Loomis was back in the rod building business.

[NMUbassin]

Wow! 

 

The price is certainly tempting. I would like to hear about them from

someone that has fished the rods. I guess I missed this, I did not know

Gary Loomis was back in the rod building business.

That's what I was thinking! Looks like their "higher-end" rods are around that $160 range, and was wondering if the G.Loomis stamp was more of a gimmick or if these rods were of good quality.

[J Francho]

They aren't built by Gary. They are imports. I believe Gary consulted on the tapers used. They're decent rods, for the price point. I'd put them in the company of any SCII rod by Saint Croix.

[0119]

I love the original series.  Decent Fuji seats and bigger than usual guide eyes which were a plus for inshore fishing.  The rear grips weren't ridiculously long either.  The newer models have a proprietary reel seat and a K series clone guide system.  Not terribly stiff either.

[tbone1993]

Theyre not a gloomis. Not that good of a rod, I've fished better rods for that price.

[bassr95]

I have used my friend's 7' MH TFO tactical series, and was not very impressed. I did not like how tip heavy it was, especially at that price point. My *** *** black, or even my st croix triumph feel better to me, and cost a lot less.

[NMUbassin]

I have used my friend's 7' MH TFO tactical series, and was not very impressed. I did not like how tip heavy it was, especially at that price point. My *** *** black, or even my st croix triumph feel better to me, and cost a lot less.

Thank you! This was all I needed to hear.

[SirSnookalot]

A very good friend of mine has a 7' Med 6/12 3/4 lure weight rod, signature series.  I have thrown it a few times and it casts a ton.  I have been with him catching bass as well as 20lb snook, and have seen him bottle poppers up to 2 oz.   I liked the rod a lot except I don't care for the split grip and short butt.

[frogflogger]

Gary Loomis is the man when it comes to rod building and design - I was glad to see an affordable rod with his input on its design - I own only one but it performs flawlessly.

[Inglorious Basser]

ty much elimates every

Thank you! This was all I needed to hear.

Really one negative post and you are willing to completely give up on a rod ?.?.?   that pretty much eliminates every rod on the market. what not go to a shop that sells them and check them out for yourself?

 

My father inlaw uses this model and loves the rod. I have tried the rod and found it was a little tip heavy ( again very little ). but casts a ton and felt good in my hands.

[NMUbassin]

Really one negative post and you are willing to completely give up on a rod ?.?.?   that pretty much eliminates every rod on the market. what not go to a shop that sells them and check them out for yourself?

 

My father inlaw uses this model and loves the rod. I have tried the rod and found it was a little tip heavy ( again very little ). but casts a ton and felt good in my hands.

I have played around with them, just had not fished with them. I noticed the same things as mentioned above: slightly tip heavy, short butt, stubby split-grip, etc. I just wasn't sure if I was just being critical or if It would really even matter on the water. However, those exact issues were brought up 4 or 5 times in this thread.

So I really don't see myself going out and spending my money on an "average" rod from a "new(ish)" company.

MANY other options in this price range.

[Inglorious Basser]

I have played around with them, just had not fished with them. I noticed the same things as mentioned above: slightly tip heavy, short butt, stubby split-grip, etc. I just wasn't sure if I was just being critical or if It would really even matter on the water. However, those exact issues were brought up 4 or 5 times in this thread.

are looking fo

So I really don't see myself going out and spending find what you my money on an "average" rod from a "new(ish)" company.

MANY other options in this price range.

Actually the company has been around for a while they are a Canadian company that mostly build fly rods, and there fly rods are very good . I use two of them for fly fishing a 6 wght and 3 wght.

 

Hoepfully you  find what you are looking for.

 

Good luck and good fishing.

[frogflogger]

I have their 8" ul that is amazing and handles a wider range of weight than I thought it would but it is a different kettle of fish from what you want.

[0119]

All those negatives are the pluses to me. Too many rods are 7ft., all in the grip! Great for Johnny Baspro at the bow of his glittery boat but not anyone else. TFO is not a new company either and has a return replacement warranty that rivals and exceeds most bass rod manufacturers.

[smalljaw67]

I haven't had the chance to check out the tactical series but they don't look bad, but the first $99.00 version kind of had me stumped, the blank was ok but they used a cheap non-blank exposed reel seat kind of what you see on a glass rod and they were cheap, they were not Fuji guides or reel seats, I think if they would have use the Fuji, or Pac Bay reel seat they wouldn't have been bad. I heard a lot of anglers actually like the drop shot rods in the tactical series but everyone has things they like and dislike, it is why there are so many brands selling rods, just start a favorite rod thread and you'll notice how many there are.

[J Francho]

For $100, most rods I've used are "average." Let's face it, that's an average priced rod. And it's not a bad thing - today's average priced rods are leaps and bounds better than the above average gear I used just a decade ago. Leaps and bounds better. Almost all these average rods get closer and closer to the $150 rods I upgraded to just a few years ago. Many if those rods are still being made, but they're closer to $200 these days. The sub $200 market is very competitive and pretty much anything in the $100 range is a really good stick.

[NMUbassin]

For $100, most rods I've used are "average." Let's face it, that's an average priced rod. And it's not a bad thing - today's average priced rods are leaps and bounds better than the above average gear I used just a decade ago. Leaps and bounds better. Almost all these average rods get closer and closer to the $150 rods I upgraded to just a few years ago. Many if those rods are still being made, but they're closer to $200 these days. The sub $200 market is very competitive and pretty much anything in the $100 range is a really good stick.

I agree 100%. I just feel that for $150 (the tactical series), I would be more comfortable going the Smoke, or Crucial route.

[McAlpine]

The TFO fly rods are really impressive for their price point.  From that I was excited when the partnership with Gary Loomis started.  The bass rods are ok, not bad, but nothing to write home about.  For the same money there are better rods out there. 

[cbenson6820]

I do not know if this is true or not, but a sales associate from Bass Pro Shops told me that the TFO tactical series rods use the same blanks as the G.Loomis IMX.

 

I have a TFO signature series i bought for squarebills and lipless rattle traps and i like it so far but besides casting in the yard i've only used it once.

[Tywithay]

I do not know if this is true or not, but a sales associate from Bass Pro Shops told me that the TFO tactical series rods use the same blanks as the G.Loomis IMX.

I have a TFO signature series i bought for squarebills and lipless rattle traps and i like it so far but besides casting in the yard i've only used it once.

Maybe the same tapers, seeing as Gary Loomis had design input. Otherwise, the blanks aren't even close.

[0119]

I do not know if this is true or not, but a sales associate from Bass Pro Shops told me that the TFO tactical series rods use the same blanks as the G.Loomis IMX.

 

I have a TFO signature series i bought for squarebills and lipless rattle traps and i like it so far but besides casting in the yard i've only used it once.

 

Not likely.  Just another poorly educated big box employee trying to look like an insider.  TFO is a direct competitor with Loomis in the fly market even if they target different "money class" customers.

 

 

Maybe the same tapers, seeing as Gary Loomis had design input. Otherwise, the blanks aren't even close.

 

I doubt that since he has been gone from loomis for so long and the IMX has gone through a complete change since his decade long departure.

 

 

I haven't had the chance to check out the tactical series but they don't look bad, but the first $99.00 version kind of had me stumped, the blank was ok but they used a cheap non-blank exposed reel seat kind of what you see on a glass rod and they were cheap, they were not Fuji guides or reel seats, I think if they would have use the Fuji, or Pac Bay reel seat they wouldn't have been bad. I heard a lot of anglers actually like the drop shot rods in the tactical series but everyone has things they like and dislike, it is why there are so many brands selling rods, just start a favorite rod thread and you'll notice how many there are.

 

The first rendition had Fuji seats, the new ones in the sig. and tact. series have a truly cheap seat, even proudly marked Korea.  But even god like shimano uses proprietary seats in the highly touted Cumara.  I think its important for a potential customer to realize that TFO brings out a product that is by no means top of the line. Right out of Lefty Kreh's mouth, "too provide a low cost alternative for the angler who isnt looking to spend Loomis or Sage prices"  And they trump that by providing an amazing return replacement policy.

 

I just like them because they have a more traditional action similar to Old Loomis' IM-6. Perfect for the topwater fishing I do 98% of the time.  Besides they are tough and will replace it, a great plus when you fish dense mangrove swamp and with a buddy who has a habit of stepping on your rod tips.

[Preytorien]

A fellow I fish with just got sponsored by TFO.....I'm looking forward to seeing what his input is on these. From what I can recall he uses mostly St. Croix / G. Loomis rods.

[ww2farmer]

I won one a year ago, it cost me nothing, it didn't break , and I fished several months with it, so this is as unbiased as I can get. I had one of the $100 ones.... A 7' M casting. It was as good as any other rod I had in it's price point (Mojos, veritas's, etc...) but it was the odd ball in my collection, so I sold it. So obviously, it didn't blow me away enough to make me keep it.