CTS Affinity-X 9ft 5wt fly rod

Custom build features: premium aluminum reel seat with walnut burl insert. Wood accents on cork grip. Snake Brand guides. Comes with rod sock and dark blue carbon fiber rod tube.

This rod is built on a CTS Affinity X blank made in New Zealand. CTS makes some of the best rod blanks in the world. I think they are as good or better than any rod blanks out there. The paint on the rods are automotive quality. They call this color "dragon". I recently reviewed premium 5wt fly rod blanks available to rod builders. Here is my review of this blank.

Wow, this is a powerful rod! The “X” is for extra fast, but this rod is not a one trick pony. This is a sophisticated blank that does everything well but is particularly good at distance and punching tight loops into the wind. I am not a great distance caster, but I was able to cast farther with this rod than any other rod I have tried. That is why I am giving it an 11 out of 10 for distance. Overall, I prefer a more moderate action for an all around trout rod, but this rod will have its fans for lovers of tight loops and precision. I will build this blank as a 6wt for streamers and bonefish. I will build another as a 9wt for tarpon and permit.

Distance/wind (11)- It makes distance seem easy for someone who often struggles. It is exceptional for punching tight loops into the wind.

30ft Performance (7)- Not bad for an extra fast rod. It is precise if you cast crisply.

Feel (8)- The rod translates exactly what the load is and what the line is doing.

Swing weight (9)- The blank is thin and light.

Bobber (10)- It “sends” a bobber and is fast on the hookset.

Best fly lines: Excels with both the SA MPX and Amplitude lines. It casts the Trout GP OK, but I would stick to the heavier lines for best performance.