Winston Air 2 Max 9′ 11-weight

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   One of my favorite rods in the series, this model “casts itself” with a Rio Elite Tarpon line. Almost any caster can make this thing work. It engages easily, but is hard to overpower. That’s a great combination. It will cover most 11 and 12-weight fishing purposes, including GTs and adult tarpon, but the heaviest GT lines may overwhelm the rod, resulting in a lack of control. This is super common. GT lines often need to be fished one line weight lighter, even on the stiffest saltwater rods.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   There are a lot of good 11wt saltwater rods out there these days. The 9’ 11wt Winston AIR 2 MAX is right up there with the other heavy hitters. It is by no means as physically light in hand as the lower line weight rods in the series, but also isn’t as heavy as some other 11wt rods on the market. As you might expect, this is a very smooth casting rod that does a lot of work for the caster. It isn’t quite as universal as some other 11wt rods on the market but still has a clear intended purpose. This is a classic tarpon rod. It won’t handle the really heavy lines people like for GT fishing but will feel right at home on a tarpon skiff. This rod handles a heavier line better than some of the other rods in the AIR 2 MAX family but really shines with a line that’s not super aggressive. I was impressed with its ability to throw the Rio Elite Tarpon WF11F which can be a tricky line on a lot of rods. I personally prefer the SA Amplitude Tarpon WF11F because it lands a shade softer on the water and quickens up the rod ever so slightly.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)