Winston Air 2 Max 8’6″ 10-weight

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   We have been asking for this rod for two years, since Winston introduced the 6, 7, 8 and 9-weights in its sensational Air 2 Max series. Casting this rod yesterday confirmed that greatness begets greatness. Like the other 8’6″ models in this series, the 10-weight casts off the tip, holding the line high on the backcast, which makes it possible to fish it on foot rather than expressly from the boat. Relative to its line weight, this may be the lightest rod in the whole Air 2 Max family. 10-weight line heads start to feel pretty heavy on most rods, as there is a substantial jump in grain weight between the 9 and 10-weight categories. Casting this rod with a Rio Elite Tarpon WF10, the line seemed to defy gravity, its heavy head zipping back and forth with the hiss of a 5-weight. The rod feels at least 2 line weights lighter than actual, but with the stability and driving power of the world’s finest striped bass, permit and roosterfish rods. As a tarpon rod, fish fighting capability will top out around 60lbs and its happy zone will be 40-50lbs, perfectly adequate for resident mangrove tarpon on the Yucatan and other places where large juvenile fish provide most of the sport. It swings so light, I predict this will become the dominate 10-weight used for permit (most of us have gone to a 9-weight, but this rod will roll back the clock), and I can’t imagine a better striped bass rod (from the boat). It will cast flies of all sizes and both floating and sinking lines with stability, confidence, lightness and ease on the caster. What an awesome stick.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)