Scott Wave 9012-4

Reviews

1. Rated 3 out of 5

   A serviceable 12-weight that balances castability with strength, the Wave 9012-4 flexes just a little deeper into the mid-section than the 10 and 11-weights in this series. This doesn’t compromise lifting power, but makes the rod less suitable to hammering when the wind is really up. It’s an “easy caster” that pair well with a Rio Elite Tarpon WF12 and comparable lines. It has a sweet spot from 30’-70’, suitable to most tarpon opportunities, but lacks the astounding range of the Sector or Asquith. It loads with feel, however, and will fall easily into the hands of less experienced casters making the jump from freshwater to big game saltwater.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   The 9012/4 Wave is cut from the same cloth as the rest of the rods in the lineup. It is very powerful for a mid-priced saltwater rod and will handle the wind very well. It doesn’t load as well in close as the other rods in the series but that’s to be expected from a 12wt fly rod. It has the same lightweight feel that the 6wt-10wt Wave rods do and would be a great rod to fish all day. With the proper line pairing the rod shoots line for days and doesn’t require too much added effort from the caster. I was only able to cast the SA Amplitude Tarpon WF12F on this rod and thought it was a great match. If you prefer Rio lines, both the Rio Elite Tarpon WF12F and Rio Elite Flats Pro WF12F would be a good match.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 4 out of 5

   The Wave 9012/4 embodies the easy casting character of the Wave lineup. 12-weight rods are work to cast, even for the strongest and most adept casters. Holding up 500 grains of fly line in the air is a chore and a 12-weight is where you see the change from casting prowess to pulling power. The Wave 9012/4 has the bottom end to pull, but it is still a surprisingly adept overhead caster. The 9011 carries line in the air with more ease and encourages the caster to hold up the loop. The 9012 has a similar feeling, but the rod lets you know you should lay the line down sooner than the 9011. The Wave 9012 is a little more tuned to the pick up and lay down. I felt like the performance of the 9012 surpassed the cost of this rod. Most 12-weight anglers are heading off to far flung destinations and the nature of the fish you’re chasing with a 12-weight means that broken rods are more the rule than the exception. Do you need another big rod on the boat for sailfish, GT, tuna, arapaima, sharks or other crazy fish we make eat a fly? Just maybe, and I would pull harder knowing I had a backup option on deck.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)