Not all pieces of fishing tackle are created and designed equally. Some may look beautiful, but they aren’t built to last. However, there are some great rods that are designed to combine durability and performance.
The Redington Predator is one of those fly rods that is well designed for capturing all sorts of species, and big fish in particular! With around six different handle configurations and approximately 16 models in a range of sizes and weights, you can get the right rod that best suits your needs.
Redington Predator
Redington Predator Specs:
| Line Weight: 3 – 10 | Length: 7 – 9ft |
| Action: Fast | Handle: Fighting Butt |
| Rod Weight: 3.8 – 6.8oz | Rod Tube: Condura Rod Tube |
| Color: Sea Spray | Sections: 4 |
| Warranty: Lifetime Warranty | Country Of Manufacture: USA |
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Key Features
- Fast Action Rod Blank
- Aluminum Oxide Stripping Guides w/Ceramic Inserts
- Cordura Rod Tube
- Uplocking w/Black Anodized Aluminum
- The Redington Lifetime Warranty
The Redington Predator fly rod is a fast-action fishing rod designed for exceptional performance in both saltwater and freshwater. Redington cites this new model to be the ultimate rod for aggressive-fighting fish, big flies, and heavy lines.
The new Redington Predator fly rod, a revamp of the former Predator collection, has incredible strength in the butt of the rod, enabling you to hunt down those lunkers in the water. Some models even come kitted out with a powerful fighting butt for extra leverage on the water.
Whether you are fishing a heavy sinking line or a floating line, the new Predator will never disappoint. Retailing at USD 299, the new Predator is worth the purchase.
For an in-depth analysis, be sure to check out the video review here.
I am definitely adding this rod to my arsenal of fishing combos for future fly fishing trips!
Features and Benefits
Here are features and benefits that you should expect when purchasing the Redington Predator fly rod.
Weight
The Predator rods are offered at weights that range from 5wt to 12wt with different lengths. Other Redington fly rods include the 590-4 5wt 9′ rod to the 1290-4 12wt 9′ rods.
Their recent relaunches of 13wt to 16wt fishing combos have made fishing much better. Their swinging weights are relatively heavy, but they guarantee a great catch.
One downside to the Redington Predator rod is that these rods come in heavier than other products on the market. If you’re not used to fishing with a heavy rod, the Redington-Predator is likely to wear your arm out sooner than you expected.
Build Quality
The Redington-Predator is aesthetically designed with a dark blue blank which is reinforced with carbon fibre. It has a full-wells grip that makes your casting more comfortable. The Predator rod has some quick alignment dots that enable you to set up the rod easily and significantly faster.
It also has a satin silver aluminum reel seat that is sturdy, improving the rod’s performance. The reel seat is built from anodized aluminum, and laser etching finishes the reel seat so you can quickly identify which rod it is from the rack.
The fly rod is also loaded with power at the mid and butt sections for catching and fighting trophy-sized monsters. We love a rod with high-quality stripping and snake guides. The Predator fly rod has durable anodized snake guides and aluminum oxide stripping guides. These stripping guides are completed by ceramic inserts for a superb finish.
You can even get special models with fighting butts, which have been designed with pike and musky in mind. The fighting butt will help you haul in these whoppers for a fly fishing trip to remember!
Action
This Redington’s combo is a fast-action rod. So how does it cast? It’s robust and stiff for quick capture of large fish that will put up a fight. You get great accuracy at longer range, too.
This fast action model is ideal for the long distance cast and really shines above 50 feet. You’ll be amazed at how well it performs even at extreme distances of 80+ feet! The Predator is also suitable for windy conditions and throwing heavy, weighted flies.
Where the Predator is lacking is accuracy in the short range. If you’re casting at distances of 30 feet or under, you’ll miss the sensitivity and feel that a slower action rod will give you. This isn’t unusual in fast action rods, so it’s up to you to decide if it’s a deal-breaker or not.
Versatility
The Redington Predator is a pretty versatile rod. It’s clearly designed for fishing for big fish, casting long distances and in windy conditions. But you won’t feel held back or restricted by the Predator. Although it packs enough power for reeling in satwater fish, you can also use it to fly fish for trout, bass, and other small fish.
What’s more, you can use the Predator on both saltwater and freshwater. With anodized aluminum hardware, it can withstand the harsh corrosive environment.
One key aspect of the Redington Predator is that you can use it effectively on top of or below the water surface to fish dry flies, streamers, and nymphs.
Warranty
The Predator has a lifetime warranty. If your rod breaks and you need to get it fixed or replaced, you can make use of this warranty by paying the processing price of $25.
You can take a look at another awesome rod from Redington, here is our Redington Path review for a full guide.
Redington Predator Review (From Locals)
As fly fishers, we value the opinions of other enthusiastic fly anglers when buying new fishing gear. So I scoured the internet to see how other fishermen and women were responding to the fast-action Redington Predator and found overwhelmingly positive results. Here are some of the online reviews:
Overall, I think Redington’s 6wt Predator is a great tool for targeting fish around 5lbs with flies up to the size of a finger, and a great value as well at $200. Its a well made 4pc rod with a hard Cordura tube and a great warranty. I paired mine with a Sage 1680 reel and a Rio 7wt Saltwater fly line.
Initially, I bought an 8wt, 9-footer, which was primarily for my upcoming redfish trip with my friends. However, I have been using it for bass fishing, too much? I know, right? Anyway, this rod is nothing short of perfection! It was so easy for me to cast with no extra effort at all. The double haul shoots over 60 feet of line with little effort. I also found this rod great at short distances shoots and it easily loads with minimal line weight out. When it comes to performance, this rod is the real deal. It has enough backbone, in case of those big fights.I am impressed with its performance.
This combo is perfect for use by experienced anglers and beginners. For more details about the Redington Predator, browse through this link.
Pros and Cons of Redington – Predator
Pros
- It is relatively cheaper than most fly rods.
- It has a lifetime warranty in case of damages.
- It has quick alignment dots that make it easy to assemble.
- It is a fast-action fly rod, making it an ideal fishing gear for small and large fish.
- Powerful butt section for casting to bonefish, salmon, tarpon, and more!
- Helpful stripping guides
Cons
- You will need to pay a warranty processing fee for you to get a lifetime warranty. This is an additional cost.
- It is rather challenging to use when casting short distances, anywhere below 20ft.
- It is heavier than most of the rods within this class. Its swinging weight, especially, can be exhaustive.
Wrap Up
There are numerous factors to consider when purchasing a fly-fishing rod and gear. Whether it’s versatility, casting accuracy, weight, aesthetics, warranty, or even durability, you need a fly fishing rod to meet your needs.
But when it comes to capturing large species and chucking big flies, you’ll need a specialized fast action fly rod that can stand up to the pressure. As we found out for our review, the Redington Predator is a strong, sturdy fly rod that packs enough power in the butt section to withstand aggressive-fighting fish and their weight.
The fast action of the Predator makes those long-distance casts feel effortless, while it can stand up to the strain of hauling in those massive fish with ease! It’s well constructed and durable, from the stripping guides to the reel seat.
The Redington Predator is an great rod for both freshwater and saltwater fishing, all at an affordable price. Constructed from high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials, you’ll be equipped with a killer fly fishing rod that will last. Everyone from beginners to pros will enjoy fishing on the fly with this powerful, fast action rod!
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