TFO BC Big Fly Rod Review: More Than Just a Musky Rod

I had specific expectations when I got this rod. It markets itself as a big streamer fly rod, and that's exactly how I planned to use it – throwing large squid-looking patterns for striped bass in Martha's Vineyard.

A squid fly in and anglers hand before the angler ties it to his fly rod to fly fish for striped bass. — When the stripers are on the squid you match the hatch. | photo by Ken Baldwin

First Impressions

I took the TFO BC fly rod to the field behind my house to get some practice in. I was expecting a heavy casting rod, with a stiff tip and an extended butt that would make it bottom-heavy. I was using a small practice fly instead of the extra-large streamers the rod is built for, so I figured I would have to work extra hard to get it to load.
I'll cut to the chase: this rod exceeded my expectations and surprised me at every turn.

An angler searching the water with in his boat with a TFO BC Big Fly fly rod in his hand, ready to cast. — On the hunt. | photo provided by TFO

A Unique Grip

First off, the grip perplexed me. It has a cork-composite butt section that measures three and a half inches. As far as fly rod butts go, it is long. The upper handle is also extended longer than the typical grip. My first thought was, "Why is it longer? It looks like extra weight." It's not, or if it is, it isn't noticeable. What is noticeable is how much I like this grip configuration. The extended butt and longer grip give me more room to move my hand and manipulate my cast. Plus the lengthened butt gives me better leverage and less hand fatigue.

The TFO BC Big Fly fly rod handle and Redington Grande reel in an anglers hands. — The extra length on the end improves leverage during the cast, and can also be used if a spey cast is needed in a pinch. | photo by Adam Bode

Versatility Beyond Big Streamers

The business end of the rod is not limited to only throwing big streamers. I know this is how TFO markets the rod, but if you limit it to only throwing large streamers, you are missing out, and really wasting a great rod.

The blank is lightweight, thin, and extra sensitive. It has very little wobble, so it tracks great. Even though it's a fast rod that makes throwing the big streamers easier, it can throw smaller flies just fine. I use mine to throw small crab and shrimp patterns when targeting redfish.

An angler is holding a striped bass in the water next to his TFO BC Big Fly fly rod. — The BC Big Fly fly rod is a versatile rod that will surprise you with its unexpected performance. It's so much more than a "Musky" rod. | photo provided by TFO

My Go-To 8 Weight

It's become my favorite 8-weight saltwater rod for stripers, redfish, snook, and albies. TFO really should market this rod differently; the TFO BC Big Fly fly rod is too good of a rod to put limitations on. Spend one afternoon fishing the Blane Chocklett fly rod with the unique grip and exceptional casting blank, and you will see what I mean.

Try it for Yourself

Go to a fly shop and ask if you can cast one. As foreign as the handle looks and despite the marketing of the BC as a "Musky" rod, I think you will be surprised at what an all-around great rod it is. I don't consider mine a "specialty" rod anymore. It's usually the first rod I grab when I'm headed to the salt. KB

“The gods do not deduct from man’s allotted span the hours spent in fishing.” - Herbert Hoover

The gear reviewed in this article was provided to me at no cost for evaluation. The views and assessments presented are my own.