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The Boca Grande is a tip of the hat to Earnest Hemingway, Key West, the Boca Grande Channel and the stuff of legend.
At only 110grams it's a Heavyweight without the heavy weight. This 100% glass 12# boasts a fast taper and is incredibly tough. (We've pulled 25kg on the Boca without a problem)
*Revised GEN II material
*Snake Belly finish!
Length: 8'6"
Pieces: 4
Recommended line weight: #12
Length: 8' 6"
Pieces: 4
Action:Progressive / Medium
Taper: Fast
Butt Diameter: 12.25mm
Tip Diameter: 2.29mm
Blank Weight: 110 gm - 3.8oz
A 12 weight rod should do a few things well. It needs to cast a 12 weight line. It needs to cast the size flies you would expect of a 12 weight - billfish flies, aerodynamic dogs like big crab flies, and oversized poppers and gurglers that generally look like seagulls ploughing into a stiff breeze. And it needs to pull hard on big fish. The Boca Grande does this very, very well. Fishing alone in the tropics has some inherent challenges, especially with a fish near the boat and sharks not far behind. The Boca has limited interest in highsticking, ergo just bend the damn rod and grab the fish. I like this very much. Like all rods, the deeper the bend the less concerned the fish is though, so rod angles are still critical. If you want genuine power, keep the angles flat and pull like hell, but there is great comfort in using the bend for cushioning, especially for those species that don't like being manhandled - often the softer touch is a more productive tactic. The Boca Grande can be as rough as a Wildling's beard or as a gentle as a drowsy puppy. I like that very much too. I built my Boca, so I didn't expect it to be as refined as a professional build. Builder skills aside, the components are superb. The kit is easy to follow and there is enough of everything to tolerate a learning curve. If competition distance casting and ultra stiff, fast action rods float your boat, you might not like it. It's not one of those rods. The Boca Grande has, however, very obviously been designed by fine flyfishers who know what a fishing rod should do and have known it for a while. It's been as fun on the flats as it has in the deeper stuff. Experienced friends have enjoyed the Boca's style and those on a learning curve appreciate it's forgiving nature. It's a great fishing rod, it's a lot of fun and it does the subtle, important things very, very well. It is always in my boat and I use it a lot because it adds a whole lot of value to my day.
I had a Boca built by Zeb at Snowman Custom Rod Works, what a beast! This rod's potential is unlimited, especially if you put it in the hands of a good flycaster! I have used it off the coast of Southern California, and it is a perfect tool for our big local Yellowtail and white seabass and up to medium tuna. I'm taking it to Cedros Island off the coast of Baja later this June for a glass only trip - I'm bringing a 990, Bandit and Boca, no graphite, just Epic glass! Cant wait!
I built up a Boca this spring for my fishing in the Florida Keys for Tarpon and Sharks. I have been very impressed with the rod so far - It is now my go-to rod (I have previously used or own Sage, Loomis, Scott, TFO and Hardy rods for this type of fishing, but for this first trip of the season it was all about the Boca! ) The Boca is extremely easy casting - anything from a 10 wt to a 12wt Tarpon line easily loads the rod and it just sails out there once the head is outside the tip. Based on what lines I had on reels to try, I would say you could easily go up one and down one further without any issues - the beauty of glass!!! .... Again, I have to say it, EXTREMELY easy casting. The slightly shorter length of 8.5 foot vs. the usual 9 foot 12 weight graphite sticks also helps the swing weight tremendously. I built mine with a cork grip slightly thicker than normal, which also makes it feel lighter for me. For casting, you really do not miss the half foot vs. usual 9 foot Tarpon rods, in fact it is better with a slightly shorter rod in my opinion (I have been known to shorten my graphite Tarpon rods as well in the past...). As far as fighting fish which is really key for a good Tarpon rod: You can really put the hurt into a Tarpon with this rod - it can exert a lot of pressure with its stiff butt. Meanwhile, the "softish tip", is good for both protecting when the fish runs and jumps - In fact, I think the soft tip really helps with bowing to the Tarpon as it deflects more easily... One final observation: The very light blue blank certainly stands out and will be instantly recognized amongst a sea of dark graphite blanks on a flats boat. Kudos to Swift for a daring choice of color! After having used it for some time, the color has grown on me, although my favorite Epic color is still that of the Bandit.
I juste recieved my fly rod blank . It looks like strong , powerfull , and fast action . I 'll give you more informations when the rod will be finish. Than you for the swift company serious.
A 12 weight rod should do a few things well. It needs to cast a 12 weight line. It needs to cast the size flies you would expect of a 12 weight - billfish flies, aerodynamic dogs like big crab flies, and oversized poppers and gurglers that generally look like seagulls ploughing into a stiff breeze. And it needs to pull hard on big fish. The Boca Grande does this very, very well. Fishing alone in the tropics has some inherent challenges, especially with a fish near the boat and sharks not far behind. The Boca has limited interest in highsticking, ergo just bend the damn rod and grab the fish. I like this very much. Like all rods, the deeper the bend the less concerned the fish is though, so rod angles are still critical. If you want genuine power, keep the angles flat and pull like hell, but there is great comfort in using the bend for cushioning, especially for those species that don't like being manhandled - often the softer touch is a more productive tactic. The Boca Grande can be as rough as a Wildling's beard or as a gentle as a drowsy puppy. I like that very much too. I built my Boca, so I didn't expect it to be as refined as a professional build. Builder skills aside, the components are superb. The kit is easy to follow and there is enough of everything to tolerate a learning curve. If competition distance casting and ultra stiff, fast action rods float your boat, you might not like it. It's not one of those rods. The Boca Grande has, however, very obviously been designed by fine flyfishers who know what a fishing rod should do and have known it for a while. It's been as fun on the flats as it has in the deeper stuff. Experienced friends have enjoyed the Boca's style and those on a learning curve appreciate it's forgiving nature. It's a great fishing rod, it's a lot of fun and it does the subtle, important things very, very well. It is always in my boat and I use it a lot because it adds a whole lot of value to my day.
I had a Boca built by Zeb at Snowman Custom Rod Works, what a beast! This rod's potential is unlimited, especially if you put it in the hands of a good flycaster! I have used it off the coast of Southern California, and it is a perfect tool for our big local Yellowtail and white seabass and up to medium tuna. I'm taking it to Cedros Island off the coast of Baja later this June for a glass only trip - I'm bringing a 990, Bandit and Boca, no graphite, just Epic glass! Cant wait!
I built up a Boca this spring for my fishing in the Florida Keys for Tarpon and Sharks. I have been very impressed with the rod so far - It is now my go-to rod (I have previously used or own Sage, Loomis, Scott, TFO and Hardy rods for this type of fishing, but for this first trip of the season it was all about the Boca! ) The Boca is extremely easy casting - anything from a 10 wt to a 12wt Tarpon line easily loads the rod and it just sails out there once the head is outside the tip. Based on what lines I had on reels to try, I would say you could easily go up one and down one further without any issues - the beauty of glass!!! .... Again, I have to say it, EXTREMELY easy casting. The slightly shorter length of 8.5 foot vs. the usual 9 foot 12 weight graphite sticks also helps the swing weight tremendously. I built mine with a cork grip slightly thicker than normal, which also makes it feel lighter for me. For casting, you really do not miss the half foot vs. usual 9 foot Tarpon rods, in fact it is better with a slightly shorter rod in my opinion (I have been known to shorten my graphite Tarpon rods as well in the past...). As far as fighting fish which is really key for a good Tarpon rod: You can really put the hurt into a Tarpon with this rod - it can exert a lot of pressure with its stiff butt. Meanwhile, the "softish tip", is good for both protecting when the fish runs and jumps - In fact, I think the soft tip really helps with bowing to the Tarpon as it deflects more easily... One final observation: The very light blue blank certainly stands out and will be instantly recognized amongst a sea of dark graphite blanks on a flats boat. Kudos to Swift for a daring choice of color! After having used it for some time, the color has grown on me, although my favorite Epic color is still that of the Bandit.
I juste recieved my fly rod blank . It looks like strong , powerfull , and fast action . I 'll give you more informations when the rod will be finish. Than you for the swift company serious.
