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Graywolf Steffen 10/11
Post 06 May 2023, 19:38 • #1 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3080
Location: Orygun
Oh my word....I can't wait go get this beast on the water! my pics don't really do it justice...

side by side to show butt width compared to the 10wt Epic Bandit. This has got a fair bit more guts in the butt....I can't wait to see what all I can tame with it!



Cheers!


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Post 07 May 2023, 10:09 • #2 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/02/16
Posts: 515
Location: Georgia
Nice! Looking forward to your feedback after you get the new Steffen on the water. Don’t you also have the NFC Iconoglass 10wt? I’d be interested to hear how the NFC fits in the mix.


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Post 07 May 2023, 10:12 • #3 
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Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3080
Location: Orygun
Yes. The NFC is definitely more of a 10+, the Bandit is more of a 9/10. This feels closer to the NFC, maybe a touch more stout and shorter of course.


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Post 08 May 2023, 13:19 • #4 
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Joined: 07/19/19
Posts: 176
Yes, curious what you think of it. I'm thinking about one too. Big bass bugs.


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Post 09 May 2023, 16:14 • #5 
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Joined: 09/23/18
Posts: 614
Location: Eastern Wa
Im definitely curious what you think on the water! Ive got longer 10wts but am curious about a shorter one throwing big stuff.


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Post 09 May 2023, 19:48 • #6 
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Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3080
Location: Orygun
I prefer shorter. My Bandit is also 7'9" and prefer it over my NFC 10wt ((very different rods regardless of length though). I'm likely getting out Saturday morning to give this rod a workout.


Last edited by clarkman23 on 09 May 2023, 22:44, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 09 May 2023, 21:04 • #7 
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Joined: 09/23/18
Posts: 614
Location: Eastern Wa
Great! Good luck Saturday. Ive got an Echo Bag 9ft 10wt when they were deeply discounted after being discontinued and ultimately changed to 8ft. I much prefer my FF9010 for its casting charactistics. Curious about the Steffen.


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Post 13 May 2023, 17:17 • #8 
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Joined: 06/21/06
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Location: Orygun
I wish I could got a good bendi pic. I went musky hunting this morning. Ended moving 5 and enticing zero to eat. 2 shoulda, they were getting their chins tickled. I also had a fat largemouth eat 4 times but just wouldn't stick.

The rod itself is one powerful stick! Once I got a little more aggressive with my stroke, it was a little like a cannon....point and shoot. I love my Bandit, but this thing has far more power. I was using a 425gr Cortland Compact. It could easily handle upwards of a 500gr. The Bandit sweet spot (for shooting heads) is 375-380.


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Post 13 May 2023, 18:13 • #9 
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Joined: 09/23/18
Posts: 614
Location: Eastern Wa
Thanks for the report Clarkman. Being so powerful is the tip light enough to toss the big stuff close as well as the bandit or do you need to get a bunch of line out to get it to start working? Just curious if you are as pleased with the casting qualities as with your bandit. Thanks!


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Post 13 May 2023, 18:45 • #10 
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Joined: 06/21/06
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Location: Orygun
Short answer, yes.

It takes a little more work than the Bandit, but far less than any graphite 10 or 11wt I've cast. It also just carries more payload easier than the Bandit. I feel like I could really push the fly size envelope with this (not that I would need to for my local stuff) while the Bandit kinda maxes out at around an 8" bucktail style fly. I mean both rods are going to be with me on my tiger musky hunts....El Bandito isn't going anywhere.


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Post 13 May 2023, 19:18 • #11 
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Joined: 09/23/18
Posts: 614
Location: Eastern Wa
Thank you Clarkman for sharing your experienced opinion! This summer I need to spend more time chasing tigers at the lake i grew up on. Ive only caught one on the fly so far.


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Post 13 May 2023, 20:04 • #12 
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Joined: 06/21/06
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Location: Orygun
They are really fun....except for when they're not.... :lol


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Post 14 May 2023, 18:37 • #13 
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Joined: 07/19/19
Posts: 176
Clarkman, thanks for the report. I purchased the 10/11 blank Shane had; so I will wait for a build.

An 11 wt line is around 375 grains, but you're basically in 12 territory. Not overloaded? Most fiberglass rods don't like short heavy headed lines, but apparently this one handles it fine? I'll need a warm water line; I may have to look at the saltwater range. I imagine the swing weight is fairly low due to the length?


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Post 15 May 2023, 20:49 • #14 
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Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3080
Location: Orygun
I do have a tendency to be a little contrarian with much of my heavyweight fishing style. I fish mostly shooting head style lines which by their very nature are a bit overweighted. Most of my glass rods (heavyweights that is) can handle a really wide range and I tend to push that upper limit. My Bandit maxes out at 425gr or so, but I prefer it with any shooting head up to 375 ish or so. I could also easily throw a standard 6wt line with it very easily (not that I would want to use it as a 6wt). This heavyweight Steffen is an entirely different beast. I've no doubt it could handle anything from 350-500gr shooting heads. I was fishing a 400 with 8" tiger musky flies and there were times where it wanted more. My reason for going shorter on it was both for lower swing weight (it's not too bad at all) and for superior fish handling in tight quarters. I also have no doubt that it will handle longfin (albacore) tuna we get our here. I can't wait to hear what you think of yours once you build it up.


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Post 11 Jun 2023, 19:39 • #15 
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Joined: 07/19/19
Posts: 176




I had Shane build this rod for me; just came in. Cast it on the lawn today, with a 400 grain line. You're right Clarkman, I'll probably move up to 450 or so. It cast fine with 400, but had to have the whole head out, it still could have handled more. It's a quick rod being short. I'll give some updates as I mess around with lines.


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Post 12 Jun 2023, 08:23 • #16 
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Joined: 06/21/06
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Location: Orygun
Really nice looking rod!


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Post 19 Jun 2023, 06:20 • #17 
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Joined: 11/30/10
Posts: 1846
Location: Michigan
NICE!


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