[James C]

I'm new to the Burkheimer fanaticism, but it's becoming all consuming. I see a serious problem on the horizon.... too many rods. I've purchased the 7127 and 7134 this year and now I'm looking into the 8's. Unfortunately I'm not able to test out the rods where I'm at. I've spoken with the guys at Burkheimer about their thoughts on their 8 weight rods, but I'd like to hear your thoughts too!

For those fishing the CFB 8133-3, 8139-3, 8128-4, 8134-4, 8139-4, 8142-4, 8152-4 -- what do you think of their personalities? Are they long line rods, winter skagit rods, very versatile? We all know they're great rods, but what are their subtle differences besides length and grain window? I'd like a rod over 13-1/2' and one that is great at casting Fall Favorite 70's and Compact Skagits too.

Thanks

 

[fredaevans]

8139-3

Exquisite rod properly lined. You can cast this rod with your eyes closed, it will do every thing you can imagine. Steelhead to King's, if you had to have 'just one rod' this would be the one I'd choose.

fae

 

[BNF861]

I love my Burkheimer 8142 I purchased last year from Poppy.

After casting that particular rod, I knew I needed to have one.

When I posted a wanted add, nobody offered one for sale but a few people chimed in with their thoughts on the rod.

http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/showthread.php?t=110106

 

[James C]

Exquisite rod properly lined. You can cast this rod with your eyes closed, it will do every thing you can imagine. Steelhead to King's, if you had to have 'just one rod' this would be the one I'd choose.

fae

What lines are you casting on this rod, Fred?

 

[tyfish]

I've owned a few of these rods the 8139-3 , 8142-4 , 8152-4 and cast the 8134-4 the best around rod out of the bunch is the 8142 by far 520 SA Scandi extreme and the SA 560 skagit extreme are bombs and the nextcast wa 55 and 70 in the 7/8 and 8/9 both cast very well it's a great allrounder it would be my choice if only one was in my sights .
Tyler

 

[James C]

I love my Burkheimer 8142 I purchased last year from Poppy.

After casting that particular rod, I knew I needed to have one.

When I posted a wanted add, nobody offered one for sale but a few people chimed in with their thoughts on the rod.

That's the rod I've had my eye on. What lines are you casting with it?

 

[Jumbo]

yum

8142 rocks, I fish a FF 7/8 in 70' 55' and 45' 550 or 575 skagit works for me
8128 is a beautiful summer stick, FF 7/8 as well, 550 Skagit works for me
8152 is gorgeous FF 8/9 70' - never cast anything but the long belly on this one, because why would you?

8134 and the 8139 are like the 30.06 of spey rods

you can't really go wrong...

 

[highlander2]

I own all the rods mentioned in the original post except for the 8133. That's still one on my list. Spent some time with it and it's a great rod.

Going back to the original post I would check out the 8142. This is kinda my new favorite do everything rod. It will cast a 7/8 70 Nextcast as far as your capable. And it's nice and mellow in close with short head lines. How short? 35' head length, its like tip toeing across a mine field but it's doable. If the caster can adjust this is a do everything rod on medium to large rivers. The recovery on this rod is pretty impressive, being shorter it's quicker than the 8152. It won't hit the distance of the 8152 but it's not far off. I'm new to this rod ,I over looked it for some reason? As I run new lines through the rod its my new favorite for right now. It's going to be a great winter rod on big rivers. Probably will fish it through a few pools on the Thompson soon.

 

[wrke]

I agree with Fred, the 8139-3 can do it all, from the longest long bellies, scandi and skagit. I also have the 8133-3 which I love, but use it primarily as a skagit when I have one of the other lines on the 8139-3. My favorite all-around 8 wt rod.

 

[fredaevans]

Sorry, almost missed your question.

What lines are you casting on this rod, Fred?

480 grain (31.8 foot) RIO head. (A A/S?) Enough 'umph' in the head for either a 15 foot leader with flies the size of a dead bird or sink tips.

Fred

 

[wrke]

I fish a 480 rio steelhead scandi, 600 Airflo compact skagit, and an early production 70' carron jetstream 10/11 or an 85-90' SA XLT on the 8139-3

 

[roballen]

I'm new to the Burkheimer fanaticism, but it's becoming all consuming. I see a serious problem on the horizon.... too many rods. I've purchased the 7127 and 7134 this year and now I'm looking into the 8's. Unfortunately I'm not able to test out the rods where I'm at. I've spoken with the guys at Burkheimer about their thoughts on their 8 weight rods, but I'd like to hear your thoughts too!

For those fishing the CFB 8133-3, 8139-3, 8128-4, 8134-4, 8139-4, 8142-4, 8152-4 -- what do you think of their personalities? Are they long line rods, winter skagit rods, very versatile? We all know they're great rods, but what are their subtle differences besides length and grain window? I'd like a rod over 13-1/2' and one that is great at casting Fall Favorite 70's and Compact Skagits too.

Thanks

The 8133-3 was one of Kerry's first spey rod designs it has a massive load range I have cast it with everything from a 9-10-11 windcutter to a 6-7 midspey and it did it all well. It's on the strongish end of being an 8 wt but it is very full flexing throws a 570 skagit maybe even a 600.
it handles any length of head just fine.

the 8139-3 if similar to the 8133-3 maybe a touch slower due to it;s length but still a very powerful 8wt with a similar load carrying ability.

the 8128-4 is a great little 8wt is great with a 540 skagit or a 480-510 scandi i imagine a fall favorite 55 would work well too. people not used to long bellies on short rods might struggle with the 70 footer. it's enough rod for winter runs but small enough to use on summers, even small summers. a true delight to cast.

The 8134-4 is the workhorse 8 wt 570 skagit all day long with just about any tip and fly combination if you want a dedicated winter tip rod this is it.

the 8142-2 still throws the same lines as the 8134-4 but is a touch lighter in action and is faster a great rod for floating line work on larger rivers also a great rod for tips in locations where you have the room for the longer rod

the 8152-4 designed with the 8-9 delta long this is the long line rod of choice for larger rivers. designed for the Clearwater and Thompson. Long floating lines and long casts.

none of our 8wts are designed for Chinook fishing. we STRONGLY!!!! encourage people to buy 9 or 10 wts for that.. There is a big difference between what you can do and what you should do. Fishing an area where chinook are present while steelhead fishing the two 3 piece rods are the better choices.

 

[Big Tuna]

8139-3

Nextcast WA 45 8/9 and Compact Skagit 600 gr

 

[SSPey]

Rob skipped the 8139-4. This rod is almost a 7/8 wt, less powerful and loads easier than the 8139-3, really easy to time and feel. This is a good choice if the 8139-3 and 8142-4 feel too strong and/or fast. The easy rider.

 

[SLSS]

I've got the 8134 and the 8139.

This thread makes me aware of how much more I have to learn. And I like that.

Boredom is my enemy.

 

[SteelheadJunky]

8142 I have two
It is very like my old sage 8150 but with more zoom.
Burkies
7115 great for Atlantic salmon from a boat, scandi & skagit w/tips
7134* favorite for the Grande Ronde, OR - scandi, mid- belly lines
8142* favorite for the Clearwater River in Idaho, any line around 600 gr
8152 great for my long belly Delta long lines 8/9
9145* favorite for the Skeena in BC, skagit tip 15' tips
9149-3 my first Burkie that I built in 1999, took a 42" on the Bulkley River in 2000, Delta 9/10

 

[TheWhiteman]

Fall Favorite 70's and Compact Skagits too.

All the rods you've mentioned can handle just about any line you throw on them give or take. That being said if you're going to spend most of your time with a longer line or a FF70 you'd be hard pressed to pass up the 8152 or 8142.

I haven't tried the 8142 but I really love my 8152

 

[esudol]

Comparisons?

SHJ,
Any comparison of the Burkheimer to the ONE, Z-AXIS or boron rods that are out there in the 14-ft lengths? I like longlines in the summer and sink-tips in the winter. Thanks.

 

[Eckman]

I'm new to the Burkheimer fanaticism, but it's becoming all consuming. I see a serious problem on the horizon.... too many rods. I've purchased the 7127 and 7134 this year and now I'm looking into the 8's. Unfortunately I'm not able to test out the rods where I'm at. I've spoken with the guys at Burkheimer about their thoughts on their 8 weight rods, but I'd like to hear your thoughts too!

For those fishing the CFB 8133-3, 8139-3, 8128-4, 8134-4, 8139-4, 8142-4, 8152-4 -- what do you think of their personalities? Are they long line rods, winter skagit rods, very versatile? We all know they're great rods, but what are their subtle differences besides length and grain window? I'd like a rod over 13-1/2' and one that is great at casting Fall Favorite 70's and Compact Skagits too.

Thanks

Without doubt, not even close, the 8134-4 was the hardest rod to dial in. If you want to throw big stuff I love the Nextcast coastal 600 F1 with 12’ of T-14. Boom!!!