Overview

The Mangrove Coast is Flip Pallot's signature saltwater fly rod from Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO), and the follow-up to the original TFO Mangrove. Pallot kept the idea that made the first rod work: a moderate-fast action with a wide casting window, so the rod forgives a cast that is a little early or late, starts loading quickly, and still has a strong butt section for fighting fish. TFO aims it at newer and intermediate saltwater anglers chasing fish on the flats.

Every Mangrove Coast is a 9' 4-piece rod with a full wells cork grip, a fighting butt and an aluminum up-locking reel seat with built-in hook keepers. FUJI Concept-O stripping guides and chromium-impregnated snake guides stand up to salt, and a burled cork LINE-ID marker in the grip tells you the line weight at a glance. TFO builds the series from 6 to 12 wt; we carry the 7 through 12 wt.

Which Mangrove Coast Should You Choose?

Bonefish, redfish and snook on calm days, smaller flies: TF 07 90 4 MC (9' 7 wt).

One rod for the flats, bonefish, redfish and schoolie stripers: TF 08 90 4 MC (9' 8 wt).

Windier flats, redfish, snook, stripers and permit: TF 09 90 4 MC (9' 9 wt).

Permit, larger snook, baby tarpon and bigger flies: TF 10 90 4 MC (9' 10 wt).

Tarpon and other large saltwater species: TF 11 90 4 MC (9' 11 wt), or TF 12 90 4 MC (9' 12 wt) for the biggest fish.

TFO Mangrove Coast Specs

TFO Mangrove Coast Models

TF 07 90 4 MC - 9' 7 wt

The lightest Mangrove Coast we carry, and the one to reach for when the wind is down and the fish are spooky. A 7 wt sets a smaller fly down quietly, which suits tailing bonefish, redfish and snook along the edges. It weighs 3.9 oz.

Best for: bonefish, redfish and snook on calm days, lighter saltwater fishing.

Line pairing: A 7 wt weight-forward floating saltwater line with a bonefish or redfish taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Textured Bonefish (WF7F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Redfish Warm (WF7F).

TF 08 90 4 MC - 9' 8 wt

The classic flats size, and the one most anglers buy first. In Trident's test of the 9' 8 wt, the rod felt smooth with a slightly soft tip and was very accurate inside 60 feet, though it ran out of steam near 80 feet and with bulky flies in wind. That makes it a rod for the short to medium shots that most flats fishing comes down to. It weighs 4.0 oz.

Best for: bonefish, redfish and schoolie stripers, an all-round flats rod.

Line pairing: An 8 wt weight-forward floating bonefish taper; Trident's reviewer paired it with SA Amplitude Bonefish and RIO Technical Bonefish. We recommend the SA Amplitude Textured Bonefish (WF8F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Bonefish Plus (WF8F).

TF 09 90 4 MC - 9' 9 wt

A step up in power for windier flats, bigger flies and bigger fish. The 9 wt covers redfish, snook and stripers and gives you a fair shot at permit. It weighs 4.2 oz.

Best for: redfish, permit, snook and stripers, windy flats.

Line pairing: A 9 wt weight-forward floating saltwater line with a short, powerful head for wind. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF9F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Tropical Jungle Titan (WF9F).

TF 10 90 4 MC - 9' 10 wt

The 10 wt handles larger flies and more wind than the 9 wt, with the butt strength to lift heavier fish. It is a common choice for permit, bigger snook and baby tarpon. It weighs 4.3 oz.

Best for: permit, larger snook, baby tarpon, bigger flies.

Line pairing: A 10 wt weight-forward floating line; a tarpon or all-round tropical taper both work. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Tarpon (WF10F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF10F).

TF 11 90 4 MC - 9' 11 wt

The 11 wt is built for tarpon and other large saltwater species, with the backbone to turn big fish and cast heavy flies. It weighs 4.7 oz.

Best for: tarpon and other large saltwater species.

Line pairing: An 11 wt weight-forward floating tarpon taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Tarpon (WF11F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Tarpon (WF11F).

TF 12 90 4 MC - 9' 12 wt

The heaviest Mangrove Coast, for the largest tarpon and the biggest flies. It weighs 4.9 oz.

Best for: big tarpon and other large saltwater species.

Line pairing: A 12 wt weight-forward floating tarpon taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Tarpon (WF12F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Tarpon (WF12F).

Mangrove Coast vs Other TFO Fly Rods

The Mangrove Coast replaces the original TFO Mangrove, keeping its forgiving casting style with better materials and components. Above it sits the TFO Moment, TFO's flagship saltwater rod; Trident's Moment review points to the Mangrove Coast as a lighter, livelier alternative. If you want one rod that crosses over from bass and streamers to light saltwater, TFO rates the 8 wt TFO Dispatch for that work.

TFO Mangrove Coast FAQ

What action is the Mangrove Coast?

Moderate-fast, per TFO. Some retailers list it as fast; we go by TFO's rating.

How is it different from the original TFO Mangrove?

The Mangrove Coast keeps the original Mangrove's casting idea, a wide casting window that forgives less-than-perfect timing, but uses improved materials and components.

Which weight should I choose?

The 8 wt for bonefish, redfish and general flats fishing, the 7 wt for calm days and smaller flies, the 9 or 10 wt for wind, permit and bigger flies, and the 11 or 12 wt for tarpon.

Does it come with a case?

Yes, a rod sock and a rod tube.

What is the warranty?

TFO's Full Lifetime Warranty covers breakage from defects in materials and workmanship for the registered owner, repaired or replaced at no charge. Accidents and normal wear are not covered, but TFO will supply a new rod or replacement section for a replacement fee. Keep your proof of purchase.

Does every model have a fighting butt?

Yes. Every Mangrove Coast has a full wells cork grip and a fighting butt.