St. Croix Imperial 9' 8-Weight Fly Rod & Reel Outfit | Bass, Steelhead & Saltwater

A Powerful 8-Weight for Big Freshwater and Light Saltwater

I really like the St. Croix Imperial 9' 8-weight fly rod when I need a powerful rod for larger freshwater fish or light saltwater fishing. The fast action gives you excellent line control and plenty of power for casting larger flies, while the SCIV carbon construction keeps the rod surprisingly light in your hand. For an 8-weight at this price, I think it is an outstanding value.

This is a very versatile 8-weight fly rod and reel outfit for steelhead, bass, redfish, Atlantic salmon, and other powerful fish. It is well suited for fishing the Outer Banks, Chesapeake Bay, Alaska, and Atlantic salmon rivers. For saltwater anglers who normally fish flies smaller than about 2/0, this rod provides an excellent combination of power, casting performance, and value.

Why This Outfit Excels

• Fast Action: The fast action provides the line speed and power needed to cast larger flies and make longer casts in windy conditions.
• Big Freshwater Fish: An excellent choice for bass, steelhead, Atlantic salmon, and other strong freshwater species.
• Light Saltwater: Well suited for redfish and other inshore saltwater fishing where flies are generally smaller than about 2/0.
• Travel Ready: The 4-piece design makes this 9' 8-weight convenient to transport while still providing the performance of a full-length rod.
• Made in the USA: The Imperial is built with high-modulus SCIV carbon and crafted in the USA.
• Excellent Value: A powerful, lightweight 8-weight at a price that makes it an excellent choice for anglers who want serious performance without moving into the highest-priced rods.

Complete Fly Rod & Reel Outfit Includes

• St. Croix Imperial IU908/4: 9' 8-weight, 4-piece fly rod with protective rod case and 15-year warranty
• Orvis Battenkill Disc IV: Fly reel with disc drag - Black, Copper or Olive
• Scientific Anglers Sonar Titan: WF-8-I full-sink intermediate fly line
• Scientific Anglers Backing: 20-pound, 100 yards

Recommended Leader

For larger flies and stronger fish, I recommend the Murray's Big Game 9' 15-pound Leader with this 8-weight outfit. It is a good match for bass, steelhead, Atlantic salmon, redfish, and other situations where you need a stronger leader.

Free Custom Shop Rigging

We provide free professional spooling so your fly rod and reel outfit is ready to fish when it arrives.

How to Order: Please select your Reeling Hand preference.

Reeling Hand: Select the hand you use to crank the fly reel. The other hand will hold the rod. Choose Left or Right.

If you plan to put the fly line on the reel yourself after your outfit arrives, select “No Line on My Reel.” We will ship the reel, fly line, and backing separately, without the line or backing being spooled onto the reel.

Saltwater Care

If you use this outfit in saltwater, I recommend thoroughly rinsing the fly rod and reel with fresh water after each day of fishing. This helps remove salt and sand and helps protect your equipment and extend its life.

The St. Croix Imperial 9' 8-weight fly rod and reel outfit is an excellent choice for anglers looking for a powerful and versatile 8-weight for bass, steelhead, Atlantic salmon, redfish, and light saltwater fly fishing. Its fast action, lightweight SCIV construction, and 4-piece design make it a particularly good value for anglers who want one outfit capable of handling a wide range of larger fish.