Overview

The Echo EPR is built for big flies, big fish and big wind. Echo developed it with bass and musky angler Pat Ehlers and calls it the fastest, most powerful rod it has ever produced. The super-fast tip loads quickly for short shots, and the bottom section has the power for distance and heavy lifting when you need it.

Every EPR is a 9' 4-piece travel rod with an extra-fast action, built on a lightweight, high-modulus graphite blank with stainless guides, a SiC stripping guide, a full wells cork grip and a maintenance-free aluminum reel seat. It comes in a fabric-covered rod case with a rod sock. We carry all seven models, 6 wt to 12 wt, from trout streamers and bass bugs to musky, tarpon and permit.

Which EPR Should You Choose?

Trout streamers and moderate-sized bass flies: ECHOEPR690 (9' 6 wt).

Trout streamers and larger bass flies: ECHOEPR790 (9' 7 wt).

One rod for big streamers, inshore saltwater and light flats work: ECHOEPR890 (9' 8 wt), or ECHOEPR990 (9' 9 wt) for bigger fish.

Casting the really big flies: ECHOEPR1090 (9' 10 wt).

Musky or tarpon: ECHOEPR1190 (9' 11 wt).

Bigger tarpon, permit and musky: ECHOEPR1290 (9' 12 wt).

Echo EPR Specs

Echo EPR Models

ECHOEPR690 - 9' 6 wt

The lightest EPR, at 4.0 oz on Echo's spec card. Echo pitches it for trout streamers and moderate-sized bass flies, and the quick tip still loads for short shots at the bank.

Best for: trout streamers, moderate-sized bass flies, windy days on a 6 wt.

Line pairing: A 6 wt floating line with a heavy front taper to carry big streamers and bass bugs, or a sink tip to get streamers down. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F).

ECHOEPR790 - 9' 7 wt

The 7 wt steps up to moderate and larger bass flies while staying a practical trout streamer rod. Echo lists it at 4.2 oz.

Best for: trout streamers, moderate to larger bass flies.

Line pairing: A 7 wt floating line built for big flies, such as a bass bug or long-taper streamer line, or a sink tip. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF7F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Bass Bug (WF7F).

ECHOEPR890 - 9' 8 wt

Echo calls the 8 wt the all-rounder of the series: big streamers on lakes and rivers, inshore saltwater and light work on the flats.

Best for: big streamers on lakes and rivers, inshore saltwater, light flats fishing.

Line pairing: An 8 wt weight-forward floating saltwater line for the flats, or a long-taper floating line for big streamers. We recommend the SA Amplitude Textured Bonefish (WF8F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF8F).

ECHOEPR990 - 9' 9 wt

Echo gives the 9 wt the same all-round brief as the 8 wt, with more lift for bigger fish: big streamers, inshore saltwater and the flats.

Best for: big streamers, inshore saltwater, flats fishing with bigger targets.

Line pairing: A 9 wt weight-forward floating saltwater line, tropical or all-round. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Tropical Jungle Titan (WF9F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF9F).

ECHOEPR1090 - 9' 10 wt

In Echo's words, the 10 wt is for when you need to cast the really big stuff.

Best for: the biggest flies and big fish, fresh or salt.

Line pairing: A 10 wt weight-forward floating saltwater line, such as a tarpon or striper taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF10F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Striper (WF10F).

ECHOEPR1190 - 9' 11 wt

Echo says the 11 wt is the favorite size of musky anglers and tarpon anglers alike.

Best for: musky, tarpon.

Line pairing: An 11 wt floating line with a short, heavy head: a tarpon line in the salt or a pike and musky line in freshwater. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Tarpon (WF11F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Tropical Jungle Titan (WF11F).

ECHOEPR1290 - 9' 12 wt

The 12 wt is the most powerful rod in the Echo lineup, according to Echo, for bigger tarpon, permit and musky.

Best for: bigger tarpon, permit, musky.

Line pairing: A 12 wt tarpon or tropical floating line, or a pike and musky line for freshwater. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Tarpon (WF12F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Tropical Titan (WF12F).

EPR vs Other Echo Big Fish Rods

The EPR is Echo's fastest and most powerful rod and covers both freshwater and saltwater from 6 to 12 wt. If you fish mostly on the flats, the Echo Prime is Echo's flagship saltwater rod, built for quick shots, and the Echo Boost Blue is a fast-action saltwater series for aggressive casters. For trout streamers, the Echo Streamer X was designed from Kelly Galloup's blueprint for accuracy with big, heavy flies. Musky specialists should also look at the Echo Musky, an 11 wt in two lengths built for casting huge flies and running figure eights at the boat. For a fiberglass option, see the Echo Bad Ass Glass Quickshot.

Echo EPR FAQ

What is the EPR built for?

Big flies, big fish and big wind. The fast tip loads at short range, and the powerful bottom section handles distance and heavy lifting.

What action is the EPR?

Extra-fast. Echo calls it the fastest, most powerful rod it has ever produced.

Can I fish the EPR in saltwater?

Yes. Echo positions the 8 and 9 wt for inshore and light flats fishing, and the 11 and 12 wt for tarpon and permit as well as musky. Rinse the rod after a salt trip; Echo's warranty does not cover saltwater corrosion.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. The EPR comes in a fabric-covered rod case with a rod sock.

What is the warranty?

The rod is covered by Echo's lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the original owner, when bought from an authorized dealer. If it breaks in normal fishing use, Echo repairs or replaces it for a service fee that varies by model.

Which weight should I choose?

The 6 or 7 wt for trout streamers and bass, the 8 wt as an all-rounder for big streamers and inshore saltwater, the 10 wt for the biggest flies, and the 11 or 12 wt for musky and tarpon.