Overview

The Echo Trout X is a 4-piece trout rod designed by Tim Rajeff to cast well at any distance. Most trout rods are tuned for casts of 30 to 50 feet. The Trout X uses Echo's Variable Sweet Spot (VSS) action instead: every inch of the blank gets progressively stiffer from the tip to the butt, so there is no single sweet spot, and a good caster can change the stroke to get the line speed and loop size each cast needs, close in or far out.

Echo built it with the advanced caster in mind, and newer anglers will grow into it. The blank has a mist green gloss finish with matching thread, lightweight chrome snake guides and SiC stripping guides that help line shoot on the double haul, and a burl wood reel seat insert. The 7'6" 3 wt has a slim half wells cork grip and the other four models an extended half wells grip. We carry all five models Echo makes, from a 7'6" 3 wt to a 9' 6 wt.

Which Trout X Should You Choose?

Small streams and pocket water with bushy dries and short, accurate casts: ECHOTRTX376 (7'6" 3 wt).

Mountain streams, technical pocket water and light tippets: ECHOTRTX484 (8'4" 4 wt).

Spring creeks and selective trout on medium to larger rivers: ECHOTRTX490 (9' 4 wt).

One rod for most trout fishing, from 6X tippet to streamers and indicator rigs: ECHOTRTX590 (9' 5 wt).

Wind, distance, heavy flies and big nymph rigs: ECHOTRTX690 (9' 6 wt).

Echo Trout X Specs

Echo Trout X Models

ECHOTRTX376 - 7'6" 3 wt

The shortest and lightest Trout X, for small streams and freestone pocket water where casts are short, quick and need to be accurate. Tim Rajeff kept it from being overly stiff so it still flexes and loads with only a little line out of the tip.

Best for: small streams, freestone pocket water, bushy dries, short accurate casts.

Line pairing: A 3 wt weight-forward floating trout line; Echo rates this rod's line stiffness at 3.3, and suggests a lighter line for an aggressive stroke or a heavier one for a smooth, long stroke. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Creek Trout (WF3F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Double Taper (DT3F).

ECHOTRTX484 - 8'4" 4 wt

Echo calls this the 'shorter' 4 wt: designed to protect light tippet and to work on all but the largest rivers, with the short length that suits mountain streams and technical pocket water.

Best for: mountain streams, technical pocket water, finicky trout on small to medium rivers.

Line pairing: A 4 wt weight-forward floating trout line; Echo rates this rod's line stiffness at 4.3, and suggests a lighter line for an aggressive stroke or a heavier one for a smooth, long stroke. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Expert (WF4F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF4F).

ECHOTRTX490 - 9' 4 wt

The 9' 4 wt is the Trout X Echo expects you to take to spring creeks, or to very selective trout on medium to larger rivers. The extra length helps with line control and mending, and the light line weight lets you land big fish on light tippet.

Best for: spring creeks, selective trout on medium to larger rivers, mending and line control.

Line pairing: A 4 wt weight-forward floating trout line; Echo rates this rod's line stiffness at 4.3, and suggests a lighter line for an aggressive stroke or a heavier one for a smooth, long stroke. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Expert (WF4F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF4F).

ECHOTRTX590 - 9' 5 wt

The all-around Trout X. It casts 5X and 6X tippet delicately, yet it is stiff enough for streamers, hopper-dropper rigs and indicators in all but the windiest conditions. Echo calls it the half-ton pickup truck of fly rods.

Best for: all-around trout fishing, dries to streamers, hopper-dropper and indicator rigs.

Line pairing: A 5 wt weight-forward floating trout line; Echo rates this rod's line stiffness at 5.4, and suggests a lighter line for an aggressive stroke or a heavier one for a smooth, long stroke. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF5F) or the RIO Elite Gold (WF5F).

ECHOTRTX690 - 9' 6 wt

Reach for the 6 wt when there is wind, when you need distance, or when you are throwing big, heavy flies or big nymph and indicator rigs.

Best for: wind, long casts, big heavy flies, big nymph and indicator rigs.

Line pairing: A 6 wt weight-forward floating trout line; Echo rates this rod's line stiffness at 6.5, and suggests a lighter line for an aggressive stroke or a heavier one for a smooth, long stroke. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF6F).

Trout X vs Other Echo Trout Rods

Echo's action and power chart places the Trout X between medium-fast and fast at mid power. The Echo Boost Fresh is faster and more powerful, built for aggressive casters who want maximum line speed. The Echo Carbon XL sits between medium and medium-fast and is Echo's well-rounded rod for anglers of every skill level, and the Echo Lift is Echo's value trout rod for learning the game. If you need a rod that packs small, see the 8-piece Echo TRIP Trout.

Echo Trout X FAQ

What is Variable Sweet Spot?

Echo's name for a progressive action in which every inch of the rod gets stiffer from the tip to the butt. Instead of one sweet spot tuned for a set distance, the rod loads and casts at short, medium and long range, and the caster adjusts the stroke for the line speed and loop size needed.

Is the Trout X a good rod for a beginner?

Echo describes the VSS action as one that entry-level anglers and beginner casters will grow into, but it is optimized for more advanced casters. If you are just starting, the Echo Lift or Carbon XL is the easier first rod.

Which weight should I choose?

The 9' 5 wt for most trout fishing, the 7'6" 3 wt for small streams, the 8'4" 4 wt for mountain streams and light tippet, the 9' 4 wt for spring creeks, and the 9' 6 wt for wind, distance and big flies.

Which line should I use?

A floating trout line in the rod's rated weight suits most anglers. Echo publishes a line stiffness rating for each model and says aggressive casters can go a little lighter and smooth, long-stroke casters a little heavier.

What is the warranty?

The Trout X is covered by Echo's lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the original owner, when the rod is bought from an authorized dealer. If the rod breaks in normal fishing use, Echo repairs or replaces it for a service fee that varies by model, and the fee is waived if the cause turns out to be a defect.