Overview

The Orvis Recon Saltwater is the workhorse saltwater rod that goes anywhere and performs everywhere, made in the USA in Orvis's Vermont rod shop. This third-generation Recon is built with construction techniques inspired by the Helios and is more than 20% stronger than the previous generation, so it holds up to boats, roof racks and long seasons in the salt without giving up castability.

Saltwater Recon rods have faster tapers than the freshwater models, a matte blue blank with light blue accents, a black type III anodized aluminum reel seat with a fighting butt, chrome snake guides and a stripping guide with a silicon carbide insert, and they ship in a nylon-covered rod tube. All six models are 9' 4-piece rods, from a 6 wt for tailing bonefish to an 11 wt for tarpon.

Which Recon Saltwater Should You Choose?

Tailing bonefish and light saltwater: 3L880551 (9' 6 wt).

Redfish, carp, bass and schoolie stripers: 3L890551 (9' 7 wt).

Bonefish, redfish and stripers: 3L9F0551 (9' 8 wt).

Bonefish, snook, permit and bluefish: 3L9H0551 (9' 9 wt).

Stripers, albies and permit in wind: 3L9J0551 (9' 10 wt).

Tarpon and hard fighters: 3MZM0551 (9' 11 wt).

Orvis Recon Saltwater Specs

Orvis Recon Saltwater Models

3L880551 - 9' 6 wt

Durable and versatile, ready for light saltwater, streamers or bass, and ideal for tailing bonefish on skinny flats or casting streamers from the bow of a drift boat.

Best for: tailing bonefish, light saltwater, streamers.

Line pairing: A 6 wt bonefish or saltwater taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Bonefish (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Bonefish (WF6F).

3L890551 - 9' 7 wt

A tough, adaptable 7 weight for streamers, bass and light saltwater: the guide's day-off rod for carp, bass, redfish and schoolie stripers.

Best for: redfish, carp, bass, schoolie stripers.

Line pairing: A 7 wt redfish or warmwater taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Redfish Warm (WF7F) or the SA Mastery MPX (WF7F).

3L9F0551 - 9' 8 wt

Built for saltwater, with reliable performance for bonefish, stripers and reds. Orvis calls it the ultimate rod for bonefish, redfish and stripers: just add salt.

Best for: bonefish, redfish, stripers.

Line pairing: An 8 wt bonefish taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Bonefish Plus (WF8F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Bonefish (WF8F).

3L9H0551 - 9' 9 wt

Built for the salt, with strength and precision for bonefish, snook, stripers, permit and bluefish.

Best for: snook, permit, big bonefish, bluefish.

Line pairing: A 9 wt saltwater taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF9F) or the RIO Elite Flats Pro (WF9F).

3L9J0551 - 9' 10 wt

Durable and precise for serious saltwater from stripers to permit, and built for windy conditions, ideal for stripers, albies and permit.

Best for: stripers, false albacore, permit in wind.

Line pairing: A 10 wt saltwater or tarpon taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Tarpon (WF10F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Infinity Salt (WF10F).

3MZM0551 - 9' 11 wt

Built for tarpon, with strength, accuracy and durability for long days on the flats. It is made for Florida Keys tarpon and other hard fighters such as GTs, roosterfish and cobia.

Best for: tarpon, giant trevally, roosterfish, cobia.

Line pairing: An 11 wt tarpon taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Tarpon (WF11F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Infinity Salt (WF11F).

Recon Saltwater vs Helios D

The Orvis Helios D is Orvis's flagship distance and saltwater rod. The Recon Saltwater gives you USA-made, Helios-inspired performance and extra durability at a lower price. For freshwater, see the Orvis Recon Freshwater.

Orvis Recon Saltwater FAQ

Do Recon Saltwater rods have a fighting butt?

Yes. Every Recon Saltwater rod has a fighting butt with a black anodized aluminum reel seat.

What is the difference between blue and olive Recon rods?

Blue Recon rods are the saltwater models on this page. Olive Recon rods are the freshwater models.

Which Recon Saltwater is best for bonefish?

The 3L9F0551 (9' 8 wt). Choose the 6 wt for tailing fish on calm, skinny flats.

What is the warranty?

Orvis covers the Recon under its 25-Year Guarantee for the original owner: Orvis repairs a broken rod, or replaces it with a model of equal or greater value if it cannot be repaired. Orvis charges a handling fee for each repair, and lost or stolen rods are not covered.