The Moonshine Rod Co. has gone under the radar, but we believe it deserves greater recognition!
The team of the Moonshine Rod Company is to make fly fishing more accessible by producing high-quality, high-performance rods at reasonable costs.
It seems exciting that they develop and manufacture their own line of fly fishing rods. Therefore, we couldn’t wait to learn more about these rods and write a review for you.
Here is our comprehensive analysis of Moonshine fly rods so you can determine if they offer the correct fly rod for you!
The Moonshine Rod Company, Inc.
The Moonshine Rods Company is an up-and-coming fly rod maker that takes pleasure in manufacturing affordable fly rods of exceptional quality. There are two specialized rod makers on the Moonshine fly rods team, consisting of four individuals. They describe themselves as a “small batch blue-collar fly fishing rod manufacturer.”
All of their products are designed in Virginia, and a portion of their manufacture is outsourced to a respected firm in China in order to keep costs down. However, all finishing, final details, and manufacturing inspections are performed in Virginia, the United States, to guarantee that each rod satisfies the company’s exacting requirements.
Moonshine fly rods are crafted from the finest South Korean carbon, Japanese glass, and graphite, which have been sourced with care to produce quality, long-lasting rods.
The Moonshine Company is now producing a variety of fly rods, including their premier fly rod, the Midnight Special. Their other rod lines include the Drifter, Epiphany, Outcast, and Revival. In this study, we will examine the characteristics and benefits of each of their products and how they compare to other fly rods on the market.
Moonshine Rods Review:
As the firm creates in tiny batches, the products accessible on its website fluctuate over time. But here are the currently manufactured Moonshine fly rods:
Drifter Rod
Available Sizes
- 7′ 6″ 3 WT
- 8′ 6″ 4 WT
- 9′ 0″ 5 WT
- 10′ 0″ 5 WT
- 11′ 0″ 5 WT
- 9′ 0″ 6 WT
- 10′ 0″ 7 WT
- 11′ 0″ 7 WT
- 9′ 0″ 8 WT
- 9′ 0″ 9 WT
- 9′ 0″ 10 WT
- 10′ 0″ 8 WT
- 10′ 0″ 7 WT
The Drifter is a set of medium-action, 4-piece graphite rods intended for best performance at an affordable price. If you enjoy vintage fly rods, the Drifter is for you. It harkens back to the golden age of fly fishing with its traditional appearance, dark brown blank, and hand-turned burl.
The Drifter rod is constructed with anodized copper hardware, a high-quality cork handle, and a burl reel seat, making it durable and long-lasting. The dyed finish highlights the rod’s innate beauty. You also receive a durable canvas rod case and an additional tip section (because accidents do occur!)
However, the Drifter rod is not only for appearances! The Moonshine team has perfected the motion, making it easy for any angler, regardless of expertise, to cast their lures. The medium action is the ideal balance of power and flexibility, and the accuracy is impeccable.
Epiphany Fly Rod
Available Sizes
- 10′ 0″ 2 WT
- 10′ 6″ 3 WT
The Epiphany is the Euro-nymphing rod from Moonshine. Whether you’re a nymphing novice or have been fishing Czech/European style nymphing for a while, this rod is perfect for you! With a sensitive tip and a robust butt section, you’ll be able to safeguard your tipper when reeling in larger fish.
It is sensitive enough for you to feel precisely what is going on on the riverbed, allowing you to avoid missing any hits. In contrast, the butt portion feels more like a five-weight and has ample backbone.
This four-piece graphite rod boasts superior craftsmanship and a flawless matte finish, designed to limit brightness and keep fish from being alarmed. The matte black blanks are accented by the dyed burl wood finish and the reel seat made of burl. It is available with 10′ or 10’6″ lengths in 2-weight and 3-weight fly rods. It lacks a few alignment dots, but this is not a major issue.
The Moonshine team enjoys listening to its clients, and practically every nymph angler wants a simple rod to balance. For this reason, the Epiphany is now offered in two distinct configurations: a downlocking fly fishing rod and an uplocking variant with a removable fighting butt. Choose the model that suits you best, and you’ll be ready for some spectacular tightline nymphing.
Outcast Fly Rod
Available Sizes
- 9′ 0″ 6 WT
- 9′ 0″ 8 WT
- 9′ 0″ 10 WT
The Outcast is Moonshine’s hybrid saltwater fly rod, intended to survive all weather conditions and corrosive saltwater environments. This rod is constructed from corrosion-resistant, high-quality components.
It is strong enough to pursue bonefish, tarpon, and barracudas, and it can also be used for freshwater fly fishing, making it a flexible option for any angler. The Outcast’s quick action and aggressive taper are the ideal mixes, delivering all the necessary strength and a stunning level of flexibility and sensitivity.
The Outcast is available in three 9-foot-long sizes: 6 weight, 8 weight, and 10 weight. It is crafted from anodized hardware and features an AAA-grade cork grip with full wells. The battling butt is robust enough to battle large fish and cast those weighty saltwater flies. With its teal hue and matte finish, this fly rod is elegant and appealing.
Revival Fly Rod
Available Sizes
- 7′ 0″ 3 WT
- 8′ 0″ 5 WT
Fly rods made of fiberglass formerly dominated the market, but now they are making a comeback. The Revival is the Moonshine fiberglass fly rod with slower action, making it ideal for any angler who wants to appreciate the pleasure of fly fishing.
As with other Moonshine products, two tip sections and a canvas rod box with dividers are included. However, the Revival features great elasticity, a vintage orange/brown blank, copper anodized hardware, and hand-spalled burl wood. Available in a 3-weight 7′ or 5-weight 8′ variant, the Revival will remind you (in a good way) of the rod your grandfather fished with. It looks amazing and constantly operates with incredible precision.
Special Moonshine Midnight Fly Rod
Available Sizes
- 7′ 6″ 3 WT
- 8′ 6″ 4 WT
- 9′ 0″ 4 WT
- 9′ 0″ 5 WT
- 9′ 0″ 6 WT
- 9′ 0″ 7 WT
- 9′ 0″ 8 WT
The Midnight Special is Moonshine’s crowning achievement and their most popular rod ever, so we were eager to evaluate it. This fly rod was designed with a great deal of time, effort, and expertise, resulting in a fast-action beast with astounding accuracy. With a rapid tip and mid-body flex, those long-distance casts will be a breeze, and your fly will land just where you want it to.
Each Midnight Special fly rod is completed with meticulous attention to detail and is available as a completely customized fly rod. Available in weights ranging from 3 weight to 8 weight and lengths from 7’6 to 10′, you may pick the fishing rod that best meets your needs. The Midnight Special is just $299, which may be paid in full or in four interest-free installments.
The Moonshine Midnight Special is just what you need if you want to elevate your game, cast further, and improve your presentation!
Moonshine Swag
If you’re a huge Moonshine fan, you’ll adore the fact that they sell a variety of goods. From their colorful stickers to their comfortable T-shirts, the Moonshine website has it all. In addition, there are caps, sweatshirts, and mugs featuring the iconic Moonshine emblem.
Not in search of anything for oneself, A ‘Fish More, Work Less’ T-shirt might be the ideal present for a passionate angler in your life.
Support for Moonshine Customers
A key advantage of purchasing a fly rod from Moonshine is the exceptional customer service. The team clearly lives and breathes fly fishing and is eager to assist you with any queries or issues. The prompt, attentive, and friendly service is a distinct advantage.
Moonshine’s Permanent Warranty
The men at Moonshine Rod Co. are cognizant of the fact that rod pieces can break. As you’re fly fishing all day, anything may happen — even when you’re packing your car for your next fly fishing excursion, your vehicle could sustain damage. Therefore, they have created a lifetime, no-fault warranty.
If your rod breaks as a result of a manufacturing flaw, they will repair or replace it at no cost. However, if the fracture was not caused by manufacturing or product flaws, you can still get a rod segment repaired for a competitively cheap cost. Currently, these prices are $40 for each rod section except for the Midnight Special, which costs $65 per rod section.
This reasonable and generous warranty lasts a lifetime, which is a major benefit of purchasing a Moonshine rod. You can go fly fishing without being overly careful with your fly rod. In the event of an accident, you will not have to purchase a brand-new fly rod. Phew!
FAQ on Moonshine Rods
Does Moonshine Rod Company provide a warranty?
Indeed, they do! The extended lifetime warranty applies to all Moonshine fly rods. Even better, the guarantee is faultless! No matter what happens to your rod, you can be assured that it will be repaired or replaced at a reasonable cost.
Where can I get a Moonshine Rod?
If you wish to purchase online, you may only do so via the Moonshine Rod Co. store. Nonetheless, a few brick-and-mortar fly stores carry Moonshine products.
The Final Words
The Moonshine fly rods are an excellent option for both novice and seasoned anglers on a budget. You get tremendous performance, superior workmanship, and flawless action for a fraction of the cost of some of the best fly rods.
With an extensive selection of rods, including saltwater and Euro-nymphing alternatives, there is something for everyone, regardless of their preferred style of fly fishing. You may select between the fast-action Outcast for long-distance casting strength or the medium-action Drifter for greater feel and sensitivity.
It is evident that the men at Moonshine Co. are passionate fly fishermen, and their fly rods reflect this love. None of their fly rod designs will lead you astray!