Redington Vice 590-4 Review: The Wind Rod
Buy it if you fish wind, weighted nymph rigs or small streamers and you already cast a repeatable loop. Skip it if you are learning, because a fast action turns a rushed stroke into a collapsed loop and you will spend a season blaming your casting for a rod mismatch.
A fast 9 foot 5 weight with a lifetime warranty, and why a beginner should not start here.
Redington Vice Fly Rod 590-4, 5 weight 9 foot 4 piece
Under $500
Redington's fast 9 foot 5 weight in four pieces, with a machined aluminum seat, a cordura tube and a lifetime warranty.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Configuration | 5 weight, 9 foot, 4 piece (model 590-4) |
|---|---|
| Action | Fast, described by Redington as easy casting fast action |
| Reel seat | Anodized machined aluminum, stated as suitable for all water conditions |
| Identification | Laser etched 5-5021T-590-4 reference on the reel seat |
| Case | Durable cordura rod tube with built in rod dividers |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty |
| Budget | Under $500 |
Specifications above come from Redington's published description of the Vice. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Line speed is the only thing that reliably beats wind, and a fast blank is how you get it.
- A machined aluminum seat rather than a moulded one, which is the component most likely to fail on a rod that lives in salt spray or grit.
- A cordura tube with dividers is included, so all four sections travel without rubbing against each other.
- The lifetime warranty is the reason a lot of people buy Redington, and it is stated plainly rather than buried.
Where it falls short
- A fast action punishes a beginner. It does not load properly with a short line outside the tip, which means the short casts a new angler makes most often are the casts this rod does worst.
- Fast rods are less forgiving on the hookset. On 5X and 6X tippet you are relying on the tippet and the drag to cushion a take rather than the blank, which costs fish until you adapt.
- Redington publishes no blank weight or swing weight we could source for this model, so we will not state one.
- At under $500 you are choosing action, not quality. The moderate rods beside it are not worse, they are for a different day.
What owners report
Published owner reviews of the Vice divide almost perfectly along a line you can predict from the action. Experienced casters report it as crisp, powerful and better than its price suggests, and specifically mention throwing tight loops into wind. Newer anglers report it as stiff and hard to feel, and several say so in reviews that otherwise praise the build. Both groups are describing the same rod accurately.
The second consistent theme is the warranty. Redington's lifetime cover comes up repeatedly in published reviews, usually from owners who have actually used it, and it is a meaningful part of why this rod holds its reputation.
How it fits with the rest of your kit
If you are buying a fast rod because you fish wind, the question underneath it is whether you should be buying a 6 weight instead, and the 5 weight against 6 weight comparison is the honest version of that argument: a 6 weight carries roughly 14 percent more mass in the first 30 feet, and that mass is what turns a rig over. Run your conditions through the line weight calculator before you assume a fast 5 is the answer.
Fast rods are also fussier about line. A half size heavy line like the Amplitude MPX exists precisely to load blanks like this one at close range. For the moderate alternatives, the Echo Carbon-XL and the Redington Classic Trout are the two worth reading, and the 5 weight roundup ranks the field.
Who it suits
- Anglers who fish exposed water where wind is normal rather than occasional.
- Indicator nymphers throwing two flies and split shot.
- Casters with a repeatable stroke who want to feel a rod recover quickly.
Who should skip it
- First season anglers. Buy a medium-fast or moderate rod and come back to this in a year.
- Dry fly specialists on flat water, where a fast tip lands a size 20 more heavily than a soft one.
- Anyone fishing 6X regularly without a well set drag, because the blank cushions less than a moderate one.
Alternatives worth considering
ECHO Carbon-XL Fly Rod 9 foot #5
Under $500
A moderate 9 foot 5 weight for anyone who found the Vice stiff. It loads at short range where most fish are caught, and it is the better rod for a developing stroke.
Check price on AmazonRedington Wrangler Fly Rod, 5 weight 9 foot, 4 piece
Under $250
Redington's cheaper 9 foot 5 weight at under $250 with the same brand's warranty behind it. Less refined hardware, same lifetime cover, same water covered.
Check price on AmazonTemple Fork Outfitters Blue Ribbon 5 weight 9 foot 4 piece (TF-05-90-4-BR)
Under $500
Moderate-fast rather than fast, which is the compromise for someone who fishes wind sometimes but dry flies most of the time.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- 5 weight against 6 weight fly rod
- Line weight calculator
- Best 5 weight fly rod
- Echo Carbon-XL review
- Amplitude MPX fly line review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Redington Vice good for beginners?
No, and this is the most useful thing on the page. A fast action needs a fair amount of line outside the tip to load, so the 20 to 30 foot casts a beginner makes most feel dead. New casters routinely conclude they are bad at casting when they have simply bought the wrong action. Start with a medium-fast or moderate rod, then buy a fast one when wind gives you a reason.
Redington Vice versus Echo Carbon-XL, which should I buy?
Buy the Vice for wind, weighted rigs and streamers. Buy the Carbon-XL for dry flies, short range work and a stroke that is still forming. They are the same price and neither is better in the abstract. If most of your fishing is inside 45 feet on sheltered water, the Carbon-XL is the more enjoyable rod to own.
Does the Redington lifetime warranty cover breakage?
Redington states a lifetime warranty on the rod, which is the main reason many owners choose the brand. Warranty terms and any handling fees change over time, so read the current policy on Redington's own site before you rely on it, and keep the reel seat reference number, which is laser etched on this model for exactly that purpose.
What line works best on a fast 5 weight?
Often a line built a half size heavy. Manufacturers overweight many nominal 5 weight lines on purpose so fast rods load at the 25 to 35 foot range where most fish are caught, and Scientific Anglers says so explicitly about the MPX taper. A true to standard 140 grain line on a fast blank can feel lifeless up close. The line weight calculator confirms the class, then choose the taper for the action.
Is a 5 weight enough, or do I need a 6 for wind?
A fast 5 weight handles more wind than a moderate 5 weight, but a 6 weight carries about 20 grains more in the first 30 feet, and mass is what actually punches through moving air. If wind is your normal condition rather than an occasional nuisance, a 6 weight is the more honest answer than a stiffer 5. The 5 weight against 6 weight comparison lays out where the line falls.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, line and leader standards, and verified owner reviews across retailers. We do not test gear in person, and every diameter, grain weight and breaking strength quoted here is the manufacturer's published figure unless we say otherwise, so check the spool label before you trust a number. Nothing here is professional instruction. Wading moving water is the real hazard in this sport: wear a snug wading belt, know the water temperature, and turn back rather than push through a crossing you are unsure of.
