Redington 5-5016T-486-4 Fly Rod Review
Our verdict
The Redington 5-5016T-486-4 is a $199.99, 4-weight, 8'6" four-piece trout rod backed by a 4.7-star average across 573 reviews, the highest rating and largest review base among the fly rods compared here. That combination of strong buyer feedback and gear matched to trout fishing makes it a well-supported pick.
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Best for trout anglers who want an 8'6", 4-weight, four-piece rod that packs down for travel, backed by the strongest review record in this comparison, 4.7 stars across 573 reviews, at $199.99.
Skip if
Skip it if you're targeting bigger species like bass, salmon, or striped bass: the 4-weight line rating and Classic Trout color scheme are built specifically around trout, not heavier freshwater or saltwater fish.
- Material Nylon
- Weight 1.1 Pounds
- Line Weight 4
- Target Species Trout
- Technique Fly
- Size 4WT 8'6" 4PC (486-4)
- Priced 33% below the category median ($299.99 across 51 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.7/5
4.7 average across 573 owner ratings
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Popularity4.7/5
573 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other fishing gear and tackle we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
Packing a fly rod down for a hike into trout water usually means trading some backbone for portability. The Redington 5-5016T-486-4 handles that tradeoff with a 4-piece breakdown at 8'6" overall, a 4-weight line rating, and a Classic Trout color scheme, all pointing squarely at stream and river trout fishing rather than a do-everything rod.
The spec sheet backs up that focus. At 1.1 pounds and built with nylon components, medium action, and a 4-weight rating, it's set up to load a light line cleanly, useful for delicate presentations to trout rather than muscling bigger fish. The 4-piece breakdown at $199.99 also makes it easier to carry into backcountry water than a single-piece rod, without needing a full-length rod tube.
What separates this rod from the rest of the comparison is the review record: a 4.7-star average across 573 reviews is the highest rating and the largest sample among every fly rod covered here, ahead of the 4.6 stars and 575 reviews on the closest budget alternative. Bought last month is listed at 0+, so there's no fresh monthly signal, but the accumulated 573-review history is about as solid a track record as this category offers.
Pros
- 4.7-star average across 573 reviews, the highest rating and biggest sample in this comparison
- 4-piece breakdown at 8'6" makes it easy to pack for travel or backcountry trips
- 4-weight line rating matches its Classic Trout color scheme and Trout target species
- Light at 1.1 pounds for all-day casting
- Medium-action rating suits typical trout presentations
- Priced at $199.99, below the $260 to $350 premium rods in this comparison
Cons
- 4-weight rating is too light for bass, salmon, or striped bass fishing
- Nylon component material may not match the graphite blanks found on some premium trout rods
- 4-piece construction adds ferrule joints compared to a 1-piece blank
- Bought last month shows 0+, no current-month demand data beyond historical reviews
Specifications
| Material | Nylon |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.1 Pounds |
| Line Weight | 4 |
| Target Species | Trout |
| Technique | Fly |
| Size | 4WT 8'6" 4PC (486-4) |
| Color | Classic Trout |
| Pieces | 4 |
| Feature | Medium |
Performance notes
A 4-weight line rating is a classic trout-fishing spec, light enough to lay a fly down delicately on calm water but with enough lift to handle a moderate breeze, and it lines up directly with the Trout target species and Classic Trout color listed for this rod. At 1.1 pounds, it's light enough for repeated casting over a full day on the water without much arm fatigue. The medium-action rating means the rod bends through a moderate portion of the blank rather than staying stiff at the tip, a common choice for protecting light tippet against sudden strikes. Breaking down into 4 pieces at an overall 8'6" length trades a small amount of stiffness at the ferrule joints for real portability, useful for hiking into stream access points or packing for travel. The listed nylon material likely refers to components rather than the main blank, though the listing doesn't break that distinction out further.
What buyers say
A 4.7-star average across 573 reviews is the strongest combination of rating and volume in this entire fly-rod comparison, edging out even the 4.6-star, 575-review budget alternative. That pairing, a high average sustained across hundreds of reviews, is a much more reliable signal than a similar rating built on a handful of reviews, since it's harder for a small number of outlier experiences to swing the average. Bought last month is listed at 0+, so there's no additional current-demand data, but the sheer size of the existing review base speaks for itself. For $199.99, a rod with this much accumulated positive feedback represents one of the more thoroughly vetted options an angler could choose in this trout-focused category.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the 486-4 model code mean?
It reflects the rod's build: a 4-weight line rating, an 8'6" length, and a 4-piece breakdown. Combined with the Classic Trout color and Trout target species listed, it identifies this as a rod purpose-built for stream and river trout fishing rather than heavier species.
Is a 4-piece rod as good as a 1-piece rod?
A 4-piece breakdown adds ferrule joints that a 1-piece blank doesn't have, but it makes the rod far easier to transport at 8'6" overall length. For trout fishing that often involves hiking to access water, that portability tradeoff is a common and accepted one in the category.
How does the 4.7-star rating compare to other fly rods?
It's the highest rating in this comparison, and it's backed by 573 reviews, also the largest sample among the rods covered. The closest competitor is a budget Eagle rod at 4.6 stars across 575 reviews, so this Redington rod matches that review volume while posting a slightly higher average.