Tactical Long
The Tactical Long rods are 9’4” fast-action, all-purpose fly rods, built for both light saltwater and heavy freshwater applications. Available in sizes ranging from 6wt up to 10wt, these rods offer a smooth, responsive action that easily adapts to various line configurations and effortless casting experiences with floating, intermediate, and sinking lines.
The extended 9’4” length provides extra casting distance with less effort—whether you're fishing from a boat, wading from the shore, standing on a breakwall, or casting from a personal, low-profile watercraft—all while maintaining precision and control.
Designed to pair seamlessly with the most popular fly options for each line weight, these rods feature large stripping guides and oversized snake guides, which help to haul and shoot intermediate and sinking lines. A Full Wells premium cork grip with enhanced with rubberized composite trim edges provides durability and comfort. A polished silver anodized dual-locking aluminum reel seat offers saltwater-ready construction for a secure fit. A Cork fighting butt with black foam trim bottom edge provides extra leverage during intense battles. Striking ocean blue wraps with silver trim offer a sleek, refined finish.
With many common sinking line options sized in grain weights, it is important to build rods that have a clear grain window in addition to a line weight rating. Tactical Long rods are designed to fit into a line weight class but also rated with their best grain weight match.
Whether you're targeting powerful saltwater species or aggressive freshwater predators, the Tactical Long rods deliver the versatility, distance, and strength to master any fishing environment.
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Designed by Joe Goodspeed, Diamondback Rod Designer
Tactical Long
Fatigue-Free Casting Experience
Launch precision long, smooth casts with tight loops and reduce fatigue during long casting sessions, without compromising strength or performance.
Versatile Long Range Performance
Easily adapt to different line setups in both light saltwater and heavy freshwater environments, covering large areas and reaching distant targets.
High-Quality Craftsmanship at Great Value
Crafted with premium materials and meticulous attention to detail, yielding in top-tier durability, responsiveness, and performance.
I've been throwing smaller dungeons on a 7wt tactical long and it can cast sa sonar int/3/5 a country mile... The little extra length provides the right tip and taper to hook up stern on a fish and keep him pinned. And the lower portion of the rod really lifts sink line in one haul and shoot. This rod probably just retired my other 7wt. Nice job Joe 👍
I met Joe Goodspeed a few year back while he was testing and fishing his prototype TL 8 weight for false albacore. I think he was somewhat impressed with my ability to water haul and throw a line 90 feet on one back cast. He handed me this prototype and I did the same cast. But something was different. It was easier! I asked him when it would be in production and he said it needed a little more tweaking. Tweak he did and I got to test the final results. I am a salt water shore guide in CT and RI. I sold most of the fly rods I liked and am going full out Diamondback going forward. After casting his newer Aeroflex rods, I now own three of those! Best of both worlds from shore fishing to beyond! My good friend Mark Sedotti likes somewhat ultra fast rods but he loved the TL for the way it suited my casting style. One back cast and boooom! Mark taught me how to do that 40 years ago. I love the way this rod loads with very little effort. Much better than the super fast rods that tend to blow out the rotator cuffs of aggressive casters. Thank you Joe Goodspeed!
Put 1k casts into it so far, dialing long distance takes minimal effort. Equally great as a beach caster as well w/ additional 4’ inches on the blank. Diamondback and Joe I can’t recommend enough! Superb price point for a high quality rod coupled with/ elite customer service! Thanks Joe!!!
Joe Goodspeed was extraordinarily helpful in rod selection and responsive to all my questions. Rod shipped fast and the fit and finish is everything you could hope for. Holding the rod it feels very light and powerful. Looking forward to sharing more details after some time on the water!
Amazing series of Rods. I've cast the 9 and Caught a couple dozen Albies on the 10, great feel and swing weight. Smooth Taper that load the rod correctly to carry more line and with accuracy.
Great service . Given 60% discount for a new pole to replace a broken pole no longer made !!
Thank you
The components and craftsmanship on this rod are top notch. The action is very smooth and it casts beautifully. I also have a 3 wt. 10 ft nymphing rod that I am very happy with.
This rod is a thing of beauty. Made to top quality specification, and the highest of quality materials. It ranks up there with the other "thousand dollar" top quality rods on the market, but is less expensive. Performance is superb.
The Tactical Long rod may be the best kept secret in fly fishing. I’ve had some other more expensive rods over the years, but the Tactical Long rod beats them all. Cast like a breeze and fights a fish perfect. Great rod.
Was looking for something in between a 5wt and 9wt and bam this rod is it. Turned onto it by Brian at Hilltown Anglers. Built me a nice streamer rod. Launches flys. Best rod in my quiver.
Tactical Long
Really nice rod with great action!👌
Very pleased with the casting performance and feel, of the Tactical Long. Looks great, performs great.
Joe has done it again! The tactical long has the backbone and speed I need to make accurate shots in windy conditions!
I have been using this 9'4" 7wt for 3 months now throwing streamers and mice in Chile, jig flies for speckled trout and redfish and gurglers & streamers for stripers over this past week. I am not using for subtle dry fly presentations so, at Joe's suggestion, its throwing an 8wt cortland floating line. The rod is an absolute rocket launcher. It loads effortlessly and both carries very long lines and throws the tightest loops on the forward and backcast of any rod I've owned including the best 8 and 9 wts out there. Pretty amazing performance also throwing a lead headed jig fly to reds and trout in open water. Fish fighting capability with this 7 weight would be fine for any wading approach that I can imagine. I haven't tested its vertical lifting ability from a boat yet but hope to this week. I have it paired with a Danielsson F3W 7ten which is perfect.
Buy with absolute confidence, the customer service feedback and assistance from Joe is unmatched.
Used the 6wt tactical long rod for the first time fishing for sandbass aka white bass to all non okies lol, this past weekend and it was great! The rod is very fast and I was able to make king cast with ease using an intermediate line with a sink tip and a streamer. The rod loaded perfectly, and fought fish and protected my tippet like a champ!
I have two of these rods ( an 8 and a 10) both great tools for hauling through stiff winds on the open water. Price point is remarkable for such quality and as a Vermonter I love that this rod company has come home.
I enjoyed my old 7/8 wt Diamondback Western rod for almost 30 years, catching fish from Alaska to Belize. Then this week I lost the tip section somewhere in the Oregon Coast Range. Joe Goodspeed explained that particular rod and sections are no longer available. Now I'm looking forward to shipment of my new Tactical Long 8 wt rod, at a generous replacement discount. Old school customer service still exists. Hopefully another review soon with steelhead.
This rod is exceptionally light, responsive, and durable providing effortless and accurate casting with less fatigue…
You’re buying a $1100 rod for half the money!
Absolutely love the rods
Joe Goodspeed is the best fly rod designer I know. The new 8'6" tactical rods are accurate, responsive and forgiving.