Temple Fork Outfitters has been mostly known for their line of fly rods. Recently, they have introduced a line of spinning rods, and included in that line is the TFC 703 MH TiCr² casting rod. Whether the company plans to add more casting rod selections to the line is yet to be announced.

The TFO TFC703 MH is finished in attractive deep blue marbled finish. The rod felt light in hand and a bit softer at the tip than I would have expected from a power rating of medium heavy. The 10" rear and 3 1/4" front cork handles are of good quality. The reel seat is down locking and constructed of graphite. The line guides (double footed) and tip top are aluminum oxide.

As a professional charter guide the equipment that I purchase and outfit my boat with must perform at a high level. The last thing I want to have happen is a client hooked up on a great fish and have the gear break down losing the fish. So, before I release equipment to be used on a regular basis, I put it through its paces. I mounted a Cabelas Mega Royal casting reel spooled with 20 lb Berkely Fire Line and began initial on the water testing. Before I actually fish a new rod, I will cast it with various baits in and out of the manufacturer’s specified range. I need to know how the rod will perform before a real fish catching scenario presents itself. I was generally pleased with the TFC 703 performance with jerk baits and top water skidder baits in the weight range of 3/8 to 1 ¼ oz. Because of the soft tip, casting and working a ¾ and larger oz jig required a bit more arm energy to get the jig to pop off the bottom. The rod, however, had sufficient hooksetting backbone to drive the small treble hooks on the Yozuri top water bait into the tough jaw of an 8 lb Bluefish.