Redington Crosswater Fly Fishing Outfit Review

Last Updated on August 27, 2026 by Daniel Globe

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Starting fly fishing is easier when your rod, reel, line, and leader are already matched, but a starter outfit still needs to be suitable for the water and fish you plan to target. The Redington Crosswater Fly Fishing Outfit reviewed here is the 5WT, 9-foot, 4-piece version with a medium-fast graphite rod, Crosswater reel, RIO Mainstream WF5F floating line, leader, and zippered travel case. It gives a new angler a straightforward trout-oriented setup without requiring every major component to be selected separately. Its main tradeoff is that this is an entry-level 5WT package, so experienced anglers or buyers targeting larger fish may want a more specialized outfit.

Key Features and Specifications

What Is the Redington Crosswater Fly Fishing Outfit?

The Crosswater outfit is a matched fly fishing package designed to remove several decisions from your first setup. Instead of buying a rod, reel, line, and leader separately and then checking that the weights work together, you get a 5WT rod paired with WF5F floating line and a Crosswater reel.

The selected Amazon variant uses a 9-foot, four-piece graphite rod with medium-fast action. Nine feet is a common general-purpose length for freshwater fly fishing because it gives you useful line control without turning the rod into a highly specialized tool. Breaking the rod into four sections also makes the outfit easier to store in the supplied zippered case.

The kit is aimed primarily at beginners and casual anglers. The current Amazon listing identifies trout as the target species, which fits the 5WT configuration better than heavy-duty applications requiring an 8WT or another stronger setup.

Who Should Buy It?

Rod Design and Casting Characteristics

The rod is built from graphite and uses a medium-fast action. For a beginner, that balance matters. A very fast rod can demand tighter timing, while an extremely slow rod may feel less responsive when you begin increasing line speed. Medium-fast action gives you enough response to develop timing without making the rod unnecessarily specialized.

The 9-foot length gives you useful reach for line management and general trout techniques. Because the rod separates into four pieces, it also packs down more easily for a vehicle, closet, luggage area, or hike to the water.

The rod will not automatically correct casting mistakes. Your loop shape, timing, line control, and leader turnover still depend on technique. What the matched setup does is remove one common beginner problem: pairing a 5WT rod with an unsuitable line weight.

Crosswater Reel and Disc Drag

The included Crosswater reel comes matched to the outfit and uses a disc drag system. A drag system controls resistance when a fish pulls line from the reel, allowing you to add pressure without simply locking the spool.

For a new angler, the bigger convenience is that the reel arrives paired with the rod and pre-spooled. You can spend more time learning casting, line handling, knots, and fish presentation instead of trying to build a complete reel system from separate parts on day one.

The reel is still part of an entry-level outfit. If you eventually fish more often or develop specialized preferences for reel weight, drag adjustment, arbor design, or materials, the reel may become one of the components you choose to upgrade.

RIO Mainstream WF5F Line and Leader

The outfit includes RIO Mainstream WF5F floating fly line. WF5F means weight-forward, 5-weight, floating. That matches the 5WT rod and gives the setup a sensible starting point for freshwater fly fishing.

Weight-forward line concentrates more mass toward the front section of the line, helping you load the rod during a cast. Floating line is also easier for a beginner to see and manage when learning common dry-fly and surface-oriented techniques.

A leader is included as part of the ready-to-fish package. You will still need flies appropriate to the water, season, and local fish, and you may eventually need replacement leaders or tippet as the original leader becomes shorter or damaged.

Travel and Storage

A four-piece rod is easier to transport than an equivalent long one-piece design. The included zippered travel case gives the rod and reel a defined storage location, which is useful when you are moving the outfit between home, a vehicle, and the water.

The case is especially helpful for beginners because loose rod sections are easy to forget or damage when gear is carried separately. It also makes the outfit more practical for road trips and other situations where a fully assembled 9-foot rod would be inconvenient.

The case should still be treated as protective storage rather than permission to put the rod away wet or dirty. Dry the rod, reel, line, and case before long-term storage, particularly after fishing in wet or muddy conditions.

How It Performs in Real Use

For Learning Basic Fly Casting

The 5WT rod and WF5F line are already matched, which removes one variable while you learn timing. The medium-fast action gives the rod enough feedback for basic overhead and roll-casting practice without requiring an advanced casting style.

For Trout Streams and Lakes

The selected model is listed for trout and uses a 9-foot 5WT configuration. That makes it better aligned with general freshwater trout fishing than with large saltwater species or situations requiring very heavy flies.

For Road Trips and Travel

The four-piece rod and zippered case are useful when space matters. Instead of protecting a fully assembled 9-foot rod during transport, you can break it down and keep the major components together between fishing stops.

As Your Skills Improve

You do not need to replace the entire outfit simply because your casting improves. You can continue using the rod while experimenting with different leaders, flies, and eventually another compatible 5WT line. Advanced anglers may still want a more specialized rod or reel once they know exactly what type of fishing they prefer.

Setup Tips Before First Use

• Assemble the rod sections firmly but carefully: Check that each section is fully seated and that the guides form a straight line before threading the fly line.
• Inspect the leader: Look for wind knots, abrasions, or damaged sections before tying on a fly.
• Start with shorter casts: Good timing and controlled loops matter more than trying to cast maximum distance immediately.
• Check your surroundings: Leave enough open space behind you before making a back cast, especially near trees, people, pets, or vehicles.
• Dry the outfit before storage: Moisture trapped in the case can remain around the rod, reel, and line.

Use, Care, and Safety

Fly fishing involves sharp hooks, moving line, changing water conditions, and repeated casting. Wear suitable eye protection, stay aware of people behind you, and keep hooks controlled while rigging or transporting the rod.

Inspect the rod sections, line, leader, and knots before fishing. A damaged leader or poorly seated rod section can cause problems that have nothing to do with the basic quality of the outfit.

If you expose the reel or rod hardware to saltwater, rinse the equipment with fresh water and dry it thoroughly afterward. For regular saltwater or large-species fishing, however, this selected 5WT trout-oriented setup is not the most suitable Crosswater configuration.

Pros and Cons

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Is It Worth the Price?

The Crosswater outfit makes the most sense when you value the convenience of buying a matched starter setup instead of assembling your first fly fishing system piece by piece. You receive the rod, reel, appropriate WF5F line, leader, and carrying case in one package, which reduces both compatibility questions and extra shopping.

Its value is strongest for a beginner who expects to fish freshwater with a 5WT rod and wants enough equipment to start learning without immediately choosing a separate reel and fly line. You can replace consumable items such as leaders and tippet over time without replacing the whole outfit.

It is not the best fit if you already know that you want a specialized action, a premium reel, a different line taper, or a heavier setup. In that case, selecting the individual components may provide better long-term value for your specific fishing style.

How It Compares to Alternatives

Redington’s Wrangler 590-4 Trout Kit is worth comparing if you want another 9-foot 5WT package from the same brand with a more recent kit design and a lifetime warranty on the rod. The Redington Original Freshwater Kit 590-4 is another 5WT, 9-foot option that combines a medium-fast rod with a Crosswater reel and RIO Mainstream line.

The Crosswater outfit remains the simpler choice if your priority is a straightforward entry-level setup built around a 5WT rod, matched reel, WF5F floating line, leader, and travel case. Your best choice depends on how much you want to spend now versus how quickly you expect to move into more specialized equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

The Redington Crosswater Fly Fishing Outfit is a sensible starter package for a new freshwater angler who wants a 5WT, 9-foot rod, matched reel, WF5F floating line, leader, and travel case without assembling the system separately. Its main strength is the convenience of the matched components, while its biggest limitation is that the 5WT entry-level configuration will not suit every species or advanced angler.

If trout and general freshwater learning are your priorities, it earns a Recommended with caveats verdict. If you already know you need a heavier all-water setup or more specialized components, compare those options before buying.