[Gavin Stevenson]

I currently have a first gen hardy shadow carbon 10ft 5 wt. I use on lochs from boat and shore. It doesn't suit my casting style, bit slow for my liking and looking to trade up to faster action rod. I would prefer to buy premium secondhand than new and appreciate thoughts on options.

[Sandy Nelson]

Hi Gavin

10’ rods by their nature tend to be a slower action, if you want to go faster then look to go a bit shorter to 9’. A good secondhand premium is a good idea if you can find one sensibly priced.
That’s not always the case. I guess budget and style would determine what you  could look for.
Another really good option is actually something like a Greys GR60 , which is a lovely 9’ 5wt.  There’s quite a few really good 905’s out there and sometimes the cheaper ones are better fishing tools, don’t discount a quality 9’6wt either, most are very versatile and will do the Stillwater scene better than just about anything else, I might even have one that could be for sale 
 So very much an individual thing. I’m sure there’s a long conversation in this and we will all have a different idea. 

Sandy

[Hamish Young]

As Sandy correctly surmises, there are different ideas on this, however it is logical to suggest that a shorter rod will be faster.
Something like an original Orvis Helios 10' 4wt is going to be all the fastest #5wt 10' you're ever going to need. But this is largely academic until you state what you want to spend, I could wax lyrical about other 10' rods that would do the job that are from premium brands, but without a framework that starts with a budget, it's all just words 

[Gavin Stevenson]

Hamish, willing to spend up to £400, new or secondhand