Need some help with what rod and reel to get?
I fish for bass and maybe carp... my 5wt is not cutting it too hard to throw the bigger bass flies....any suggestions? i was thinking an 8wt TFo Signiture rod

Yep... you will need a little bit more backbone than your 5 weight.

Even though I don't use TFO rods, I would recommend choosing an 8 weight in the Professional Series. It will cost a tad more, but it will help you toss out those larger flies more easily. The Signature series of rods feel a bit wimpy when tossing larger flies.

AB

Edit:
I'm making the assumption that you are looking for gear at lower price points. If the sky was the limit, I'd recommend a Sage Z-Axis or a Scott S4. To be honest, TFO Pro Series rod actually casts better than a few higher end rods.

There are lots of good reels on the market. If you want a reel that will offer the best bang for the buck, look at Ross. Consider the CLA 4 or the Rhythm 3.5. Both have reliable drag systems and have lifetime warranties. If you look hard enough, you can find the Rhythm model on clearance since it is being discontinued. If you want an uber high end reel, look at Abels or Tibors.

Good luck with your search.

AB

thanks a lot for your help

A low cost solution for a reel you might consider is the Orvis mid arbor. I got a deal on mine where when they were offering a free spool.