Perhaps a better category for this one would be: Best Midlevel Fly Fishing Rod, for the fly fisherman who has everything. Cast with a Rio Gold, it charges to life at around 30 feet. Characteristic of the series, the 590-4 has a tip that is just stiff enough to force some graphite behind even the shortest casts. Carrying along a Rio Euro Nymph Shorty or a second reel with Euro line, adds another dimension of versatility to this rod. The Heritage Taper is reminiscent of the old glass rods you might find in a dusty garage. This is one is progressive, meaning that it casts from short to long with action that feels metered to the power input from the caster. The Centric doesn't seem like much of a departure from my Radians. I really like how the taper seems to hide the extra length or this rod and provided for a crisp delivery. The 8wt leans on the softer side of things, so wind on the flats could be an issue. It may not display this or other websites correctly. All that to say, we have a good representation of casting ability. I was looking over a few rods today and noticed how horrible the cork is on all the Hardy rods even their high end. You must log in or register to reply here. From slow-action rods to the perfect nymphing setup, these are the best budget fly rods of 2020. Like a child reaching out to grab his mothers waiting hand. Both are fly rods, both catch fish just fine and both have fans. Its zippy, fun to cast, and accurate. Enough backbone for salmon excluding large kings and plenty of fun to cast streamers and indicator rigs while wading. We ask much of our 6-weights, but the R8 690-4 exceeds all requirements. The Airflo Universal casts well throughout this rods range, too, and I suspect that the Rio Perception is also a good match. They are also well suited for casting larger flies for bass, pike, musky and salmon. Fish it on the Colorado, not the San Miguel. I got a little more drive out of this line and felt like I could carry a larger fly. It needs the head length and weight of an SA Infinity Taper, Titan Long, Rio Grand or comparable fly line, but those are the lines we might expect to fish on rivers like the Gunnison and Deschutes where the 9 6-weight earns its place in the fly fishing world. You want shills, go on Instagram. It responds to both touch and power. The Echo Carbon XL ($180) is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to do some serious fishing without breaking the bank. It takes a slow, steady cast to really deliver a fly line. Tenkara really takes it back to basics, and the Suimenka is one of the coolest Ive seen. Has the backbone needed to handle a 350-grain Striper line or Outbound Short. I think this rod gives you the best of both worlds, without sacrificing performance. A Rio Technical Trout didnt engage the rod much, and I began to lose hope. The Sage R8 Core is a self-proclaimed multi-disciplinary fly rod, whereas the Scott Centric is labeled a freshwater fly rod. We opted to have FBs or fighting butts on both rods. Unless you live on the beach, youre going to need to travel with the thing, and a 9-foot-long tube is a pain to move about with. Granted, it wasnt designed for close casts on tiny creeks, but its worth noting. If I were you, I wouldnt take their designation of freshwater or salt too closely to heart. Kind of the same reason we don't directly compare a Porsche to Nissan Sentra. The R8 Core 796 is an ideal light surf rod for blind casting with shooting head style lines. Places and fish for this rod: Alaska Trout, California Surf, Northeast Surf for schoolies, Anadromous Indicator fishing, Jurassic and Pyramid Lake style trout fisheries. . Though this fly rod is targeted at freshwater fishermen, the 990-4actually took home the award for Best Saltwater Fly Rod at the 2022 IFTD Show. Both rods are on the expensive side but live up to the 'flagship' designation they are intended to be. Without getting your hands on them, its a serious task to weed through the options and find the rod that best suits your needs. Ive said I was going to dive into Tenkara for years now, but this will be the rod I put into my backpack for fishing mountain streams on long hikes or hunts. The development cost for the current top model is what cause them to be so much more expensive than the mid-level rods that are usually one or two prior generations with different wraps and lower cost fittings. I also wondered if a number of those people actually fly fished by their postings. The tip felt prone to wobble and didnt track as well as others in the series. When blanks become available I might consider building one for myself. Scott Centric quantity. Tossing smaller flies at cutties and brookies in alpine lakes would be appropriate too. If I asked my pals in Washington what they throw for steelhead, theyd tell me a 96 7-weight rod is the most versatile. G-Loomis NRX+LP $ 795.00. Enhanced fishability comes with improved roll casting and line mending as they naturally put a little more graphite behind subtle techniques on the water. Are they worth the high price tag? Author. The extra length allows the taper to relax just a little more than the 790 and makes it more adept at fishing indicators and swinging flies. How we Rated the Rods- This particular review covers the following. I had a feeling of command across all distances, and you could pick up a long line off the water confidently. Like the R8 Core 890-4, the 990-4 is an easy caster with just about any line, but you cant stab cast it like the Igniter or horse the butt section like a Salt HD. Really, the hope was to mimic the power of the Sector for big freshwater applications. With 5 line weights, all at 86 long, G. Loomis introduced a powerhouse series with the NRX+ FLY T2S ($895). Another thing well always suggest is to head to your nearest fly shop and ask questions. Our Hunt & Fish Editor Nicole Qualtieri fished with this rod in 2021, and heres what she had to say about it: The Helios 3 Blackout might be my favorite rod Ive fished with to date. Every year, theres a new list of the best rods out there. The Centric is decidedly a fast action rod; the G-Series more of a medium-fast. The R8 796 cast the Rio Predator line well. I'll say this, Ive never seen such a reaction to a fly rod, both good and bad about a fly rod before. Fishing broad water with sinking lines comes naturally to the Centric 1006-4. S. steveg47 Member. Loop control is very good and the rod readily threw a more open loop with line speed and power. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. You can really stand on it too, you dont have to, but the response of the rod encourages you to really drive the cast. It doesnt possess the superhuman attributes of the shorter 4wt and, unlike most of the trout rods in the series, needed a heavier line like the SA MPX to bring it to life. That, too, was a lovely rod, but the R8 Core has a super broad sweet spot and ultra-springy mid-section that brings the rod to life on casts both short and long. The companys direct-to-consumer model means you get a higher quality product at a far lower price point. We have guides, shop pros and all manner of self-proclaimed authorities (like me by virtue of my 'old-timer' status). I do not own a 10 foot single hand rod, but I may have to now. Ratings are explained in each category. The predatory freshwater angler who prefers an 8wt will love the makeup of the rod, too, and should handle reasonably large flies. , this rod is strong where it needs to be and light where it can be. One of the best rods in a great series of rods! Lightness and responsiveness are both enhanced, improving the spring and underlying his ability to create rods of different character from the same material. "How does the 9wt compare to the 10wt?" TFO Blue Ribbon does not compete with Loomis Asquith or NRX+, Orvis Helios, Sage R8 or IGNITER, Scott Centric or G Series or T&T Paradigm or Avantt. You get a more powerful rod in the R8 896 than the X and a rod that throws shorter heavier lines more easily. Gear Review: Sage R8 Core Series Fly Rods by Eric Fields As many of you know, Sage just released their This is a finely tuned fly rod. The Scott Centric fly rods are truly fast meets feel, taken to the next level. I was going to answer this thread, but it was to rich for me. Many thanks for the breakdown. Recovery What we mean by recovery is the rods ability to return after a back cast. Scott F Series vs. Sage Dart: Comp on the Creek! Read more. The rod lacked a weakness, and the dedicated striper, permit, or pike angler will pick this one up and have a hard time returning to their previous nine-weight. We get questions about specific rod models all the time. Real names are not used to protect the innocent. If you continue to use this site we assume that you are okay with it. That does not mean that it is not a powerful and highly capable rod, but it is not a blazing loop slinger. Typically, a rod will be fast, medium, or slow action. In terms of taper and flex profile, there seem to be 2 groups of R8 Core fly rods: stiff-tipped and progressive. Double hauling in the wind, it knifes long loops that turn over with an audible hiss. As I heard from a longtime sage rep today only for 'selected pro's' - good bye! Even my guide friends loved it, and I could see a smidge of jealousy in their trout-lovin eyes. -John Duncan. Choose this model for freshwater or a fresh-salt crossover. All four 6-weight models are designed with progressive fast action similar to the 390-4 and 596-4. The medium action allows for accuracy in tight spots and stiffness with bigger fish on the line. Our testers found the Scott Centric to have a faster recovery speed than the Sage R8 Core. I was surprised at how much more effortless this was with the X (vs. my old RPL and SP). You should definitely try out the rods you're considering before laying down money that is well beyond pocket change. This is a bit of a wild card. My local shop got several R8's in a couple days ago and I gave the 904 a wiggle, but refrained from casting it. Not only does it have a groovy look, it fishes really well if you know what youre doing. Versatility- We see this as the rods ability to be used in various fishing situations. just like in my opinion bribing a referee, i say all rods should have a chance, same with the brands, American or Chinese or Korean made. As a curiosity, do you happen to have a home kitchen scale which can weigh grams or tenths of ounces? A proud hero caster, the R8 596-4 is just as impressive at reasonable fishing distance with a Rio Gold, SA MPX, Airflo Universal Taper, etc. I rarely fish 6-weights over 9 because they are too much for me to cast all day, but the benefits of extra length are undeniable on big water. That being said, here are our recommendations for 2022. "When should I use this rod?" The mid-level or entry-level rods use technology that was paid for a long time ago, so it's simply the cost of materials, labor, etc and a reasonable profit margin. It has a clean, classic look that is just cool. The Rio Elite Perception was very nice as well and produced lots of line speed off the tip. Centric 1006-4. The Sage Trout G5 ($650) took home the award for Best Spey Rod, and for good reason. A reel like the Sage Trout Reel 4/5/6 is where I would start on this model. Very nice feeling rod, very light, with a nice mellow action. Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Trident Fly Fishing. Wraps? Rich Post, In my opinion, the 6-weights are standouts in the R8 series. I wouldnt choose this model for flats fishing, but I like it for heavy bass, salmon and pike. Stability and horsepower are characteristic of the Sage legacy, recalling rods such as the RPL, XP and X. When a rod maker sends out a rod for testing by third parties (free or compensated), if they are not interested in honest feedback they are not going to survive long-term. I am after a 5 weight and tossing up between the Scott Centric and the Sage X. I've never owned a Scott or Sage. Support us! Everyone will talk about these rods because they are noticeably different from their X predecessors. The final thing to consider is packability. "Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." The growing popularity of spey casting led Sage to reconfigure the G5 to accommodate the most recent advances in spey lines available on the market. ($356) from Bozeman Flyworks is one of the few truly complete packages to get you going. Your email address will not be published. This is one of the lightest rods in the series relative to length and line weight, ideal long hours of steelheading in Northern California, the Great Lakes and other realms of our sport where hundreds of casts can exhaust the angler wielding a heavier stick. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Pay out 40 stack mends like youre feeding pigeons. There, fish like tarpon and marlin call for super-stout rods in the 10- to 16-weight range! All he wants to hear about is a Sage or a Scott on how well they cast, because he's either a lousey caster of just has the bucks to burn on an expensive rod. -John Duncan, I was very excited to cast this rod. The stability and line speed of the R8 856 would be hard to top, but it lacks the tip sensitivity I prefer for short distance wade fishing. And depending on where youre fishing, a shorter rod might be desirable. All rights reserved. Both rods are 9 foot six weights. The R8 Core Series ($1,050) from Sage was just released on April 5. The R8 Core 896 has a faster rod feel and produces higher line speed, giving the caster a more empowering feeling. This is too much fly rod for my trout fishing, but stillwater anglers will find a rod of incredible capability. What reels are those fishing the Core 6wt using? The R8 9 3-weight is springy and active with a Rio Gold and throws long, dead level loops with a Rio Technical Trout or SA Trout Taper. Based in Montana, Rachelle is an avid hunter, angler, wild game cook, and professional outdoor napper. Its interesting to me that you have found the R8 noticeably lighter than the X in this model. It casts progressively with a natural casting stroke and offers plenty of command to handle streamer tapers and sink tips in addition to floating lines. Id recommend something along the lines of the F-Series, specifically designed for those tight spaces. Lines: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Infinity, Rio Perception Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX. Your email address will not be published. Not line picky but I like it with a rio TT or a gold or even a 406 DT. I cast it with a Rio Gold, SA Infinity Taper and Rio Predator, 3 of my favorite lines for 6-weight fishing. To me, they are freshwater and fresh/salt crossover rods that allow the angler to make many casts without fatigue. With identical weight rods and the R8 feeling noticeably lighter than the X, it seems nearly certain that the weight savings, no matter how little, must critically be in the upper 3 sections, with the R8 having a slightly heavier butt section. Scott G-Series GS 905/4 ? My favorites are the Rio Gold and Rio Technical Trout, but the rod also handles the long-headed SA Infinity Taper, the SA Trout Taper and the Airflo Superflo Universal. This style of fly fishing rod is completely different than any other on the list because its an entirely different way of fly fishing. Stillwater anglers will find plenty of spine for lifting full sinking lines from deep water and casting from float tubes or personal pontoon boats. Add to cart. It loads evenly and naturally, allowing the angler to dictate loop shape at any distance, equally suitable for floating and sinking lines, nymphs, dries and swing flies. What 5 weight fly lines will you be casting with your new rod? Lines: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line, RIO Perception Fly Line. JavaScript is disabled. Lines: RIO Striper Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bonefish Fly Line. A lot of my other rods gathered dust last year, mostly because the Blackout did not. Walker is keen on R8 technology. Find the best five weight rods here. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. nothing beats going into a shop and wagging some rodspre internet days, used to buy from The Fly Shop in Redding, swing by during road trips, they would encourage casting rods on the lawn next to the shop, could tell right away which rods worked best for personal styleJeff at The Flyfisher Place in Sisters offers the same on the side street where he is located. Is the 9' 3wt really that bad of a rod? The Igniter has become broadly accepted as an all-purpose fast action fly rod, more versatile than the Method and covering some of the ground formerly occupied by the X series. Both Sage and Scott have a long history of building great fly rods through innovation. . Its clean, sleek, and has a balanced feel. I found the FB version to be almost identical in character. Are a top Fuji stripper and H&H Chrome Stainless super slick guides ho hum? Typically, youll find a whole crew of experts willing to help you better understand fishing gear, flies, and your local waters. The consistent review from the pros is that it casts like a much higher-priced rod. Boasting crazy fast line speed and enough power to overcome unpredictable ocean fishing conditions, this rod is still shockingly sensitive and surprisingly light. The 8 wt is 315, the 9wt is 375. Anyone thinking that all they want is to have someone tell them how great their new rod (reel, or whatever) really needs to check their own biases. It seems sensitive to its line pairing, but I would unconditionally recommend the R8 490-4 with an SA Trout Taper. Options were NRX +, Centric and now R8 core in the same configuration. Anglers seem to agree with those claims. Why Ultralight People Need to Chill Already, Kershaw Iridium Review: A Great Flipping Knife Under $100. I would personally use this rod for all manners of Stillwater fishing, and as a nymph rod for pre runoff, there may be no equal. Rich Post, When lawn casting this model for the first time, I was transported to the bow of a drift boat, strafing the banks with a grasshopper. Both Matt and Bill are highly skilled casters and can huk fly line. Coming in a range from 3wt to 9wt, with a variety of lengths from 8'6" to 10'0 . But if they were to be spey casting, theyd go for a 13-foot 7- or 8-weight rod. It doesn't change that Sage buys the most expensive, highest-grade cork in the industry. You can feel the sensation of the line lifting from the water incrementally with this rod. What the X had going for it was a stiff tip and butt section, which allowed a little more bend down the blank when you really needed to launch some line. Impressive action, good feel, and good aesthetic. We spend a lot of time testing gear and writing reviews to give you all the tools to make your next trip a success. This is a fishing tool with a taper that allows easy access to the lower half of the rod and is among the most complete nymphing rods Ive held. Thanks to excellent leverage and control, heavy fish come quickly to the net. I disagree, but it's a weird disagreement. When it comes to mending, again, that stiffness allows you to easily direct line for the most realistic float. I chose the G-Series because I don't care for rods that are stiff as a fireplace poker. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. By signing up for email newsletters, you agree to GearJunkie's, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), The Redington Butter Stick in action; (photo/Redington), With 5 line weights, all at 86 long, G. Loomis introduced a powerhouse series with the. Click Here for the Rating Graph for the Sage R8 Core. This was their chance to make a move and they fell considerably short in my opinion. The bulk of my rods are Burkheimers, and the Scotts mix into my quiver nicely. Click here for a more detailed look at the 9 5wt. Unsurprisingly, at first glance, the R8 Core has the quality weve all come to expect from a Sage product. The soft tip to protect light tippets and the mending focused taper make for a highly specialized nymphing rod and one technical tailwater fisherman should pay attention to. I wouldn't get the X just because it's discounted or other rod only because it's cheaper - only if it's better). This would make a fine all-purpose rod for Alaska or anywhere in bass country, but would not be my choice for heavy streamers (Montana) or fishing in major wind (Argentina, Chile, Northern Rockies). Both are aesthetically pleasing and possess a polished and well-refined buildsomething youd expect from both Sage and Scott, especially from the high-end rod lineup. Rods all come in varying lengths and weights. We asked three well-seasoned fly anglers who range in casting ability to perform this review. It casts naturally with tremendous line speed and zero torsional play at all distances. I did not feel like I wanted to fish a dry or dry dropper with this rod, but I do not believe that to be its purpose. The Airflo Ridge 2.0 Power Taper pairs savagely for dry dropper fishing. article and model reviews by John Duncan and Richard Post Tech | Model Reviews. This style of fly fishing rod is completely different than any other on the list because its an entirely different way of fly fishing. I cast a Rio Elite Gold WF7F and the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF7F line on this rod. Lines: RIO Predator Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line. You must log in or register to reply here. Go to your local fly shop to see the entire lineup of each and go cast them. That rigidity, along with those extra inches, is likely the most significant contributor to the power and accuracy fishermen are experiencing from the boat. Thanks. Roll casting is tremendous and the deep load along the blank of the R8 Core rods is very apparent here. I have the R8 9 9 wt and it is the absolute best rod in my arsenal of high end rods. Sage SALT R8 Fly Rod First Impressions January 26, 2023 . I have benefited a lot from S&S's discourses on rods and fly fishing. This requires a patient stroke, even more so at short distances than long, but the tip snaps back with resilience, delivering excellent line speed with little effort from the caster. Grip- too short and too thin. That line really personified the line speed potential of this rod and made it feel lively and zippy through the guides. Others I find to be narrow in purpose, but unique within the Sage toolbox and valuable to the purposeful angler. They dont flop over, they turn over. It excels in all the subtle techniques including roll casting, line mending, informal Spey casts and tippet protection. For me, this is a dry fly and nymphing 5-weight, but not a streamer rod. Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel! The best way to equate it to something we all understand is those Star Wars lightsabers we had as kids that you could jab your brother with, and they would collapse inward instead of sending him screaming to your mom. Slow down, keep your stroke medium tempo and feel the control. My 9'/#4 Core just arrived, and I have yet to string it up, but it looks Sage classy and understated in muted, subtle, green paint. There was no kick at the delivery and the rod absorbed those inherent aberrations that ripple through the line when casting short heavy heads. We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one. Rachelle Schrute has been writing about hunting, fishing, and conservation for several years, as well as being a wilderness guide in Yellowstone National Park. It casts off the tip, mid section and butt, generating line speed and dead level loops at all distances. This can of course be seen in graphite rods as well, and I thought it would be interesting to compare the weight distribution on two identical physical weight, length and line weight Sage rods one generation apart which have different swing weights, and to the Sky G 6 wt if you had one, which has a famously light swing weight. A true all-water rod with plenty of power to lift sinking lines, the 8wt R8 would make an excellent rod for northeastern schoolie stripers. It casts a Rio Elite Bonefish line reasonably well, but I expect it will get more reps with freshwater lines such as the Rio Gold, SA MPX, SA Titan, Rio Predator and the range of sink tips customary for Alaska and similar environments. How do they balance the rod? The SA Infinity Taper is a natural fit for this long 6-weight, but anglers who prefer a shooting style line such as the Rio Outbound will marvel at the distance this rod achieves. To provide better info so you can make a more informed buying decision, we decided to start a 'model-by-model' blog series. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.
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