As a mending rod you feel a little stiffness. The rod does a lot of work for the angler, both before and after your fly line is on the water. With a full lineup of sizes, both the Sage R8 Core and Scott Centric mostly likely make the rod in the weight you want. Casting these rods and visiting with Rod Designer Peter Walker, Sage clearly sought a rod that prioritized fishability over raw casting prowess. anyone think of a double blind test of this and other fly rods? Sage described the G5 as being a highly responsive rod at lengths at and past that, and the sentiment was echoed by the public. Fishing broad water with sinking lines comes naturally to the Centric 1006-4. Fit & Finish- The first impressions are important. The only item you have to purchase outside of this kit is a few flies. 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. I am partial to dry flies and do value a rod that casts accurate with good line control, good fly placement & presentation. The team scrapped it and moved forward in a different direction. Stay tuned. The Verdict- The Sage R8 Core and the Scott Centric are fantastic rods and will be a great addition to any experienced fly anglers fly rod lineup. How do they balance the rod? Sage designed the R8 Core series to tackle the shortcomings of high-performance fly rods, such as roll casting, loop control, technical mends, and delicate presentations. The advancements in fly fishing rods have been wild since the 70s, so theres some skill and finesse required to get this rod to perform. The Centric is decidedly a fast action rod; the G-Series more of a medium-fast. SKU: N/A Category: Fly Rods. A Rio Technical Trout didnt engage the rod much, and I began to lose hope. Read more. -John Duncan. Check Price at Trident Fly FishingCheck Price at G. Loomis. I found the FB version to be almost identical in character. Sage Introduces R8 Core Fly Rod Fly Fisherman's Best New Freshwater Rod for 2023 focuses on angler experience through maximum versatility and applies new material technology. April 18, 2021 at 6:38 pm #886633. reel screamer. The X 896 had a really sweet action that cast beautifully and felt lighter in the hand than you expect for a 9 foot 6 inch 8 weight. This rod is a little easier to cast than the 896 and I like it a little more than the 790 in general. However, the rods refined subtleness also means better presentation when throwing small flies to spooky bonefish. This fly was created by Chris Johnson. A lot of my other rods gathered dust last year, mostly because the Blackout did not. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Lines: RIO Predator Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line. From slow-action rods to the perfect nymphing setup, these are the best budget fly rods of 2020. Since one of them broke and since trying a friend's Sage X (which was far superior for casting/presentation), I am in serious need for a serious upgrade for a rod that can do all freshwater things reasonably well - streams, rivers, lakes, small dries up to medium+ streamers & nymphing, from delicate presentation to punching through the wind. Centric 1006-4. Is it possible that maybe there's a better line for it than what you tried? Its just plain awesome with all three, which tells me that there is virtually no bad line choice for this rod. The companys direct-to-consumer model means you get a higher quality product at a far lower price point. This setup is perfect for kids and adults who want to test the waters without investing a huge sum of money to do so. Matt, Bill, and Jack. Many refer to this as the speed of the rod. From throwing size 18 Blue Wing Olives to running a Chubby Dropper or Indicator rig with split shot, the R8 Core is a great choice for the angler that likes to catch fish and isn't afraid to change tactics through the day. I also like the Rio Gold on this model, as well as the Airflo Universal. Does that include saltwater situations? You want shills, go on Instagram. Some will say yes, and some will say no. Figuring out the right rod weight for your target fish species is generally pretty simple. The Centric doesn't seem like much of a departure from my Radians. Both Matt and Bill are highly skilled casters and can huk fly line. Scott Centric quantity. Never have they disappointed. Single handed Spey casts and powerful roll casts leap from the tip. Tenkara really takes it back to basics, and the Suimenka is one of the coolest Ive seen. Version 2022 forms casting loops with a bit more elegance and nuance than the X or ONE, but like previous generations, this model fundamentally throws tight loops off the tip as a mode of operation. The Airflo Universal casts well throughout this rods range, too, and I suspect that the Rio Perception is also a good match. The R8 Core and Centric are considered the flagship lineup of rods for Sage and Scott, respectively. The Centric rods were originally constructed with Scotts Carbon Web Technology. I cast it with a Rio Gold, SA Infinity Taper and Rio Predator, 3 of my favorite lines for 6-weight fishing. I've bought most of my rods from the classified on the previous name-that-shall-not-be-spoken WA flyfishing website. check around for used . Haven't seen a Sage R8 yet, but last summer I was looking for a 6 wt. Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel! Slow down, keep your stroke medium tempo and feel the control. One of the best rods in a great series of rods! I can catch little brookies in the high alpine or decent rainbows in bigger water, no problem. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. And a fast-action rod has a minute amount of flexion. Value- Both fly rods are expensive, with the Sage R8 Core slightly more expensive. Thanks partly to the rods length, it pairs best with a line that has a short-to-medium head. These are not cookie cutter fly rods. Appalachian anglers will find this length and weight combination particularly beneficial on overgrown freestones when a bit more backbone than a 4wt is called for, but a nine-footer is quarrelsome. Thank you for the excellent assessment and comparison of the R8 to your 690x tybo 11. article and model reviews by John Duncan and Richard Post Tech | Model Reviews. The X 896 was so good and I really didnt know what they could do to improve that rod. This fiberglass rod doesnt just have the looks of a throwback its constructed like one, albeit with some modern tech. The Great Lakes tributary steelheader will find the taper beneficial for rolling out bulky indicator rigs. I was very impressed by this rod and I look forward to getting to know it more. What is positive for me about this Forum, is that there is a tremendous amount of genuine knowledge, good-will, and experience that informs the thoughts and opinions of members/contributors. Prior to that, Rachelle held leadership positions in multiple conservation organizations and often finds herself testifying in the capitol on topics ranging from wildlife management to habitat protection. This fly rod offers wonderful feedback to the caster. Youll really feel that tip follow through when roll casting and mending line. If I asked my pals in Washington what they throw for steelhead, theyd tell me a 96 7-weight rod is the most versatile. All three reviewers were asked to rate each category from 0 to 10 for each rod. Your email address will not be published. Sage R8 Core Fly Rod Series Review: Model-By-Model, Scientific Anglers Amplitude Trout Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bonefish Fly Line. To be fair, Jacks ability to cast is more in line with the median of all fly anglers. Scott Centric or Sage X?? Click Here for the Rating Graph for the Sage R8 Core. This is exactly what I was hoping for from this model, among the most important for fishing in SW Colorado. Your review of the 7wt sounds like they are very close. According to Sage, in designing the R8 CORE, the rod maker shifted its focus back to feel and rhythm, "rather than dialing up parking lot distance," a statement which will no doubt prove intriguing to many anglers. Typo 11, thanks for your reply. Like a child reaching out to grab his mothers waiting hand. -John Duncan, The R8 Core 4100-4 is a stellar fishing tool and a specialist nymph anglers go-to rod in the new R8 lineup. This rod is no exception. 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. 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. The R8 Core 796 is an ideal light surf rod for blind casting with shooting head style lines. You say the 9wt can handle a 350 grain outbound .. except there isnt a 350 grain outbound. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Just look at it. This high-quality package is available with several different options to fit you and your home water. 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. However, they can be brutal to transport. Walker is keen on R8 technology. Sage R8 Fly Rod Price: $1050.00 Line weights: 3wt, 4wt, 5wt, 6wt, 7wt, 8wt, 9wt A brilliant choice to tackle your next fishing trip, the Sage R8 fly rod gives you a terrific tool to catch trout. Ten foot 5 weights have been getting better and better recently and there are some very good ones out there right now, but there is just something about the R8 5100 that grabbed me. R8 Core is a rod family focused on maximum versatility and applies new revolutionary material technology through our forward thinking lens of what we're seeing out on the water where one rod needs to show even greater range. Both Sage and Scott have a long history of building great fly rods through innovation. A medium (or moderate) action will be stiffer throughout. Raise the tip after the lift and effortlessly lay it into the desired position. A good fly rod doesn't just cast well but is equally effective in real-world fishing scenarios. There are certainly lots of good/very good rods out there. This rod would be perfect for tossing big poppers to largemouth. . I felt like the rod could handle a heavier and longer headed nymph specialty style line well. Lines: Rio Gold Elite Fly Line, Rio Technical Trout Fly Line. We had the opportunity to put them in hand and cast them, and see what the hype was all about. The majority of my fly rods have been bamboo, and its where swing weight becomes most noticeable in the upper section or mid and tip on 3 piece rods, and where hollowing as far out into the tips makes the biggest difference in swing weight and recovery, along with additional measures such as utilizing ultralight tip tops and light wire guides. Rich Post, In my opinion, the 6-weights are standouts in the R8 series. -John Duncan, I was very excited to cast this rod. In terms of taper and flex profile, there seem to be 2 groups of R8 Core fly rods: stiff-tipped and progressive. How on earth is Sage asking a rod with a price tag of over $1000 and still use run of the mill components and guides? Skeptical of a Wells grip on a 3-weight, I must say that it feels terrific on a rod thats long enough to leverage the grip a bit in hand. We fished the Centric with the Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX and Rio Premiere Gold and found these to be choice lines for this rod. I think this rod gives you the best of both worlds, without sacrificing performance. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. You get the feeling that the line behind you can almost hold you up it is so stable. I found that this rod casts lighter overhead than other rods in this class. If the only bad thing about it is the components are the same they always use, then it sounds like a pretty good rod. Anglers seem to agree with those claims. Me too. The Redington Butter Stick ($280) drips with vintage cool. This can be easily thrown into a pack or carried onto a plane. Perfect Portable Power Station: EcoFlow River 2 Pro Review, Watch Aldo Leopolds Passion for Conservation Take Root in Serve the Land, Best Overland Water Storage Containers for Long-Distance Travel, AI Hiking Bears Fascinate Internet, Scramble Human Brains, Civivi Conspirator Nitro-V Review: The Budget-Friendly Super Steel Youve Never Heard Of, Nissan Frontier PRO-4X Review: Mojave Road Overland Adventure, The Benchmade Narrows Resets the Engineering Bar, A Scope That Performs Without Breaking the Bank: Maven CRS.2 Review, The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2023, The Best Camping Mattresses and Sleeping Pads of 2023, From a Reclining Camp Chair to Kickass Layers: Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Moms, Best Gifts for Dad: Great Gear for Your Old Man, Best Fitness Gifts: 10 Must-Haves for the Outdoor Athlete. This is a vintage model in the Sage idiom of tippy and deliberate casting 9 3-weights. I would be happy to hear from anyone who has done a side by side comparison between the sage and either the loomis or Scott. Author. The way the value category was evaluated is cost over performance. Click here for a more detailed look at the 9 5wt. The Sage R8 Core is a self-proclaimed multi-disciplinary fly rod, whereas the Scott Centric is labeled a freshwater fly rod. As you likely know by owning both, the physical weight on both rods is identical - 2 13/16 ounces. Why Ultralight People Need to Chill Already, Kershaw Iridium Review: A Great Flipping Knife Under $100. We have guides, shop pros and all manner of self-proclaimed authorities (like me by virtue of my 'old-timer' status). Based in Montana, Rachelle is an avid hunter, angler, wild game cook, and professional outdoor napper. Really, the hope was to mimic the power of the Sector for big freshwater applications. That line really personified the line speed potential of this rod and made it feel lively and zippy through the guides. The power is smooth and rather than making you feel like you need to hurry up to stay with the rod, the feedback you receive is comforting and familiar. Loops were perfect right out of the hand and line speed was sizzling with a Rio Elite Gold. The RIO Striper line fits like a glove, but it threw the SA Amplitude Bonefish nicely. Another thing well always suggest is to head to your nearest fly shop and ask questions. The Scott Centric fly rods are truly fast meets feel, taken to the next level. A marvel of design, this rod succeeds the 597-4 X with equal casting capability but even greater control, most noticeable when throwing in the wind or horsing a nymph/indicator rig. Every year, theres a new list of the best rods out there. Distance- Similar to Accuracy, we realize this is subject to the anglers ability. I also wondered if a number of those people actually fly fished by their postings. I'll say this, Ive never seen such a reaction to a fly rod, both good and bad about a fly rod before. We get questions about specific rod models all the time. Check Price at Trident Fly Fishing Check Price at Scott Fly Rod Best Do-It-All Series: Sage R8 Core The R8 Core Series ($1,050) from Sage was just released on April 5. The 896 has a similar fast rod feel to the R8 696, but the heavier blank of the 8 weight isnt quite as lively. Best Uses: The shorter 5wt is an excellent option for the angler looking to leave the nine-foot rod at home in favor of a much lighter rod without dropping down to a four-weight. Impressive action, good feel, and good aesthetic. The rod loaded instantly and responded perfectly to a short stroke and sharp haul shooting head style cast. I enjoyed line in the air with this rod, but I loved how it performed with line on the water. This rod encourages you to slow down your stroke and smooth out your haul. The loops are so level and connected to the rod that you get the sense of laying down wire. A more compact length and lighter weight combined is great for casting small flies in a small stream surrounded by brush or trees that can snag your fly on a backcast. -John Duncan, The R8 Core 796-4 is a strong rod, ideally suited to Alaska trout fishing. Cast with a Rio Gold, it charges to life at around 30 feet. That does not mean that it is not a powerful and highly capable rod, but it is not a blazing loop slinger. While less touchy and playful than the stiff-tipped models, they will meet the expectations of loyal Sage anglers and get it done with confidence on the water. Pretty plain. The #8 and #9 in this series are designed to carry a heavier load more slowly. It's a nice drake pattern with a high wing that floats low in the water giving a great profile. Wraps? Check Price at Trident Fly FishingCheck Price at Farbank. This also works well for bass, although a lot of people will go a little heavier for these tough-fighting fish. Scott F Series vs. Sage Dart: Comp on the Creek! You couldnt ask for a better all-purpose boat rod, with tight loop dry fly capabilities combined with plenty of butt section for streamers up to a size 8. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. What that equates to is a cool, modern fly rod that feels like the rods many of us grew up with. I felt it had more soul and personality than the X, however, I did not feel a big "wow" factor when casting it. It can be tied in various colors to match the hatch. -John Duncan. Breaking from the one-piece saltwater fly rod trend, this two-piece is what G. Loomis calls its tournament configuration. At its Core, R8 CORE traces a direct lineage to Sage's multi application vision, one shaped by the fishing evolutions happening all around usfrom habitats we stalk and waters we frequent, to the flies we fish and the diversity of species we now target. Go to your local fly shop to see the entire lineup of each and go cast them. The shortest rods in the series defied expectations and were two of the most enjoyable. 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. It doesn't change that Sage buys the most expensive, highest-grade cork in the industry. If I were you, I wouldnt take their designation of freshwater or salt too closely to heart. I have the R8 9 9 wt and it is the absolute best rod in my arsenal of high end rods. The reels are fully CNCd and have an adjustable drag, something you might not find on a lower-end kit. I chose the G-Series because I don't care for rods that are stiff as a fireplace poker. The Sage X 7wt was fantastic, and if Im being honest, Id have to cast them side-by-side to tell the difference. 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. Are they worth the high price tag? One is brand new with the most R&D $$$ and testing behind it with the promise of the new material going sometimes 20-plus years into the product lifecycle, the other is made from something we've seen for many years and it is built strictly for a value proposition. It has a clean, classic look that is just cool. - Babe Ruth. 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. More than anything else, Sage just nailed the taper and material application. Best Uses: Hopper-droppers, stonefly patterns, and larger mayflies on western rivers preferably from a drift boat! Many thanks for the breakdown. Without getting your hands on them, its a serious task to weed through the options and find the rod that best suits your needs. Recovery What we mean by recovery is the rods ability to return after a back cast. That rigidity, along with those extra inches, is likely the most significant contributor to the power and accuracy fishermen are experiencing from the boat. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. It gets going right away with little line out the tip without the irritating hesitation of many fast action rods. Our assumption is the casting Distance Capabilities have to do with a combination of the casting ability of the user and the recovery speed. Typically, youll find a whole crew of experts willing to help you better understand fishing gear, flies, and your local waters. 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. Of course, like our shootouts and other casting commentaries, these mini-reviews are based on our casting style and preferences. We asked three well-seasoned fly anglers who range in casting ability to perform this review. The delivery is perfectly balanced at all distances and the slow-motion load and rebound of this rod is delightful. 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. 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. The only real notable drawback is the decision not to integrate a hook keep. Grip- too short and too thin. Although I rarely fish a 10 6-wt, this is one of my favorite rods in the series. Sage Salt R8 fly rods: read our model-by-model review. . Off-shore brands even more so in order to take advantage of both cheaper labor and automation. and "What line works best on this rod?". We realized this is a very subjective category also. We cant wait to get them on the water. The Sage R8 Core will cover the all-around anglers needs in a 5 weight. This is not a 1 Trick Pony. Outdated and tired Needlessly heavy. The 95 length is great for fishing in drift boats or off a paddleboard. 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. This rod is more of an AK salmon rod than a large trout rod. In Alaska, managing larger fish with fighting makes a big difference. Options were NRX +, Centric and now R8 core in the same configuration. Anglers will go back and forth on whether they want medium-fast action or fast action in a steelhead rod. 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. Neither light nor heavy for its class, the 690-4 FB is a convincing piece of equipment from the first impression, a rod that seems optimized for its purpose. This allows me to be more precise with the position of my line when mending, and the R8 Core 4100 handles this as intuitively as any rod out there. The 10 foot R8 rods really have a special ability to direct line via water based anchors. My favorite line was the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF4F. The Orvis is pretty good too, but is a few years old now and tech has clearly moved on. This is the same review as the 690-4, but I did cast both fly rods and was equally impressed. High line speed, flat, stable loops are easily generated. 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. At $1000 plus tax it's keeping me away.Sorry, 9 8wt or 9 9wt for redfish out of a boat on the flats? Lines: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Infinity, Rio Perception Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX. JavaScript is disabled. Sage R8 Core Fly Rods | Model-by-Model Review. Every angler should put a 9 3-weight Sage in their quiver because no other rod maker of my acquaintance builds a model even remotely similar. Sage SALT R8 Fly Rod First Impressions January 26, 2023 . Almost Orvis bad. The smaller the fish, the lower the weight. S. steveg47 Member. Your mileage may vary. Elliott Barnes gives his first impressions on the 9 foot, 5 weight i. , this rod is strong where it needs to be and light where it can be. It has more personality than the X. Does the 9 wt outbound overload this rod? Posts. Comparable models in Salt HD, Igniter and Maverick have greater capability in the wind. Best Uses: This is a general-purpose trout rod, but its softer than youre used to from Sage. Choose this model over the 956-4 for light line steelheading, high stick nymphing on big rivers and fishing lakes at distance. 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. This rod will handle a variety of lines, but I would put a longer bellied line like the Gold or Infinity on here, or the various long bellied nymphing lines. All four 6-weight models are designed with progressive fast action similar to the 390-4 and 596-4. Pay out 40 stack mends like youre feeding pigeons. Acknowledging my bias as a mountain carpfisherman, I think the star of this lineup is the 96 5-weight. We are not a blog or a review site. But itll still allow for a modicum of flex for accuracy, offering a meeting point between stiffness and agility. How we Rated the Rods- This particular review covers the following. The rod also lacked the versatility found in the other models. -John Duncan, The R8 Core 5100-4FB is an exceptional fly rod and standout among the R8 Core rods. 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. Instead, the company quickly learned that the carbon web tech didnt improve performance in this application and wasnt worth the added weight. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

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