The R8 896 had a shooty feel with this line and was truly fun to watch the head of the line race away and turn over. The Rio Gold helped give this long 3-weight a bit of pep. -John Duncan, The R8 Core 5100-4FB is an exceptional fly rod and standout among the R8 Core rods. In Alaska, managing larger fish with fighting makes a big difference. Id recommend something along the lines of the F-Series, specifically designed for those tight spaces. This also works well for bass, although a lot of people will go a little heavier for these tough-fighting fish. Rachelle Schrute has been writing about hunting, fishing, and conservation for several years, as well as being a wilderness guide in Yellowstone National Park. There, fish like tarpon and marlin call for super-stout rods in the 10- to 16-weight range! 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. -John Duncan, I was very excited to cast this rod. The Rio Elite Perception was very nice as well and produced lots of line speed off the tip. I own the sage r8 core 486. Equivalent to 6-weight, and with two included tips to change action and length, it packs down into a slim little case that is only 29 inches long. Figuring out the right rod weight for your target fish species is generally pretty simple. You get the feeling that the line behind you can almost hold you up it is so stable. That said, of course, the marketing of just about anything these days is based to some extent on notions of a person's desired self-image. Anglers will go back and forth on whether they want medium-fast action or fast action in a steelhead rod. Obviously, there are a lot of opinions involved in what it takes to be the best, and if you visit six different sites, youll get six different lists. "When should I use this rod?" Walker is keen on R8 technology. Reach for this model if you are looking for a fast, powerful four. Fish it on the Colorado, not the San Miguel. I felt the Douglas was snappier and able to generate more natural line speed despite being medium fast in action. Weight- The least subjective of all. I was able to. In other words, does the cost justify the performance of the rod? Were always trying to build a better spring. The new graphite consists of high-density fibers with improved sintering, a high modulus material that may be used higher on the blank without sacrificing strength. You feel more connected to this rod and get the feeling of hitting the gas in a sporty car when you stand on this rod. Fish these rods with meat flies, whether in Alaska or somewhere in pike/musky country. 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435. The 6wt is a multi-purpose rod that leans towards indicator or hopper dropper fishing out of a drift boat instead of heavy streamers. Kind of the same reason we don't directly compare a Porsche to Nissan Sentra. Sage Salt R8 fly rods: read our model-by-model review. I found that this rod casts lighter overhead than other rods in this class. Your email address will not be published. This rod is not a power caster. Size: Clear selection. Has the backbone needed to handle a 350-grain Striper line or Outbound Short. Neither light nor heavy for its class, the 690-4 is a convincing piece of equipment from the first impression, a rod that seems optimized for its purpose. A Rio Technical Trout didnt engage the rod much, and I began to lose hope. This setup is perfect for kids and adults who want to test the waters without investing a huge sum of money to do so. We recently had the opportunity to cast most of the rods in the Sage R8 Core series. Aside from the skill required, the biggest drawback is just the omission of a 9-foot option. To cap it all, the soft tip bends nicely into a fish and should protect fine tippets. It takes a slow, steady cast to really deliver a fly line. But for those who do, it might be frustrating to invest in such a high-end rod and be missing that simple piece. The Heritage Taper is reminiscent of the old glass rods you might find in a dusty garage. Its been out for a few years now, but I dont think this rods been given the credit its earned. Two tone trim wraps and first-rate cork? The rods intuition does not stop when the line hits the water, and the same magnificent mending characteristics of the 4100 are evident in the R8 5100-4FB. We have guides, shop pros and all manner of self-proclaimed authorities (like me by virtue of my 'old-timer' status). The 8 wt is 315, the 9wt is 375. You must log in or register to reply here. Yes, swing weight is what is critical with a rod. Another thing well always suggest is to head to your nearest fly shop and ask questions. Then, others are frustrated until they believe that Sage is just running a big con job and using this forum and its members to achieve that. 100% of our funding comes from your gear purchases, so if this blog post helps you on your next fly fishing adventure, please support us by buying your gear from us. I'm laughing my ass off, on all the Sage far bank threads. Lines: RIO Striper Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bonefish Fly Line. This high-quality package is available with several different options to fit you and your home water. The Centric rods were originally constructed with Scotts Carbon Web Technology. - Babe Ruth. We cant wait to get them on the water. 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. Our rating went from zero being heavy and ten being lightweight. Add to cart. The Airflo Ridge 2.0 Power Taper pairs savagely for dry dropper fishing. The rod is incredibly light in hand yet has a noticeably stiffer feel all the way through to the tip. 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? Not line picky but I like it with a rio TT or a gold or even a 406 DT. We are all bozos on this bus, and fly-fishing is just one little nook that we occupy sometimes. 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 Echo Carbon XL ($180) is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to do some serious fishing without breaking the bank. Then, I found the line: the SA Trout Taper. Scott Centric Fly Rod Test - New Scott Centric VS Scott Radian VS Sage Igniter 17,262 views Sep 12, 2020 Daniel is having a little shootout, to compare the existing 5 weights he normally uses. This article is designed to pass that info along to you. Outdated and tired Needlessly heavy. 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. The rod is matte and looks sleek. Think of the R8 seven as more of a trophy trout rod for the angler who uses a variety of tactics and could be a nymph rod for steelhead in certain situations. 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. If thats the case, save some cast fatigue and go with something like a Sage Salt HD. I U-40 all my cork grips before I fish them. Many thanks for the breakdown. From slow-action rods to the perfect nymphing setup, these are the best budget fly rods of 2020. Youll really feel that tip follow through when roll casting and mending line. Second rate components at top tier pricing, and a look in desperate need of a refresh~. They dont flop over, they turn over. Grip- too short and too thin. A lot of my other rods gathered dust; the Blackout did not. It casts naturally with tremendous line speed and zero torsional play at all distances. I also cast the Rio Elite Gold and the Rio Perception WF4Fs as well. R8 CORE. 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. 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. It felt clunky, was overly line-sensitive, and not enjoyable to cast. Fit & Finish- The first impressions are important. For me, this is a dry fly and nymphing 5-weight, but not a streamer rod. JavaScript is disabled. Tossing smaller flies at cutties and brookies in alpine lakes would be appropriate too. Its interesting to me that you have found the R8 noticeably lighter than the X in this model. ($356) from Bozeman Flyworks is one of the few truly complete packages to get you going. It seems sensitive to its line pairing, but I would unconditionally recommend the R8 490-4 with an SA Trout Taper. With that, all our testers rated both rods very high. Off-shore brands even more so in order to take advantage of both cheaper labor and automation. I'll say this, Ive never seen such a reaction to a fly rod, both good and bad about a fly rod before. 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. This model does not have a fighting butt and I found that a heavier reel provided a better balance and also made the overall outfit feel lighter as well. Its very common to see rods of identical length and line weight having significantly differing swing weights unrelated to their physical weight, as weight distribution is what will be the determining factor, not simply overall weight. 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. What 5 weight fly lines will you be casting with your new rod? The consistent review from the pros is that it casts like a much higher-priced rod. Whether you prefer to fish on the beach or off rocks, this 9wt can handle any type of striper environment. Raise the tip after the lift and effortlessly lay it into the desired position. Not to say the R8 Core cant be used in saltwater situations, but with the faster recovery speed, the Scott Centric would be the preferred rod in saltwater situations. Exactly. The big difference between this kit and other starter kits is quality. 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. Hi Scott, The RIO Striper Line with the fast sinking. I dont know many people who actually use them. Stability and horsepower are characteristic of the Sage legacy, recalling rods such as the RPL, XP and X. Its also identical between the 590s ( why I suspect Sage is not printing the rod weights on this new series ). Stillwater anglers will find plenty of spine for lifting full sinking lines from deep water and casting from float tubes or personal pontoon boats. 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. With that, the Sage R8 Core rod rating varied with each reviewer, while the Scott Centric was more consistent with the accuracy part of the review. Almost Orvis bad. 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. Just a really great rod, the best Ive used in over 45 years of fly fishing. Both are fly rods, both catch fish just fine and both have fans. The Verdict- The Sage R8 Core and the Scott Centric are fantastic rods and will be a great addition to any experienced fly angler's fly rod lineup. This is a vintage model in the Sage idiom of tippy and deliberate casting 9 3-weights. Sage built this rod not as a generalist but for specialized tasks but it begs the question, does anyone need a 9 3wt? 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. The R8 Core 896 has a faster rod feel and produces higher line speed, giving the caster a more empowering feeling. A truly easy casting rod for its size and length. Cast all day without tiring. This style of fly fishing rod is completely different than any other on the list because its an entirely different way of fly fishing. Read more. With a Gold, it felt bouncy, the tip pulling from side to side with each stroke. Every year, theres a new list of the best rods out there. The Orvis is pretty good too, but is a few years old now and tech has clearly moved on. Guides have praised the noticeable reduction in fatigue after a long day of throwing streamers, as well as noting the power it has relative to its lightweight feel. The R8 Core 4100-4 is a stellar fishing tool and a specialist nymph angler's go-to rod in the new R8 lineup. Me too. The line rolls off the tip with conviction and loops so long and level they appear frozen in time. Jack, admittedly is not the best caster in the world. Versatility- We see this as the rods ability to be used in various fishing situations. When I casted it when it first came out, I liked it quite a bit more than than the X in that configuration. The Great Lakes tributary steelheader will find the taper beneficial for rolling out bulky indicator rigs. I was surprised at how much more effortless this was with the X (vs. my old RPL and SP). The 896 has a similar fast rod feel to the R8 696, but the heavier blank of the 8 weight isnt quite as lively. They've been whipping this same horse for a long time. Very nice feeling rod, very light, with a nice mellow action. Like a child reaching out to grab his mothers waiting hand. I wouldnt choose this model for flats fishing, but I like it for heavy bass, salmon and pike. This stick has the authority to lift long lines and deep nymph rigs from distant drifts, prowling a broad river like an angler with long arms. We have said there is a cost to innovation and design, and in both Sage and Scott, the Centric and R8 Core are reflections of that. Breaking from the one-piece saltwater fly rod trend, this two-piece is what G. Loomis calls its tournament configuration. 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. The RIO Striper line fits like a glove, but it threw the SA Amplitude Bonefish nicely. I hear what you're saying, but it is not that simple. With almost a year of it being in public hands, theres been some resounding praise of this specialized rod. It excels in all the subtle techniques including roll casting, line mending, informal Spey casts and tippet protection. As a curiosity, do you happen to have a home kitchen scale which can weigh grams or tenths of ounces? In theory, it seems like a simple concept, but rod designers have often struggled to find the right balance with fast-action rods. Both rods are 9 foot six weights. Thanks to excellent leverage and control, heavy fish come quickly to the net. I cast it with a Rio Gold, SA Infinity Taper and Rio Predator, 3 of my favorite lines for 6-weight fishing. I thought the Rio Elite Gold WF7F was just a shade too light and didnt match the rod as well as I like. 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. It puts fun in fishing. Are a top Fuji stripper and H&H Chrome Stainless super slick guides ho hum? Or maybe all of the above. In the right hands, this could make a great spring creek rod when conditions call for the longest leaders, lightest tippets, and smallest flies to be delivered to the wariest of trout. A common critique of the Centric is that it falls short on small water or better yet, it struggles to fall short. In terms of taper and flex profile, there seem to be 2 groups of R8 Core fly rods: stiff-tipped and progressive. Constructed with G. Loomis Multi-taper Design, this rod is strong where it needs to be and light where it can be. Not only does it have a groovy look, it fishes really well if you know what youre doing. Posts. 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. They cast with familiarity and intuition. Comparable models in Salt HD, Igniter and Maverick have greater capability in the wind. I love the idea of a longer light line rod for keeping tension on smaller fish and holding line off of the water. Places and fish for this rod: Alaska Trout, California Surf, Northeast Surf for schoolies, Anadromous Indicator fishing, Jurassic and Pyramid Lake style trout fisheries. Anglers seem to agree with those claims. However, they can be brutal to transport. We had the pleasure of casting two newly released six-weight fly rods from two premiere fly rod companies, the Sage R8 Core 690-4FB and the Scott Centric C906/4FB. This one might have a bit too much bang. 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. It responds to both touch and power. Its clean, sleek, and has a balanced feel. Choosing a fly rod really comes down to three components: where youre fishing, what youre fishing for, and what flies youll tie to the end of the rod. Your review of the 7wt sounds like they are very close. The draw of one-piece rods is both weight reduction and improved performance. -Rich Post, In the X Series, the high line class rods were saltwater style, designed for knifing into the wind with tight loops and relatively small flies. The Scott Centric fly rods are truly fast meets feel, taken to the next level. Loops were perfect right out of the hand and line speed was sizzling with a Rio Elite Gold. Your email address will not be published. Both are approximately weight heavy for their line designation, so the difference must lie in the taper. My favorite line for this model is the Rio Perception and my least favorite is the SA Infinity Taper. With all that said, lets get to it. If you're new to fly fishing, you may be wondering what is fly rod action? We spend a lot of time testing gear and writing reviews to give you all the tools to make your next trip a success. I had an opportunity to fish with some friends today and fished the R8 Core 690 alongside my 690 X. Click Here for the Rating Graph for the Sage R8 Core. Even my guide friends loved it, and I could see a smidge of jealousy in their trout-lovin eyes. Boasting crazy fast line speed and enough power to overcome unpredictable ocean fishing conditions, this rod is still shockingly sensitive and surprisingly light. Both lines were excellent. My local shop got several R8's in a couple days ago and I gave the 904 a wiggle, but refrained from casting it. Single handed Spey casts and powerful roll casts leap from the tip. The only item you have to purchase outside of this kit is a few flies. The R8 Core is a brand new series, but we were lucky enough to cast most models in the series with a variety of fly lines here's what we found. Best Uses: Hopper-droppers, stonefly patterns, and larger mayflies on western rivers preferably from a drift boat! Scott Centric $ 895.00. Roll casts feel good and look good with this rod. We paired each rod with the same reel and weight forward, 6-weight fly line. I dont tend to extend much past the 9-foot mark, but this rod seems to have the responsiveness and control you might expect from a shorter rod. I felt it had more soul and personality than the X, however, I did not feel a big "wow" factor when casting it. Now, the fun part. Pretty plain. Based in Montana, Rachelle is an avid hunter, angler, wild game cook, and professional outdoor napper. The Gold Standard Starter Kit ($356) from Bozeman Flyworks is one of the few truly complete packages to get you going. My impression was the 690 R8 was a good all around fishing rod (I was impressed with how well it mended). 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. Thanks partly to the rods length, it pairs best with a line that has a short-to-medium head. Reel seat seriously? I cast a Rio Elite Gold WF7F and the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF7F line on this rod. , this rod is strong where it needs to be and light where it can be. We realized this is a very subjective category also. 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. We ask much of our 6-weights, but the R8 690-4 exceeds all requirements. What reels are those fishing the Core 6wt using? These rods all have the stiff tip, medium-fast action. ReAct technology combines our X-Core design with a new complex materials and taper system to create a break-through in fast action rod design. I was much more impressed when I cast the Douglas Sky G 6wt. Enhanced fishability comes with improved roll casting and line mending as they naturally put a little more graphite behind subtle techniques on the water. The 10 foot R8 rods really have a special ability to direct line via water based anchors. All four 6-weight models are designed with progressive fast action similar to the 390-4 and 596-4. If I were you, I wouldnt take their designation of freshwater or salt too closely to heart. You are using an out of date browser. Lightness and responsiveness are both enhanced, improving the spring and underlying his ability to create rods of different character from the same material. It might even be too light to throw a sink tip and big articulated streamers all day. You have so much confidence with a long line behind you in the air. Thanks. 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 rod feels Incredibly light in hand but has plenty of range and is an excellent option for anglers seeking versatility from their 4wt. In the R8 lineup, the 7100-4 is the best big rod for mending that I cast. Tenkara really takes it back to basics, and the Suimenka is one of the coolest Ive seen. And, of course, rod weight can go way up in the saltwater world. Lines: Rio Gold Elite Fly Line, Rio Technical Trout Fly Line. The X 896 was so good and I really didnt know what they could do to improve that rod. Best Uses: Dry fly fishing on tailwaters where medium distant casts are needed.
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