I didn't try the 5 wts. I own the sage r8 core 486. Boasting crazy fast line speed and enough power to overcome unpredictable ocean fishing conditions, this rod is still shockingly sensitive and surprisingly light. Double hauling in the wind, it knifes long loops that turn over with an audible hiss. You cant hammer this rod like an Igniter or NRX+, but the angler who is well-versed in all-water techniques will find the R8 590-4 equally capable with dry flies and nymphs, truly a rod you can appoint for a long day in ever-changing conditions. Best Uses: This is a general-purpose trout rod, but its softer than youre used to from Sage. It casts off the tip, mid section and butt, generating line speed and dead level loops at all distances. Scott G-Series GS 905/4 ? 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. Bozeman Flyworks also offers some simple walk-throughs for those just getting started. That does not mean that it is not a powerful and highly capable rod, but it is not a blazing loop slinger. Not line picky but I like it with a rio TT or a gold or even a 406 DT. The R8 Core 796 is an ideal light surf rod for blind casting with shooting head style lines. The only real exception would be if your main requirement of a fly fishing rod is big power. The Sage X 7wt was fantastic, and if Im being honest, Id have to cast them side-by-side to tell the difference. Both are approximately weight heavy for their line designation, so the difference must lie in the taper. My local shop got several R8's in a couple days ago and I gave the 904 a wiggle, but refrained from casting it. Most rods are able to perform in multiple scenarios. As a true freshwater-six, it's best to leave this one at home on your next bonefishing trip. I'm laughing my ass off, on all the Sage far bank threads. 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. The Scott Centric fly rods are truly fast meets feel, taken to the next level. These are not cookie cutter fly rods. A fast action taper keeps your loops tighter and more efficient, creating a smooth angling experience. Exactly. . 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. 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. The Rio Gold helped give this long 3-weight a bit of pep. Best Uses: This is a tremendous all-around 8wt. The #8 and #9 in this series are designed to carry a heavier load more slowly. I have the R8 9 9 wt and it is the absolute best rod in my arsenal of high end rods. Comparable models in Salt HD, Igniter and Maverick have greater capability in the wind. That being said, this might not be the best rod for a beginner. Both rods earn high marks for fit and finish, from the cork to the wraps to stripping guides. -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. I had a feeling of command across all distances, and you could pick up a long line off the water confidently. Light hand, the R8 6wt can toss foam stonefly patterns to the edges of banks while still having plenty of feel for throwing drakes on the Henrys Fork. Enhanced fishability comes with improved roll casting and line mending as they naturally put a little more graphite behind subtle techniques on the water. Both rods are on the expensive side but live up to the flagship designation they are intended to be. I also cast the Rio Elite Gold and the Rio Perception WF4Fs as well. Scott Centric quantity. The other half are designed with progressive fast tapers similar to the X. And a fast-action rod has a minute amount of flexion. 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. The bulk of my rods are Burkheimers, and the Scotts mix into my quiver nicely. Lines: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Infinity, Rio Perception Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. Both rods are on the expensive side but live up to the 'flagship' designation they are intended to be. Rachelle Schrute has been writing about hunting, fishing, and conservation for several years, as well as being a wilderness guide in Yellowstone National Park. new Sage R8 CORE 590-4? Really, the hope was to mimic the power of the Sector for big freshwater applications. Read what our member's write and you get who they are and their degrees of bias (which to one extent or another we all have). Reel seat seriously? We can and do agree to disagree, and that helps keep this real. 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. This setup is perfect for kids and adults who want to test the waters without investing a huge sum of money to do so. They cast with familiarity and intuition. You can feel the sensation of the line lifting from the water incrementally with this rod. I felt it had more soul and personality than the X, however, I did not feel a big "wow" factor when casting it. Versatility and top end performance across a wide range of fishing environments are key attributes of this model. A truly easy casting rod for its size and length. Real names are not used to protect the innocent. The difference is you get to control the length of the extension from 9 to 12 feet, making it versatile on all sorts of water. But I still found myself reaching for it when wading. 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. I was going to answer this thread, but it was to rich for me. Great post, surfnfish. This is a telescoping rod, meaning it collapses down into itself. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. From slow-action rods to the perfect nymphing setup, these are the best budget fly rods of 2020. Required fields are marked *. Loops were perfect right out of the hand and line speed was sizzling with a Rio Elite Gold. Rich Post, In my opinion, the 6-weights are standouts in the R8 series. We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one. The Rio Perception makes this model feel light, crisp and free, whereas the Infinity Taper feels like the tail is wagging the dog. Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Zen Tenkara. It felt heavier in hand than the 486-4, despite being a size lighter. Acknowledging my bias as a mountain carpfisherman, I think the star of this lineup is the 96 5-weight. Size: Clear selection. Lines: RIO Striper Fly Line, Rio Outbound Short Fly Line, RIO Flats Pro Fly Line. The smaller the fish, the lower the weight. This is a bit of a wild card. Jack, admittedly is not the best caster in the world. Its just plain awesome with all three, which tells me that there is virtually no bad line choice for this rod. Impressive action, good feel, and good aesthetic. The SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity slows the tempo of the rod down just a hair and exemplifies this rods intuition. And depending on where youre fishing, a shorter rod might be desirable. That rigidity, along with those extra inches, is likely the most significant contributor to the power and accuracy fishermen are experiencing from the boat. I enjoyed line in the air with this rod, but I loved how it performed with line on the water. I really like how the taper seems to hide the extra length or this rod and provided for a crisp delivery. Both Sage and Scott have a long history of building great fly rods through innovation. -John Duncan, Im going to repeat my review of the 690-4 here because I honestly found these models to be nearly inseparable. - Babe Ruth. The pick up and lay down with this rod is perfect. Guide set? If youre planning on fishing close to home, a two-piece can work just fine. 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. 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. My favorite line was the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF4F. It excels in all the subtle techniques including roll casting, line mending, informal Spey casts and tippet protection. The R8 Core 5100 really is a tremendous over head casting rod and throws an absolute power wedge. All that to say, we have a good representation of casting ability. Both Matt and Bill are highly skilled casters and can huk fly line. Fish these rods with meat flies, whether in Alaska or somewhere in pike/musky country. This is my favorite 7 weight in the R8 Core lineup. Lightness and responsiveness are both enhanced, improving the spring and underlying his ability to create rods of different character from the same material. Our rating went from zero being heavy and ten being lightweight. Thanks to excellent leverage and control, heavy fish come quickly to the net. I found that this rod casts lighter overhead than other rods in this class. I felt the Douglas was snappier and able to generate more natural line speed despite being medium fast in action. It puts fun in fishing. The R8 796 cast the Rio Predator line well. I U-40 all my cork grips before I fish them. Best Uses: Striper fishing, permit, pike - this was a favorite. Very nice feeling rod, very light, with a nice mellow action. 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 have benefited a lot from S&S's discourses on rods and fly fishing. 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. As a curiosity, do you happen to have a home kitchen scale which can weigh grams or tenths of ounces? More than anything else, Sage just nailed the taper and material application. I cast it with a Rio Gold, SA Infinity Taper and Rio Predator, 3 of my favorite lines for 6-weight fishing. Scott Centric $ 895.00. I was surprised at how much more effortless this was with the X (vs. my old RPL and SP). 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. We paired each rod with the same reel and weight forward, 6-weight fly line. This article is designed to pass that info along to you. Matt also preferred the rhythm of the Sage R8 Core but can accurately cast both fly rods. But the third component youll hear experts talk about is the rods action. Overall, this is a truly impressive fly rod and the best ten foot 5 weight I have ever cast. This is the same review as the 690-4, but I did cast both fly rods and was equally impressed. They dont flop over, they turn over. There is simply something about the tapers of this rod and line that work well together. This is a finely tuned fly rod. 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. The R8 Core replaced the Sage X, which is indeed a fast-action rod. Typically, youll find a whole crew of experts willing to help you better understand fishing gear, flies, and your local waters. You really feel precise and in control with this line and the rod casts a little bit lighter in the hand. The 6wt is a multi-purpose rod that leans towards indicator or hopper dropper fishing out of a drift boat instead of heavy streamers. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. 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. Two categories: Power and Presentation. I agree for the most part with JFJ, but at the same time, this is the version of capitalism that we have, and have come to accept. 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. This could be due to the new generation material, the way the rod is balanced, or simply it could just be lighter. There, fish like tarpon and marlin call for super-stout rods in the 10- to 16-weight range! Our testers found the Scott Centric to have a faster recovery speed than the Sage R8 Core. 7 Most Popular Smoked Salmon in the World, Who Doesnt Like Potcakes?- Support The Bahamas by Helping the Potcakes, Tips on Mousing for Rainbow Trout and Grayling at Alaska West, Whats Happening with Pebble Mine- Good News for Alaska. Walker is keen on R8 technology. We can't wait to get them on the . 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. Rods are broken down mainly into length and weight. Now, the fun part. I also believe this is a much better tool than its predecessor for throwing shooting head style surf lines to stripers. I am partial to dry flies and do value a rod that casts accurate with good line control, good fly placement & presentation. Anglers seem to agree with those claims. We fished the Centric with the Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX and Rio Premiere Gold and found these to be choice lines for this rod. At $1000 plus tax it's keeping me away.Sorry, 9 8wt or 9 9wt for redfish out of a boat on the flats? 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. Many refer to this as the speed of the rod. Its just plain awesome with all three, which tells me that there is virtually no bad line choice for this rod. Lines: RIO Striper Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bonefish Fly Line. We are not a blog or a review site. 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 heres what we found. 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. Roll casts feel good and look good with this rod. Your email address will not be published. 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. The tip felt prone to wobble and didnt track as well as others in the series. I was under the impression that the R8 line was a softer action than the X line. 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. The NRX+ FLY T2S series is touted as having all the performance of a one-piece rod, with the added benefit of portability. 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. Sage has a long history of designing amazing seven-weights, so we had high expectations for the R8 model. 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. Anglers will go back and forth on whether they want medium-fast action or fast action in a steelhead rod. Sage Salt R8 fly rods: read our model-by-model review. Roll casting is tremendous and the deep load along the blank of the R8 Core rods is very apparent here. Rich Post, The R8 Core 7100-4 is a best in class long 7 weight for all around Trout and Salmon fishing when you need a powerful rod that can cast a long way and control line a long way out. The 95 length is great for fishing in drift boats or off a paddleboard. 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 SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF7F was better and loaded the rod just a bit more. The Centric is a normalizer for the Scott company, a versatile freshwater rod designed to cover the full range of fast action rod applications: big water, wind, large or multiple flies and wind-resistant streamers, all with exquisite casting feel and the all-around fishability of a rod that anglers will reach for without caveat. Different fly lines summon unique casting qualities, but the rod handles them all. If youre looking for an empowering distance casting 8 weight that is approachable to many fly casters, look no further. This is too much fly rod for my trout fishing, but stillwater anglers will find a rod of incredible capability. I disagree, but it's a weird disagreement. We opted to have FBs or fighting butts on both rods. A fishing field test is coming. This rod is no exception. 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. 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. This style of fly fishing rod is completely different than any other on the list because its an entirely different way of fly fishing. 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. 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. It can be tied in various colors to match the hatch. You can really stand on it too, you dont have to, but the response of the rod encourages you to really drive the cast. Reactions: ghostrider408. 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. Posts. G-Loomis NRX+LP $ 795.00. 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. ($356) from Bozeman Flyworks is one of the few truly complete packages to get you going. Sage R8 Core Fly Rods | Model-by-Model Review. 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. Boasting crazy fast line speed and enough power to overcome unpredictable ocean fishing conditions, this rod is still shockingly sensitive and surprisingly light. Raise the tip after the lift and effortlessly lay it into the desired position. I'll say this, Ive never seen such a reaction to a fly rod, both good and bad about a fly rod before. A rod of this style has advantages with wind-resistant flies, like spun deer bass bugs, and with a nymph-indicator rig in both the cast and line mend. 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.
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