Not only does it have a groovy look, it fishes really well if you know what youre doing. You should definitely try out the rods you're considering before laying down money that is well beyond pocket change. The 896 has a similar fast rod feel to the R8 696, but the heavier blank of the 8 weight isnt quite as lively. Like all the 10 foot R8 rods, an easy stroke and more relaxed cadence produce remarkable results for the amount of effort the caster applies to the rod. 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 rods are 9 foot six weights. This fiberglass rod doesnt just have the looks of a throwback its constructed like one, albeit with some modern tech. 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. Thanks. Not only does it fish well, but the cosmetic details are also there. But the bigger the fish, the more backbone youll need. This article is designed to pass that info along to you. Loop control is very good and the rod readily threw a more open loop with line speed and power. Maybe it is more of an indictment on the industry. They dont flop over, they turn over. Check Price at Trident Fly FishingCheck Price at G. Loomis. Thanks a bunch! You have so much confidence with a long line behind you in the air. Scott Centric Fly Rod Test - New Scott Centric VS Scott Radian VS Sage Its been out for a few years now, but I dont think this rods been given the credit its earned. We can and do agree to disagree, and that helps keep this real. With a full lineup of sizes, both the Sage R8 Core and Scott Centric mostly likely make the rod in the weight you want. I felt like the rod could handle a heavier and longer headed nymph specialty style line well. It takes a slow, steady cast to really deliver a fly line. This is a fine Alaska rod or crossover saltwater-freshwater model, which are increasingly rare. All four 6-weight models are designed with progressive fast action similar to the 390-4 and 596-4. You are using an out of date browser. 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. If youre planning on fishing close to home, a two-piece can work just fine. 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. All this talk of hidden, lying shills is silly. It might even be too light to throw a sink tip and big articulated streamers all day. The 9 3wt is at the bottom of the R8 Core series barrel. This advancement made its Sector series very popular. Both rods are on the expensive side but live up to the 'flagship' designation they are intended to be. A typical wade-and-walk, small-stream, slow-action rod might be a 76 3-weight rod. Pay out 40 stack mends like youre feeding pigeons. This could be due to the new generation material, the way the rod is balanced, or simply it could just be lighter. 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. Is it possible that maybe there's a better line for it than what you tried? Our testers found both rods to be excellent fly rods and great additions to any fly anglers quiver. You must log in or register to reply here. A slow-action rod is more flexible throughout to allow for short, accurate casts. 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. This rod would be perfect for tossing big poppers to largemouth. Carrying along a Rio Euro Nymph Shorty or a second reel with Euro line, adds another dimension of versatility to this rod. -John Duncan. After my initial casting session with this series, this was my project model. I first cast the R8 490-4 with a Rio Gold and knew that I had to keep searching. A reel like the Sage Trout Reel 4/5/6 is where I would start on this model. In other words, does the cost justify the performance of the rod? Its interesting to me that you have found the R8 noticeably lighter than the X in this model. Sage described the G5 as being a highly responsive rod at lengths at and past that, and the sentiment was echoed by the public. JavaScript is disabled. Hi all, I'm looking at buying my "life time" rod and wanting to get people's opinion on which rod. The reactions to this R8 Core release are kind of strange. 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. We understand multi-disciplinary as versatile. This rod is not a power caster. 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 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. Fish it on the Colorado, not the San Miguel. The companys direct-to-consumer model means you get a higher quality product at a far lower price point. 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. Bozeman Flyworks also offers some simple walk-throughs for those just getting started. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. You get the feeling that the line behind you can almost hold you up it is so stable. The SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF7F was better and loaded the rod just a bit more. The Sage R8 Core fly rod family is labeled as "Fast Action". I found the FB version to be almost identical in character. . Both rods are on the expensive side but live up to the flagship designation they are intended to be. Thanks partly to the rods length, it pairs best with a line that has a short-to-medium head. The other day our Sage sales representative, Alex Ramirez, gave The Fly Shop team a product demonstration on the new Sage R8 Core single-hand rods. How do they balance the rod? I also wondered if a number of those people actually fly fished by their postings. I have a 9wt zone already so I was hoping the 8wt R8 would be a good fit for redfish? Choose this model over the 956-4 for light line steelheading, high stick nymphing on big rivers and fishing lakes at distance. Stay away from extra heavy long-headed lines, such as the Rio Grand. The 95 5-weight version of the series came out with a pile of hype, and so far it has measured up. The Sage Trout G5 ($650) took home the award for Best Spey Rod, and for good reason. Pretty plain. You get a more powerful rod in the R8 896 than the X and a rod that throws shorter heavier lines more easily. Lines: Rio Gold Elite Fly Line, Rio Technical Trout Fly Line. Slow down, keep your stroke medium tempo and feel the control. Rich Post, In my opinion, the 6-weights are standouts in the R8 series. 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. Lines: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Trout Fly Line, RIO Gold Fly Line, RIO Technical Trout. It roll casts and mends with command. However, the rods refined subtleness also means better presentation when throwing small flies to spooky bonefish. I wouldnt choose this model for flats fishing, but I like it for heavy bass, salmon and pike. Versatility and top end performance across a wide range of fishing environments are key attributes of this model. It would be interesting to know the weight of the upper 3 sections together of each rod, and the butt section separately. Lines: RIO Striper Fly Line, Rio Outbound Short Fly Line, RIO Flats Pro Fly Line. With its target demographic being drift boat fisherman, it has become a favorite for guides who spend long days afloat. The tip is stiff enough to force it into the mid and butt section on all casts, but its an easy swinger well suited for salmon fishing and other applications where a 9 #8 bonefish rod is just too stiff for the nuances of freshwater fishing. Both Sage and Scott have a long history of building great fly rods through innovation. I have benefited a lot from S&S's discourses on rods and fly fishing. The X 896 was so good and I really didnt know what they could do to improve that rod. 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. 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. Two categories: Power and Presentation. Because of that softer action, its a better dry fly rod than previous models. I disagree, but it's a weird disagreement. Lightness and responsiveness are both enhanced, improving the spring and underlying his ability to create rods of different character from the same material. Get yours today With Free Shipping: https://www.tridentflyfishing.com/sage-r8-core-fly-rod.htmlBlog Review HERE: https://www.tridentflyfishing.com/blog/sage-. Both are fly rods, both catch fish just fine and both have fans. The rod is so light it feels more like a 9 rod in hand. Jack, admittedly is not the best caster in the world. You really feel precise and in control with this line and the rod casts a little bit lighter in the hand. 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. I dont know many people who actually use them. Places and fish for this rod: Alaska Trout, California Surf, Northeast Surf for schoolies, Anadromous Indicator fishing, Jurassic and Pyramid Lake style trout fisheries. 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 really enjoyed the Rio Elite Gold on this rod. These rods all have the stiff tip, medium-fast action. Instead, the company quickly learned that the carbon web tech didnt improve performance in this application and wasnt worth the added weight. Figuring out the right rod weight for your target fish species is generally pretty simple. I felt it had more soul and personality than the X, however, I did not feel a big "wow" factor when casting it. Really, the hope was to mimic the power of the Sector for big freshwater applications. Your review of the 7wt sounds like they are very close. 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). That rigidity, along with those extra inches, is likely the most significant contributor to the power and accuracy fishermen are experiencing from the boat. The Sage X 7wt was fantastic, and if Im being honest, Id have to cast them side-by-side to tell the difference. 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. How we Rated the Rods- This particular review covers the following. Continuing the trend of producing a rod that feels shockingly light in hand, Scott has changed things up with the Centric ($945). Gear Review: First Cast, Sage R8 Core & Scott Centric Accuracy- The two better casters, Matt and Bill, found both fly rods to be very accurate. Click Here for the Rating Graph for the Scott Centric. 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. Anglers will go back and forth on whether they want medium-fast action or fast action in a steelhead rod. 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. -John Duncan, The R8 Core 5100-4FB is an exceptional fly rod and standout among the R8 Core rods. 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. Boasting crazy fast line speed and enough power to overcome unpredictable ocean fishing conditions, this rod is still shockingly sensitive and surprisingly light. To cap it all, the soft tip bends nicely into a fish and should protect fine tippets. 2020 Five Weight Shootout by the Yellowstone Angler. Sage R8 or Winston Air 2 4 wt? | The North American Fly Fishing Forum Although I rarely fish a 10 6-wt, this is one of my favorite rods in the series. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Best Use: A proper trout angler's rod; the 486-4 is perfect for smaller rivers and dry flies but offers a hint of versatility generally not seen in this size configuration. This is a vintage model in the Sage idiom of tippy and deliberate casting 9 3-weights. There, fish like tarpon and marlin call for super-stout rods in the 10- to 16-weight range! This is exactly what I was hoping for from this model, among the most important for fishing in SW Colorado. A Rio Technical Trout didnt engage the rod much, and I began to lose hope. I can't speak to the Centric 590 specifically, but I do own a Centric 5100, and I love it. My favorite line was the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF4F. 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. This rod is more of an AK salmon rod than a large trout rod. , this rod is strong where it needs to be and light where it can be. The RIO Striper line fits like a glove, but it threw the SA Amplitude Bonefish nicely. new Sage R8 CORE 590-4? Two tone trim wraps and first-rate cork? It's a nice drake pattern with a high wing that floats low in the water giving a great profile. Thanks-. One of the best rods in a great series of rods! Yes, swing weight is what is critical with a rod. 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. This is not a 1 Trick Pony. Is the 9' 3wt really that bad of a rod? Click Here for the Rating Graph for the Sage R8 Core. To provide better info so you can make a more informed buying decision, we decided to start a 'model-by-model' blog series. 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. We ask much of our 6-weights, but the R8 690-4 exceeds all requirements. A lot of my other rods gathered dust last year, mostly because the Blackout did not. Read more. The R8 Core 7100-4 is the rod for an Alaska Trout and Salmon trip. Gear Review: Sage R8 Core Series Fly Rods. This setup is perfect for kids and adults who want to test the waters without investing a huge sum of money to do so. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. You say the 9wt can handle a 350 grain outbound .. except there isnt a 350 grain outbound. The R8 Core and Centric are considered the flagship lineup of rods for Sage and Scott, respectively. 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. I own the sage r8 core 486. The Redington Butter Stick ($280) drips with vintage cool. I like to throw small loops along the length of the line on the water when I mend. Many thanks for the breakdown. Scott Centric or Sage X?? - FlyLife Magazine S. steveg47 Member. 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. Posts. The first subset are rods with a stiff tip that encourage a deeper flex. Only bought my 596-4 R8 Core a few days ago, but you review above is spot on. To be clear, we didnt fish with these rods; we merely cast them. -Rich Post, By modern standards, this would be considered a medium fast 8-weight, the purposes for which are both narrow and broad. The 390-4 R8 is a bit of a unique rod. -John Duncan, One of the sweethearts in the series, the R8 486-4 casts every suitable fly line with natural grace, line speed and precision throughout its substantial range. Granted, it wasnt designed for close casts on tiny creeks, but its worth noting. Its zippy, fun to cast, and accurate. The Best New Fly Fishing Rods of 2022 | GearJunkie We get questions about specific rod models all the time. Both Sage and Scott have a long history of building great fly rods through innovation. The other half are designed with progressive fast tapers similar to the X. 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. A common critique of the Centric is that it falls short on small water or better yet, it struggles to fall short. But for those who do, it might be frustrating to invest in such a high-end rod and be missing that simple piece. The Airflo Ridge 2.0 Power Taper pairs savagely for dry dropper fishing. Description Additional information . 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. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. On the other hand, Jack found the action of the Scott Centric not in rhythm with his casting stroke and found it to be less accurate than the Sage R8 Core. Check Price at Trident Fly FishingCheck Price at Farbank. First Impressions: Sage R8 Core 9' 5 weight - Fin & Fire Fly Shop I also cast the Rio Elite Gold and the Rio Perception WF4Fs as well. Single handed Spey casts and powerful roll casts leap from the tip. Sage R8 Core Fly Rod $ Sage Sonic Fly Rod 9ft 5wt $ 675.00. 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. If you're new to fly fishing, you may be wondering what is fly rod action? The are still some discontinued Radians floating around, and if you find one, grab it. This can be easily thrown into a pack or carried onto a plane. I was able to get my hands on the R8 Core Series last month and get a feel for what these fast-action multiapplication rods have to offer. ($260) from Zen Tenkara is just a cool rod. Off-shore brands even more so in order to take advantage of both cheaper labor and automation. 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 do not own a 10 foot single hand rod, but I may have to now. 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Your email address will not be published. When you start talking about rods that reach past the 11-foot mark, responsiveness becomes an issue. -John Duncan, Expecting a tip-casting streamer stick, I found this model to be more suitable for bass fishing and nymphing, where an easy going cast with an open delivers the goods without much input from the caster. And if you learn a bevy of casts beyond the standard like false casting, roll casting, or slack line casting youll be able to further dial in presentation for any number of setups or weather conditions.
