You can really stand on it too, you dont have to, but the response of the rod encourages you to really drive the cast. The predatory freshwater angler who prefers an 8wt will love the makeup of the rod, too, and should handle reasonably large flies. -John Duncan, Im going to repeat my review of the 690-4 here because I honestly found these models to be nearly inseparable. Then, I found the line: the SA Trout Taper. Acknowledging my bias as a mountain carpfisherman, I think the star of this lineup is the 96 5-weight. Fly fishing equipment reviews, practical advice, factory tours, interviews and instruction. 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. Weight, Casting Distance Capability, Accuracy Capability, Versatility, Recovery, Fit and finish, and Value. 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. Site by 21 Designs. We asked three well-seasoned fly anglers who range in casting ability to perform this review. 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. The team scrapped it and moved forward in a different direction. 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 cast it with a Rio Gold, SA Infinity Taper and Rio Predator, 3 of my favorite lines for 6-weight fishing. And like the Helios, this makes for a helluva boat rod. The R8 Core Series ($1,050) from Sage was just released on April 5. I can't speak to the Centric 590 specifically, but I do own a Centric 5100, and I love it. I was able to. We are not a blog or a review site. When it comes to mending, again, that stiffness allows you to easily direct line for the most realistic float. 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. As a true freshwater-six, it's best to leave this one at home on your next bonefishing trip. 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. It has more personality than the X. The way the value category was evaluated is cost over performance. I had an opportunity to fish with some friends today and fished the R8 Core 690 alongside my 690 X. We found it needed a lighter line like its younger sibling, such as Rio Gold or, if youre *only* fishing dries, Rio Technical Trout is also a reasonable choice. This category has no bearing on the quality of either rod. But the third component youll hear experts talk about is the rods action. Ive personally become disgusted with the marketing, hidden influencers, paid shills, and propaganda thats infested the wonderful sport of fly fishing over the last few years. new Sage R8 CORE 590-4? This is a vintage model in the Sage idiom of tippy and deliberate casting 9 3-weights. The big difference between this kit and other starter kits is quality. Options were NRX +, Centric and now R8 core in the same configuration. Guide set? Slow down, keep your stroke medium tempo and feel the control. We see this as both fly rods are accurate in capable hands. If you're new to fly fishing, you may be wondering what is fly rod action? We fished the Centric with the Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX and Rio Premiere Gold and found these to be choice lines for this rod. 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. The draw of one-piece rods is both weight reduction and improved performance. 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). Its just plain awesome with all three, which tells me that there is virtually no bad line choice for this rod. Youll really feel that tip follow through when roll casting and mending line. Sage R8 Core Fly Rod | In Depth Review - YouTube First Cast- Sage R8 Core and Scott Centric 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. 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. Best Uses: Striper fishing, permit, pike - this was a favorite. Thanks. R8 Technology | Sage - Far Bank Enterprises Breaking from the one-piece saltwater fly rod trend, this two-piece is what G. Loomis calls its tournament configuration. The other half are designed with progressive fast tapers similar to the X. The first subset are rods with a stiff tip that encourage a deeper flex. 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. 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. If thats the case, save some cast fatigue and go with something like a Sage Salt HD. 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. They dont flop over, they turn over. . Though, it may be a turnoff to those whove seen the benefits of single-piece performance. Striper anglers, this is your 9wt. Rich Post, In my opinion, the 6-weights are standouts in the R8 series. Raise the tip after the lift and effortlessly lay it into the desired position. Sale Cellar; Spring Special; Gift Certificates; BFA Logo Gear; Accessories; This is a telescoping rod, meaning it collapses down into itself. Sage R8 Core Fly Rod Series Review: Model-By-Model We cant wait to get them on the water. Scott Centric or Sage X?? Its zippy, fun to cast, and accurate. We paired each rod with the same reel and weight forward, 6-weight fly line. Boasting crazy fast line speed and enough power to overcome unpredictable ocean fishing conditions, this rod is still shockingly sensitive and surprisingly light. The R8 Core 4100-4 is a stellar fishing tool and a specialist nymph angler's go-to rod in the new R8 lineup. 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. The exactness is akin to fitting a puzzle piece in its proper spot. Aside from the skill required, the biggest drawback is just the omission of a 9-foot option. JavaScript is disabled. Sage has offered this model is every fast-action series dating from the RPL. This rod is a prime example of a company that tried something, realized it didnt work, and changed course. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Overall, this is a truly impressive fly rod and the best ten foot 5 weight I have ever cast. As both the R8 and X 590 and 690 do have identical physical weights ( all of the R8 weights and X weights are published, though only scripted on the X models ) - yet the R8 has managed to achieve a noticeably lighter swing weight as you mentioned, it was just a curiosity to see how much weight reduction was in the critical upper sections to achieve this, and how much heavier the butt may be on the R8 ( which if the extra weight is in the seat can actually reduce swing weight ). Nice review. Scott F Series vs. Sage Dart: Comp on the Creek! Both Matt and Bill are highly skilled casters and can huk fly line. As a curiosity, do you happen to have a home kitchen scale which can weigh grams or tenths of ounces? Does the 9 wt outbound overload this rod? "Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." This style of fly fishing rod is completely different than any other on the list because its an entirely different way of fly fishing. Essentially, whatever your preferred stretch of water, theres a rod in the Sage R8 Series to fit your needs. 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. ($260) from Zen Tenkara is just a cool rod. Are a top Fuji stripper and H&H Chrome Stainless super slick guides ho hum? 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. I spent a few days fishing with a Carbon XL after my gear was delayed in transit and Ill admit, it fished just as well as my go-to rod. 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. The R8 Core delivers new performance parameters that deliver a noticeably heightened feel and connection, whether you are fishing, casting, or fighting a fish. 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. These are the best new rods of the year. The 8wt leans on the softer side of things, so wind on the flats could be an issue. You must log in or register to reply here. One of the best rods in a great series of rods! Walker is keen on R8 technology. I'll say this, Ive never seen such a reaction to a fly rod, both good and bad about a fly rod before. Roll casts feel good and look good with this 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. The SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF7F was better and loaded the rod just a bit more. The 6wt is a multi-purpose rod that leans towards indicator or hopper dropper fishing out of a drift boat instead of heavy streamers. Never have they disappointed. It responds to both touch and power. 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. Choose the line that best suits your fishing techniques. when I read reviews, I read them, and if I sense or feel the review was bought and paid for by the company I will refuse to buy that company product for a year, look at the 2022 tackle show, Winston got 1-rod one the rest sage? For me, this is a dry fly and nymphing 5-weight, but not a streamer rod. We are all bozos on this bus, and fly-fishing is just one little nook that we occupy sometimes. I was very impressed by this rod and I look forward to getting to know it more. Choose this model over the 956-4 for light line steelheading, high stick nymphing on big rivers and fishing lakes at distance. Author. Many refer to this as the speed of the rod. All three reviewers were asked to rate each category from 0 to 10 for each rod. Not only does it fish well, but the cosmetic details are also there. The R8 bends deeper than the X and true to the marketing material Sage has released, you can feel the rod bend into the handle, providing a lot of intuitive feel when casting. Fast action freshwater fly rods will always represent the tip of the spear for Sage, which defined the category in the 1980s and 1990s. I found it to be equally capable with both freshwater and saltwater fly lines, but a heavy headed freshwater line such as an SA Titan or Rio Predator would probably be my first choice on the water. 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. What that equates to is a cool, modern fly rod that feels like the rods many of us grew up with. It includes a rod, reel, fly line, leaders, tippet, a fly box, a rod case, a reel sleeve, and even the option to add a net. -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. 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. The R8 Core is an insult at the price point. I like to throw small loops along the length of the line on the water when I mend. They are also well suited for casting larger flies for bass, pike, musky and salmon. All our testers found the Sage R8 Core and the Scott Centric exude quality. In other words, does the cost justify the performance of the rod? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The reactions to this R8 Core release are kind of strange. The Gold Standard Starter Kit ($356) from Bozeman Flyworks is one of the few truly complete packages to get you going. Sage R8 Core First Impressions | The North American Fly Fishing Forum Your email address will not be published. Exactly. Stability and horsepower are characteristic of the Sage legacy, recalling rods such as the RPL, XP and X. I was looking over a few rods today and noticed how horrible the cork is on all the Hardy rods even their high end. Loop control is very good and the rod readily threw a more open loop with line speed and power. A medium (or moderate) action will be stiffer throughout. Almost Orvis bad. A slow-action rod is more flexible throughout to allow for short, accurate casts. The Sage X 7wt was fantastic, and if Im being honest, Id have to cast them side-by-side to tell the difference. I didn't try the 5 wts. The G5 is lightweight and constructed with a narrower shaft than the previous ideation. Both Sage and Scott have a long history of building great fly rods through innovation. Now, the fun part. But the bigger the fish, the more backbone youll need. 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. And depending on where youre fishing, a shorter rod might be desirable. Accuracy- The two better casters, Matt and Bill, found both fly rods to be very accurate. 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. This was their chance to make a move and they fell considerably short in my opinion. My impression was the 690 R8 was a good all around fishing rod (I was impressed with how well it mended). 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. However, the rods refined subtleness also means better presentation when throwing small flies to spooky bonefish. The rod is incredibly light in hand yet has a noticeably stiffer feel all the way through to the tip. This advancement made its Sector series very popular. This is my favorite 7 weight in the R8 Core lineup. That being said, this might not be the best rod for a beginner. 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. Casting these rods and visiting with Rod Designer Peter Walker, Sage clearly sought a rod that prioritized fishability over raw casting prowess. With its target demographic being drift boat fisherman, it has become a favorite for guides who spend long days afloat. Fly rod action is super important in both the experience and the functionality of your fly rod. The Heritage Taper is reminiscent of the old glass rods you might find in a dusty garage. The pick up and lay down with this rod is perfect. 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. If anything, the FB edition feels a tiny bit lighter, the natural result of mounting the grip higher on the blank. All this talk of hidden, lying shills is silly. The Scott Centric fly rods are truly fast meets feel, taken to the next level. Me too. 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. In terms of taper and flex profile, there seem to be 2 groups of R8 Core fly rods: stiff-tipped and progressive. 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. Sage Salt R8 fly rods: read our model-by-model review. If the only bad thing about it is the components are the same they always use, then it sounds like a pretty good rod. 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. 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. You should definitely try out the rods you're considering before laying down money that is well beyond pocket change. The Centric rods were originally constructed with Scotts Carbon Web Technology. Is the 9' 3wt really that bad of a rod? Scott G-Series GS 905/4 ? You really feel precise and in control with this line and the rod casts a little bit lighter in the hand.
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