Avid or Launch

I've been fly fishing for two years now and I think it's time to upgrade my gear.
Since I'm still learning proper casting I would like to pick up new rod that would be an upgrade from my Premier and Cabelas rods. Need something for Smallies and LMB's so I'm thinking about 7wt as a decent rod (I hate to go too heavy - there is no fun in landing the fish). It also needs to be a moderate action rod to help with my casting skills. I have narrowed my choice down to St.Croix Avid and Sage Launch.

Any opinions as to which one would suit me better?
I'm leaning toward St.Croix since I have few Premier rods (fly/spin/cast) and like them very much.
On the other hand I hear and read a lot of good things about Sage.

Any help would be appreciated.

No one, other than you, can know which rod will suit best.

Both the Launch and Avid rods are fine fly rods and either would be a good choice. I don't think you could go wrong with either. Have you cast either?

The St. Croix Reign is very similar to the Premier, but with better hardware.


I happen to have several high, medium, and low end Sage Rods, but also have a couple of St. Croix Premier and older Imperial models and enjoy them very much too.

I have handled a St. Croix (gave a Reign to my son for a gift) and fish mostly a Sage. For me the grip is critical. My clear preference is for the Sage grip. I like the cork handle to be long (Sage is about as long as they get, and many other makers use shorter lengths of cork) and I like the taper of the Sage. Many makers taper the handle too much and the front is too thin, IMHO.

Peter F

Just my two cents on the Avid, I have a 7wt. that has landed many steelhead, kings and bass, L/M and S/M. It has plenty of backbone for fighting and landing big fish but does not cast big heavy flies very well. I have experimented with different line weights and tapers and have had limited success finding a way to chuck a big clouser or magnum bunny fly that is wet. I am currently building a nice 8wt. with a big fighting butt to do battle with the northerns come ice out.

JA

you may also want to look at the TFO series one rods have a nice medium action while the professional models have a med/fast action. also look at the orvis clearwater. the avid and launch are good roods too but i recommend you try different models and actions to actually feel which does best. also take a big fly with you when testing the rods. i'm sure there are several shops in the area that have demos for you to try.

Thank you flypersons :D .
After further testing, discussion and research I have placed an order for Avid.