I am planning on building a new rod this winter. I have decided on a Sage 490-4 but am undecided between the Z-Axis or SLT. I see that the SLT has a small butt diameter and is a bit lighter. I have never cast either of these rods and doubt I will have a chance before Santa delivers my new rod blank. I currently have a Winston Ibis 9'ft 5 wt (too heavy, wears me out) and Loomis GL3 7'6" in a 4 wt (nice rod, but too short for bigger creeks), to give you an idea of what I am used to now. I don't need to shoot out 90' of fly line either, the most is around 30' here in PA. Oh, and I am fishing trout in mid sized streams.

For those of you that have fished both rods which do you prefer and why?