Which 9' #5 ?

[Azimuth]

Hey all,

Great board.
In need of some advice.
Wife wants to get me a new rod for Chrismas ? Well, I?m sure she will, when I tell her !!

Anyway, question is, which 9? #5 ?

I?m a big Sage RPL and RPL+ fan but when I bought a Sage SP+, I was a bit disappointed as it didn?t seem to be an improvement.
For that reason I never upgraded to the XP?s and from what I hear it may have been a mistake.
Anyway, I don?t think I?d buy 1 now, what with their new range of Z axis out.

I?ve tried a friends 9? #5 Gatti FRPA and really like it, so what I?d like to know is there anyone out there who has tried both the Gatti FRPA and Sage Z Axis in the 9? # 5 model who could compare for me.

I know I should really try them myself but this wont be possible before Christmas anyway.

Hope you can help.

Thanks in advance,

Donald

[Azimuth]

I'm in Ireland, but I understand Gatti ship direct.

Are you saying the SP is like the Z Axis ?

[J Castwell]

I'm lost. SP, SP+?..which? I think I heard the XP is on sale now. Why don't you just say what you want?

[Azimuth]

Apologies, if I?ve not made it clear in my first post.

My reply on the SP (which I?m familiar with) was in relation to your first reply which appears to have been deleted !

What I?d like is; if there are folk out there who have cast both the Gatti FRPA and the new Sage ZAxis in the 9? #5 model, that maybe they would be so kind as to give me their opinion on them.

Regards,

Donald

[LadyFisher]

We have been Gatti fans for some years, and yes we have cast the new Z-Axis as well. I believe the Z-Axis is very close in action to the Gatti FRPA but in my opinion is a better rod. Has both backbone and finesse.

[Kai]

I really like my Winston Boron IIx

http://www.winstonrods.com/rods/rods_BoronIIx.cfm

[pspaint]

I was a big fan of the old RPL's too! The new VT-2 is very similar, yet has quicker recovery. The Z-Axis is also an awesome rod. I've never cast the Gatti's but i've heard good things about them.

[Azimuth]

Thanks for the replies, Folks ? much appreciated.

I guess in truth, I was always leaning towards the Z-Axis Sage but was waiting to hear if there was a world of difference between the rods.
Thank you, Ladyfisher, for your opinion on them.
It makes it easier for me, as I can get a Sage through my local tackle dealer.

Yes, pspaint, I still love the RPL?s. They made a fantastic 10 ?? for a # 6 line and in my opinion has never been bettered by any rodmaker anywhere - including Sage themselves !

[pspaint]

They were definitely awesome rods. I was never able to track down the 10.5 6wt. I have a 10' 7wt. GFL, RPL (plus, several + tapers) and it's my favorite steelhead rod. At 3.5 ounces its incredibly light.