How do these two compare?
Anyone?
From what i’ve heard the SLT is a bit smoother, lighter and stronger. Yet, both are awesome rods.
Ducksterman,
I have a 5wt. SLT that I love but I’ve never tried the other so I can’t say how they compare.
VEE
The SP+ is a very fast rod and may be faster that the current TCR. The SLT is a nice Medium-fast rod that will fish great under most conditions. SP+ is very fast for casting big bugs long distances. SLT is similar to the SP model not the +plus and has a slower action that an XP.
Hope that helps,
Jet
This was my decision process on virtually the same question.
I had tried a 690 XP about 4 years ago that a guide had in his boat and really loved it. It suited my fast style and moved big stuff out very well. So I bought one.
Two years ago I convinced myself that I needed a 4 weight to match the 6. I walked into the shop to buy a 490 XP when the owner and friend suggested I take it and the 490-4 SLT down to the river and try them both. Two hours later I returned to the store and bought the SLT. The soft light touch was perfect for smaller water and smaller flies.
In my opinion the SLT-4 was the perfect complement. The 6 for big stuff, hoppers, streamers, and lead. The 4 for dry flies, 12-22. At the end of last summer the 4 wt was lost (ouch, don’t ask) and there is a new one waiting for me to pick up.
For what it is worth, most of my fishing is in SW Montana.
Bob
Welcome O.Clarki,
Thanks for posting.
How much of the fact it’s a perfect compliment is because it is a 4 vs a 6?
Any thoughts on how it would compare if both were 6’s?
ducksterman,
WOW!, Talk about two rods on the opposite ends of the spectrum, you picked them!
I owned a full set and then some of the Sage SP+ rods for many years, and absolutely loved them. Trout to steelie’s, they did it all, and well! I loved the shimmer of the beautiful Dark Green blanks in the sun.
They are SUPER, SUPER, SUPER FAST RODS!!! They are even faster than Sage’s new TCR (Technical Casting Rod). If your an “accomplished” caster, then you’ll be able to lay out size 22 dries with absolute finesse, or throw big streamers into a “strong” wind, and I’m only talking about the 4 wt. LOL!!!
If you find yourself fishing in areas that the wind blows all the time, or you like to have a rod capable of throwing tiny dry flies with finesse and reserve power to throw double nymph rigs with ease, like to throw big or heavy bugs, or you just love to nymph fish exclusively, then the SP+ is flat out an awesome rod, and I’d get it. Hehehehehehe!!!
The SP+ is a Sage rod model whose long since been forgotton, unless, you’re the lucky angler whose coveting one or two of these GEM’S hidden in the back corner of your safe. You must have a friend who has one, or know a fool willing to part with it.
I wouldn’t buy this rod as an only rod in a weight catagory. I’d have it in addition too what ever other rod I used most of the time. It is an awesome rod, but unless you really know how to cast, it’ll beat you to death in a short, short.
That being said, the Sage SLT is a great rod series loved by many, it’s just a bit to slow of rod action for my taste and casting style. If you like Medium Slow action rods, it’ll probably fit your casting stroke and taste better.
However, if you find faster action rods, more to your liking and your speed, then I would definately stick to the Sage XP over the SLT.
My humble suggestion is to spend sometime casting all of them over a period of a few days to see which one picks you!!! That’ll be the one that goes home with you.
A hopeless lover of the SP+'s.
Fish On!!!
Terry
HI
Where does the RPL and RPL+ fit in?
Dean
“A legend in my own mind”
The RPL and RPL+ were developed before the SP. Similar idea. The RPL was the medium fast action version, graphite III, and the plus taper was the fast action version. I have both and they’re awesome. To me it’s still the rod to beat. The SP was graphite IV and used Sage’s patented Durascrim, scrim design.
ducksterman,
I have both the SLT and XP in model 590-4. The XP I just purchased on Monday. The SLT I have had for about a year. I find the SLT to be a very relaxed casting rod with plenty of reserve power for distance as well as being able to finese a delicate presentation on still waters.
The XP I have taken out to the casting ponds the past two days to try it out. The XP requires you to pick up the pace on your casting stroke and put a little more muscle into it, though I don’t think you’ll be sore at the end of a long day of fishing as long as you are a frequent flyer. The casual flyer will notice some muscle fatigue. Because of the faster pace it is less forgiving than the SLT.
Ducksterman,
Much of what I like could be the 6/4 difference and as Akalooker suggests they are on different ends of the spectrum. I guess when I compared the two 4’s the SLT settled the fly much more gently.
BTW, sorry for getting your original ? about SP+ of track.