Hey gang…Im curious to know what the Z-axis owners are throwing for floating lines…and if you have tried more than one. I have tried a Sci Anglers GPX and a Cortland 444SL… I want to try a RIO Gold and a Sci Angler Trout…and am curious about the Triangle Taper…anyone try the TT? I have searched the archives…was hoping for some updated info lining my new rod… Thanks and Tight Lines…
PJN;
I stated with the SA Trout on my Z Axis and now have the SA SharkSkin on it and love it!
Try the TT and the Shark, then let US know what YOU like!
I use Shark and have Rio Gold, prefer the Shark
Some of the things Ive heard and seen with the shark lines i.e. the noise it makes in the guides, wear on guides, raw fingers…not so sure I want to try it. I have the Bermuda TT on my 9 wt and like it on the Florida flats…so I am thinking of trying a TT on my Z-axis and if I dont like it I will line an older St Croix I have with it as it is also in need of a new line. I dont really fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of all the available flyline taper designs and configurations…the market boomed not so long ago with all kinds of tapers for all kinds of applications and rod actions…Bass, Steelhead, Striper,…with resulting differences which only seem to be minor to me in the front tapers, back tapers, body, head lengths…I know that the casters skill and ability makes more of a difference than the line used…but I also know that some rods are better matched with certain lines…Just hoping to find out what others have recently learned with their 5wt Z’s…I have searchd the archives…and believe that there has gotta be one or two best floating lines for this rod on moving and still trout waters…
Thanks again
Though not a 5 wt, I have a 6 wt Z-Axis. I use SA GPX and SS. I have been using SS on my 6 wt and 4 wt for over a year and while the sound does get a little getting use I love it. After over a year of use I have no wear on my guides from using SA SS. I have other friends who use SS as well with no wear reported.
The GPX performs well on the Z-Axis, but I have now gone to the Sharkskin and like it better.
Another question… not to beat a dead horse here…I have to wonder about swithing from a line that is rated a half size heavier in the GPX to a standard 5wt in the SS???
The rod must have performed noticeably different did it not?
And another question…I like the design of the Rio Windcutter II on paper…the front taper is rated a line size lighter and the body is rated a line size heavier…seems like it would load rod deep and offer a better presentation…just curious
Thanks again,
Patrick
I have two 11 foot 6 weight rods that I use for nymphing on the rivers. On my 11 foot Sage XP, I use a 7 weight Rio Nymphing line, in other words I over lined it by one size.
On my Sage 11 foot Z-Axis, I use the Rio 6 weight nymphing line.
The XP is slightly faster than the Z and since when nymphing you don’t cast with a lot of line out, I wanted to over line the XP just to load it faster.
I have been using those lines for a number of years now, ever since they came out with them. Before that I was going through a series of different line trying to find one that felt good to my with my casting style while nymphing. The Rio fits the bill.
Larry —sagefisher—
PJN,
I used a GPX WF5F on mine at first but, I switched to a Mastery Trout DT5F and I love the way it casts on my 590-4 Z-Axis. The rod has a pretty soft tip and it will let you cast in close and will roll cast great too. I have been wanting to try a Rio Gold on mine just to see what it does though.
Rich
i dont know what the heck to do…I just spent 700 bucks…cant find a line I like and wonder if its my casting style that needs to be re-exmined cuz I love the SLT
The Shark is going to make a little noise, but I really do not really hear it any more after some use and it does not appear to bother the fish. The shark compared to the GPX is going to be:
- Faster line speed on power casts
- Float higher
- Come off the water easier and with greater lengths
- Cast farther
I have that very rod and it sings with a Rio Grand WF5F.
PJN,
The casting stoke of an SLT is different than a Z-Axis. With a Z-Axis you need to use a compact casting stroke to load the rod. If you are trying to use the same casting stroke on your Z-Axis that you use on your SLT it won’t work. An SLT has a smooth stroke whereas the Z-Axis is more of an abrupt stroke.
I have the 586-4 version of the Z and have the Sage Performance Taper II on it - wonderful line. It has a very long back taper and therefore mends and roll casts nicely, but also shoots decently. I know it may be hype and marketing, but I DO think it’s balanced just right for the Z.
Thanks for the help guys…Im determined to adjust my casting style to this rod…and I thought different lines, different tapers might be of some help. Over the years I have become a better caster with a lesson here and there and practicing in the backyard if not fishing. I guess Im liking the medium to medium fast rods better than the faster rods…I also noticed if I allow the Z to do its thing instead of trying too hard or working it I feel the rod much better. But I cant help thinking how sweet my SLT 490-4 is and wonder if I should have grabed that in a 5 wt instead of the Z-axis…On larger rivers and lakes I do fish a sinktip during the day and back to dries in the evenings and of course mornings…If anyone could coment on what they know about the 5wt SLT and if it fishes like the 4 wt SLT that would help…but like I said…I want to learn this rod and adjust to it before I give up on it…Thanks again and tight lines…
The SLT has been replaced by the ZXL. I have one in 386-4. Sweet rod, I fish it more than my 590-4 Z Axis.