After some shopping, I’m considering purchasing a Sage 890-4 and a Sage 3400 drag.
I’ll be using this in Mongolia and also Bone fishing. Does anyone have any thoughts good or bad about this equipment?
Thanks!
Topper
I don’t know anything about the sage reel, or how much you are looking to spend, but Cabelas and MRFC both have Ross Momentum reels for 1/2 price (MRFC has RIO lines for 1/2 off). I just ordered one of these reels last week, and am hoping to get it in this week. Everything I’ve heard or read is that a reel is pretty important when fishing for bones. So take a look and see if it is in your price range.
The Sage 3400 was about $600, I can get it for 285.00. The Sage 890-4 is about $200.
I think the price is ok, I was wondering about the performance.
It’s an 8wt rod
Thanks!
Topper
You might state the model of Sage Rod? There are a few. The designation you listed specifies an 8wt, 9’ rod, 4 pc. But it could be an XP, Z-Axis, or one of their other lines of fly rods.
You can get the line, reel, backing, and shipped from MRFC for less than 280. Ross makes reels, Sage makes rods. I’ve always thought to buy Rods from rod makers and reels from reel makers. (As I say that my other two reels are sage and loomis, but they were gifts;))
I’m an idiot. Gosh, I’m so tired of being the butt. I have a low I.Q. and I’m sorry to bother you.
Defensive? You asked for opinions. I was just trying to point you to a deal I found and ordered for myself last week. Of course I’m new to saltwater fly fishing as well and wasn’t trying to come across as narcissistic. Personally I was amazed at how expensive the saltwater lines were, and the 1/2 price RIO is water steered me towards MRFC.com. Good luck with whatever you decide.
I also intended no offense, Topper. I don’t own any Sage rods, but thought my suggestion might help you get some worthwhile reviews from the other folks here regarding the particular model of rod you are considering.
Sage seems to be a very good company overall, so I’m sure you’ll be pleased with your purchase. Sounds like you’re getting a really good price on your gear!
Topper
I have looked at the Sage reel and have to say it did not give me the warm fuzzy feeling… We work reels hard on salmon and I have torched more than a few high dollar reels in the process. The older Sage reels, made by Hardy, were bombproof. I have a 506 and it has been used hard and yet still looks nearly new.
As a guide I use a lot of gear and try to have lots of variety on hand for different conditions and experience levels. We have about 35 Hardys, for example and some of virtually every major brand. We have 6 Hardy Huskys, 2 multipliers and 4 standard, and they have been used extremely hard. They have almost no problems after 15 years on several of them. All that is required is the occasional cork replacement. A dead simple, tough reel. That is with literally thousands of salmon per reel…
The reason I am going through all of this, even though I have limited direct input on the reel in question is simply the gut feeling I get looking at the reel’s internals. It would not be a first choice for me, especially in the price range. I also think there is a reason they are available cheap…
art
Maent to add… Husky reels are regularly available on ebay for less than $200.
Major downside to the Silent Check Hardy reels is the gravity check system… They can only be used in right-hand wind. There are some that swap them and use a small spring retrofit, but they are not reliable.
The Zenith is exactly the same as the Husky, but click pawl. Not palmable, either.
art
if you are going out of country you might consider taking more than one rod in case your new Sage breaks.
The Sage 3400D is an excellent reel with a proven record. I understand from various sources that the drag system in this reel was designed for Sage by Jack Charleton (of Charleton and Mako reels, he knows a bit about designing fly reels). I know people who have beat these up around the world from the tropics to the arctic without problems. I would jump at that price. They are available at a reduced price because they were replaced in the Sage lineup by the 6000 series of reels.
I have found most Sage rods to be good to excellent performers. As already noted, to be able to better comment, the specific model of Sage would be helpful.
Topper,
You can’t go wrong with Sage rods (note my moniker is sagefisher, so yea, I am sort of biased towards Sage rods). Yes, it would be good to know the model name of the particular rod you are looking at, but, if it is an 8 weight, 4 piece Sage rod, it should be good no matter what. Naturally, any rod can break under the wrong circumstances so you need to make sure you have a back-up rod with you.
Larry —sagefisher—
If You Are spending the money to TRAVEL, especially to the ends of the Earth, be sure to
take back up equipment.Broken equipment can be taken care of when you get HOME!
I would suggest that you get fimular with your equipment before you leave! Go out and catch some Carp. Then you will fnd out if you like how the drag system on your reel works. If you are lucky and have some friends who also fly fish may be they have reels that you could try out.
Check with local fly shops and see if they rent equipment. The equipment that they rent is generally something you should consider for your choice of rod and reel. In general, equipment that is rented is durable and proven to be trustworthy in the field.
My last bit of advice is to remember that the backed up Rod that you bring, can be main rod to catch the fish of the life on in a blink of an eye. Therefore, I suggest the backup rod be an identical twin to your main Rod. I do not normally wear suspenders and a belt at the same time, but in your case going to Mongolia. A third rod in the quiver and a second real the pouch would not be a bad idea.
Fishin’ Jimmy
PS By all means, don’t go to Mongolia until you’ve given your equipment a test drive!
Thanks to everyone for the opinions and advise, it is much appreciated.
There are plenty, and I mean PLENTY, of rods in the $150 or less range that will do well for almost all purposes.
I own Sages, and St. Croixs, and Loomises, and Orvises and many others that I could have saved a fortune on if I’d shopped better.
DO THIS: take a loaded reel of 8 weight line (the reel isn’t important right now) to a fly shop or discount store. Tell them you want to test their rods. I’ve never had anyone tell me no. Cast every rod in the store if you have to until you find one you like. If not, go to another store.
Now suppose you find a TFO that fits your casting style perfectly. Then you can buy it on the spot or shop around (stores and Internet) for the best price.
NEVER EVER buy a rod without trying it out first.
With my rather huge inventory of rods I find myself using a TFO, a Quarrow, and a Bass Pro the most for fresh water, and an Albright and St. Croix for salt. None were over $150.
And the more expensive rods rarely see the sunshine.
I should have shopped better.
Good advice Coach Bob!
bobbyg
Just fished yesterday for red salmon in moving water. A spot I have fished hundreds of times over the last 40+ years for fish in the 6# range. My Huskies have landed hundreds and hundreds of fish from this very stream… I caught about 25 yesterday as a guess.
A visitor was using my usual rod as I found his rod much too soft for the work. My son’s back-up rod then proved unable to hold a Husky because of the big reel foot. So I borrowed his Ross Gunnison G-3, all 8wt.
About 4 or 5 fish later one took me on a little run and I smelled smoke, literally. Then another made a run and I found myself holding the reel handle… It had simply come unscrewed… But it only barely survived the day. The drag had to be rebuilt…
New respect gained by the venerable Huskys.
art
The rod is a good choice, but go with a Husky or Zenith reel instead. Hardy makes the best reels IMHO.