Having experienced casting weighted lines and larger (avg. 2/0) flies, casting a more open loop is the preference.
Keeping that in mind, I find “fast action” rods undesirable for this chore as most want to throw tight loops, and one really has to change their casting style to obtain a more relaxed or open loop.
My question to all you Sage buffs is this.
What models (old or new,preferably 9wt) would suit the above mentioned without having to really change your style of casting. The trend today seems like Fast rods, high modulas, and tight loops are better and that may be true in most cases but
none of these features I find fit the bill for my needs. Comments?
I would suggest you fond a Sage RPLXi to cast to see if it meets your needs. It has a bit “softer” tip action and allows for a great variety of casting styles. If that rod is still a bit too fast for you then there is always the older Sage RPL model which is only moderately fast by todays standards and is a very nice rod to cast. Either one of these should be able to be found for around $300 in very good used condition.
Jim Smith
Smernsky,
Knowing fairly well that this would somewhat compromise your distance, how about overlining your present rod by one line wt? That would slow her down a bit. Two, if it suits you…
And if you are talking opening your loops then that distance factor would be affected anyhow. And I’m presupposing that you dbl. haul too??!!
For muskies on my 10 wt Loomix GL3, a fast rod, and slinging up to 4/0 hooks I will also open the loop up a tad by not stopping the rod as high.
HTH.
Jeremy.
[This message has been edited by Jeremy (edited 29 September 2005).]
[This message has been edited by Jeremy (edited 29 September 2005).]
So far so good. I’ll have to look at the ol"RPL’s used to have one yrs ago.
As far as using dbl haul .yes…but I havent tried overlining. I’ve gotten so used to fast rod actions when troutin and obtaining a tight loop , that slowing down I really have to concentrate on. Thanks for the input and any others who wish to through in their 2 cents are more than welcome.
one of the most overlooked rods is the sage slt 890-4. people think salt and fast rods but a lot of people cast a slt better but in the end they purchase an xp or xi2 because they think that faster is better…
Limiting my comments to Sage rods, he recently discontinued Sage VPS and the RPL were built on the same blank I think. The 9wt VPS was a very nice rod. While I prefer my old RPLX and the new Xi2, I found the VPS 9wt to be a very comfortable rod. You may be able to find one at a discount. The Sage Launch or FLi may fit your requirements also.
Earlier in my FF experince I found that I had trouble casting certain rod/line/fly/weather combinations without altering my casting stroke or “style” and I shopped for different rods for different conditions. Angling experience showed me that nothing worked in all conditions. For example, if I’m casting big flies on a 9wt rod I would need to adapt to different fishing conditions during the day - I might need a low backcast and an open loop with a following wind or a very tight loop, even with large heavy flies, directly into the wind. Or I might need a different casting stroke with a full length floating line vs a leadcore shooting head. I ended up just practicing my casting regularly so that I can comfortably use just about any reasonable rod/line combo in any conditions I might encounter with that combo (thus giving up one excuse for needing more rods).
James is right on.
Regarding the SLT line I think the 4 and 5 are among the finest rods ever made. I have cast the heavier models and did not like them as much.The RPL ror RPLXi are more appropriate in my opinion.
If you want to save a buck try finding one of the DS2 rods that were discontinued.
e
I have a number 10 RPLXi and was tossing size 2/0 streamers with heavy dumbell eyes on a 30’ sinking line last week for sea bass in 50’ of water. It was very heavy, but the rod handled it fine. Me on the other hand, well it took a little getting used to. I was shooting the line, so I was not really making casts longer than 80’. And the fish were right under the boat anyway.
Have fun, Jeff
Tis my time on the water, in the mountains, and in my driftboat where I can see things as they really are.
All great input. You folks have given me a lot of food for thought. Thanks to all!!
I have to go with the overlining technique as one who prefers medium action rods. I use a 9 on my TFO 8wt and a WF7 on my new Winston Ibis 5wt. I also used to overline Sage DS series rods and Sage RPLs by one line weight. Try it.
Varden
I’m going to go against the grain here. For casting sinking lines (200-500 grain weights) I prefer a faster action rod.
I have found that while I can cast the more moderate actions nicely with a “WFF” line or an “I” line, when loaded with the heavier lines they have a tendency to turn soft. Some rods bending back to the grip! Can you say “slow”!
I have no difficulty with the faster rods slowing down with the added weight and an open cast is easily accomplished.
For the most part I do not overline. However; some rods that perform great with a full sinking line need a little added weight if used with a WFF. For those I may use one of the new 1/2 weights like Rio Grande.
Look at RPLXi (discountinued and available at less money) and the Xi2 (awesome with a sinking line). I have the VPS and do NOT like it with anything heavier than a 15’ sink tip. Forget anything else unless you want a very “soft” rod.
Just my $.02 worth…from the salty side.
Try to find one of the old RPL rods in 8’6" or 9’6". These were faster thn the other RPLs. I think they were designed as steelhead rods. They had little in common with the straight 8’ or 9’ RPL action in the same line weights.
They should be pretty inexpensive, too!
Yes, JW! I said “one of the new 1/2 weights like the Rio” as an example…and note “1/2 weights” is plural…
Sage 9140. Go with two hands.
Real men use two hands.
The SAGE Xi2 9wt is actually a very easy casting rod, for both floating and sinking lines, when you feel the rod in the shop without a line it feels very fast, but once you get that line on it, it turns into a very sweet rod and doesn’t feel that fast at all anymore…big flies are no problem …
I do quite a bit af saltwater fishing with it and like it alot…
troutbuster…I’m having one tough time staying away from buying that Xi2 10wt! I cast her once on the lawn in th eback of the shop …mistake! Niiice tool!
Is it really THAT much better than my Loomis GL3 for half the price?
Hmmmm…
Jeremy…who needs to cast those toys less!
Thanks (I think )JC…
Danger…Danger…G
Jeremy.
Jeremy,
Just stay away of those Xi2’s… 
I know how dangerous they are 
are you stuck on sage? orvis makes a medium (mid flex) and a slow (full flex) rod in a number of price ranges…
Well I figured you all deserved an answer to what I decided on. It wasnt a sage and by no means am i knocking their products.
After much debating and trying various sage models out,I choose a TFO 9’ 9wt.4pc pro model. I did this for a couple reasons. I could’nt justify any of the sage’s taking a pounding on a boat deck with the price tags they carried. The TFO was cast with a teeny sink tip line and #2 fly and I was able to lay out some decent line. Averaging 60ft casts which pretty much meets my needs.
I liked the “feel”. I liked the warranty. And I liked the price. Thanks for all your replies and input.
[This message has been edited by Smernsky (edited 12 October 2005).]
[This message has been edited by Smernsky (edited 12 October 2005).]