Reel seat seriously? This fly was created by Chris Johnson. It gets going right away with little line out the tip without the irritating hesitation of many fast action rods. The NRX+ FLY T2S series is touted as having all the performance of a one-piece rod, with the added benefit of portability. I enjoyed line in the air with this rod, but I loved how it performed with line on the water. I have benefited a lot from S&S's discourses on rods and fly fishing. All that to say, we have a good representation of casting ability. The loops are so level and connected to the rod that you get the sense of laying down wire. That being said, here are our recommendations for 2022. This rod is no exception. It takes a slow, steady cast to really deliver a fly line. What the X had going for it was a stiff tip and butt section, which allowed a little more bend down the blank when you really needed to launch some line. article and model reviews by John Duncan and Richard Post Tech | Model Reviews. Its been out for a few years now, but I dont think this rods been given the credit its earned. Gear Review: Sage R8 Core Series Fly Rods. Sage R8 Core Fly Rod Series Review: Model-By-Model, Scientific Anglers Amplitude Trout Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bonefish Fly Line. Its zippy, fun to cast, and accurate. Sage SALT R8 Fly Rod First Impressions January 26, 2023 . The Verdict- The Sage R8 Core and the Scott Centric are fantastic rods and will be a great addition to any experienced fly anglers fly rod lineup. Youll really feel that tip follow through when roll casting and mending line. The 896 has a similar fast rod feel to the R8 696, but the heavier blank of the 8 weight isnt quite as lively. My favorite line for this model is the Rio Perception and my least favorite is the SA Infinity Taper. We fished the Centric with the Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX and Rio Premiere Gold and found these to be choice lines for this rod. A rod of this style has advantages with wind-resistant flies, like spun deer bass bugs, and with a nymph-indicator rig in both the cast and line mend. Concentration shifted to improving its resin and carbon technology, bringing forth the development of ARC 2. With identical weight rods and the R8 feeling noticeably lighter than the X, it seems nearly certain that the weight savings, no matter how little, must critically be in the upper 3 sections, with the R8 having a slightly heavier butt section. A reel like the Sage Trout Reel 4/5/6 is where I would start on this model. Thank you for the excellent assessment and comparison of the R8 to your 690x tybo 11. Figuring out the right rod weight for your target fish species is generally pretty simple. The only real exception would be if your main requirement of a fly fishing rod is big power. Both Sage and Scott have a long history of building great fly rods through innovation. It has a fluid casting arc with sensational feel at all distances. Distance- Similar to Accuracy, we realize this is subject to the anglers ability. These models are springy and powerful in the butt section but require patience in the casting stroke. With that, all our testers rated both rods very high. All rights reserved. The Sage R8 Core is a self-proclaimed multi-disciplinary fly rod, whereas the Scott Centric is labeled a freshwater fly rod. Posts. Think of the R8 seven as more of a trophy trout rod for the angler who uses a variety of tactics and could be a nymph rod for steelhead in certain situations. The rod is incredibly light in hand yet has a noticeably stiffer feel all the way through to the tip. Loop control is very good and the rod readily threw a more open loop with line speed and power. You cant hammer this rod like an Igniter or NRX+, but the angler who is well-versed in all-water techniques will find the R8 590-4 equally capable with dry flies and nymphs, truly a rod you can appoint for a long day in ever-changing conditions. It is not often we find a rod of its caliber. More than anything else, Sage just nailed the taper and material application. The G5 is lightweight and constructed with a narrower shaft than the previous ideation. I cast the Scott Centric and G-Series. Casting these rods and visiting with Rod Designer Peter Walker, Sage clearly sought a rod that prioritized fishability over raw casting prowess. 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435. The Centric doesn't seem like much of a departure from my Radians. It seems like an odd omission since its such a small component. We break it all down in the fourth installment of how to choose a fly rod. You couldnt ask for a better all-purpose boat rod, with tight loop dry fly capabilities combined with plenty of butt section for streamers up to a size 8. You say the 9wt can handle a 350 grain outbound .. except there isnt a 350 grain outbound. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Boasting crazy fast line speed and enough power to overcome unpredictable ocean fishing conditions, this rod is still shockingly sensitive and surprisingly light. And like the Helios, this makes for a helluva boat rod. Guides have praised the noticeable reduction in fatigue after a long day of throwing streamers, as well as noting the power it has relative to its lightweight feel. Does that include saltwater situations? Why Ultralight People Need to Chill Already, Kershaw Iridium Review: A Great Flipping Knife Under $100. What is positive for me about this Forum, is that there is a tremendous amount of genuine knowledge, good-will, and experience that informs the thoughts and opinions of members/contributors. 7 Most Popular Smoked Salmon in the World, Who Doesnt Like Potcakes?- Support The Bahamas by Helping the Potcakes, Tips on Mousing for Rainbow Trout and Grayling at Alaska West, Whats Happening with Pebble Mine- Good News for Alaska. This shorter 4wt is the perfect rod for small-to-medium-sized rivers where accuracy and delicate presentation are crucial, but line speed and power are needed to punch a small terrestrial through the air. Are they worth the high price tag? When a rod maker sends out a rod for testing by third parties (free or compensated), if they are not interested in honest feedback they are not going to survive long-term. I would be happy to hear from anyone who has done a side by side comparison between the sage and either the loomis or Scott. My local shop got several R8's in a couple days ago and I gave the 904 a wiggle, but refrained from casting it. Lines: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Infinity, Rio Perception Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX. The Orvis is pretty good too, but is a few years old now and tech has clearly moved on. The Rio Gold helped give this long 3-weight a bit of pep. Never have they disappointed. Two tone trim wraps and first-rate cork? This rod is more of an AK salmon rod than a large trout rod. Both are approximately weight heavy for their line designation, so the difference must lie in the taper. That said, of course, the marketing of just about anything these days is based to some extent on notions of a person's desired self-image. The Heritage Taper is reminiscent of the old glass rods you might find in a dusty garage. Sage built this rod not as a generalist but for specialized tasks but it begs the question, does anyone need a 9 3wt? The development cost for the current top model is what cause them to be so much more expensive than the mid-level rods that are usually one or two prior generations with different wraps and lower cost fittings. From slow-action rods to the perfect nymphing setup, these are the best budget fly rods of 2020. Id recommend something along the lines of the F-Series, specifically designed for those tight spaces. Sage has a long history of designing amazing seven-weights, so we had high expectations for the R8 model. We recently had the opportunity to cast most of the rods in the Sage R8 Core series. Alex wanted us to cast a 905-4 X Series rod, which was replaced by the new R8, and the 905-4 R8 Core side-by-side. With that, the Sage R8 Core rod rating varied with each reviewer, while the Scott Centric was more consistent with the accuracy part of the review. For me, this is a dry fly and nymphing 5-weight, but not a streamer rod. We see this as both fly rods are accurate in capable hands. Because of that softer action, its a better dry fly rod than previous models. Best Uses: Dry fly fishing on tailwaters where medium distant casts are needed. Appalachian anglers will find this length and weight combination particularly beneficial on overgrown freestones when a bit more backbone than a 4wt is called for, but a nine-footer is quarrelsome. The R8 Core delivers new performance parameters that deliver a noticeably heightened feel and connection, whether you are fishing, casting, or fighting a fish. A good caster can take just about any rod and make it work for him/her self. By signing up for email newsletters, you agree to GearJunkie's, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), The Redington Butter Stick in action; (photo/Redington), With 5 line weights, all at 86 long, G. Loomis introduced a powerhouse series with the. That rigidity, along with those extra inches, is likely the most significant contributor to the power and accuracy fishermen are experiencing from the boat. This category has no bearing on the quality of either rod. It includes a rod, reel, fly line, leaders, tippet, a fly box, a rod case, a reel sleeve, and even the option to add a net. On the other hand, Jack found the action of the Scott Centric not in rhythm with his casting stroke and found it to be less accurate than the Sage R8 Core. Centric 1006-4. , this rod is strong where it needs to be and light where it can be. This next phase of its carbon construction is 35% lighter than the original ARC tech, which was already crazy light. I was very impressed by this rod and I look forward to getting to know it more. Fish these rods with meat flies, whether in Alaska or somewhere in pike/musky country. Single handed Spey casts and powerful roll casts leap from the tip. Its very common to see rods of identical length and line weight having significantly differing swing weights unrelated to their physical weight, as weight distribution is what will be the determining factor, not simply overall weight. Scott Centric quantity. This one might have a bit too much bang. -John Duncan, The R8 Core 5100-4FB is an exceptional fly rod and standout among the R8 Core rods. The are still some discontinued Radians floating around, and if you find one, grab it. Fish it on the Colorado, not the San Miguel. As a curiosity, do you happen to have a home kitchen scale which can weigh grams or tenths of ounces? The R8 Core 7100-4 is the rod for an Alaska Trout and Salmon trip. This is a telescoping rod, meaning it collapses down into itself. Tossing smaller flies at cutties and brookies in alpine lakes would be appropriate too. I found that this rod casts lighter overhead than other rods in this class. Has the backbone needed to handle a 350-grain Striper line or Outbound Short. Thanks a bunch! Hi Scott, The RIO Striper Line with the fast sinking. To be fair, Jacks ability to cast is more in line with the median of all fly anglers. The SA Infinity Taper is a natural fit for this long 6-weight, but anglers who prefer a shooting style line such as the Rio Outbound will marvel at the distance this rod achieves. JavaScript is disabled. The classic fly rod that most people will have in their setup is a medium-action 9-foot 5-weight rod. The RIO Striper line fits like a glove, but it threw the SA Amplitude Bonefish nicely. Fit & Finish- The first impressions are important. The Centric rods were originally constructed with Scotts Carbon Web Technology. The Echo Carbon XL ($180) is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to do some serious fishing without breaking the bank. A marvel of design, this rod succeeds the 597-4 X with equal casting capability but even greater control, most noticeable when throwing in the wind or horsing a nymph/indicator rig. Our testers found the Scott Centric to have a faster recovery speed than the Sage R8 Core. I chose the G-Series because I don't care for rods that are stiff as a fireplace poker. I got a little more drive out of this line and felt like I could carry a larger fly. You must log in or register to reply here. This style of fly fishing rod is completely different than any other on the list because its an entirely different way of fly fishing. -John Duncan, The R8 Core 796-4 is a strong rod, ideally suited to Alaska trout fishing. Two of our testers preferred the casting stroke of the Sage R8 Core. From throwing size 18 Blue Wing Olives to running a Chubby Dropper or Indicator rig with split shot, the R8 Core is a great choice for the angler that likes to catch fish and isn't afraid to change tactics through the day. I thought the Rio Elite Gold WF7F was just a shade too light and didnt match the rod as well as I like. To be clear, we didnt fish with these rods; we merely cast them. 1 in stock. Sage Introduces R8 Core Fly Rod Fly Fisherman's Best New Freshwater Rod for 2023 focuses on angler experience through maximum versatility and applies new material technology. I also cast the Rio Elite Gold and the Rio Perception WF4Fs as well. Fast action freshwater fly rods will always represent the tip of the spear for Sage, which defined the category in the 1980s and 1990s. There is Euro style crossover potential here as well. 2020 Five Weight Shootout by the Yellowstone Angler. Check Price at Trident Fly Fishing Check Price at Scott Fly Rod Best Do-It-All Series: Sage R8 Core The R8 Core Series ($1,050) from Sage was just released on April 5. This was their chance to make a move and they fell considerably short in my opinion. You should definitely try out the rods you're considering before laying down money that is well beyond pocket change. Then, others are frustrated until they believe that Sage is just running a big con job and using this forum and its members to achieve that. Lines: Rio Gold Elite Fly Line, Rio Technical Trout Fly Line. We have said there is a cost to innovation and design, and in both Sage and Scott, the Centric and R8 Core are reflections of that. The Airflo Ridge 2.0 Power Taper pairs savagely for dry dropper fishing. TheSuimenka Zoom($260) from Zen Tenkara is just a cool rod. The shortest rods in the series defied expectations and were two of the most enjoyable. Roll casting is tremendous and the deep load along the blank of the R8 Core rods is very apparent here. We can't wait to get them on the . The difference is you get to control the length of the extension from 9 to 12 feet, making it versatile on all sorts of water.