Sage R8 Core Fly Rods | Model-by-Model Review. Thanks to excellent leverage and control, heavy fish come quickly to the net. Fish this rod with long dry fly leaders or as a late summer pocket water stick on rivers like our own San Miguel. To be clear, we didnt fish with these rods; we merely cast them. It responds to both touch and power. You must log in or register to reply here. Roll casting is tremendous and the deep load along the blank of the R8 Core rods is very apparent here. Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. We can't wait to get them on the . 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. It has a very nice, progressive flex to it. 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. Others I find to be narrow in purpose, but unique within the Sage toolbox and valuable to the purposeful angler. According to Sage, in designing the R8 CORE, the rod maker shifted its focus back to feel and rhythm, "rather than dialing up parking lot distance," a statement which will no doubt prove intriguing to many anglers. It would be interesting to know the weight of the upper 3 sections together of each rod, and the butt section separately. High line speed, flat, stable loops are easily generated. A common critique of the Centric is that it falls short on small water or better yet, it struggles to fall short. Tenkara really takes it back to basics, and the Suimenka is one of the coolest Ive seen. Impressive action, good feel, and good aesthetic. I would confidently take the R8 5100-4FB to the Gunnison or the Colorado as a one rod to do it all while wading. It needs the head length and weight of an SA Infinity Taper, Titan Long, Rio Grand or comparable fly line, but those are the lines we might expect to fish on rivers like the Gunnison and Deschutes where the 9 6-weight earns its place in the fly fishing world. The other day our Sage sales representative, Alex Ramirez, gave The Fly Shop team a product demonstration on the new Sage R8 Core single-hand rods. This fiberglass rod doesnt just have the looks of a throwback its constructed like one, albeit with some modern tech. Granted, were talking about a rod that fishes completely different than our modern 9-foot 5-weights, so I get it. The #8 and #9 in this series are designed to carry a heavier load more slowly. The 896 has a similar fast rod feel to the R8 696, but the heavier blank of the 8 weight isnt quite as lively. A proud hero caster, the R8 596-4 is just as impressive at reasonable fishing distance with a Rio Gold, SA MPX, Airflo Universal Taper, etc. Get yours today With Free Shipping: https://www.tridentflyfishing.com/sage-r8-core-fly-rod.htmlBlog Review HERE: https://www.tridentflyfishing.com/blog/sage-. I have benefited a lot from S&S's discourses on rods and fly fishing. Loop control is very good and the rod readily threw a more open loop with line speed and power. 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. Click Here for the Rating Graph for the Scott Centric. The R8 Core 796 is the perfect combination of power, confidence and ease of casting in a rod that can cover a wide variety of fishing styles. It gets going right away with little line out the tip without the irritating hesitation of many fast action rods. Hi Scott, The RIO Striper Line with the fast sinking. Comparable models in Salt HD, Igniter and Maverick have greater capability in the wind. With all that said, lets get to it. The smaller the fish, the lower the weight. That being said, this might not be the best rod for a beginner. Double hauling in the wind, it knifes long loops that turn over with an audible hiss. This Carbon XL has a moderate to moderate-fast action that loads and casts easily for all skill levels. When it comes to mending, again, that stiffness allows you to easily direct line for the most realistic float. just like in my opinion bribing a referee, i say all rods should have a chance, same with the brands, American or Chinese or Korean made. I would personally use this rod for all manners of Stillwater fishing, and as a nymph rod for pre runoff, there may be no equal. This rod is more of an AK salmon rod than a large trout rod. The Gold Standard Starter Kit ($356) from Bozeman Flyworks is one of the few truly complete packages to get you going. The SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF7F was better and loaded the rod just a bit more. Scott G-Series GS 905/4 ? Choose the line that best suits your fishing techniques. 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. What reels are those fishing the Core 6wt using? This is a telescoping rod, meaning it collapses down into itself. A lot of my other rods gathered dust last year, mostly because the Blackout did not. This requires a patient stroke, even more so at short distances than long, but the tip snaps back with resilience, delivering excellent line speed with little effort from the caster. Pretty plain. Great post, surfnfish. These are not cookie cutter fly rods. Fast action freshwater fly rods will always represent the tip of the spear for Sage, which defined the category in the 1980s and 1990s. Ive said I was going to dive into Tenkara for years now, but this will be the rod I put into my backpack for fishing mountain streams on long hikes or hunts. The loops are so level and connected to the rod that you get the sense of laying down wire. It isnt hard to find glowing reviews as fishermen have sung its praises for having the power and accuracy of a 10-foot rod while still casting with the ease of a 9-footer. The R8 Core is an insult at the price point. Whether you prefer to fish on the beach or off rocks, this 9wt can handle any type of striper environment. This rod encourages you to slow down your stroke and smooth out your haul. -Rich Post, By modern standards, this would be considered a medium fast 8-weight, the purposes for which are both narrow and broad. A true all-water rod with plenty of power to lift sinking lines, the 8wt R8 would make an excellent rod for northeastern schoolie stripers. Sage Salt R8 fly rods: read our model-by-model review. The 9 4wt is another interesting model. Check Price at Trident Fly FishingCheck Price at Scott Fly Rod. The esthetics are often lacking when you hit this lower price point, but Echo certainly had looks in mind. Centric 1006-4. Raise the tip after the lift and effortlessly lay it into the desired position. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Sage R8 Core Fly Rod $ Sage Sonic Fly Rod 9ft 5wt $ 675.00. Lines: Rio Gold Elite Fly Line, Rio Technical Trout Fly Line. Both rods are on the expensive side but live up to the 'flagship' designation they are intended to be. Cast all day without tiring. We can and do agree to disagree, and that helps keep this real. The best way to equate it to something we all understand is those Star Wars lightsabers we had as kids that you could jab your brother with, and they would collapse inward instead of sending him screaming to your mom. Never have they disappointed. I like to throw small loops along the length of the line on the water when I mend. We get questions about specific rod models all the time. Aside from the skill required, the biggest drawback is just the omission of a 9-foot option. You must log in or register to reply here. This fly rod offers wonderful feedback to the caster. The only real notable drawback is the decision not to integrate a hook keep. We ask much of our 6-weights, but the R8 690-4 FB exceeds all requirements. First Cast- Sage R8 Core and Scott Centric We had the pleasure of casting two newly released six-weight fly rods from two premiere fly rod companies, the Sage R8 Core 690-4FB and the Scott Centric C906/4FB. article and model reviews by John Duncan and Richard Post Tech | Model Reviews. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Thanks a bunch! A medium (or moderate) action will be stiffer throughout. Ratings are explained in each category. Maybe it is more of an indictment on the industry. Weight- The least subjective of all. Many thanks for the breakdown. After my initial casting session with this series, this was my project model. I first cast the R8 490-4 with a Rio Gold and knew that I had to keep searching. Best Uses: The shorter 5wt is an excellent option for the angler looking to leave the nine-foot rod at home in favor of a much lighter rod without dropping down to a four-weight. To provide better info so you can make a more informed buying decision, we decided to start a 'model-by-model' blog series. 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. Our rating went from zero being heavy and ten being lightweight. A truly easy casting rod for its size and length. At its Core, R8 Core traces a direct lineage to Sage's multi application vision, one shaped by the fishing . I felt it had more soul and personality than the X, however, I did not feel a big "wow" factor when casting it. Seems like profit margins are getting in their way. 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. Your mileage may vary. Both Sage and Scott have a long history of building great fly rods through innovation. Overall, this is a truly impressive fly rod and the best ten foot 5 weight I have ever cast. -John Duncan, The R8 Core 5100-4FB is an exceptional fly rod and standout among the R8 Core rods. Your email address will not be published. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. This style of fly fishing rod is completely different than any other on the list because its an entirely different way of fly fishing. Does that include saltwater situations? 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. The R8 Core is a brand new series, but we were lucky enough to cast most models in the series with a variety of fly lines heres what we found. The soft tip to protect light tippets and the mending focused taper make for a highly specialized nymphing rod and one technical tailwater fisherman should pay attention to. Fish these rods with meat flies, whether in Alaska or somewhere in pike/musky country. The rod is incredibly light in hand yet has a noticeably stiffer feel all the way through to the tip. You cast it firm or sit back on it a little and the rod doesnt seem to mind, it just stays right with you. Our testers found both rods to be excellent fly rods and great additions to any fly anglers quiver. All our testers found the Sage R8 Core and the Scott Centric exude quality. The Sage Trout G5 ($650) took home the award for Best Spey Rod, and for good reason. When you start talking about rods that reach past the 11-foot mark, responsiveness becomes an issue. Walker is keen on R8 technology. Thanks-. We break it all down in the fourth installment of how to choose a fly rod. This could be due to the new generation material, the way the rod is balanced, or simply it could just be lighter. I cast it with a Rio Gold, SA Infinity Taper and Rio Predator, 3 of my favorite lines for 6-weight fishing. You should definitely try out the rods you're considering before laying down money that is well beyond pocket change. -John Duncan, One of the sweethearts in the series, the R8 486-4 casts every suitable fly line with natural grace, line speed and precision throughout its substantial range. Matt, Bill, and Jack. Are they worth the high price tag? Lines: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Infinity, Rio Perception Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX. The RIO Striper line fits like a glove, but it threw the SA Amplitude Bonefish nicely. This is one is progressive, meaning that it casts from short to long with action that feels metered to the power input from the caster. The result was a rod that is faster, stronger, lighter, and more accurate for big freshwater applications. The are still some discontinued Radians floating around, and if you find one, grab it. Its clean, sleek, and has a balanced feel. Choose this model for freshwater or a fresh-salt crossover. I didn't try the 5 wts. You can feel the sensation of the line lifting from the water incrementally with this rod. The 5wt feels like the fours older sibling and is an excellent option for when the wind picks up or the fly size increases. A lot of my other rods gathered dust; the Blackout did not. "Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." These rods all have the stiff tip, medium-fast action. It casts naturally with tremendous line speed and zero torsional play at all distances. If the only bad thing about it is the components are the same they always use, then it sounds like a pretty good rod. -John Duncan, The R8 Core 796-4 is a strong rod, ideally suited to Alaska trout fishing. This rod is a prime example of a company that tried something, realized it didnt work, and changed course. Value- Both fly rods are expensive, with the Sage R8 Core slightly more expensive. If anything, the FB edition feels a tiny bit lighter, the natural result of mounting the grip higher on the blank. You get the feeling that the line behind you can almost hold you up it is so stable. That does not mean that it is not a powerful and highly capable rod, but it is not a blazing loop slinger. We are not a blog or a review site. This delineates the amount of flexion versus stiffness in the rod. The predatory freshwater angler who prefers an 8wt will love the makeup of the rod, too, and should handle reasonably large flies. Like the R8 Core 890-4, the 990-4 is an easy caster with just about any line, but you cant stab cast it like the Igniter or horse the butt section like a Salt HD. I was surprised at how much more effortless this was with the X (vs. my old RPL and SP). All rights reserved. The NRX+ FLY T2S series is touted as having all the performance of a one-piece rod, with the added benefit of portability. 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. The R8 796 cast the Rio Predator line well. Looks great, feels great, casts great. Yeah, we know its subjective, but so is this whole review, so what of it? We see this as both fly rods are accurate in capable hands. The Centric is a normalizer for the Scott company, a versatile freshwater rod designed to cover the full range of fast action rod applications: big water, wind, large or multiple flies and wind-resistant streamers, all with exquisite casting feel and the all-around fishability of a rod that anglers will reach for without caveat. The big difference between this kit and other starter kits is quality. We recently had the opportunity to cast most of the rods in the Sage R8 Core series. Prior to that, Rachelle held leadership positions in multiple conservation organizations and often finds herself testifying in the capitol on topics ranging from wildlife management to habitat protection. 1 in stock. Does the 9 wt outbound overload this rod? 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. Fly rod action is super important in both the experience and the functionality of your fly rod. You feel more connected to this rod and get the feeling of hitting the gas in a sporty car when you stand on this rod. I have the R8 9 9 wt and it is the absolute best rod in my arsenal of high end rods. Scott Centric $ 895.00. This advancement made its Sector series very popular. Casting at short and long range is a joy, the power and smoothness of the rod has to be experienced to be believed. Like a child reaching out to grab his mothers waiting hand. My favorites are the Rio Gold and Rio Technical Trout, but the rod also handles the long-headed SA Infinity Taper, the SA Trout Taper and the Airflo Superflo Universal. You are using an out of date browser. All this talk of hidden, lying shills is silly. Boasting crazy fast line speed and enough power to overcome unpredictable ocean fishing conditions, this rod is still shockingly sensitive and surprisingly light. This rod is not a power caster. Overall, I would describe this rod as slightly less stiff than its predecessor, the X 486-4. April 18, 2021 at 6:38 pm #886633. reel screamer. We found it needed a lighter line like its younger sibling, such as Rio Gold or, if youre *only* fishing dries, Rio Technical Trout is also a reasonable choice. Striper anglers, this is your 9wt. A fast action taper keeps your loops tighter and more efficient, creating a smooth angling experience. That being said, here are our recommendations for 2022. The way the value category was evaluated is cost over performance. Very nice feeling rod, very light, with a nice mellow action. What that equates to is a cool, modern fly rod that feels like the rods many of us grew up with. Elliott Barnes gives his first impressions on the 9 foot, 5 weight i. I hear what you're saying, but it is not that simple. The growing popularity of spey casting led Sage to reconfigure the G5 to accommodate the most recent advances in spey lines available on the market. Read more. When I casted it when it first came out, I liked it quite a bit more than than the X in that configuration. Sage R8 Fly Rod Price: $1050.00 Line weights: 3wt, 4wt, 5wt, 6wt, 7wt, 8wt, 9wt A brilliant choice to tackle your next fishing trip, the Sage R8 fly rod gives you a terrific tool to catch trout. This setup is perfect for kids and adults who want to test the waters without investing a huge sum of money to do so. Both rods are on the expensive side but live up to the flagship designation they are intended to be. A slow-action rod is more flexible throughout to allow for short, accurate casts. The R8 Core 796 is an ideal light surf rod for blind casting with shooting head style lines. Skeptical of a Wells grip on a 3-weight, I must say that it feels terrific on a rod thats long enough to leverage the grip a bit in hand. You have so much confidence with a long line behind you in the air. Just look at it. We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one. Pay out 40 stack mends like youre feeding pigeons. That, too, was a lovely rod, but the R8 Core has a super broad sweet spot and ultra-springy mid-section that brings the rod to life on casts both short and long. when I read reviews, I read them, and if I sense or feel the review was bought and paid for by the company I will refuse to buy that company product for a year, look at the 2022 tackle show, Winston got 1-rod one the rest sage? The stability of the line in the air is tremendous and a core characteristic of these R8 rods. The Scott Centric fly rods are truly fast meets feel, taken to the next level. That line really personified the line speed potential of this rod and made it feel lively and zippy through the guides. I think well see the upper-weighted-end of this series both throwing streamers for salmon and pike, and wandering into the salt flats for bonefish and permit. We had the opportunity to put them in hand and cast them, and see what the hype was all about. Almost Orvis bad. In Alaska, managing larger fish with fighting makes a big difference. I thought this was a great idea as it really helped me to see the subtle and not . Consider this a big game trout rod. Enhanced fishability comes with improved roll casting and line mending as they naturally put a little more graphite behind subtle techniques on the water. Two tone trim wraps and first-rate cork? Coming in a range from 3wt to 9wt, with a variety of lengths from 8'6" to 10'0 . Carrying along a Rio Euro Nymph Shorty or a second reel with Euro line, adds another dimension of versatility to this rod. I wouldn't get the X just because it's discounted or other rod only because it's cheaper - only if it's better). I found this rod to be clunky and bouncy with a Rio Gold, but the heavier and smoother Rio Predator seemed to pull through the wrinkles. There are those who are giddy like children in a candy store; new rod excitement is flowing from their aura. You say the 9wt can handle a 350 grain outbound .. except there isnt a 350 grain outbound. Thanks. Some will say yes, and some will say no. Best Uses: This is a tremendous all-around 8wt. I had an opportunity to fish with some friends today and fished the R8 Core 690 alongside my 690 X. The final thing to consider is packability. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Distance- Similar to Accuracy, we realize this is subject to the anglers ability. It felt heavier in hand than the 486-4, despite being a size lighter. Hi all, I'm looking at buying my "life time" rod and wanting to get people's opinion on which rod. 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. It doesnt possess the superhuman attributes of the shorter 4wt and, unlike most of the trout rods in the series, needed a heavier line like the SA MPX to bring it to life. R8 CORE. G-Loomis NRX+LP $ 795.00. Check Price at Trident Fly FishingCheck Price at Farbank. How do they balance the rod? Enjoy the rod! Real names are not used to protect the innocent. The mid-level or entry-level rods use technology that was paid for a long time ago, so it's simply the cost of materials, labor, etc and a reasonable profit margin. -John Duncan, The R8 Core 4100-4 is a stellar fishing tool and a specialist nymph anglers go-to rod in the new R8 lineup. The rod loaded instantly and responded perfectly to a short stroke and sharp haul shooting head style cast. 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. -John Duncan. The other half are designed with progressive fast tapers similar to the X. . Many refer to this as the speed of the rod. ($356) from Bozeman Flyworks is one of the few truly complete packages to get you going. Is it possible that maybe there's a better line for it than what you tried? Acknowledging my bias as a mountain carpfisherman, I think the star of this lineup is the 96 5-weight. This high-quality package is available with several different options to fit you and your home water. Unless you live on the beach, youre going to need to travel with the thing, and a 9-foot-long tube is a pain to move about with. I felt like the rod could handle a heavier and longer headed nymph specialty style line well. I dont tend to extend much past the 9-foot mark, but this rod seems to have the responsiveness and control you might expect from a shorter rod. The draw of one-piece rods is both weight reduction and improved performance. The tip felt prone to wobble and didnt track as well as others in the series. I did not feel like I wanted to fish a dry or dry dropper with this rod, but I do not believe that to be its purpose. The Verdict- The Sage R8 Core and the Scott Centric are fantastic rods and will be a great addition to any experienced fly angler's fly rod lineup. Check Price at Trident Fly FishingCheck Price at G. Loomis. The R8 896 had a shooty feel with this line and was truly fun to watch the head of the line race away and turn over. Site by 21 Designs. TheSuimenka Zoom($260) from Zen Tenkara is just a cool rod. All three reviewers were asked to rate each category from 0 to 10 for each rod. Yes, swing weight is what is critical with a rod. Its been out for a few years now, but I dont think this rods been given the credit its earned. The tip is stiff enough to force it into the mid and butt section on all casts, but its an easy swinger well suited for salmon fishing and other applications where a 9 #8 bonefish rod is just too stiff for the nuances of freshwater fishing. If you continue to use this site we assume that you are okay with it. This rod would be perfect for tossing big poppers to largemouth. And if you learn a bevy of casts beyond the standard like false casting, roll casting, or slack line casting youll be able to further dial in presentation for any number of setups or weather conditions. Size: Clear selection. Neither light nor heavy for its class, the 690-4 is a convincing piece of equipment from the first impression, a rod that seems optimized for its purpose. 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. -John Duncan, Expecting a tip-casting streamer stick, I found this model to be more suitable for bass fishing and nymphing, where an easy going cast with an open delivers the goods without much input from the caster. Everyone will talk about these rods because they are noticeably different from their X predecessors. The advancements in fly fishing rods have been wild since the 70s, so theres some skill and finesse required to get this rod to perform. The rods intuition does not stop when the line hits the water, and the same magnificent mending characteristics of the 4100 are evident in the R8 5100-4FB. This category has no bearing on the quality of either rod. Like all the 10 foot R8 rods, an easy stroke and more relaxed cadence produce remarkable results for the amount of effort the caster applies to the rod. Choose this model over the 956-4 for light line steelheading, high stick nymphing on big rivers and fishing lakes at distance. , this rod is strong where it needs to be and light where it can be. Gear Review: Sage R8 Core Series Fly Rods by Eric Fields As many of you know, Sage just released their Figuring out the right rod weight for your target fish species is generally pretty simple. The Orvis is pretty good too, but is a few years old now and tech has clearly moved on. The Great Lakes tributary steelheader will find the taper beneficial for rolling out bulky indicator rigs. Rich Post, The R8 Core 7100-4 is a best in class long 7 weight for all around Trout and Salmon fishing when you need a powerful rod that can cast a long way and control line a long way out. The X 896 had a really sweet action that cast beautifully and felt lighter in the hand than you expect for a 9 foot 6 inch 8 weight. Has the backbone needed to handle a 350-grain Striper line or Outbound Short.
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