At the 5:00 mark, when you're describing the rod, it sounds like you're describing my Z-Axis. Man, even compared to today's rods, that stick can still more than hold its own as a superb all-around performer...
Just because newer equipment comes out dosen't mean great equipment is no good anymore! In fact if the equipment I own gets the job done, there is no reason to buy more other than having a back up for a far away trip. I'm a gear junkie but, ….
my shop actually let me fish with the X this weekend. It really is different and makes you throw line effortlessly. I caught two fish and it was fun to play them. They were only 12-13 inches and i did not get the stiff feel you get with the rods designed to throw line only. My only gripe is Jeez Sage how about dressing up the rod a bit. For $900 you could put a fancier reel seat instead of just walnut. The guides are standard chrome snake nothing special, and black wraps on black blank. Im looking at trying the Radian, dont know how it cast, but it sure looks nice lol
pahuntnut I talked to my local fly shop and they said they can't sell them. He said everyone knows sage was the king in the 90's but too many good options out there for them to get away with $900 for this dud.
Disagree on the SA amplitude mpx. In a 6 wt anyways. Loads the rod perfectly and really allows the rod to be casted at the anglers speed more easily instead of the reverse. Accurate as all get out. Takes some time getting used to.
Hey Ben what line if you can remember what you used on the x in the review? It sounds like a textured line maybe a gpx taper.Just wondering if you tried same weight line as the rod weight or if that is what you used in review.I find it on mine to perform great and really effortless with a same weight line verses the half size heavier lines. Just wonder if you have fished with the rod some since your first review. I have a nrx lp have tried out a scott radian both great rods I think there both a little softer rods to me especially throwing some weight with them. I honestly think sage hit a home run with this rod. It fits my casting style well.
I would guess that it's Sharkwave GPX, but not 100% certain. I've cast it (5wt) with multiple lines and haven't quite found my favorite on it, but GPX is such a solid all-around taper that I use it as a starting point for almost all of our reviews
The statement that the Sage grips work for people with large hands is something that I cannot let stand. I do wear an XL glove, but so do a great many other people, and I suspect none of them will find the Sage grip comfortable. I personally curse the day Sage left the industry standard 7 inch grip behind. So of course Scott had to follow and Loomis as well on some models. So I no longer have any use for Sage fly rods and have moved on to companies like Douglas, Hardy, Loop, etc. - those that keep the faith with people that stand taller than 5'11" and appreciate the industry standard 7" grip (or custom with just one more ring of cork!)
Hi, have you compared this with the orvis 3f? If so which do you recommend? If not, what have you heard in terms of comparison? Thanks so much in advance
I've fished both and personally edge with the X. It's a close second, but the 3 is too light. Yes too light just like a compound bow that's too light can't track well on it's own and therefore suffers accuracy. Maybe it's my casting style and stroke, but the Sage edged out the Orvis at all distances and smoked it fishing them side by side on the Mo with all three faces of bugs. Same line, same reel.
I'd go with the X. Fished and casted them both and the 3 is too light too track well on it's own. A rod must have a little weight to carry thru the cast. Especially with bigger dries, dry/ dropper set ups and even more so with nymph set ups and especially streamers... you get it. No matter how well made, it'll eventually buckle. The X is a damn better all around rod. Unless you want 7-8 Orvis 3's in your service
Bought a $100 amazon combo "first fly rod" months ago and am addicted. I can't afford the X but what's a great rod in/around/under 300 bones? Im seeing redington vice/classic trout, fenwick aetos, Sage foundation, and see a lot of amazon ads for moonshine that no'one carries. Any advice? 4-6wt 9'
I have 2 Moonshine Wanderers. A 5 and a 6wt, both 9'. $250 and work very well for beginners. It's an inexpensive rod that you have to order from their website. Mine didn't take very long to arrive and I live in Montana. Plus you get an extra tip for free. It's a great medium action rod for learning. Check out their website.
James Horton thanks James, hey I can’t find a wanderer do you mean the drifter maybe? Btw a few days ago I got a ll bean combo and also Orvis Clearwater combo in 4wt 7”6 and 5wt 8”6 respectfully. Liking the Orvis unsure in the bean so far. Thanks for the input. Now on to ideas on waders
@@jonathan_guerrero lol long time ago just now seeing but yes. I went with orvis clearwater waders and they are great. Also recently went to a TFO Mangrove with Lamson Guru reel and its night and day. This sport is going to be expensive
Stan, the Scott Flex, Sage Sonic, Orvis Recon, and Sage Pulse are significant upgrades. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Tight lines!
I have a hunch it is going to be a while before this hits Europe, what do you think is it worth the wait over g loomis nrx? What is your opinion on this vs nrx on 25-60feet? What about 60+?
Hi Ben, do you have an answer for me? Which rod would you pick up for a week of fishing trout in beautiful small rivers. My options are this Sage X rod, NRX LP and the new Hardys rods (all in 9feet #5). I am going to order one from the US.
SA amplitude trout taper for mainly dries and the mpx for everything else. The mpx is a great dry line as well just takes some time for some to get used to cuz it's a fast mother. Lands soft however and contrary to many reviews, is accurate as hell.
I have a couple of Sage rods, they are nice. But, I don't recommend buying anything from Sage for a long time, their service sucks. They have had my rod in for repair for over 4 months, unacceptable. No more Sage/Far Banks product for me.
When you say its definitely softer how does that translate to casting and accuracy vs H2 tip flex at 30, 45, 60 ft? When you reviewed the H2 9' 5wt H2 tip flex you said if you were buying a 9' 5 wt it would be the H2. Given your excellent reviews of the Sky and the X, would you still make the same choice?
At the 5:00 mark, when you're describing the rod, it sounds like you're describing my Z-Axis. Man, even compared to today's rods, that stick can still more than hold its own as a superb all-around performer...
You got that right!
Just because newer equipment comes out dosen't mean great equipment is no good anymore! In fact if the equipment I own gets the job done, there is no reason to buy more other than having a back up for a far away trip. I'm a gear junkie but, ….
my shop actually let me fish with the X this weekend. It really is different and makes you throw line effortlessly. I caught two fish and it was fun to play them. They were only 12-13 inches and i did not get the stiff feel you get with the rods designed to throw line only. My only gripe is Jeez Sage how about dressing up the rod a bit. For $900 you could put a fancier reel seat instead of just walnut. The guides are standard chrome snake nothing special, and black wraps on black blank. Im looking at trying the Radian, dont know how it cast, but it sure looks nice lol
pahuntnut I talked to my local fly shop and they said they can't sell them. He said everyone knows sage was the king in the 90's but too many good options out there for them to get away with $900 for this dud.
Disagree on the SA amplitude mpx. In a 6 wt anyways. Loads the rod perfectly and really allows the rod to be casted at the anglers speed more easily instead of the reverse. Accurate as all get out. Takes some time getting used to.
Hey Ben what line if you can remember what you used on the x in the review? It sounds like a textured line maybe a gpx taper.Just wondering if you tried same weight line as the rod weight or if that is what you used in review.I find it on mine to perform great and really effortless with a same weight line verses the half size heavier lines. Just wonder if you have fished with the rod some since your first review. I have a nrx lp have tried out a scott radian both great rods I think there both a little softer rods to me especially throwing some weight with them. I honestly think sage hit a home run with this rod. It fits my casting style well.
I would guess that it's Sharkwave GPX, but not 100% certain. I've cast it (5wt) with multiple lines and haven't quite found my favorite on it, but GPX is such a solid all-around taper that I use it as a starting point for almost all of our reviews
The statement that the Sage grips work for people with large hands is something that I cannot let stand. I do wear an XL glove, but so do a great many other people, and I suspect none of them will find the Sage grip comfortable. I personally curse the day Sage left the industry standard 7 inch grip behind. So of course Scott had to follow and Loomis as well on some models. So I no longer have any use for Sage fly rods and have moved on to companies like Douglas, Hardy, Loop, etc. - those that keep the faith with people that stand taller than 5'11" and appreciate the industry standard 7" grip (or custom with just one more ring of cork!)
When you are doing this review, are you casting it with a leader attached? Also, what do you have tied to the end (fly) for this casting review?
Hi Gary - We always cast with a leader attached and for freshwater reviews I use a mid-sized terrestrial so that it can be seen by the camera.
Hi, have you compared this with the orvis 3f? If so which do you recommend? If not, what have you heard in terms of comparison? Thanks so much in advance
I've fished both and personally edge with the X. It's a close second, but the 3 is too light. Yes too light just like a compound bow that's too light can't track well on it's own and therefore suffers accuracy. Maybe it's my casting style and stroke, but the Sage edged out the Orvis at all distances and smoked it fishing them side by side on the Mo with all three faces of bugs. Same line, same reel.
Which rod do you prefer? Sage X or Orvis Helios 3 F/D? Im looking to get one of the two, only have enough money for one of them for now.
Choose Sage X if you want Sage X or Orvis Helios 3 F/D
I'd go with the X. Fished and casted them both and the 3 is too light too track well on it's own. A rod must have a little weight to carry thru the cast. Especially with bigger dries, dry/ dropper set ups and even more so with nymph set ups and especially streamers... you get it. No matter how well made, it'll eventually buckle. The X is a damn better all around rod. Unless you want 7-8 Orvis 3's in your service
What line were you using?
Bought a $100 amazon combo "first fly rod" months ago and am addicted. I can't afford the X but what's a great rod in/around/under 300 bones? Im seeing redington vice/classic trout, fenwick aetos, Sage foundation, and see a lot of amazon ads for moonshine that no'one carries. Any advice? 4-6wt 9'
I have 2 Moonshine Wanderers. A 5 and a 6wt, both 9'. $250 and work very well for beginners. It's an inexpensive rod that you have to order from their website. Mine didn't take very long to arrive and I live in Montana. Plus you get an extra tip for free. It's a great medium action rod for learning. Check out their website.
James Horton thanks James, hey I can’t find a wanderer do you mean the drifter maybe? Btw a few days ago I got a ll bean combo and also Orvis Clearwater combo in 4wt 7”6 and 5wt 8”6 respectfully. Liking the Orvis unsure in the bean so far. Thanks for the input. Now on to ideas on waders
@@jonmiller6320 hey, did you find some waders? I know this was a few months ago but just wondering
@@jonathan_guerrero lol long time ago just now seeing but yes. I went with orvis clearwater waders and they are great. Also recently went to a TFO Mangrove with Lamson Guru reel and its night and day. This sport is going to be expensive
I have th Orvis clearwater 9ft 5 wt i can quite go 900.00 but would the Scott Flex or Sage sonic be a big step up
Stan, the Scott Flex, Sage Sonic, Orvis Recon, and Sage Pulse are significant upgrades. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Tight lines!
@@Tridentflyfishing a big big difference
I have a hunch it is going to be a while before this hits Europe, what do you think is it worth the wait over g loomis nrx?
What is your opinion on this vs nrx on 25-60feet? What about 60+?
Hi Ben, do you have an answer for me? Which rod would you pick up for a week of fishing trout in beautiful small rivers. My options are this Sage X rod, NRX LP and the new Hardys rods (all in 9feet #5). I am going to order one from the US.
NRX is good in close, Asquith is better :-)
About to buy s Sage Mod before the weekend to match up with my Barrio reel!!
Go with the Sonic. Sick sick rod and cheaper in price as well. More of an all around rod for sure as well. Has the same technologies as the X to boot.
so the radian is better at long range?
Best fly line for the Sage X #4 8.6?
SA amplitude trout taper for mainly dries and the mpx for everything else. The mpx is a great dry line as well just takes some time for some to get used to cuz it's a fast mother. Lands soft however and contrary to many reviews, is accurate as hell.
I have a couple of Sage rods, they are nice. But, I don't recommend buying anything from Sage for a long time, their service sucks. They have had my rod in for repair for over 4 months, unacceptable. No more Sage/Far Banks product for me.
Hi Ben, how does the rod perform at 15-20feet?
Sick af
Sage X or the Asquith?
asquith
X all the way
How do you think this compares to my tip flex H2?
It's definitely softer, but overall a different feel on the rod
When you say its definitely softer how does that translate to casting and accuracy vs H2 tip flex at 30, 45, 60 ft? When you reviewed the H2 9' 5wt H2 tip flex you said if you were buying a 9' 5 wt it would be the H2. Given your excellent reviews of the Sky and the X, would you still make the same choice?
Ira - tough choice. top rods are Asquith, H2, Hardy Zephrus.
Are you located in Maine?
Yes, we are located in Windham, ME.
Do sage x vs g loomis nrx
Sage all the way.
Vs the radian?
It's WAY softer.
Best question thus far. Hardest rod testing I've ever personally done in 25 years