what do you guys think about sage rods? please help.

I went to a store called Ramsey outdoors and they sell mostly sage rods and i was lookin at vantage 8wt 9ft and a flight 7wt 9ft. the 8wt felt soft and like it had a better bend the flight rod was a lil more stiff. well im explaining this so you guys know the situation.

So the question is should i be looking for a rod that is a lil longer about 9'6 or 10'?

please help?

I've got a 9' 6w Sage Launch that works good for me...

personally...
I would buy a higher end model from a mid name company rather than buy a low end rod from a big name company


pay for performance... not the name

ORIGINAL: clinchknot

Problem with high end rods from most companies is, they're too stiff (fast action). That seems to be the trend nowadays. That doesn't work very well for novice or intermediate casters. You have to be a pretty darn good caster (not me ) to get the full benefit from them. I have a Launch (what the Vantage replaced) in 5 wt that I love. It's kind of a moderate action that works well for me. Plus, they have a lifetime warranty. 

I agree with KJH. Before I'd buy a lower end Sage, I'd get a mid to higher end St Croix for similar money. The intro level Sages never blew me away. I don't know the flight specifically, but I suspect it is a revamped Fli. Nothing wrong with them, I just feel that you get better performance from the St Croix than the Sage in that price range.

Stiff doesn't mean fast action. Action is where the rod bends, not how much force it takes to bend it (stiffness). That was the problem with the Orvis system. It rated 'flex' with a given line, not action. A rod can be rated a fast 8 wt, but really it is a moderate action 10 wt. In this case, the Avid would be the direct price comparison and I'd rate the avid as one of the best beginner purchases you can get. They have truly moderate fast actions and are typically rated very accurately for line weight. They are fairly high modulus so response time is good, but they aren't thin wall blanks so they aren't terribly delicate. If the action suits your casting stroke, the Avid is a great rod to start on.

BTW, I used to work at Ramsey (the original one in Ramsey, not the one further down 17 at Paramus). At the time, I had cast every rod in the store (most on the water) which would vary from 50-75 at any time. That was one of two places where I really honed my casting preferences.

Thanks,
Rick

Consider Jim Teeny's TFO fly rods...I have a pair of their 10-footers, a five-weight and 7-weight...great actions, well made - best part.....$200!!!!!!!!!

I agree with all of that. I guess I'm just partial to my sage because it seems to work well for me.