After casting my friends Sage xi2’s my Powell rod just isn’t cuttin the meat anymore. They add 20 feet to my cast. Any other rods I should look at?. I’m pretty sure I want a 7 wt.
Thomas and Thomas Horizon II, It is the chit.
“Fishing is alot like sex…when its good,it’s really good, and when its bad, its still pretty good.”
I really like my Sage XP 7.
take a look at orvis helios, i have a sage and the helios is half the wait, wish i could afford one
Tarpon 120
Fish Hard, Sleep Easy
I would Agree with LiteTackle, the Helios is an amazing rod, the best I have ever cast…The 8wt feels like a 5wt but casts like a true 8wt with the backbone…If you want to invest in the last rod you will ever need, save up and buy the HELIOS!!!
Fish and Fly did a comprehensive review of the 8wts in this months rag. Check it out.
I have a zaxis that I traded my xi2 in on. I love that stick—(and it got #2 on that review!
). I did cast the helios and I think it is amazing. If you are gonna get one contact dave at www.castersflyshop.com He’s a great guy and he will ship it free of charge at the least.
March Brown… I just got a new 6pc 8wt 9ft Legacy fly rod and I am tellin ya… They cast a mile and as the line shoots through the guides the clouds part and you hear angels sing… 
Seriously… this is the nicest rod I have ever casted let alone owned… even though it’s a 6pc it is very light and easy to cast… I ws able to consistanly cast 65-70ft with some wind with no problem and I have alwys struggled to get a 50ft cast with no wind… check them out…
http://www.marchbrown.com/legacy_fly_rod_series.htm
Their lifetime gaurentee is just like the other big names… no excuse… close it ina car door get a new one… fish breaks it… get a new one… Mine is going to Iraq with me… fishin or not I’ll be abel to keep my casting in practice and work on my accuracy seriously… check 'em out…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
quote:
Originally posted by toothlessblueFish and Fly did a comprehensive review of the 8wts in this months rag. Check it out.
I have a zaxis that I traded my xi2 in on. I love that stick—(and it got #2 on that review!
I have the same sage rods they rock. I agree with him 100%. Get the sage!
love my xi2. unquestionablly the hardest worked rod i have. most of the top manf. make rods of similar caliber, the real question is which one casts the best for you. I have always liked the “feel” of winstons, yet most other rods seem to have more backbone- the winston can fire it out and has had salmon bend it to the cork. I have never had ony problems with sage, scott, T&T, or winstons except jeep related injuries( returned w/in days). mike or josh at the angler will string em up for you. i did the same thing when the xi2 came out, however i was instantly addicted and bought dat un. the 9’6" 7wt would be heavenly
I have a TFO 8 wt that I am in love with!! Only $150 easy to cast and good strength, I bass fish here with it ALL of the time!!
War Eagle!
The best thing to do is check out your local fly shop and try casting several different rods. Find a rod that works with your casting style and go with that. Don’t let price be the factor, you never know but you might find a rod that cast better and is yet not the most expensive.
Eagles may soar, but weasels never get sucked into jet air intakes
Scotty d
Why 9’6" instead of the “standard” 9’?
If more distance is the answer is it a trade off in accuracy on shorter casts?
for me, accuracy is more important than distance, although both have their places. I’m assuming you already have a 9’ rod, why not add some length to the bag o tricks. I bought an 11’ 7wt several years ago and love it. however, except in the big rivers up north, it has no real place in the salt (except surf). the accuuracy is amazing even at big distances. i threw a 10’ 7wt of a bahamian guide and loved it in the headwinds and it was definatly better at close range than the 11’. (my only beef w/ longer rods is the real close shot…but ive had fish while wading w/in a rods length of a 9’. A rod a pinch over 9’ will give you more leverage and accuracy and if you fish from a kayak or a “bonefish crouch” it will keep your loops tighter. plus if you ever fish or plan to fish for steelhead or trophy trout, the 9’6-11’ 7wts outfish shorter rods allday (longer mends and much more line control)
Check out this 8wt. shootout by George Anderson(owner of Yellowstone Angler)and friends:
#1http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/8.weight.shoot.out.fly.rod.comparison.asp
#2http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/8.weight.fly.rod.comparison.mini.shootout.asp
Here is the 5wt. shootout:
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Maverick Mirage w/ Yamaha 90hp
“I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. They wake up in the morning and that’s the best they’re going to feel all day!”
remind me and I will see if there are any “sales” going on in NC.
great link tarpon tamer
editing my last post…11 footers are great in tropical storms (fay). It will slice a loop through about anything.
orvis helios hands down the best rod out right now…8wt tip flx weighs 2 oz. almost effortless to cast. If you have a technically sound cast it will bring out all of the qualities in it and WILL add distance to your cast. i have casted it with many different lines and the best one so far is airflo ridgeline…other lines that were good matches were of course sci angler’s sharkskin line and wonderline by orvis. you can go to the new orvis shop in myrtle and try one out.
The Powell has been hot lately and landing a lot of fish. Also, had to get some motor repairs done so will hold off on a new rod for a while. Thanks for the input.
Rivers-I’ll check the NC prices when the time comes. Thanks