Has anyone fished one of these? I have not found much info on the net about them. I am looking at the new peacock size for bass and Northern Pike. Sage says they are great for both, but I am hoping to get some hands on info from an actual owner.

Thanks

Think I'd look at TFO's Mini-Mag.....

Buy USA 2012!
Apples and oranges really. The peacock must be roughly equivalent to a 12 weight rod? I am not an "actual owner" but threw one at Tailwaters last year. They aren't too pretty, but it's the rod that they should have come out with first IMO. I wouldn't try to talk you out of the peacock if you're going after pike though! I did a review on the ONE - http://texasflycaster.com/page/2/?s=sage+bass but the video was so bad for the Bass II review that I canned it (always looking for a better way to shoot video solo!). Shannon

After recently getting a new Winston,I'm all about buying American.I have cast the Sage Bass 11 also the older Sage Bass,saying that I personally wouldnt have either one of them.

But like you say apples to oranges.....

Like all other said buy American, only way to buy. I'm saving up for a new sage and a hatch reel

Not the Bass11 I hope!

no either TheOne or XI3, haven't casted TheOne yet though

Yeah, that BassII is a stick for sure. Better than the original IMO, but of course cost more as well. I get the feeling we are near the end of the "Bass" line of rods for Sage. Thing is, guys are using them to winch on other species like tarpon as well. May as well call it a "Tarpon II." Scott and Winston make some great rods (I would gladly own), just nothing quite as animalistic as the Sage Bass line.

Fewer, better (US) rods is my new mantra. A lot fewer ...

PS - I hear the Xi-3 is a little dead in the tip. That previous link leads to a review of the ONE actually. All I can say is it's straight, straight, and straight.

I wondered why the Sage Smallmouth I saw at Cabelas was marked down...now I know.

I have an 8wt Xi3 and I love it. Just got back from Costa Rica with it and got a small(10-12#) jack crevalle with it. Didn't get much time out with it since it was my "late honeymoon". Had to keep the wife happy. Back to the rod, I find that it is a fantastic rod with more than enough backbone. I can't wait to get it out on some reds and small tarpon this year. All depends on your casting style though.

I have the original in the LMB and the SMB, and I love them dearly. For me, they cast like rockets, are great for kayaking in the small rivers and ponds I frequent, and are a delight to fish with. Haven't tried the new version, and don't really know what they have to offer.

I, too, have an Xi3 (a five weight) and love it. No deadness to be found, tip or otherwise. Used it in Alaska on sea run Dolly Varden and loved it.

I have a 9wt Xi3 and love it. only thing i notice about it is that it does overload easilly when you carry a lot of line out the tip. you kind of have to tell it what you want from it...that being said, i can use that rod with bull reds and almost horse them like a bait caster.
as for the ONE, LOVE IT. you can intentionally try to cast bad and it still casts good. it has to be the most forgiving rod i have ever put my hands on.

http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/Winston.BIIIx.rod.review.b111x.reviewboronIIIxflyrodreview.asp
“In casting the rods here at the shop, we could see that the BIIIX has a bit more stiffness in both the mid-section and the tip section. This has slowed the action down just slightly, but for the better.”

I believe that we all develop our own casting styles and that is good, but the “stiffness in the tip section” of the Winston BIIIx 6 wt that I have available, requires much more false casting for distance than I like.

No Sage Bass rods available to test - TFO MiniMags have produced excelleant results for me.

Maybe I don't know my rod terms? When I say "dead tip" that's I term that I thought defined a lack of sensitivity, the ability to feel those little ticks. Mick, it's just a wild guess, but I bet there's not much nibbling going on with sea run dolly varden?

Usually the dollies are picking off salmon eggs behind the spawners in the Alaskan coastal rivers where I fished, so they can be subtle, but typically they are quick about it, so as not to get chased or chomped by the protective salmon.

I noticed no lack of sensitivity in the Xi3. As with each generation of the Sage "X" series, they are a bit lighter and more sensitive than their predecessors, with more responsiveness in the tip (making for easier casting).

speaking of easy casting, there is no work involved with my Xi3, just wrist only and it will make a 50-60 foot cast with a #1 Peanut bunker

SeaAggie, yesterday I did a little more lawn casting with the Winston IIIx 6wt and uplined it with an 8wt F line and it handled much better for distance. Obviously a trout rod because reel seat so small my TFO 5-6 Prism “Reel Recovery” reel would barely seat.

A 9wt Winston IIIx would be a better fit for me.

if you want another very easy casting rod, my 6wt is a TFO professional. for me its just a little too slow, but its incredibly forgiving

George never met a rod he didn't like to upline at least two line weights!

YEP - I've seen you cast Mick - you can cast an entire fly line on a broomstick - the rest of us have get all the help we can muster ...

George, I just hope I am enjoying life -- and fishing -- as much as you are when I am your age. Heck, I'll be happy just to make it to your age!

Mick

Thanks Mick - I know you will - having fun with friends with common interests keeps you young!!!

I am going to the Dallas Boat Show next month. Anyone know if they will have a place to "test drive" some different rods???

We dont have a fly shop here in Lubbock so I am hoping to check out a few different rods at the show.

TFO will be there, but I don't know if any other fly rod companies will be there.

Rather or not TFO is on your list of rods that you are wanting to cast, I recommend taking advantage of the opportunity and cast several different rod models.

I learned more about rod actions and what rods I like and don't like by picking a line wt size and going out and casting several different rods in that wt. I recommend using the same reel/line with each rod so that you are just comparing rods.

When TFO goes to a show, they normally bring every rod model in every wt. size and length that they make. It is a great opportunity to cast and compare for yourself and to figure what rod feels best to you.

Texas Mike, are you aware that a new fly shop opened in Midland? It opened in Oct., I believe, and is called the Desert Angler. Visited it at Christmastime, and it is a good little shop with knowledgeable staff, and it is in West Texas.

I thought there was an Orvis related fly shop on 50th st in Lubbock? Did it close?

Mountain Hideaway is on 50th St here in Lubbock. I love that place, but they dont have a very wide selection of rods to cast. I will probably order what ever I choose from them.

I have gotten some good deals from Kyle/Mountain Hideaway.

I am guessing you are new to Lubbock. We have Moutain Hideaway here.