Sage Z Axis
- This topic has 8 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated Nov 7, 2006 at 8:42 pm by
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Finally got the chance the 9′ 5 weight albeit in a 2 piece. Overall a nice rod that is much slower than the XP. Very smooth rod that is clearly a copy of the BIIX. Nice rod but nothing special IMHO. I would like to check out the 6 weight 4 piece though!
Hey Au Sable –
I agree with everything you said except that the rod is “clearly a copy of the BIIx.”
Hey Au Sable –
I agree with everything you said except that the rod is “clearly a copy of the BIIx.” All the BIIxes I have cast have lacked backbone after a certain distance, but I didn’t get that sensation with the Z-Axis. I think Sage is doing its own thing here.
Zach
Zach… you just know I couldn’t let that comment go by! 🙂
The BIIx indeed seems to lack backbone when reaching out. Key word: seems! If you horse it it just will not cooperate. Smooth the stroke and stop thinking of it as fast and it holds it’s own, for a 5 weight that is TRULY a 5 weight!
I practice distance casting with both a Loomis 9′, 5 weight GLX Max Linespeed and the same size BIIx quite often. The BIIx holds it’s own in distance casting with the GLX but is a whole different beast. The only time it protests being thrown far is when you expect to do all the work. Winston seems to have figured out what an expensive lever can do when designed correctly and designed for more than just one distance range.Hahaha, I knew you wouldn’t let that slide, Jack.
I’ll tell you exactly what is going on between me and the BIIx, and I know you’ll understand it.
First, I’ve hit 115′ with a five weight in practice, so we’re talking real distances.
Zach,
To clarify, you are saying the BIIX does not perform well at distance but you mean at serious distance like over 100′. This would not be the BIIX’s forte for sure. But will the BIIX cast 80′ with a minumum of effort? I would say yes and anything beyond that is not really fishable. Similar to your G2 the Winston’s are made to be fun for the caster and feel a fish make a run. So I think it is fair to say that if you are a at a casting contest reach for the Sage and on a Spring Creek the Winston.
The other thing I have notcied is that the BIIX’s fish one size smaller, meaning the 6 wt feels like a 5. I actually fish a 7 weight that I think makes the perfect 6 weight rod.
Ausable
To finish on the original topic, I think the Z Axis will be loved by some and scorned by those who like a fast stiff rod. I still think Sage took the BIIX into consideration given its incredible popularity. One shop I know well told me they were outselling BIIX’s 2 to 1 over Sage in the last few years.
Nice rod and I may buy one but will to cast more. I am suprised their has not more talk on the boards on these rods.
Based on the comments here, sounds like I’m glad I ran down the the last 8′ XP 3 wt. I could find and now have on the way here from a Bozman shop. I was hoping that the Z would still be like the XP in most ways, but perhaps not.. 😮
Since I love the XP action, good thing I didn’t wait.
TB
What this means for my stroke is two things: #1, I’ve developed a technique that I’ve shared with a very limited number of people that lets me shoot a very long backcast very high into the air. It works, and I’ve never seen anyone else do it, but I’m holding it back until I really dial it in, when I will write an article on it.
Hmm… I’m getting VERY curious now. Maybe you can show us on a videoclip?
Jay
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