Sage Z-Axis Vs Zxl

[curtis bias]

I'm looking at buying a new rod. My wife will let me spring the coin for a Sage. I've narrowed my choices down to either the Z-Axis or ZXL in a 9 foot 5 wt. configuration.

A little background: I fish a St. Croix Triumph 9 ft. 5 wt. from time to time when going after cold water species. I use it for dry flies, nymphing, and casting streamers. If the streamers get heavy, it casts like a dog, but otherwise is a decent rod. I've caught some fish with it.

I also fish with a Scientific Anglers 9 ft. 5/6 wt rod that comes with the SA fishing kits. I love this rod for warm water fishing with a 6 wt line. This rod has a slower action than the St. Croix. The St.Croix is listed as a moderate action rod.

I think I am enjoying slower action rods more than the faster stuff. I also cast a 8.5 foot 5 wt flight and thought it was a good rod. Felt just right. I just heard that the sensitivity of the rod suffered a little. The guy in the shop recommended a ZXL instead. The price difference is staggering.The Flight is $280 the ZXL is close to $700. I'm fishing for cold water species most often on small rivers. Max casts are maybe 30 yards. Most fishing happens much closer than that. Maybe 20 feet away or less.-

What do you guys think?

Z-Axis or ZXL? Which stick is going to put the biggest smile on my face?

[Bman]

I think I am enjoying slower action rods more than the faster stuff. Z-Axis or ZXL? Which stick is going to put the biggest smile on my face?

I think you answered your own question. The ZXL is for you. I have the 4wt ZXL and really like it!

[curtis bias]

Thanks for the feedback- The price tag is just making me balk a little bit. I've never had a rod over $100 before.

I'm just starting to get picky about what I fish with and developing some sense of what I like in a rod.

[vanven]

Z-Axis or ZXL? Which stick is going to put the biggest smile on my face?

I throw a 5wt 9 foot Z-Axis and love it. My next rod will be a 4wt ZXL. The Z is a bit geared more for windy conditions and streamers. The ZXL is a bit better for very light tippets and dries. That's the abbreviated description of the differences. Both rods are great all around. I want a slightly lighter rod for bright sunny days with clear water for nymphing with small flies. The Z feels like a bot of overkill on those days.

Both rods are fantastic and once you own one you will understand why they are expensive. They are a couple of the finest fly rods made.

-Jerod

[curtis bias]

Well, I ended up buying the 8.5 foot 5 wt. I'll let you guys and gals know how I get along with it once it arrives (and I catch a few fish with it).

[curtis bias]

This is a super nice rod compared to what I have been using. The rod has a nice natural feel to me. If I had to describe it in a word, I would call it smooth.

this is a precise casting rod with enough guts to get the fly out where I toss it. I was dropping the line tip into my baseball cap consistently at about 40 to 50 feet while lawn casting this evening. - I think I am going to like this rod very much. Just have to give it a bend test with a few fish to see how sensitive it is, and how it performs when it counts.

[vanven]

Well, I ended up buying the 8.5 foot 5 wt. I'll let you guys and gals know how I get along with it once it arrives (and I catch a few fish with it).

So which model did you pick, the Z-Axis or the ZXL? Which reel are you going to pair with it? Line?

I am considering the ZXL in an 8'6" 4wt. I am also looking at a couple of the Winston rods like the BXII or one of their slower medium action rods. I need to get out and cast a few of them.

I spent the weekend throwing my 5wt Z-Axis and am still in love with this rod. It was worth ever begging session it took and every penny.

-Jerod

[curtis bias]

I bought the ZXL. 8.5 foot 5 wt. - I really like it. It is a very natural rod for me to cast. A friend of mine says that he has spent some time with the 4 wt you are thinking about and described it as "one sweet rod". He mainly fishes Winston rods, and has a buncha' rods that he fools around with from time to time. I can't say if you will like the ZXL or not, but it suits me just fine. I've never cast a better rod.