Sage SALT R8 11WT 9'
In Stock • Bozeman, MT
Light Caribbean Tarpon rod from Belize to Mexico or Tarpon averaging 30-60 lbs. Heavyweight Permit rod for Mexico, deeper water, stronger winds, and heavier flies. Heavyweight Redfish rod for windy conditions on the Gulf Coast and big Bull Redfish. Big flies and sink tips Striper rod, Maine to Montauk, heavy dredging, wind resistant poppers, rocky shorelines and heavy wash. All-Around Roosterfish rod for Baja Mexico.
- 25% Greater Strength Per Rod
- More Intuitive Sweet Spot and Touch
- Saltwater Specific Guide Set
- Heavy-Duty Reel Seat
Description
Sage Salt R8 1190-4
9' 11 weight, four-piece fly rod
Go-to South Florida Tarpon rod and Tarpon averaging 50-150 lbs, lighter tarpon flies and softer/quicker presentations.
While saltwater locales often move slower, the fishing is faster, the pressure more intense and the variables more variable. From wind, weather and tides to spooky fish, seasonal migrations and salty guides, it’s a different game with a different set of rules in venues that range from tournaments and Grand Slam flats to legendary bonefish lodges and hushed redfish beaches. The shots are fewer, the stakes are higher and seconds matter in sight fishing. By the third false cast, your time—at least for that fish—has passed.
But more than just delivering a fly on demand, saltwater sight fisheries necessitate a different tool than what works for your standard trout stream. A rod that loads quickly and predictably, a sweet spot more intuitive to feel. More strength to land fish quicker and more touch for precision short shots. A more durable rod that is built to survive both long skiff runs and remote destinations - where broken rods are absolutely heartbreaking. A precisely honed taper that will ensure your fly is presented in the right place at the right time.
Most salt rods are built for pure power and ultimate strength—that is table stakes for the venue and the discipline. With our new R8 graphite, adding 25% more strength-per- weight was the easy part—a simple function of material advancement—but one that also increased the fight in the rod even down to our six-weight. We increased the pure pulling power without the need to add more material, fillers or reinforcement. The outcome is simple, providing the ability for faster landing times and reducing fish stress and catch- and-release pressure on ever so delicate ecosystems.
Features
- Revolution 8 Technology
- Tempest Blue blank color
- Slate primary thread wraps with graduated White and Grey trim
- Premium Flor Grade Cork Handle w/EVA Butt
- Black rod bag with new cord lock for quicker, easier, and cleaner storage
- Aluminium rod tube with Sage medallion
Technology
More strength and fight were an obvious upgrade, yet few salt rods, especially in
the heavier weights, achieve the importance of feel for fine touch shots and precise presentations. Shaping a taper that brought this increased touch into the equation
took more time. Yet after a long residence in the birthplace of saltwater fly fishing,
and working directly with the experienced guides there, our rod designers found the right profile and fiber alignment that delivered strength, fine touch presentation, and a more intuitive sweet spot to a class of rods that have long had a reputation as unwieldy, unforgiving and difficult. With the SALT R8, gone are the days of sacrificing the feel and touch in your saltwater rod.
• 25% Greater Strength Per Rod - Greater Pulling power equals more fight for faster landing and less stress on delicate ecosystems
• Enhanced Durability - Enhanced toughness withstands more rugged situations and demands of remote travel
• More Intuitive Sweet Spot - Prioritizes touch and speed for shorter shots and on-demand casts
• Saltwater Specific Guide Set - Fuji K-guides resist corrosion, while angled shape prevents snags and tangling in the chaos of the fight. Oversized chrome snake guides and tip-top allow larger slatwater knots to pass with ease.
• Heavy-Duty Reel Seat - Built for enhanced contact and confidence, heavy-duty reel seat and oversized locking rings keep reel tight to the rod for greater contact, rigidity, and a more dirrect connection when fighting powerful high-stakes fish
Warranty
Every new Sage rod, blank and Sage series reel is covered by our original owner warranty against defects in materials or workmanship.
This warranty is limited to repair and replacement of the rod, blank, or reel and does not cover direct, indirect, consequential, incidental, or any other type of damage resulting from the use of the product. This warranty does not cover fire, theft, missing rod sections, intentional breakage, modification or customization of the finished rod, or damage during the assembly of a blank into a finished rod. Warranty coverage on Sage blanks does not extend to any custom work or components added to the blanks. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to state.
Sage reserves the right to determine whether to repair or replace any Sage Product covered by this warranty and the right to replace any discontinued models with comparable models when necessary.
Colors and components may vary between original and replacement parts.
The original owner warranty against defects in materials and workmanship applies to rods with a serial # beginning with the letter "A" and higher, including all double letters (i.e., AA, AB, and AC). Should breakage occur outside of warranty coverage (when it's not the result of material defects or workmanship), a repair can usually be made for a fee.
One exception is the rods manufactured with a serial number Q, R, S, or T. These rods carry an unconditional, original owner lifetime warranty.
PLEASE NOTE: Sage blanks are not serialized. Warranty coverage on rods built from Sage blanks is limited to the blank only.
For more information about our repairs pricing, please click here.
HOW DO I GET MY SAGE PRODUCT REPAIRED?
Click this link to start the process: ONLINE REPAIR FORM.
Salt Salt R8
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Q: What specific fishing scenarios did you design this rod for, and where do you feel it truly excels in performance? A: Designed from the ground up as a tarpon stick. Probably at its best oceanside when you want great control over the fly and have the luxury of seeing them coming from a ways off. At least that’s how I’d want to catch them with this rod in my hand. If you have the technique and timing to drive the load deep into the blank, there is an awesome amount of energy and line speed accessible.
Q: What fly line would you recommend pairing with this rod? A: RIO Elite Tarpon
| empty | Short | Medium | Long | FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caster 1 | 7.5 | 7.1 | 7.6 | 22.2 |
| Caster 2 | 7.1 | 8 | 8.4 | 23.5 |
| Caster 3 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 23.6 |
| Combined | 22.2 | 24.2 | 24.9 | 71.3 |
- Fast rod. You can feel the tip a little, but not much. This is very similar to the Asquith, but not as accurate in my opinion. The rod begins to come alive out at 40’-50’. It’s almost as if the rod is asking for more fly line – it wants to carry a lot of line in the air. The more fly line you get out, the more it comes alive.
- The durability of this rod is incredible for an 11-Weight and I like that this was factored in. Smooth stroke with little effort 35’-50’ into the wind as well. Flexes at the tip a bit deeper in short. You can’t go too slow with this rod as it really wants to shoot.
- Light in hand, great cork and fighting butt. The rod makes me want to be more compact. At 30’ can cast with just a tiny flick. This rod doesn’t really fit my casting stroke that I’m used to. At 70’ (long) I feel like I can open up my cast.
We were excited about this rod, and it performed well. The Salt R8 is a fast, line hungry rod that clearly prefers to be pushed. It feels light in hand with excellent durability for an 11 weight, and once fly line reaches the 40 to 50 foot range the rod comes alive, carrying line efficiently and encouraging a compact, powerful stroke. The more line you have in the air, the better it performs.
Up close, there is some tip flex, but the rod does not reward a slower tempo and wants to shoot line rather than finesse it. Into the wind, it remains smooth and controlled through the medium range, and at longer distances it opens up naturally. This is a rod built for anglers who like to carry line and favor power, especially in demanding conditions.
