Review: Sage TCX

[schwerty]

Rod Fished: Sage TCX. 9' 9wt
Lines: WF Rio "Pike/Musky" taper - medium belly and a Rio Intermediate Lake line.


I cast this set up on dry land with both lines w/out flies and on the Snake River with heavy flies. Yeah, I am fully aware that a 9wt on the Snake is WAY more rod than you need and should have. I fished it to test the rod.

This stick is the replacement for the TCR which I thought was by far the worst Sage rod I have ever fished. I don't mind fast, stiff rods but that one left me hanging. No feel at all. Sure, if you wanted to toss a bugger or foam junk 80ft and happened to load the thing perfectly, it casted fine. Anything less and it sucked! There was no feel in playing fish! The TCX seems to have evolved a little. There is some feel to the tip. It still busts through wind and can throw a line 80+ but can also load and lay down a 25 footer when needed.

Please keep in mind, I was tossing a 9wt...on a trout river. This stick is still hard to cast and although more forgiving than its predecessor, it still is VERY demanding. I had plenty of junk casts ! Loading this thing was a dream but if the back cast wasn't timed right...well... Rolling was not really in the cards but it did the trick when my timing was on. Single handed spey casts had to be done with more authority than I prefer but I could manage. I did sting one good size cutty, (18"-19"), and the rod had somewhat of an even flex when bent. I would imagine, a lighter wt woulda felt pretty good.

Granted, I haven't fished other weights but I would not buy one of these under 7. Absolutely no reason for me and most anglers out there. Definitely not a dry fly rod and way too stiff for nymphing, especially of you wade and dredge. Salt application = pretty good but I also waved the new Xi3 series and it felt a tad smoother. In fact, I might prefer one of those in a fresh water situation.... They are prolly close to the same rod and I just was casting better when I tossed the Xi3 8wt on dry land. ???

Nice improvement from the TCR, IMHO, but a specialized tool for those that can and like that type of rod. I found it strange that Sage decided not to offer anything longer than 9'. It is a cannon though. Maybe longer would be unmanageable? It retails for over 7bills!!! My advice: don't spend the cash unless you know you really need/want it!

[Denny1969]

I still use an 8 weight TCR and I love it to death. Keep in mind that I use it as a striper rod. That means the lightest line that I use is 300 grains. The smallest fly that I use with it is 1/0. The TCR is a specialized tool designed to throw heavier payloads.

The same thing goes with the TCX. It too is a specialized tool. I like using the 9 weight TCX with 350 to 375 grain heads. I know guys who use this rod with 400 grain heads with 5/0 striper flies.

Your experience with the TCX and the Xi3 are consistent with others I know. The Xi3 is stiffer and more damp in the butt section. This makes it a smoother caster. A lot of California Delta fishermen actually use the Xi3 over the TCX for this reason.

Denny

[schwerty]

I'm actually considering picking up an Xi3 in and 7wt for tossing big streamers around here. I just liked the feel of the rod better.

[Denny1969]

I'm actually considering picking up an Xi3 in and 7wt for tossing big streamers around here. I just liked the feel of the rod better.

One of my fishing buddy uses the Xi3 in a 7 weight for tossing big streamers, too. He liked the feel of it over the TCX. Plus it also is his main Bonefish rod.

Denny