Sage One 10wt Feedback...

Hi guys, Bill M has posted some feedback on his 10wt One build we did for him. 
With his permission, here it is:

"Well I gave the 1090 ONE a run the other day with a Wulff TT Lost Tip. I didn't get a chance to bend it seriously with only a few GTs to the boat. 


It seemed to like the chunky Bermuda Triangle Taper, which has a 30 foot head. This rod casts very nicely, going short or long. It feels a lot lighter than most 10 weights and more like your average #8 or #9. It isn't that much lighter than the Xi3 or TCX but the difference is noticeable. When you waggle it you realise it isn't a noodle and is quite removed from its closest predecessor the Z-Axis 1090 - also a great heavy flats rod. 

I will run a RIO Redfish on it next time, which was the line that TJ and Tony suggested sung best on that rod. I was surprised to hear this given the #10 Redfish is 400 grains making it quite a heavy line, even if that is spread over 35.5 feet. Somehow though I'm not surprised because that Redfish line has a taper that loads progressively but throws big flies. It isn't a blunt instrument and still allows some presentation compared with other heavyweights like Tropical Outbounds etc. 


The rod easily handles very heavy flies including a 2/0 Avalon style Voltzy Golden Crab. This fly has big dumbells and 4 beads so weighs a tonne. It still cast well....well, well-ish


At this stage I think it is among the best flats rods I have owned. It has the finesse of the ONE but with some grunt down low. More suited to floaters than the Xi3 and TCX. You can easily fish this rod line on, but it would handle being uplined if you liked that kind of thing. Anywhere from 325 to 400 grains would be fine. I doubt it is overly line sensitive. Some of the new rods around are very line sensitive, they either feel overloaded or alternatively underloaded. Both are bad when you need feel and touch through a range of 40-80 feet.


Don't be fooled. It is a very different rod to the ONE 990. If you are thinking of buying a ONE for flats fishing, cast the 990 and the 1090 side by side. Both are very good rods but for throwing crabs the 1090 has the edge.


I measure all flats rods against the Xi3 990 and this one seems as good, perhaps better. The only drawback is once you enter #10 territory, line choice means many of the bonefish style lines are not available. I think some of the general saltwater tapers would suit this rod nicely as will some of the striper/tarpon lines.


Hopefully it will pin a good golden in the next few weeks and we will know how it pulls against a stronger fish.


Happy Camper."


Bill, we are really looking forward to seeing some pics of your rod with a Golden Trevally soon! - Tony & TJ