Sage Payload Fly Rod

Quality product and service

The payload is incredible too many high end rods have “dry” blanks NOT sage they have deep colour and resin blanks it gives superb rebound effect and fast action, they are robust and have that incredible Sage feel, I will be investing in another Sage rod…just to add the quality and fast turnaround service by Gamefish is amazing, well done!

I bought the Sage Payload 8wt. I had tested this rod in a 9wt and it was an easy rod to use with short head lines like an Airflo Sinper 40+ or Outboind Short. If you fish from a boat or small venues and need to make a lot of one shot casts then its perfect.The 9wt worked well both 9 and 10wt lines, over lining means one backcast and straight out. If I was fishing very large flys all day this would be the rod I would go for. You can also pick up a lot of line off the water unlike other pike rods I've used. I bought the 8wt as having used an 8wt Pike Hero all winter (and really liking it) and a 9wt Grand Mama (top tippy), I wanted to go back to just one rod. With an 8wt Outbound short I can cast 6 inch flys no problem and its spot on for the drain fishing that I do most of the time. Upping to a 9wt line loaded the rod deeper and let me turn over flys with dragon tails / large mouse patterns. So the ability to use my favourite 8 and 9wt lines comformatbly is good. Although its rated as an 8wt it is nearer a 9wt and certainly able to handle heavier lines and larger flys than my Grand Mama was. I would recommend spending the money on a Rio Outbound short to get the best out of it. Nick at Gamefish was very helpful at helping match up my lines and how I fished with the correct rod.