New Sage rod
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I told my wife about it, to put my recent fishing purchases in perspective.
Bambooflyguy
Life of the Party
Does that come with a reel and waders???
I see a lot of hate on the new sage rods, but I'd bet it's a pretty damn sweet stick.
Have fun at pyramid, hope the wind isn't too brutal. Throw up a trip report if you get a moment.
Pyramid is a strange place for sure. Only fishery I do where you want crappy weather, wind in your face. But to a point. I have been there with the wind so bad the lake had rollers and surf and you could literally have surfed it. Crazy but man those big Lahontons!
Similarly, and close by, I’ve seen Tahoe get so windy that people DO surf it
I have surfed pyramid on a longboard. Tahoe as well on several occasions. Believe it or not Tahoe gets crowded now at the better spots. It is a fun novelty as a home ‘break’.
Here's my perception...
Sage used to be a "buy it for life" proposition and that made it easier to justify the expense. People have learned, the hard way, that is no longer the case. The hate isn't hard to justify.
Buy it for life because of the warranty? Or buy it for life because of the cost?
All flagship rods used to have around the same cost and a similar lifetime warranty. Except Orvis, who had a 25 year warranty, but their warranty was robust from what I remember.
I have no issue with expensive things. Some people have more zeros on the end of their paychecks than I do. So if someone has enough money to say "I'll just buy the most expensive one since that's likely to be the best", more power to them. While an $1100 Sage rod isn't likely a good value, it's also not likely to be a bad rod.
That said, hard pass for me. No need to spend $1100 on a rod when spending far less will catch me just as many fish.
That said, hard pass for me. No need to spend $1100 on a rod when spending far less will catch me just as many fish.
Warranty. I remember people justifying the cost of Sage rods, based on anecdotes about breaking 10 year old rods and being sent a brand new one. That doesn't happen anymore.
Agreed.
For context:
I had a warranty issue with an older Winston a year or so back. An LTX. I bought it used. The issue couldve been a legit warranty thing, but I used that rod well, so easily could've been something I inadvertently did. The stripping guide insert had broken. Without hesitation, they said "send it in and take your pick from our new lineup". Sickness. Brand new $900 rod to replace a 20 year old used rod.
Similarly, broke my XP a year and a half back, this one completely my fault. That said, when I bought the rod new, it had an unconditional warranty. Just pay shipping and handling. That apparently didnt matter though, since they had updated their warranty policy. $200 later, I got the butt section replaced.
You decide what you want from that info.
I think you get in to the abuse problem….and I bet it’s repeat offenders. Mfg’ers warranty intentions were good. Some patron intentions were not, and they will find some of the most inconceivable avenues to abuse a system/policy/warranty. Remember Costco electronics warranty/policy? It was a sweet deal for people with LEGITIMATE issues regarding their electronics …..but as the tvs and other products quickly advanced in technology the abuse of Costco’s policy from some consumers exploded.
I like fishy people running fishing gear companies. Not so sure Sage has them calling the shots any more. Suits?
I still love the Sage RPL. While not the lightest/swiftest/techno rod of todays rods…. If you have a decent skill set this rod will still hum a line. They go for 175-300.00 on average from the big auction site. You can buy 3-4 of them for a newer top of the line rod price.
….or buy one and save money for other things. ???
Just a thought or simple opinion.
I like fishy people running fishing gear companies. Not so sure Sage has them calling the shots any more. Suits?
I still love the Sage RPL. While not the lightest/swiftest/techno rod of todays rods…. If you have a decent skill set this rod will still hum a line. They go for 175-300.00 on average from the big auction site. You can buy 3-4 of them for a newer top of the line rod price.
….or buy one and save money for other things. ??? Just a thought or simple opinion.
JeffRaines
Smolt
Yep... the same kinds of people ruined return policies at places like REI. People returning 5 year old boots with 700 miles on them, or the guy bringing back his tent that he's used for 20 nights every season for the past 10 years. People don't realize that a lot of items are "consumables".I think you get in to the abuse problem….and I bet it’s repeat offenders. Mfg’ers warranty intentions were good. Some patron intentions were not, and they will find some of the most inconceivable avenues to abuse a system/policy/warranty. Remember Costco electronics warranty/policy? It was a sweet deal for people with LEGITIMATE issues regarding their electronics …..but as the tvs and other products quickly advanced in technology the abuse of Costco’s policy from some consumers exploded.
I like fishy people running fishing gear companies. Not so sure Sage has them calling the shots any more. Suits?
I still love the Sage RPL. While not the lightest/swiftest/techno rod of todays rods…. If you have a decent skill set this rod will still hum a line. They go for 175-300.00 on average from the big auction site. You can buy 3-4 of them for a newer top of the line rod price.
Just a thought or simple opinion.
Fly rods don't fall into that category though... I find it hard to fault a company(no matter how popular it may be) that will fix something I messed up at a fair price. It's not their fault I closed a rod in the car door, slipped and fell with my rod, or decided to smack it into a bridge or a tree limb. While being offered a new rod sounds good, new isn't always better... especially if your favorite rod has been out of production for years. Some companies will force you into whatever the new equivalent rod is. Pretty sure Orvis does this once they run out of components or pieces for their older models. Legendary rods like the old Sage LL - in some cases a 30+ year old rod - they will repair it.
Not trying to take up for shitty customer service. Thats its own problem... just offering some perspective other than "BRAND S BAD" "WARRANTY BAD""REPAIR COST BAD". It could be worse.
