Vintage Sage XP 697-4

Great to hear. I have one as a reserve, but fish another when I do get out. But at 1K, I’d let it go. How many backups is enough?
 
Dloy said:
Great to hear. I have one as a reserve, but fish another when I do get out. But at 1K, I’d let it go. How many backups is enough?
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Wow, you have 2 of them? Just how many old XP do you have lurking around your place?

My 697 back up is a Redington that has been described as soulless, I like it well enough
 
No, I have 1 XP 697. I’m more a fan of the RPL than the XP, in truth, but not sure it was ever produced in a SW safe configuration. The XP however is a terrific rod, and I love having it in the quiver. Today though, my hobbies are in flux, and I’d be willing to thin the herd. But, I’m in no panic.
No, Stonefish and I think Porter here have (or had) the significant hoard of XPs.
 
Dloy said:
No, I have 1 XP 697. I’m more a fan of the RPL than the XP, in truth, but not sure it was ever produced in a SW safe configuration. The XP however is a terrific rod, and I love having it in the quiver. Today though, my hobbies are in flux, and I’d be willing to thin the herd. But, I’m in no panic.
No, Stonefish and I think Porter here have (or had) the significant hoard of XPs.
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I know for a fact he has 1 more.
 
The old RPL are quite popular, I don't believe I've ever cast one but my fishing buddy (Sam R) idolizes his.

He has a more classic casting style than me, I'm more of a choppy bang it out there type so the fast action XP suits me.

I wouldn't mind adding an XP 691-4 to my line up, sometimes the 697 seems a bit long.
 
The RPL Is a butter smooth rod in the 7 weight configuration (790-4). I have the freshwater version (wood seat).

As for the XP. I can count how many I have on two hands and still have a spare digit. So not that many. 😆
 
There is some kind of alchemy for me with the RPL. I rarely fish my 896-4 anymore but it never, ever fails to bring a smile. Magic happens. I had a 6wt RPL+ for a while and sold it quick. IMO the + is lousy as if they couldn’t not fuck with the RPL rod that made Sage an industry leader. That’s marketing.I like the XP ok, but it doesn’t match my arm quite as well. Just musings of a fading angler.
 
C22, no doubt the extra 6” helps on a steep beach, but I’ve often felt the 691XP might just be the ticket. Maybe just a tad crisper, which could tip the scales for me. But, I’ll fish the stable I have. I snagged a 6wt Meridian on close out and we get along fine.
 
Dloy said:
c/22, no doubt the extra 6” helps on a steep beach, but I’ve often felt the 691XP might just be the ticket. Maybe just a tad crisper, which could tip the scales for me.
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Same, I've spoken with Nailbender when I ran into him fishing SRC at Lincoln Park. He was packing his well used XP 691 and was firing off quick casts while moving up the beach, looked very efficient.

Also spoke to another XP user who had both the 691 & 697 and he thought the same, the 691 has a crispy action, 697 a bit slower


c/22
 
I wouldn't mind fishing a 590 RPL side by side with my XP just to see.
 
chrome/22 said:
Heard a rumor a minty one sold for $1,000! Must have had 2 guys who both really wanted one.

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No not a rumor. It has happened a couple of times but that was 2-3-4 years ago I forget. Not getting that now. Many new rods have come out since diminishing the value of older plastic rods. There are a lot of good rods out there these days and many for way less than top flagship rod prices. Imho.

I’m also in the camp that some of the older rods really can surprise you with great performance with all these new lines and tapers. Just something to think about.
 
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