Sage SALT R8 15wt 1586-4 Fly Rods - The Best New Rods for Saltwater Fly Fishing!
Sage SALT R8 15wt 1586-4 (Extended Fighting Grip) Fly Rods - The Best New Rods for Saltwater Fly Fishing!
FREE FLY LINE! Up to $130 Value! Add a line to your cart with this rod!
See all our SAGE SALT R8 Fly Rod Combos & Outfits
About this Sage SALT R8 15wt (1586-4) model:
Heavyweight Bluewater rod for large Bluewater species from Billfish to Tuna.
More Fight: Designed to be the hardest pulling stick in fly fishing, this 15 weight is the go-to for anglers looking to connect with some of the largest fish in the sea.
More Touch: The window for anglers to deliver a large fly once a teaser is pulled is extremely short - and this 15 weight loads large shooting heads quickly and efficiently to take advantage of these rare opportunities.
- 25% Greater Strength Per Rod
- More Intuitive Sweet Spot and Touch
- Saltwater Specific Guide Set
- Heavy-Duty Reel Seat
More About the SAGE SALT R8 Fly Rod Series:
SALTWATER SPECIFIC / FAST ACTION / MORE FIGHT, MORE TOUCH
While saltwater locales often move slower, the fishing is faster, the pressure more intense and the variables more variable. From wind, weather and tides to spooky fish, seasonal migrations and salty guides, it’s a different game with a different set of rules in venues that range from tournaments and Grand Slam flats to legendary bonefish lodges and hushed redfish beaches. The shots are fewer, the stakes are higher and seconds matter in sight fishing. By the third false cast, your time—at least for that fish—has passed.
But more than just delivering a fly on demand, saltwater sight fisheries necessitate a different tool than what works for your standard trout stream. A rod that loads quickly and predictably, a sweet spot more intuitive to feel. More strength to land fish quicker and more touch for precision short shots. A more durable rod that is built to survive both long skiff runs and remote destinations - where broken rods are absolutely heartbreaking. A precisely honed taper that will ensure your fly is presented in the right place at the right time.
Most salt rods are built for pure power and ultimate strength—that is table stakes for the venue and the discipline. With our new R8 graphite, adding 25% more strength-per-weight was the easy part—a simple function of material advancement—but one that also increased the fight in the rod even down to our six-weight. We increased the pure pulling power without the need to add more material, fillers or reinforcement. The outcome is simple, providing the ability for faster landing times and reducing fish stress and catch-and-release pressure on ever so delicate ecosystems.
More strength and fight were an obvious upgrade, yet few salt rods, especially in the heavier weights, achieve the importance of feel for fine touch shots and precise presentations. Shaping a taper that brought this increased touch into the equation took more time. Yet after a long residence in the birthplace of saltwater fly fishing, and working directly with the experienced guides there, our rod designers found the right profile and fiber alignment that delivered strength, fine touch presentation, and a more intuitive sweet spot to a class of rods that have long had a reputation as unwieldy, unforgiving and difficult. With the SALT R8, gone are the days of sacrificing the feel and touch in your saltwater rod.
• 25% Greater Strength Per Rod - Greater Pulling power equals more fight for faster landing and less stress on delicate ecosystems
• Enhanced Durability - Enhanced toughness withstands more rugged situations and demands of remote travel
• More Intuitive Sweet Spot - Prioritizes touch and speed for shorter shots and
on-demand casts
• Saltwater Specific Guide Set - Titanium Fuji K-guides resist corrosion, while angled shape prevents snags and tangling in the chaos of the fight. Oversized chrome snake guides and tip-top allow larger saltwater knots to pass with ease.
• Heavy-Duty Reel Seat - Built for enhanced contact and confidence, heavy-duty reel seat and oversized locking rings keep reel tight to the rod for greater contact, rigidity, and a more direct connection when fighting powerful high-stakes fish
Note: All of the SALT HD rods are 9ft in length except for the heaviest 15 WT which is both 8'6" and includes an extended grip / fighting butt.
** From Salt Fly Pro staff:
This rod is definitely a staff favorite here.
If you are looking for a great all-around saltwater rod for flats, inshore / near-shore, or even if you are specifically searching for Bonefish, the 8 WT is fantastic. Go with a size or two up (9-10 WT) for Permit, small Tarpon, and other species in that range.
For the big game / offshore fish, we suggest the 11-16 range. The extended grip area is also helpful for big tarpon and GT (Giant Trevally). If you need help or have any questions in deciding, don't hesitate to reach out and we will talk you through it.
** Need help choosing which rod or reel, or what flies to get? Email us any time: info@saltflypro.com for pro advice **
More about the SALT R8: