Morning all,

If you had a choice between the following 6 weight rods, intending to use them for small stillwater stalking, which would get your nod? does anyone have a couple of these rods or compared them? I like a fast tip action, preferably.

Sage TCX
Sage Z Axis
Hardy Sintrix
Loomis NRX
Orvis Helios.
A.N. Other

I've only cast the Sintrix, Helios and Z Axis in this weight (all 9' models) but would have to favour the Z Axis as an all round great casting and fishing rod. However if you favour a tippier rod then the Helios would probably be more down your street. What about an XP?

Cheers

Andy

__________________
GAIC Single Handed Casting Instructor

http://www.andygreyfishing.com/

I thought the XP was not made any more? (replaced by TCR/TCX?)

Like what you say about the Z axis, especially as Fishtec are doing them for £280 at the moment..!

Save your pennies & buy a fishery

Rockbourne's gone!

Ive found a couple of small clear lakes with a small stream in hampshire, very close to J5 M3. theyre of absolutely no use to the farmer, but will he sell the land? will he ....!!

XP was replaced by the Z Axis (now replaced by the One). I think that you can still get the blanks from the States, I'm sure someone here will be able to point you in the right direction. They are regarded as God's own rod by quite a few people.

Cheers

Andy

__________________
GAIC Single Handed Casting Instructor

http://www.andygreyfishing.com/

Try a bespoke LORHIC wt5 or wt 6 rod as your AN Other rod.

Burns built fishing rods, quality custom built fishing rods and hand made fishing rods

Is there any way you can get out and try them? I have the TCX, Z-axis & zenith here all in 10ft and dispite them all sold as fast action, they are so different from each other. This is my view on these:

TCX: I have nick named this 'the broom handle'. It is probably the best distance casting rod i've used but to me there's more to fishing than long casting. It lacks feel at close range & works better with a heavier line. When you hook up it feel lifeless & dull to me, majority of the time only a small part of the tip bends. If you like stiff as a board action then may be it's for you, otherwise consider the #5.

Zenith: My favourite rod because it suits me perfectly. Casting is a dream at close & long range. Not really a stiff rod, more fun on hook ups as it's easy to get a nice bend, even when buckled you can feel it as a lot of power. My only gripe is the finish, it's far from poor but the cork & whipping is not as good as the sage rods.

Z-axis: Sits bang in the middle of the other two, not as stiff as the TCX but stiffer than the zenith. Shares all the good things with the zenith and for me it's very hard to choose between the two.

BB, will he lease the fishing rights to you while himself keeping the land freehold, though ?

If going that route, John Parkman's chapter in "The Complete Flyfisher" would be an instructive read...

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

Me id go for the Z-Axis,but BB if you get your skates on theirs a 9'6''#6 XP going for £190 at Foxons

Neil