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So i am looking into a new trout rod for streamer and nymph fishing and am wondering if anyone wants to opinions? i don't want the Sage vs Winston battle, but the rods themselves
Sage Z-axis vs Winston BIIx
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I have cast them both and actually own a Z-Axis. Both are great rods. Both will handle streamer and nymph fishing well. The Z-Axis is a bit "Tippy" meaning the taper gives you a more flexible tip and a stiffer butt section. The BIIx has a more uniform taper but is a bit slower. On a scale of 1 to 10 they would both get 8's. The only way you can pick between the two is to go cast them both and see which one feels better to you. Unlike other rods, the differences between these two are not that significant. Both are good choices.
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4,193 Posts
You're not considering the Helios?
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You might want to PM the guy named Ausable. He is selling his z-axis and getting the Winston.
I personally prefere the z-axis when I've gone to casting demos. I like the faster action.
I would second the reccomendations that everyone's preferences are different. There is no way of knowing for sure unless you get the rods side by side for a personal cast-off. Any fly shop in their right mind would be more than happy to oblige. Considering it's a $700 purchase, you ought to take them up on it!
I personally prefere the z-axis when I've gone to casting demos. I like the faster action.
I would second the reccomendations that everyone's preferences are different. There is no way of knowing for sure unless you get the rods side by side for a personal cast-off. Any fly shop in their right mind would be more than happy to oblige. Considering it's a $700 purchase, you ought to take them up on it!
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20,410 Posts
I had a 5wt Z and BIIx. I preferred the Z and for me the difference was walk in customer service with versus sending the rod in the mail to Winston. I thought the Z was a bit more tolerant of my casting stroke, I'm not a very good caster. That plus the service being near me. I have no issues with Winston and have been looking at a few rods of theirs in the classifieds but being able to walk in for customer service is a feel good factor for me. Best of luck...and you might want to try that Orvis Helios too. If you are going to drop Z or BIIx money a ZG Helios might be worth the test cast.
I have the Z in a 6 wt and love it. But I love my XP in the same weight just a little better.
A little less "tippy" than the Z, and I find I can punch a little more line with the XP, expecially
with a streamer rigged up. But it's all personal preference- gotta test 'em for yourself. I have two
XP's in the 6wt and one is for sale in the classifieds, fyi.
A little less "tippy" than the Z, and I find I can punch a little more line with the XP, expecially
with a streamer rigged up. But it's all personal preference- gotta test 'em for yourself. I have two
XP's in the 6wt and one is for sale in the classifieds, fyi.
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1,912 Posts
So those kids books keep you in pretty nice rods!
I have an XP in 5 wt and it is my favorite all around rod (when I can't use my old Loomis IMX 4 wt-still my fav-because of wind.) I have a 6 wt and when I need that much rod-it is delightful and doesn't wear me out with a day of casting-a GREAT streamer rod! My only Winston rod is an old BL5 9 wt and it is also a very nice rod for tarpon and bonefish on a windy day. The best advice here is to cast them side by side. Rick
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973 Posts
i have fished the Z, BIIX and the Helios (in both the mid and tip flexes) and I own the Z and Helios mid flex in 5 wt. All in all for my 5 wt applications my personal preference is the Helios mid flex. Key words there - "personal preference"
I think I might be able to cast a heavy rig a tiny bit further with the Z than with the other two, but that could be a function of my casting and not the rods. All three seem to have good feel with the BIIX possibly the most sensitive of the three..... All three are light (I think in the hand the BIIX feels the lightest for me, Helios in middle then the Z). All three have good warranties, all three will cast in close (BIIX and Helios were tied in terms of up close casting for me).
If you can find a shop I'd try to cast something weighted on each - that might give you best indication of your preference given what you want to use it for.
I think I might be able to cast a heavy rig a tiny bit further with the Z than with the other two, but that could be a function of my casting and not the rods. All three seem to have good feel with the BIIX possibly the most sensitive of the three..... All three are light (I think in the hand the BIIX feels the lightest for me, Helios in middle then the Z). All three have good warranties, all three will cast in close (BIIX and Helios were tied in terms of up close casting for me).
If you can find a shop I'd try to cast something weighted on each - that might give you best indication of your preference given what you want to use it for.
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5,161 Posts
The Helios rods are pretty amazing, wish I could afford one.
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I'm fortunate to own a 5 wt. Helios, and it's a great rod.
Hate to jump on the band wagon, but with a purchase the size you're considering, you should go and cast both the Z Axis and the BIIx and see how you like them. I have a fishing buddy who is a great caster and fisherman and he is nuts about his BIIx's. I've cast both the Z and the BIIx, and they are both great. Also, in my opinion, you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't include the Helios in the mix. For grins, you should consider the Loomis Streamdance GLX, too.
They are all awesome and great-performing rods and you'd love whichever one you decide to get. Seriously.
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