[Schlick]

Hi all.

I'm new to this forum, but can see that it is a vast well of great knowledge - I appreciate any help you guys and gals may be able to provide.

I'm looking for a rod, and have a tight budget - bet you hear that all the time from newbies like me. Anyway, I love the idea of lifetime warranty, and for that reason have come accross the St. Croix Reign after a lot of google searches.

Would a 9ft 5wt Reign be a good beginners rod? Or would I be better off spending a couple more dollars on a Sage Launch? I probably get out between 20 and 50 times this year (I fish Bass and Trout). If I ended up with the Reign, would I need to replace it with a more intermediate rod in a year or two?

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

Jon.

[derekw68]

I have never used the reign, I think that 5 or 6 wt is easy to learn with. If you know you are going to upgrade later, I would buy the best I could afford and see what your style of casting is. I do like my st croix ultra, but in 5wt I use a TFO Ticrx. I have showed a few people to cast with it and it seems to work for them. On another note you will end with a few rods over time, we all do.

[Schlick]

Thanks for the reply derekw68. That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out. Which rod is a better choice as my beginner rod, the St. Croix Reign at $130 or the Sage Launch at $200. I believe both have a lifetime warranty.

There seems to be a lot of positive feedback out there on the web regarding the Sage Launch, but not a heck of a lot of any feedback on the Reign.

Does anybody have any experience with the Reign? The only thing I've heard is that is isn't built in America, and without starting a big debate, that doesn't really bother me in entry level gear.

Let me know.

Jon.

[derekw68]

i did lawn cast the sage and it was good, but a little slower. I do think the slower action would help you learn to cast and feel the rod. good luck!

[derekw68]

You also might want to look at the tfo professional series. lifetime warranty also.

[BigCliff]

Schlick- some thoughts:

Without seeing how you naturally cast a rod the first time you pick one up, its hard to say which 9' 5wt in the $120-200 range is best for you. It would be best for you to cast a few rods and see which one feels best to you.

If that's not possible, then I'll say that you're probably quite safe going with the St. Croix Reign as a beginner rod. I'm fairly sure it replaced their older Imperial series, which was a great workhorse series of rod.

[FlyDog]

I am also trying to figure out which rod to get in that price range to get started with. Not an easy choice when you have no idea what your casting style really is and no place to try different rods other than giving a shake to whats on the display rack.
Good luck and post up with whatever you decide on.

[Joni]

If there is no way to test drive a rod, then PERSONALLY, I am going to agree with going with a medium action rod.
A new comer is just that. Learning is far more productive with a slower rod. You will learn more correctly. You learn to wait for it and you will feel it load up better, not to mention it is easier on tippet with big fish. They are easier to learn the roll cast, plus you can use them in wind, just stay low. Big bugs also, just slow down.
I believe fast rods are more for people that already know how to cast and are looking for distance, or an action to build on what they already know.

Just my opinion.

[FlyDog]

Thanks Joni. Thats more info than I got from my first, and so far only, trip to a fly shop.

[Schlick]

Fly Dog - I just ordered the St. Croix Reign. The price combined with the lifetime warranty from a company I've heard of plenty before is what sold me. I was think'n about the Sage, but for the $70 saved by going with the Reign, I'll be able to pick up a nice line (which I need advise on still)...

Joni - thanks for the GREAT feedback. That was very insightful, and I agree with Fly Dog's response. However, now I'm worried... Is a "Moderate/Fast" action rod similar to a Medium action rod? Let me know.

Also - what line would you recommend for a "Moderate/Fast" action rod... in a 5wt to be used for either trout or bass?

Thanks again everyone for all your fantastic feedback - all of you provide very useful opinions.

Schlick.