Sage PAYLOAD Fly Rod // Streamer and Saltwater Rod Review

redsflyfishing...
The Sage PAYLOAD is a rod developed for casting big flies to hopefully large fish. It heaves big weighted flies and heavy sink tips or shooting heads with a smooth energy transfer that won't require any ibuprofen. It's common uses are fly fishing for bass, trout, Tarpon, Carp, Pike, Musky, and Salmon along with many other species.

[@randykinley1766]

Your videos are very helpful. Love the dedication to helping fly fishermen/women.

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks, I love what I do!

[@agustinrodo3096]

In Argentina we have a lot of expectation about this rod, its characteristics are perfect for fishing Golden Dorado, big flies, heavy lines agresive fish.... we crave to taste it on the water with some fish.

[@redsflyshop]

It will be a great rod for Golden Dorado, paired with a RIO Jungle Line that will be a fabulous setup for throwing big streamers at those fish.

[@yixingqiu8794]

That Tibor Signature sounds like heaven.

[@redsflyshop]

Sounds even better with a Roosterfish on the other end!

[@SledorFish]

Sounds like it could be a good GT rod too. I had several shots at GT on my Christmas Island trip but unfortunately I missed all my shots due to total greenhorn status. I learned a lot though and will be ready for next time. Might have to take a look at the 11wt.

[@redsflyshop]

That would be a great GT rod, it will pick up a big wet fly out of the water lay it back out with a strong recovery. This rod is great, it bends deep into the butt and really launches a big heavy line.

[@4492573]

What do you put on the tippet section when practicing? Fly or couple pieces of yarn ?

[@redsflyshop]

Oh just a very small piece of yarn, something dime sized is about right. I like about 7-8' leader if I'm really working on my trout cast so that I can see whether I am actually getting good turnover. If you only use 4' or so, every presentation turns over hard and it can be misleading. Good luck!

[@allenstilwell7769]

I recently purchased the Sage Payload 6wt and wondered what line and reel you would recommend pairing with it. Thanks!

[@redsflyshop]

Oh I think if you are spending top dollar, Abel is the best. Galvan Torque is great mid range, and there are dozens of choices as you get below $400. I have had really good success with Lamson Speedsters and Litespeeds, and the Sage Arbor XL. We have a huge reel inventory in stock, poke around on the site and we'll include free backing, free shipping, and it will ship same day from Red's.

[@theoutdoordad7395]

I'd be interested to know if the rod feels heavy when actually fishing large flies and intermediate lines?

[@redsflyshop]

The water tension would certainly soften it up on the lift that is for sure.

[@mattmcmillen7039]

Hey brotha. Hoping you can clear a question up. Looking for 7-8wt for throwing big rat patterns on heavy lines. Most casts will actually be water loading a ton of the times. And a few instances of false and shooting casts. Between the X, Igniter, Payload - which would you recommend?

[@redsflyshop]

PAYLOAD for big soggy stuff like that. Rat patterns! Love it.

[@mattmcmillen7039]

@@redsflyshop do you find yourself lining-up a size to match the grain weight on the payload? Appears to me a 7wt would be in the 8-9wt grain window and so on?

[@redsflyshop]

@@mattmcmillen7039 Oh sure I think for quick loading short casts, bump it up to an 8 or even a 9. The lines I am using are pretty buff, so I can run 7 on 7 but up a size is very common on this rod. It really sling shots it nicely.

[@NoRodnoReel]

Do you guys charge people if they want to fish on the bank at the fly shop?

[@redsflyshop]

Not if you come in a by some stuff haha. The fishing is "ok" at the shop. Within minutes of the fly shop there is better water.

[@kngames9067]

Hi, Does Wf9f Rio outbound short will be ok for payload9+ or it will need a overlining for a better performance?

[@redsflyshop]

I think you'll want to go 9 on 9 with that line. You won't want to rob the performance.

[@kngames9067]

Red's Fly Shop Thanks 🙏

[@cachi-7878]

Thanks Joe. Can you compare this 9wt rod to the Igniter loaded with the Big Nasty line?

[@redsflyshop]

Hi Cachi, I'm just going to copy and paste the response above as the Igniter and Method are practically the same animal. "This rod bends deeper and the butt really launches the cast. The Method has a very fast action so the casting stroke is much shorter and faster. This rod loads up fairly slow and rebounds with great energy. Certainly both rods could do the same things within reason, but this one is really made for heavy loads. The Method could put a crab pattern on a Permit's nose at 80'. The PAYLOAD is more for blasting big casts with big flies and heavy shooting heads. "

[@cachi-7878]

OK, thank you for your reply, Joe. I now get an idea of which rod does what.

[@happywrench3044]

I have a Sage Method 7wt 10ft. Should I over line with a 8wt or stay with a 7wt? The line I want to be used would be a Rio intouch Outbound short. Thanks

[@redsflyshop]

I think you are are good with a #7, the rod will really begin to perform once the entire head is out of the rod tip. You'll be able to fish the next state with that setup. The Outbound family is already buffed up a bit IMO.

[@happywrench3044]

@@redsflyshop Thank you! I enjoy watching all your videos. Keep up the awesome work!

[@jcflyfishing5097]

I need a rod for pike and musky, would an 11wt payload be overkill?

[@redsflyshop]

Not if you are throwing full grown Musky and Pike flies. I am sure a lighter rod can handle many of the fish, but the fly size is a big deal. Having a rod, and more importantly a line, that is heavy enough to heave those monster flies is important. Most serious anglers after the toothy critters are using a 10 weight minimum.

[@charlesborrenpohl5024]

So how does it compare to the Sage Salt?

[@redsflyshop]

Slower loading, bigger rebound out of the butt. The Salt HD is better for throwing smaller flies great distance on a dime with multiple false casts. The PAYLOAD is for launching heavier shooting heads, big flies, and minimal false casting.

[@buckshot21000]

Would you say it's like the method that sage had?

[@redsflyshop]

No, this rod bends deeper and the butt really launches the cast. The Method has a very fast action so the casting stroke is much shorter and faster. This rod loads up fairly slow and rebounds with great energy. Certainly both rods could do the same things within reason, but this one is really made for heavy loads. The Method could put a crab pattern on a Permit's nose at 80'. The PAYLOAD is more for blasting big casts with big flies and heavy shooting heads.

[@buckshot21000]

@@redsflyshop so it's like the ultimate bass bug, big fly rod?

[@redsflyshop]

@@buckshot21000 I would say so, I am going to get a couple for further testing. I like that it's Konnetic technology (basically its top end graphite) at $550. It's the same material they used in the Sage ONE which was their top end stick a few years ago.

[@isupportthecurrentthing5225]

What makes this rod different from the Bass II

[@redsflyshop]

Longer, and not quite as fast an action IMO. Very similar purpose overall.

[@isupportthecurrentthing5225]

Red's Fly Shop im using a redington predator 8wt. is the payload much better than it? Im throwing heavily weighted bass flies on an outbound short

[@redsflyshop]

@@isupportthecurrentthing5225 If you already have a rod, stay with it unless you really want to have 2 rods. I can't recommend buying it to replace something but you had a hole to fill, this is a good choice.

[@jasonmullins6638]

So...decent smallmouth rod?

[@redsflyshop]

Yes, but only in the 689-4. I think the heavier weights would be overkill for Smallies.

[@user-ys6hl1uy1t]

Just buy the Aetos!

[@lukis12349]

Hey, i was wondering if this rod really asks for one line heavier than it suppose to be or it is just personal preference? Most of the guys reviewing this rod says that it should be matched with a heavier line than manufacturer suggests.

[@redsflyshop]

I would agree, the ratings on the rod are actually 7+, 8+ etc. If someone was a very aggressive caster looking for absolute max performance and not about ease of casting heavy gear then 7/7 and 8/8 etc would be great. So much of it depends on how much head length is out at the time of your final cast, so there is that variable as well. For short aggressive shots lining up one size is great. For reaching way out and touching spots the direct match would be my preference.