Minipi Camps Web Log
The Sage Bass Rods
Last season Sage introduced two new fly rods: The Largemouth and the Smallmouth Bass rods. Also new to this upcoming season to match this duo, they have a new kid on the block—the Bluegill.
There are no bass in Labrador so why am I writing about a bass rod? Sure there are monster Northern Pike, and yes a bass rod would work great for casting frogs and poppers to hungry pike. In fact it’s perfect, even the Sage website says so. But it’s also perfect for casting big bushy #2 deer hair mice and lemmings to big brookies. I tried one last season expecting something better than great. I was right. To be able to pick up a line, and I mean a LOT of line with a big wet mouse on the end, and then be able to fire it right back out there with one false cast is amazing. It’s the perfect tool to go mousing for Brookies in Labrador.
If you are not familiar with this lineup of rods, they are quite unique. They are 7’11” to allow them to be used in Bass Masters Tournaments. And they don’t have a conventional line weight designation. Instead the rod comes with its own special line described in grain weight only. The Largemouth is a stout 330 grain weight, the Smallmouth is a 290 grain weight, and the smallest of the trio, the Bluegill, is matched with a line that weighs 230 grains. To equivocate grain weights to the standard number designation that we commonly use, a 330 grain line is equal to an 11 weight line, a 290 grain is a 10 weight, and a 230 grain is about a 9 weight.
Does this mean that I plan to replace my favorite Minipi Brookie rod? No. An ultra-fast 6 weight will likely remain my favorite. But I have for sure just replaced my old 8 weight standby for mousing and pike fishing.
Sage rods, of course, are available from the Minipi Outfitters Fly Shop or your favorite local fly shop. Check ‘em out!
It sounds like a good striper rod!!
Posted by on 01/04 at 08:47 AM
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