Anyone Compared Sage TCX 8119 switch to TCX 7126 spey for Overheading?

I am sorry that I cannot compare the 2 rods you describe but I can comment on the TCX 11' 9 '#8 as I own one. Here are a few pictures of the rod. I got a blank and had it custom made....as well as getting exactly what I wanted I saved around £250 on the R.R.P. here in the U.K.




I was a bit apprehensive before I purchased the blank as reading other peoples comments on the rod I expected a stiff, super fast poker. I have found this not to be exactly true. The rod loads quite deeply with a line around the 430 grain mark, I found this weight to be about perfect for double handed overhead casting. I managed to pick up one of the last Airflo double handed beach lines in a #9/10. Only difference I can see from the replacement Airflo 40+ is that the head is around 5' longer on the now discontinued line. Get a new line in the #10 or a Rio outbound in a #10 and I am sure they will be fine. The relatively deep loading helped me with the timing of the cast, this, for me, was crucial with the rod. Get it right and casts around 25-30 meteres are easy. Roll out the head, one back cast and launch...whoosh. Get the timing slightly wrong and in my rather clumsy hands it resulted in a crumpled heap landing only a few yards out. I suppose this is true of all rods/casting but as I said I found the rod unforgiving in this respect. You really do have to get the timing right. The rod is fast, in that the tip does recover quickly but it also is a fine "fishing" rod if you understand what I mean. Playing a fish is a delight as you can really feel it through the blank. I also experimented with "anchor" type casts and in my opinion this is where the rod really excels. Coupled with a AFS #8/9 the rod casts a long line effortlessly. My longer, heavier traditional double handed rods are beginning to look defunct! I suppose this is the problem with all switch rods...what EXACTLY are they designed for ? I agree with people like Mike Oliver who advocates longer rods capable of casting heavier lines for out and out distance but I prefer lighter tackle hence my choice of the Sage. Can I cast any further than with my 9' #9 coupled with double hauling? No, although I accept that may be my own limitations but I can only write as I find. But I can put out a decent line easily. In short it is a fine rod for overhead casting but an exceptional one for "anchor" style casting. Hope I have not been too long winded in my reply.

Spruce,

Enjoyed reading your rod review. For me you have yet again re-inforced the fact that rods are very individual and the only way you are going to know any rod is to not just cast it in a yard behind a tackle shop but to take it to a beach and fish it hard in all conditions. I am glad that you are enjoying your rod.


Mike

Loren, I never fished the 8119 but did fish a 7126. However, for the beach I much prefer my TCX 9 wt 14 footer and my Z-Axis 8 wt 12'9"