DM66 Posted February 26, 2005 Report Share Posted February 26, 2005 Just wanted to know what the difference was betweent the 2. Is it night and day? I picked 2 up at a shop and they felt similar, which means little unless you get to cast them. I've heard great things about the Xi2's. I know, I know....it depends on your stroke, but wanted to hear some in depth opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Michelinie Posted February 27, 2005 Report Share Posted February 27, 2005 I own the two rods in 10 weight so I can comment on them. Other sizes may vary as I find they do in any series of rod. The rods are both 9 footers and the Xi is a three piece while the Xi2 is four piece. The Xi casts more off the tip and the tip is fairly soft for a saltwater 10 weight. The middle and the butt is very strong, a little too strong for a 10 weight in my opinion, and I find the rod casts better with an 11 weight line (and I am not one who makes a habit of so called uplining). The Xi2 is a beautiful casting rod and handles all 10 weight lines I have tried superbly and fires off an entire Teeney TS450 into the backing with no problem at all. It is plenty strong for any job you expect a 10 salt rod to do. The Xi2 is the better 10 weight in my opnion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sageguy Posted February 27, 2005 Report Share Posted February 27, 2005 I own a few of each and I'll throw my .02 in. For many years the RPLXi was the standard against which every other fly rod was measured. I own about 8 of them and they are flawless performers. I've never had one fail at any time. The XI's are a faster, stronger, lighter stick that jumps ahead even further than the RP's. I don't think you could go wrong with either, and there are some phenomenal deals on the RP's to be had. chris Au2K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfrat59 Posted February 27, 2005 Report Share Posted February 27, 2005 Recently scored an RPLXi 990-2, brand new in the tube w/warranty card for $250...my first Sage, always a Loomis/StCroix user, can't wait to try it out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianBM Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 Post a report when you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyle007 Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 surfrat, how do you like your new RPLXi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfrat59 Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Doyle, sorry to sat it hasn't seen the water yet, only lawncasted. Based on the limited time I've played with it I have to agree with Bill's comments regarding the 10wt, the 9 also has a fairly soft tip but a strong midsection,with a 9wt Rio intermediate it needs to carry quite a bit of line to load for a long cast...I'm gonna try a 10wt SA striper intermediate on it, think it will suit the rod much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashq Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 I own an Xi2 in 10 wt and an RPLXi in 8 wt, so my comparison won't be a perfect comparison but I think it is still valid. I would place both rods in the moderately fast cataegory, but they have much different feels. The RPLXi feels a little stiffer or even dead in the butt section. I know that sounds harsh, but it is not meant to be harsh -I am referring to . It is just that the rod doesn't transmit as much feel of the rod loading as the Xi2 does. When using heavy sinking lines (LC-13, etc), the Xi2 feels like it bends farther into the rod than the RPLXi, but it doesn't look like it bends any farther. I can just feel it loading up more than I can with the RPLXi. Since, my timing slowly gets worse as I get tired (after a day or two of solid casting) the Xi2 is easier for me to cast since I can feel it deteriorating and make the necessary adjustments. It may not make as much difference if you don't have this problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsenilegoat Posted March 26, 2017 Report Share Posted March 26, 2017 I am also interested in the casting "feel" of the Xi2. I have several RPLxi's (9 weight is the biggest line weight I have) and am looking to get an 11 weight. I have found a decent Xi2 but not sure if I should pull the trigger or wait on an 11 RPLxi that I would be more familiar with. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killiefish Posted March 27, 2017 Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 I am seriously wondering how much of the difference in these two Sage rods is due to the 3 piece vs. 4 piece construction, rather than blank composition and taper. In my experience 3 piece rods flex more evenly (and tend to be slower) and therefore transmit more information to the caster. But, in terms of line speed, stiffness and casting distance I prefer 4 piece rods, all else being equal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsenilegoat Posted March 27, 2017 Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 That is a good point. All of my RPLxi's are 3 pieces. A person simply gets used to what they know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Oliver Posted March 27, 2017 Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 Ok I have several xi2 rods. 6.7,8.9 and a 10 wt. All of these rods are very nice apart from the 10 wt which does not follow on from the others. Its impossible to accurately and meaningfully describe what it feels like but I don't like it at all. I am not alone on this. It is the only sage rod I have ever picked up or purchased that I have not liked. If you are seriously considering this rod it would make a lot of sense to have a couple of others to try out side by side. Its a souless stick. The xi 3 is a very nice rod and can be had for short money to these days. I would not personally be tempted to go as retro as the RPLxi. time has moved on and there are better rods available now. Oly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishHawk II Posted March 27, 2017 Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 One of the biggest difference of the newer rods (5th generation) is weight. The newer the rod the lighter. I have the RPLX and compaired to my new rods it is much heaver. My hunch is that the Xi2 is lighter then the RPLXi. FishHawk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killiefish Posted March 27, 2017 Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) With some rods, there is a difference in weight between the 2 piece and 4 piece versions, due to fewer ferrule joint overlaps and wraps. I was amazed to figure out that my 9 weight two piece rod in a certain brand and rod series weighed less than the 4 piece 8wt in that series. Enough so, that in that instance I kept the two piece rod, and sold the 4 piece. The tapers were similar and the 9 weight performed like a fast 8w. I bet there is a slight weight savings as well with factory 3 piece rods vs 4 piece, all else being equal. A two or three piece rod to me is only a problem for portability and ease of travel. Not generally weight, per se. Edited March 27, 2017 by Killiefish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzzytrout Posted March 27, 2017 Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 With some rods, there is a difference in weight between the 2 piece and 4 piece versions, due to fewer ferrule joint overlaps and wraps. I was amazed to figure out that my 9 weight two piece rod in a certain brand and rod series weighed less than the 4 piece 8wt in that series. Enough so, that in that instance I kept the two piece rod, and sold the 4 piece. The tapers were similar and the 9 weight performed like a fast 8w. I bet there is a slight weight savings as well with factory 3 piece rods vs 4 piece, all else being equal. A two or three piece rod to me is only a problem for portability and ease of travel. Not generally weight, per se. Now go cast a one piece rod and get back to us * Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to register here in order to participate.
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now