Overloading Sage XP: yes or no?

[one4theflats]

Buying a Sage XP 10wt 4 piece, and was wondering if the people who have XP rods overload them by a line weight or stick with the recommended size. Are these rods easier to cast with the extra line weight or are they better suited to the weight line it was designed for? Any advice would be great. Thanks.

[bone doctor]

Yes, you can use a line weight one size up. Although, you may not need to. As a suggestion, before you purchase any line you may want to try out a ten and eleven weight line with your rod. I can confidently say that the 10wt Orvis wonderline bonefish floater will line up very well with your XP 10wt. Believe it or not, the bonefish floater is one of the best lines I have ever casted. I use it for all northeast game fish. Also, the 10wt Rio lumalux intermediate clear line will line up as well. I have an XP in an 8 and 9wt and their Preety good rods. Cany I ask why you decided on the XP??

[one4theflats]

I have heard nothing but good reviews about the XP series. I was deciding between the XP and the RPLXi series, but with the Xi's being discontinued, it made my decision easier. I also would rather have a 4 piece than a 3 piece. Fast action rods really suit my style, so I'm thinking the XP is the way to go. I haven't put the money down yet though, so if you know something that I don't about the XP's, or another rod to look at, please let me know. Thanks.

**I was also looking at the T&T helix rods, but liked the XP better.

[niantic1]

I have the XP 10 weight in a 2 piece and love it. However, in my opinion, this rod should not be overlined. It is a fairly soft rod for a 10 weight and does not have a powerful, strong butt section. I also have a new Sage TCR 8 weight, and believe it or not, the TCR has a much more powerful butt section on it! However, the XP 10 casts incredibly well, it is still a fast rod and its lightness makes it easy to cast for long periods. I actually prefer fishing mine with a 9 weight int. line. If you are going to use it on flats and not out of a boat, it is my first choice, however, if I am fishing out of a boat, I want a rod with more lifing power. For that I use a Scott S3S 10, which is a much beefier rod. Also, have you considered waiting for the new RPLXi replacement, the Xi2. It will be a 4 piece rod.

[one4theflats]

Thanks for the info. My main use for this rod will be fishing from a boat, so lifting backbone is important. I will also use it for surf casting, so all in all I want a pretty tough rod that can handle anything I need it to. I have lighter rods for lighter situations. I want this 10 wt. to be a heavyweight fighter, and good casting rod. Maybe the XP isn't the one that I'm looking for. I'll check out the Scott. Thanks again.

[FishHawk]

I too am considering the XP. Spoke to the Sage rep and told him that I would also use the rod in a boat fishing situation. Would I have a problem with sounding fish . He replied that I shouldn't .He said that the XP was his favorite rod. Perhaps you could call
Sage and ask them questions about the rod. I was also told by my local Sage dealer that the XP would have no problem handling one line size up without a problem.
FishHawk:D