SALTWATER SPECIFIC | FAST ACTION

MORE FIGHT, MORE TOUCH

Most salt rods are built for pure power and ultimate strength—that is table stakes for the venue and the discipline. With our new R8 graphite, adding 25% more strength-per-weight was the easy part—a simple function of material advancement—but one that also increased the fight in the rod even down to our six-weight. We increased the pure pulling power without the need to add more material, fillers or reinforcement. The outcome is simple, providing the ability for faster landing times and reducing fish stress and catch-and-release pressure on ever so delicate ecosystems.

More strength and fight were an obvious upgrade, yet few salt rods, especially in the heavier weights, achieve the importance of feel for fine touch shots and precise presentations. Shaping a taper that brought this increased touch into the equation took more time. Yet after a long residence in the birthplace of saltwater fly fishing, and working directly with the experienced guides there, our rod designers found the right profile and fiber alignment that delivered strength, fine touch presentation, and a more intuitive sweet spot to a class of rods that have long had a reputation as unwieldy, unforgiving and difficult. With the SALT R8, gone are the days of sacrificing the feel and touch in your saltwater rod.

A close up of a Sage Salt R8 fly fishing rod
BEHIND THE SALT R8

SHOP SALT R8 FAMILY

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BONEFISH | PERMIT | TARPON

Grand Slam

SALT R8 RODS

Tailing Bonefish on the flats, a wary Permit dipping to inspect your fly, the take, fight and flight of a massive Tarpon. Solving the tides, fighting the wind, poling the flats all for a high-pressure shot with it all on the line. Doing it the right way. To many this is the pinnacle of fly fishing—a passion that was born and raised in The Keys, driven by salty guides and saltier anglers who now make their own annual migrations back to the birthplace or to remote island lodges. From legendary tournaments to guided weeks blocked out a year in advance, it’s a high stakes game, some say a gentleman’s game, that quickly becomes the only one you’ll want to play.

Redfish | Striper | Searun

BACKYARD

For many, saltwater opportunity exists in our own backyard. From the coasts of New England to the beaches and bayous of the Gulf States—to the inland sea of Puget Sound—it’s a calling to sight fish the salt so close to home. Defined by local knowledge, seasonal migrations and tide charts, we plan our days and lives around stalking these wild, beautiful fish. It’s a riddle where some days find fish, some do not. Yet it breeds a culture where checking fly patterns at the local shop, driving relentlessly to the next secret beach or fueling up on corn dogs at the mini mart, are both ritual and routine.

BLUEWATER | ROOSTERFISH | GT | BLITZ

ADRENALINE

Somewhere out there, adventure awaits at the edge of the sea. Half mythical quest, half lifetime addiction—the action-sport class of saltwater fly fishing draws a rare kind willing to chase adrenaline to the ends of the earth. It’s a run and gun pursuit of the holy grails—Roosterfish, Marlin, Dorado and GTs—but not a journey for the faint of heart. Rugged, remote and rarely a package deal, these missions are about breaking a few rules and figuring it out as you go. It’s a long way to get there and you’ll be far gone when you truly arrive—and also maybe a little crazy when Baja, the Seychelles or Christmas Island have landed on your bucket list.