I have had the SAGE LM BASS rod for about a year and I can say without a doubt it's everything SAGE says it is and a little more. If you are looking for a rod that can turn over a small house cat, then this is it! Casting 50' with a 4/0 hair bug is no big deal with this rod. You can cast really BIG bass flies all day with ease. The rod is built for making short cast that are right on the money. I have not tried it yet but, I think that this rod will be just right for the big reds and small tarpon that live in the backcountry. Big leaders with #40/#50 butts are needed if you really want to get the most out of this system. A system is what this rod and line is. I have fished a few 9' rods loaded up with the RIO outbound short line and that line gets a standard fast action fly rod close to the action of the BASS rods but, it's no cigar. The SAGE LM BASS rods are not for super delicate presentations. They are for slinging meat! A few weeks ago a SAGE BASS (Bluegill) followed me home and it's the best creek rod that I have ever cast. The bluegill rod is great for casting #2-6 Clousers, spoon flies, #2 bass bugs and what not. It's a fun rod to fish. The only thing SAGE could have done better on this rod line is to name it something else. It's hard to understand that somebody would really name a rod "BLUEGILL". I find myself fishing these rods more and more. I can see a SM BASS ROD in my future.
The BASS line is not as hard on the bank account as are most SAGE rods. $350 for the rod, line and a cool rod tube thats lets you keep the reel mounted on the rod. Good stuff!
