Skip to main content

Sage Payload Fly Rod

“This rod review first appeared in the 2020 Gear Guide, now on sale at bookstores and fly shop nationwide, and also at osgnewsstand.com” 

The Sage Payload is designed to cast large, wind-resistant flies, pick up heavy lines from the water, and give you leverage for powerful fish. To give you an inkling about how powerful these rods are, Sage has them labeled from weights 6+ up to 11+. In other words, the 6+ could probably handle a 7-weight or 8-weight line.

I tested the 9'3" Payload 11+. This is a serious big-game stick with an extended full wells grip designed for muskies and other large predatory species.

The Payload’s faster tip transitions to a softer butt section so I could load the rod deeply and handle muskie flies up to 12 inches through a variety of wind conditions. I used both the RIO InTouch Pike/Musky line and the Airflo 500-grain Depth Finder.

The Payload’s stiff tip made it easy to lift and pick up lines and flies—ideal for situations where you’re casting big flies to the bank and casting again after a few strips. In muskie fishing I typically retrieve the fly all the way back to the rod tip, and the Payload’s strong top half gave me precise control close to the boat using a figure 8 maneuver. It also helped get quality hook-sets when I fed a muskie close to the boat.

The extended grip provides room for both hands on the rod during the figure 8, and also can also be used for two-hand assist while overhead casting. The angled Tangle Free Fuji ceramic stripper guides eliminated the issue of running line wrapping around the footing, and the oversized tip-top allowed me to retrieve the leader knot into the guides without noise or hesitation. $550 | sageflyfish.com

//content.osgnetworks.tv/flyfisherman/content/photos/Sage-Payload-Rod-770x450.jpg

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
News

Lefty: The Greatest of All Time

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
Gear

DIY Airbrushing on Popper Heads

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
Gear

Trailer: The Kids Are Alright

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
Gear

Fly Tier's Bench: How to Tie Craven's Lil Bit Nymph

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
How-To/Techniques

Ed Jaworowski's Functional Fly Casting Part 1: Acceleration

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
News

Jimmy Carter Was One of Us

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
News

The Genesis of a Film: Legacy

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
News

Salmon Return to the Klamath River

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
Destinations/Species

Simms Presents - Destination: Skeena

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
News

Just Do It: Nike and Drake Plunge into Fly Fishing

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
News

Abel x Nocta Fly Reel

Creating blanks with dialed technique-specific actions that perform under extreme load without failure doesn't just “hap...
How-To/Techniques

G. Loomis's “Feel Connected” Episode 2: "Rolled Up"

Fly Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Fly Fisherman App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use