I own this rod and really enjoy it for steelhead. I think it would be overkill for all but the largest trout. It is much more of a 6/7, in my opinion, than a 5/6. It would have no issue throwing a size 2 hook with a rage head. I have used a rage 450 on it in the past and liked it. I felt the 420 grain rage was too light. It’s also a great rod to start casting mid-belly lines with. Something in that 40-50 foot range is a lot of fun on this rod. I use a nextcast FF55 6/7.

Jake

 

Jake
Thanks. I assume from your response that the Nextcast FF55 6/7 is a mid-belly line. What sizes and types of flies can you cast with this rod/line combination?

 

The nextcast FF55 is about 48’ long…so about 18’ longer than the Rage heads. I typically only fish skating/waking flies and traditional steelhead flies up to size 4 with that combo. I’m still learning the longer line casting techniques, but they’re fun. If I want to throw larger stuff on a dry line the Rage head works well. Of course the Rage will throw the smaller stuff too. It’s just fun for me to experiment with longer lines and more traditional touch and go casts. There are a couple of benefits of the longer line too. One is you can fish a similar distance to the rage without stripping as much line. I’ve measured my average strip at about 4’, so that extra 18’ of line could save me 4’ish strips of line on every swing. It’s never really bothered me to strip in line though. My problem is I like casting far, so typically, even with the longer head, I will cast about the same amount of shooting line. Which just means I can add about 18’ to my cast. The longer line is really not a necessity if you have a rage or a scandi head. I just like to cast and learn more about spey casting in general and adding the mid-belly line has added to the enjoyment of spey casting (and it’s added a little to the frustration of spey casting too).

Jake

 

I agree that it’s more of a 6/7 than and 5/6. It’s quite of bit of rod for a 6wt! I don’t think you would have any issues throwing up to a size 2 on a scandi. I’m throwing a rio 3D and it’s going pretty good.

 

What weight Rio 3D does it like?

 

Just add a tip to the Rage and it will be very similar to a Nextcast FF or WA 55...I love Nextcast lines, and Rage's are also great....had the Sage X 6139...used a 390 Scandi and a 420 Rage, and a NC WA 55 6/7

 

Do you mind if I ask why you parted with the Sage X 6139 ?

 

Definitely a 6/7. I find shooting heads in 440-460 grains, 38-40 feet, to work well. Like the Rio SVT #7 or SA UST #7/8. These will cast the #2 hook.
For distance and smaller flies, the above mentioned NC WA 55 6/7, or the Rio mid head Spey 6/7 can be recommended. One of my favorite rods this.
(Disclaimer:
This fish had swallowed the fly and was bleeding from the gills).