Andy
where are you planning to use the new rod??? I would recomend the xlt , to bad fred is gone he has three of the stinkin things, any how you know the far bank seam at the deadline hole above shady cove. I was able to fish it real well with the sa but couldnt even get a 3' drift with mid lenght taper I was using . I could cast to it with no problem but I had to shoot line to get there, and the thin running line wouldnt mend . with the xlt I could pick up the whole line put there in (no striping and shooting) throw mends in the line, and fish the outer seam. The xlt does a good job of in close work also. people who have tryed it like it.
What rod are you after? do you still have the little sage ?
take it easy Nate