There is a slight debate going on amongst friends about which is the faster rod, Sage XP or Loomis GLX.
I contend the XP is faster over-all but the GLX is just as fast yet seems to have an easier tip for close-in casting.
I have owned several GLX's because of the feel they provided at all ranges and their ability to throw a long line. I've only cast XP's every so often.
Does anyone out there have extensive experience with both rods and how would you compare them in action?

Thanks,
jc

Hi Jackster,
I've got an 8wt 4pc XP, and a friend had a 8wt 4pc GLX, I think the GLX is the faster rod overall, and also feels lighter than the XP..

Hello,

I thinks the 4pc XP flexes noticably more than the 2pc XP.

I thinks the comparison of the GLX to the 2pc XP is a closer comparison than to the 4pc XP.

But i don't fish either of these models,

CG

There is a simply test which allows you to determine which rod has the fastest action--meaning the fastest recovery rate. The test can be performed at home or in a tackle shop, as long as you have both rods available at the same time. Here's how it works:

Hold the two rods that you wish to compare, together horizontally, with one rod on top of the other. Hold the butt ends of the rods close together, up tight against your belly, with the reel seats of both rods touching one another. Now, separate the tips of the two rods by placing the index finger of your hand between them near the top of the grips. This will fan the tips away from each other so they don't hit one another during the test.

As you look out at them you will see one rod on top of the other with the butts together and the tips separated about one to two feet apart. Holding the butt ends of the rods together, still tightly against your belly, swing the tips back and forth horizontally at the same speed. Use enough force to make them bend as they move back and forth from side to side, simulating a fly cast. As you keep them moving, watch to see which rod has the fastest back-and-forth cadence. That will be the faster rod of the two.

To be sure that you have moved the rods together at the same speed, change the positions of the rods by putting the top one on the bottom and the bottom one on top. Repeat the test again. If you have done it correctly you will see the same result--one rod recovers from bending faster than the other. While this isn't a very scientific test, it will give you a pretty good idea of the "speed" of one rod, compared to the other.

If you are interested in comparing the bending profiles of the two rods, do the test again. This time focus your attention on where the rods begin to bend when force is applied during the test. A tip-action rod will begin bending primarily in the upper one-forth to one-third of the blank. A "progressive" action rod (which will generally be slower, will bend smoothly throughout more of its length, and further down into the butt section than a tip-action rod.

Emerger

Hi Guys...

I agree 100% wholeheartedly with "Emerger" - the St. Croix Pro-Graphite is definitely the bendier of the three!! Hands down!



5/0

Oh no this question again...Well the same answer as
i gave before,it all depends on the length and weight
compared.I have two glx 7'6" 4 weights and had a sage
7'6" 4 wt.xp and i sold the xp,way too stiff for the roddo
and trees i see,the glx simply has more FEEL to it and is
alot lighter rod ,much user friendly in my opinion.

I used to own a sage xp 9' 5wt 4pc. I fished it for a couple of years and found it to be an outstanding rod. I have also cast the gloomis glx. I found the sage rod fit my style of casting and fishing better.

If you are looking for a heck of a fast action rod that is real light and has very low swing weight look at the Scott E2. This rod in a 5wt configuration did everything the sage xp did, but better ( in my opinion ). You cant beat it for $450.00. Just think you will have $150 dollars to spare for a nice reel.

Mike

Emerger,

Great tip..... first time I have heard mention of it. The funny and amazing part is that before I read your post I stumbled into this yesterday in the back yard while trying to compare a Sage SLT 282 to a Sage SPL 282. Only difference is that I had them side by side and shook them up and down.

This has to be one of those cosmic all the energies in the universe converging in one spot at the same time sort of thing....

FWIW - the results of my test where that the two rods were strikingly identical that it was hard to tell them apart. Casting was much the same too... if there is a difference it was only by a hair. I wonder what Sage was trying to accomplishs????

Why didn't you tell me about this sooner??

CG

Glad to know about this "new test", I just wished like CycleGuy I knew this before. Anyway, every day we learn something new here in this board!

Another neat tip by Emerger!
A dealer I know sets the rod tips on the floor (as if starting a back cast) and gently pushes down on the rods to detect bend characteristics. A lot can be seen that way, deciphering what you see is a whole different story though!

I've got an XP 9'6" 4pc 8wt AND a GLX 10' 4pc 8wt and the GLX definately bombs,lighter and throws tighter loops and stiff as a board compared to an XP.

I would consider the XP "The Perfect Fast Action Rod" and the GLX the "Feather-Bomber Custom Fast Action Rod" .

I fish either the XP or GLX depending on the mood I'm in. Both rods are EXCELLENT rods that are second only to each other. I have no favorite of the two.

<><

By the way, if anyone can have access to one of the GLX Cross Current, would be helpful for the visitors that use #8-#9 wt. flyrods.
Anyone tested them with Emeger´s Method?

QUOTE (Flyfishnsteel @ Feb 15 2005, 04:00 AM)

... XP or GLX ... Both rods are EXCELLENT rods that are second only to each other.

The new kid on the block is the Winston Boron IIx. Lighter than both with far more soul and usable range. It's shaping up to be as big a bench-mark rod as the GLX was.
The ONLY real way to appreciate the BIIx is with a line on it. Shaking and bending it in the store fails to show its graces. This rod would even fool the 'Common Sense' system.