Congratulations to the winners. I had my fingers crossed 🤞🏻 on this one too. I guess that I will eventually have to build that rod or something similar. Same with the bad A Beast Fleye. 😎🎣
I own a 9 wt. Payload and just love using it when I pike fish. It has no problems throwing streamers. Enjoy the rod reviews and appreciate your insight.
Great info about the details of the rod. Also appreciate your own touch on the comments, what is good by you and what could be better and so on! Respect!
Great review Gunnar, and an interesting design on this particular model. You are right about the #7 Payload, I did a review on it a little while back, it is an awesome bass streamer rod particularly when paired with the Rio Predator lines - I bought one after reviewing it. I concur with the other commenters, this format of reviewing a rod on the water in a real fishing situation is so much more valuable than just casting it in the carpark with a bit of fluff.....
Finally watching this again on a bigger screen and notice you're carrying. 👍 Great honest review. Love Sage and the "ultra-fast" action and stiffer tips. It's the only kind of rod I use these days especially on the Potomac River.
Good review, I have the rod and been fishing pike musky and reds in the gulf. Very responsive and easy to cast large flies. Appreciate your efforts and videos.
Thx Gunnar. I love this series and especially that you test different lines. 👍🏻 Could be interesting to use this big boy as a short switch rod. Keep up your good work. 🙏🏻
Another great video. Few years ago I casted the Echo Musky 11wt for 2 days single handed style and couldn't agree more with your remarks. My casting hand was pretty useless for the next few days after. Keen to try the two handed method next time I get a chance.
Thanks for another chance, especially after getting scammed. I own one Sage rod 4wt & love it for Bluegill. Glad to enter again, especially for another great rod. Thanks for the in-depth reviews on some great quality rods !! I'd better start tying up some Bigger Flies !!! Five inch has been my biggest thus far. I'd better start studying some of your bigger fly videos. Thanks Gunner !!! David Fisher-of-Men Fly Tying Ada, Michigan
Awesome unbiased overview on such a powerhouse rod. I have been interested in learning some two handed fly casting techniques and a switch or 3/4 switch hybrid rod would work nicely. Plus pair well with my Redington 10 weight.
I love how unbiased you are on your reviews. This rod seems to be a compromise between the 1 hand and 2 hand technique. I’d honestly think they will be better off building 2 different rods for their own specialized applications.
I like the fact that you really didn't hold back on the review. I don't know that I would buy this rod because I have a couple of 10 wt rods and a 12 wt. That said I'll use my magic words: Pick me, because I do have a 450 grain line in my basement that I could probably make work. Keep the good stuff coming buddy.
Love your content! Your videos really got me into hunting for Musky on the fly, current setup is a Legend X 9wt and an Imperial Salt 10wt with various triple density and sink tip lines. I have been wanting to move into something a bit bigger that I can 2 hand cast. My first dedicated Musky trip last year was a whole weekend up on the chain in Manitowish waters. Ended up getting skunked due to crazy weather fronts and I destroyed my arm but still had a blast. I loved the lure guys pointing and murmuring "Is the guy fly fishing?!" from other boats lol.
Excellent review, I've been doing the "Gunnar Technique" for a while with my Chippewa River Customs 2 hand to get as much line speed as possible. I've been wanting to upgrade my single hand rod from the old bright green Sage Musky for a while now and this rod seems well designed other than the length.
Love the reviews keep them coming man. Like I've said before can't thank you enough for all your casting technique videos. Your channel is my go to when I need to practice and improve my casting. When anyone ever ask me questions I always give second hand advise that come straight from your videos and then following that I either send them your link or name your channel. I've had many thanks for that advice. You're one of the only guys that actually admits your not perfect and that you're constantly working and practicing to get better. You really never stop learning so that's an awesome attitude to have. Definitely excited to hear about this rod. I've been interested in it for a while now. Keep the content coming man and don't spend your 17 dollars that you make from it all in one place😂. That right there shows your passion for the craft and you want to share it with others. Class act.
Thank you Gunnar for another great review. I am always looking for in depth unbiased reviews and I hope you continue to do them. You did a great job pointing out the Pros, Cons of the rod as well as the behavior with different lines. The nice smallie was an added bonus. Thank you.
Just starting to get serious about Muskie. Spend a lot of time small mouth fishing in the summer and occasionally have a pike or Muskie follow. Time to pick an 11wt. Thanks for the honest comprehensive review
great review! I have the sage foundation and LOVE it for trout. A serious rod for an entry-ish level rod. I've heard great things about the payload and would love to see how it handles musky and snakehead in deep hydrilla
Great review! I agree that I would love to see this rod cast with a 500 grain line and really dedicate it to a two handed casting technique. Thanks for the reviews and fly tying videos. My big game fly tying has improved drastically just by watching your videos!
great review, looks like i need to review a few more rods before adding more 10 wts to the quiver. The similarities between your musky flies and my big Murray Cod flies are astounding but I have modelled my flies from your ties :)
I have been enjoying these videos, especially because of your willingness to explain the minuses and not just the pluses for the rods. A true review should not feel like an advertisement.
Awsome series on these rods! Something like this has been missing on RUclips. Thanks for filling that void. It's great you are casting a variety of flylines and different size flies to showcase the full capability of these rods.
The rod reviews are fantastic !!! Watching the casting techniques and hearing your thoughts on the different lines and flies is a real world demonstration. Thank You Gunnar
In the Introduction To Dropper Shanks video, when you said, “All synthetics, for the most part, sink at different rates because they’re not extruded out of the same material and same specific gravity, which is the molecular density relative to water.” I knew I found the right channel.
Enjoyed your review, definitely would like to try out 2 hand techniques with it. Will have to see if I can demo Sage's 7wt version for streamer fishing out west!
Another great review. Loving this series of videos. I have a 6 wt payload I use for trout streamers and smallmouth and absolutely love it. It’s a cannon of a rod with minimal false casts. Look forward to the next review.
Winners announced! 08/09/2023
1st Place Sage PAYLOAD @RomanFTE
2nd Place BEAST Fleye @kimstriker
Congratulations to the winners. I had my fingers crossed 🤞🏻 on this one too. I guess that I will eventually have to build that rod or something similar. Same with the bad A Beast Fleye. 😎🎣
Beware of Scammers! As per the TFO video I will announced the winners in Video Format on Wednesday, August 9th, 2023! All the best guys!
Great in depth review…really in depth. Two-hand casting discussion was an added bonus. Northern MN as a backdrop…icing on the cake. Thanks Gunnar
I really like the payloads, the grip on the 11s is interesting for sure. Haven’t fished one, just the 8 and the 9, which are fantastic bass rods.
I own a 9 wt. Payload and just love using it when I pike fish. It has no problems throwing streamers. Enjoy the rod reviews and appreciate your insight.
Oh man, I loved seeing you catch the bass on the second cast. The pure joy. Thanks for review and the fun.
Really appreciate the detailed review from tube, assembly, components and possible casting situations.
Nice review I like that you take it out and test it. You’re right with the swing weight wouldn’t want to cast it all day. Good job.
Great info about the details of the rod. Also appreciate your own touch on the comments, what is good by you and what could be better and so on! Respect!
Thanks Gunnar, some great tips in here! Looks like a sick rod. I love where you are fishing…looks beautiful.
Thanks for the great information Gunnar! Definitely going to try a two handed approach next time I'm out.
Thanks, Gunnar. I've been waiting on a comprehensive review of this rod! :-)
I really liked the explanation of the full wells butt and different gripping. Great review!
Thank you for this! Been reading reviews on this rod. Great to see this in-depth review!
Good work on getting those reviews out! Certainly don't want to miss this!
Thanks for another rod review. I can definitely see the benefit of the water load two hand cast for all day fishing.
Great review Gunnar, and an interesting design on this particular model. You are right about the #7 Payload, I did a review on it a little while back, it is an awesome bass streamer rod particularly when paired with the Rio Predator lines - I bought one after reviewing it. I concur with the other commenters, this format of reviewing a rod on the water in a real fishing situation is so much more valuable than just casting it in the carpark with a bit of fluff.....
Love the breakdown on performance with different lines/weights in these videos
Finally watching this again on a bigger screen and notice you're carrying. 👍
Great honest review. Love Sage and the "ultra-fast" action and stiffer tips. It's the only kind of rod I use these days especially on the Potomac River.
I love those rods reviews! Espacially the fact that you try those rods with different lines. Keep up your great work!
Thanks for doing these videos and the tying videos as well. Your sharing of your thoughts about casting and fishing are always interesting.
Really love the tube design. Such a simple thing as you said but I wish more companies did something like that.
Good review, I have the rod and been fishing pike musky and reds in the gulf. Very responsive and easy to cast large flies. Appreciate your efforts and videos.
This thing looks pretty sweet. You have me looking into all kinds of line combos now!
Thanks for the giveaways. Really enjoy your tying vids. Especially the Chosen one and the swing are my favorite
Another great, in-depth review! Thanks Gunner.
I've watched plenty of rod reviews, but tough to find one where lines are changed & critiqued as well. Nice job...
This rod looks amazing, 9'3 seems to be the perfect rod size for even stripers. Love the review.
Thx Gunnar. I love this series and especially that you test different lines. 👍🏻
Could be interesting to use this big boy as a short switch rod.
Keep up your good work. 🙏🏻
I like what I see on this rod. Looks like the quality I want in a heavy fly rod. Thanks for the review.
Another great video. Few years ago I casted the Echo Musky 11wt for 2 days single handed style and couldn't agree more with your remarks. My casting hand was pretty useless for the next few days after. Keen to try the two handed method next time I get a chance.
Another great review, plus the casting lessons. Thank you!
Great looking rod! Looks fun for chucking big flys!
Really great to see reviews of specialty rods like this from someone who knows their stuff. Thank you
Love your honesty and integrity with your reviews. Keep at it! Thank you G-Man!!
Loving this series even without the giveaway. Thanks Gunnar.
Thanks for another chance, especially after getting scammed. I own one Sage rod 4wt & love it for Bluegill. Glad to enter again, especially for another great rod. Thanks for the in-depth reviews on some great quality rods !! I'd better start tying up some Bigger Flies !!! Five inch has been my biggest thus far. I'd better start studying some of your bigger fly videos. Thanks Gunner !!!
David
Fisher-of-Men Fly Tying
Ada, Michigan
I like your point about the guides, it is something I had never considered
Gunnar thanks again for the review. I actually fish with the 8wt payload a good bit. Wouldn’t mind to add this to the arsenal.
Love your in depth and comprehensive reviews!
Awesome unbiased overview on such a powerhouse rod. I have been interested in learning some two handed fly casting techniques and a switch or 3/4 switch hybrid rod would work nicely. Plus pair well with my Redington 10 weight.
Good looking rod and well thought out description. I am impressed with your knowledge. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks again for yet another thorough review!
Way to go buddy! Glad you review this rod cause i am interested in getting it! Keep the good vibe going and don't let it stop.
I love how unbiased you are on your reviews. This rod seems to be a compromise between the 1 hand and 2 hand technique. I’d honestly think they will be better off building 2 different rods for their own specialized applications.
Great review on these rods. Cool to see that smallmouth hit the beast fly! Going to have to try that two handed casting style.
Another great rod review and an excellent job covering all the fine details❤
I like the fact that you really didn't hold back on the review. I don't know that I would buy this rod because I have a couple of 10 wt rods and a 12 wt. That said I'll use my magic words: Pick me, because I do have a 450 grain line in my basement that I could probably make work. Keep the good stuff coming buddy.
Nice fish dude! And on a huge fly. Nothing better! Thanks for the review as I have yet to cast a Payload.
Love your content! Your videos really got me into hunting for Musky on the fly, current setup is a Legend X 9wt and an Imperial Salt 10wt with various triple density and sink tip lines. I have been wanting to move into something a bit bigger that I can 2 hand cast. My first dedicated Musky trip last year was a whole weekend up on the chain in Manitowish waters. Ended up getting skunked due to crazy weather fronts and I destroyed my arm but still had a blast. I loved the lure guys pointing and murmuring "Is the guy fly fishing?!" from other boats lol.
Loved your break down on the Sage payload.
This it turning out to be the deepest series of reviews of a fly rod that I've seen on youtube. Keep it up!
Very detailed orientated review. I like the review and I like that capabilities of the rod.
What up dude! 2nd Place my man - winner of the Build-A-BEAST!!!
Please use the "Contact" page on my website to get in touch! www.streamersbygunnar.com/contact
Excellent review, I've been doing the "Gunnar Technique" for a while with my Chippewa River Customs 2 hand to get as much line speed as possible. I've been wanting to upgrade my single hand rod from the old bright green Sage Musky for a while now and this rod seems well designed other than the length.
I love a heavy weight of a fly rod for muskie. Appreciate the generous gesture!
Really enjoying these reviews, keep the information flowing!
Love the reviews keep them coming man. Like I've said before can't thank you enough for all your casting technique videos. Your channel is my go to when I need to practice and improve my casting. When anyone ever ask me questions I always give second hand advise that come straight from your videos and then following that I either send them your link or name your channel. I've had many thanks for that advice. You're one of the only guys that actually admits your not perfect and that you're constantly working and practicing to get better. You really never stop learning so that's an awesome attitude to have. Definitely excited to hear about this rod. I've been interested in it for a while now. Keep the content coming man and don't spend your 17 dollars that you make from it all in one place😂. That right there shows your passion for the craft and you want to share it with others. Class act.
Thank you Gunnar for another great review. I am always looking for in depth unbiased reviews and I hope you continue to do them. You did a great job pointing out the Pros, Cons of the rod as well as the behavior with different lines. The nice smallie was an added bonus. Thank you.
Just starting to get serious about Muskie. Spend a lot of time small mouth fishing in the summer and occasionally have a pike or Muskie follow. Time to pick an 11wt. Thanks for the honest comprehensive review
Great video. I like your honesty and full list of pros and cons in your reviews.
This is great that these companies are donating the rods for you to give away. Great review and thanks for sharing.
It's rad that we get a review, tip/tricks and then a give away as well as honesty. Appreciate the effort 👌
Thanks for the insane inspirational videos, Now I really need to work on my casting.
great review! I have the sage foundation and LOVE it for trout. A serious rod for an entry-ish level rod. I've heard great things about the payload and would love to see how it handles musky and snakehead in deep hydrilla
Love the perspective on the guides.
Another excellent video! I have a sage maverick I saved up for in 9wt and LOVE it!!
I love these reviews and giveaways. Keep'em coming.
Awesome review. Can't wait for the Chip rod review!
Keep the great work flowing through, love the reviews!
Sharp looking rod man. Thanks for your honest review.
These in-depth rod reviews are outstanding. I know they take lots of work and really appreciate your time on these.
Thanks Gunnar!
Great review!!! I appreciate the different gr wts used. Interested to see saltwater application casting sink tips in the surf.
Great review! I agree that I would love to see this rod cast with a 500 grain line and really dedicate it to a two handed casting technique. Thanks for the reviews and fly tying videos. My big game fly tying has improved drastically just by watching your videos!
Love the rod reviews… very informative. Great Job!
Thanks Gunnar! Enjoyed it!
Your reviews have an appropriate pace. Well done. Fun hearing about different gear for difference rods and species.
great review, looks like i need to review a few more rods before adding more 10 wts to the quiver. The similarities between your musky flies and my big Murray Cod flies are astounding but I have modelled my flies from your ties :)
Was waiting for you to test these payload rods. Great video
Thanks you for the great review on the rod. I really appreciate the honesty
I have been enjoying these videos, especially because of your willingness to explain the minuses and not just the pluses for the rods. A true review should not feel like an advertisement.
Awsome series on these rods! Something like this has been missing on RUclips. Thanks for filling that void. It's great you are casting a variety of flylines and different size flies to showcase the full capability of these rods.
Love your videos. As a new fly fisherman I find your videos very informative
Great review! I’ve been interested in this rod for awhile!
Man, I wish you'd do more rod reviews. I feel like I've cast this thing before just watching this video.
The rod reviews are fantastic !!! Watching the casting techniques and hearing your thoughts on the different lines and flies is a real world demonstration. Thank You Gunnar
sweet review and great tips for casting a rod that's in between one and two-handed!
I think I might have solved one of my casting issues watching this when you explained opening up the cast.
Great review and like the input on techniques, too. Looks like a good saltwater rod. Thank you
Have been keeping my eye on this blank for a while. Can't wait to see what you have to say about it.
In the Introduction To Dropper Shanks video, when you said, “All synthetics, for the most part, sink at different rates because they’re not extruded out of the same material and same specific gravity, which is the molecular density relative to water.” I knew I found the right channel.
Hell ya sweet rod, so cool of sage and the other companies taking part
Gunnar great vid, the behemoth too that reel has some weight for balance and bomb drag.
Enjoyed your review, definitely would like to try out 2 hand techniques with it. Will have to see if I can demo Sage's 7wt version for streamer fishing out west!
Another great review. Loving this series of videos. I have a 6 wt payload I use for trout streamers and smallmouth and absolutely love it. It’s a cannon of a rod with minimal false casts. Look forward to the next review.
Such good comprehensive info as always. I wish I could download all that knowledge from your brain!
Sounds like my kind of fly rod.
Keep the good vibes going my friend. You have a good thing going on over there.
Send it. Always have been a sage fan. Thanks for the review!
Great piece of water to be testing this rod!
Excellent review! Looks like a killer rod. Send it my way! Keep these reviews going! Do another streamer giveaway too!
great review,I own a 9wt Payload for general saltwater use here in Australia.might be a weapon for GTs on the flats.