Sage TCX 7 wt line choice

[flychub]

Hello,
I'm a beginner in spey casting and new on this forum.
I've recently purchased with a friend of mine two Sage Double Hand rods, namely a TCX 7 weight 12'6" and a Z-Axis 8 weight 13'4". Could you please give me some clues about the length and weight (in grains) of a Skagit Line that would work well with those rods?

Thanks

flychub

[gastch]

I have a new TCX 12'-6" also and I think you will find most people on here are using 480-520gr with a few below and above that range. I'm trying mine on the lighter side with a 450gr compact skagit and a 463gr skagit line that I cut from a heavy scandi line. I may try a +500gr at some point but for now I'm trying the lighter stuff. This rod can definatly handle heavier stuff but the more weight you add the slower the action will feel. That maybe something you want as a first time spey caster.

Here is a link to Rio's line recommendations for alot of the different rods.
http://www.rioproducts.com/skin/summ..._Line_Recs.pdf

[Zeb Stadler]

i fish a 600 grain compact skagit compact on the 8134, along with as much sink tip as you need and any fly you can tie on. its definitively a more progressive action than the tcx, you might find its easier to learn on. good luck.

[hatata]

I would imagine it depends on where and when you fish. I love the tcx with flight 525, loads nicely, and is practical for most applications on the smaller rivers in the GL's.

[riverWrangler]

if i had these rods, I would line the TCX with a scandi head and the z-axis with a skagit head. I like lighter grain weight for my double handed rods, so my grain recommendations may not work for you.

[FKrow]

I have both of those rods and they like the same lines.

Scandi = 480gr - 510gr

Skagit Flight = 525gr - 550gr

Lighter lines for smaller flys and lighter tips (T-8, T-11)

Regards,
FK

[long stick]

Myself and alot of others like the 540 airflo skagit compact. I was turned on to it by a couple sage reps.

[fishmhard]

520 on the star and a 7/8 gps if you want to throw it long-

[LyNcH]

525 Skagit flight

480 Rio steelhead Scandi 31'

Congrats on the purchase, you will not be disappointed.

[Marcel]

As expected, you get a wide variety of recommendations from folks with different casting preferences. Each make sense for that caster and the water they fish.

For a new caster or one who wants to cast heavy tips and flies, a heavear Skagit set-ups work well. The new caster can really feel the rod load and this feedback can be a big help as your learning timing and application of power. Also the heavier (relative to the rods grain window) Skagit lines compensate for lots of slop in the set up and stroke. The longer the line (thus fewer grains per foot) is, the more exacting you need to be, that's hard when your new to the game. You can take this idea too far also, too short can put you right back in the "must be spot on" category

I have both of these rods. My advice is use something between a 525 to 550 Skagit Short, Comp, or Swithch for the 7125. For the 8134 a Skagit Comp or Flight from 550 to 575 will treat you well. I'm assuming we're about talking winter fishing.

As you dial in timing and form have some fun and try out longer/lighter stuff and see how you like it.

I spent my 1st year with a 55' head, it was a frustrating and demoralizing experience If I were to do it all over again I'd start with a more forgiving set up.

[flychub]

Hi,
Yes, I chose Sage for my first two handers because I have always been happy with their single handed rods, it's a very reliable brand !
Thank you guys for the recommendations, it will be much easier now to choose a line, especially with the rio table of recommendations !

riverangler, why would you rather use a Scandi for the TCX and a Skagit for the Z AXIS?

Regards
flychub