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| Name: Paul Holden |
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| E-mail: pholden44@aol.com |
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Experience:
I have been fishing for nearly 60 years, fly fishing for the last 40. I fish locally in the West, plus I take an
annual floattrip to Alaska and spend one or two weeks per winter on the flats in the Caribbean. |
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Product Being Tested:
Xcalibur 8 wt fly rod. The rod had no rod model but was The Angling Report Special. Based on their web site (www.xcaliburrods.com), the
rod would likely sell for about $450. The rod is graphite, dull gray in color, much like a Loomis GLX that I have. |
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Snapshot of your experience with products of this sort:
I have a bevy of fly rods, including a 4 weight Sage SLT; a 5 weight Sage XP; a 5 weight Loomis GLX; a 6 weight Scott S3;
a 7 weight Sage XP; an 8 weight Sage Xi2; and a 10 weight Scott STS. |
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Date of Test:
February 25 - March 3, 2007. |
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Place of Test:
Chetumal Bay, Xcalak, Mexico. |
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Test Condition:
Hot, windy and sunny. 20- to 30-knot winds. |
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Relevant related equipment or products:
Orvis Mach reel with a 9 weight Cortland saltwater line. |
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Your experience with the product:
When I first received the Xcalibur rod, I compared its stiffness to the Sage Xi2. The Xcalibur was stiffer in flex, more like my 10 wt Scott STS.
I then experimented with casting on a warm (50 F) Utah afternoon in early February in my back yard with a freshwater 8 weight floating line.
With a decent double haul I could cast the Xcalibur 75 feet regularly. Then, I switched to the Xi2 and could consistently cast 80 feet. The Sage
had more noticeable snap on the forward cast, likely due to the increased flex on the backcast adding extra loading. But the Xcalibur was
impressive and was as accurate as the more expensive Sage. The Xcalibur web site suggests this rod is not for inexperienced casters, as it is very
fast action. I then took both rods to the flats of Xcalak. The Xi2 was new last year, and I was not impressed with it using an 8 weight saltwater
Rio line. So, this year I went up to the Cortland 9 weight line. This improved the performance of the Xi2 considerably in my hands. I used the
same line/reel combo on the Xcalibur. The first day I used it I threw to a number of bonefish from a panga, and it threw very well. My casts were
accurate, and I could throw 50 to 60 feet. I could make similar casts with the Sage. I then used the Sage for a day, and then switched back to the
Xcalibur. When I wasn’t using the rod, another of my party was using it. Hence, two of us compared the rod. When I again tried the Xcalibur,
I mainly fished while walking the flats and had a great day landing 15 bonefish. The rod handled well, although with a strong wind to my back
I had a hard time keeping the line from slapping the water behind me. I replaced a furled leader with a regular tapered leader and that helped. I
then switched back to the Sage Xi2 and found it was easier for me to cast, and I could make longer casts. Hence, my overall opinion was that the
Xcalibur did not match the more expensive Sage, but still handled very well. My friend, who also used the two rods, came to Xcalak with several
older Sage RPL rods, and quickly found they were very difficult to cast in the wind with the new Rio saltwater lines he had purchased. I let him
use the Xcalibur one day, and he immediately fell in love with it, for it allowed him to make long, accurate casts. Over the next several days, we
switched back and forth, and he liked the Xcalibur better than the Sage Xi2. Our casting styles are somewhat different; he is taller with longer
arms and has a very open casting style while I have a more closed style. |
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Qualities you liked about the product:
The rod has a dull (satin) finish rather than the shiny finish of the Sage. I think this is a plus for flats fishing, as waving a shiny, long rod
will often spook wary fish. The fighting butt and overall construction of the rod was excellent. My friend also really liked the way he was
able to cast it and its accuracy. |
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Qualities you didn't liked about the product:
I thought it did not cast as well as the Sage, and for my style, in the wind, it was not as effective. Otherwise, the rod performed well. |
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Summary Comments
I found the Xcaliber a little too stiff without enough flex to load with my casting style. But my friend found just the opposite and really liked
the rod. It is somewhat less expensive than the Sage, so it would be worth a look if you’re looking for a new 8 weight saltwater rod. |
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