Last year Sage released the 8129-4 Z-Axis
spey rod, and it quickly became a popular choice for anglers looking for a powerful, versatile rod in a somewhat shorter format. In case you’re not familiar with Sage’s nomenclature, 8129-4 translates to “8 weight, 12 feet 9 inches, 4 piece”.
This year Sage released the 8134-4 Z-Axis. Come on now, do we really need another rod that’s identical other than being 7 inches longer? It turns out that’s not the right question to ask – the 8134-4 is a completely different animal.
Relative to the 8129, the 8134 has a much more progressive feel– while the 8129 has a stiff, powerful butt section, the 8134 loads easily and bends throughout. This is one of those rods that you can feel load ‘between your hands’– right down through the cork.
Despite being longer than the 8129, the 8134 actually throws a somewhat lighter line. In the Skagit format, we like something in the neighborhood of a 550 grain head on the 8134, and 600 or more on the 8129. The 8134 still has plenty of power– fishing on the Skagit River last week (known for its giant, broad runs), the 8134 was more than up to the task of hucking a big fly and a sinktip way across the river. If you’re heading to a spot like the Dean River this year, this is your does-it-all and feels-good-doing-it stick.
So add the 8134-4 Z-Axis to your list- easy loading, great feel and plenty of power. She’s a sweetheart.
So all thing being equal (water you’re fishing, size of fish etc. and you like casting both rods) if you could only have one, which would you buy?
Hi Russ, thanks for stopping by.
I own them both and I fish the 8134 much more than the 8129. I just really love the feel of the 8134 and think it’s plenty versatile.
If I could buy one it’d be the 8134.
Andrew
Thanks Andrew, I appreciate the input.
And I thought I was the sensible one. Thanks for setting me sritahgt.
I love my 8129. You can lean into that rod with all you got, and it just takes it and transfers it to the line. Serious line speed can be achieved. I find its length is also a lot more convenient to most of the rivers in the PNW.
Hello Andrew,
After reading several of your posts about the 8134 Z-axis what are your thoughts about using this rod as a chinook rod. I’ve heard it can handle some 30lb fish but I wanted the advice of someone that fishes the likes of the dean and the ktok. I looking at picking up this rod or possibly the 9140 TCX as a king rod but still want to be able to use it for steelhead as well. I would love to receive a reply soon. Thanks a ton for your help.
Hi Jacob,
That is a great question. Overall I think it’s a little too light for bigger chinooks, but I love the way it casts and fishes so much that I fish it for chinooks a lot anyhow.
It’s great for covering bigger water, and has no problem with big flies and heavy tips. It loads pretty deep into the butt section, which makes it cast great, but also means it doesn’t quite have the big fish fighting power of a rod like the 8129. I landed a fish on the 8134 on the Kanektok that taped out to be 38 pounds – but the rod was pretty much corked for the whole fight and I pulled really really hard.
So…when you’re chinook fishing how much time are you casting vs. fighting 35+ pound fish? I’m OK being overmatched somewhat when I hook a big boy, because I really like how the 8134 fishes. The 9140 TCX is an absolute cannon, but I would much rather cast the 8134 all day.
That’s my two cents!
Andrew