• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Deneki Outdoors Fishing Lodges

Alaska | The Bahamas | Chile

  • About Deneki Outdoors
  • Our Fishing Lodges
    • Alaska West
    • Andros South
    • Rapids Camp
    • Rio Salvaje
  • Deneki Blog
    • Alaska West
    • Andros South
    • Chile
    • Fish
    • Fishing Reports
    • Fly Tying
    • Gear
    • General
    • Guest Posts
    • News
    • Rapids Camp
    • Rio Salvaje
    • Tips
  • Contact Us

Apr 08 2009

Sage 8134-4 Z-Axis

Similar but different.

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.

More Gear Reviews
Simms Headwaters Backpacks
Simms Dry Creek Flats Pack
Autotethers
Alumafix Flyfisher
Simms Softshell Hoody

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Russ says

    March 7, 2011 at 1:34 pm

    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?

  2. andrew says

    March 7, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    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

  3. Russ says

    March 8, 2011 at 8:31 am

    Thanks Andrew, I appreciate the input.

  4. Chartric says

    May 5, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    And I thought I was the sensible one. Thanks for setting me sritahgt.

  5. Dimitri R. says

    January 21, 2012 at 2:14 am

    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.

  6. Jacob H says

    March 31, 2012 at 1:16 am

    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.

  7. andrew says

    March 31, 2012 at 6:31 am

    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

Trackbacks

  1. Polyleaders – What They Are And Why We Like Them says:
    December 13, 2009 at 6:22 am

    […] Sage 8134-4 Z-Axis […]

  2. King Salmon Fly Selection with George Cook says:
    June 4, 2010 at 6:03 am

    […] Sage 8134-4 Z-Axis […]

  3. Polyleaders – What They Are, Why We Like ‘Em says:
    December 5, 2010 at 7:21 pm

    […] Sage 8134-4 Z-Axis […]

  4. King Salmon Rig Roundup says:
    January 9, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    […] More on Spey Rigging Steelhead Rig Roundup 5 Flies for Kings on the Kanektok Maxima Ultragreen – Why We Like It Non-Slip Mono Loop Sage 8134-4 Z-Axis […]

  5. Spey Casting and Fishing Articles says:
    January 26, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    […] Sage 8134-4 Z-Axis […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Plan Your Trip

Let our experts plan the fishing adventure of your dreams.
Contact Now

Search Topics

Subscribe to our newsletter

All Blog Posts

Recent Posts

  • 7 Most Popular Smoked Salmon in the World
  • Fly Tying: March Brown by Kevin Foley
  • Who Doesn’t Like Potcakes?- Support The Bahamas by Helping the Potcakes
  • Tips on Mousing for Rainbow Trout and Grayling at Alaska West
  • What’s Happening with Pebble Mine- Good News for Alaska

All About Spey

All About Trout

All About Bonefishing

All About Gear

Best Posts

Footer

Deneki Outdoors

Mailing address:
200 W 34th Ave.
PMB 1170
Anchorage, AK 99503

Office:
4451 Aircraft Drive
Suite 202
Anchorage, AK 99502

US Information and Reservations
800-344-3628

International Information and Reservations
+1 907-563-9788

Email: info@deneki.com

Our Lodges

Rapids Camp
King Salmon, Alaska

Alaska West
Kanektok River, Alaska

Andros South
South Andros Island, The Bahamas

Rio Salvaje
Puerto Montt, Chile

Deneki Outdoors thanks Peter Viau, Tosh Brown, Abe Blair, Kyle Shea and Kara Knight for the beautiful photography used on our sites.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

#denekioutdoors

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 · Deneki Outdoors · Privacy Policy · Site by 21 Designs