Sage 8000 Pro Series Fly Reel Review

Mar 05, 2013 · 2 min read

Sage introduced the 8000 Pro fly reel series last year at IFTD. We got to check out some of the great upgrades from the 2012 6000 Series. Since then, we've been eager to get our hands on one. 8-Weight Challenge Full Results

WEIGHT

9.5 ounces. It was the heaviest reel in our test.

DRAG

We were surprised when the Sage 8080 came in at 5.8 pounds as it's been touted as Sage's marquee saltwater reel The testers unanimously agreed that the new "dial-a-drag" feature is great. It works by using two separate drag knobs - a small one for setting the maximum drag strength, and the other which works like every other drag knob. The big advantage of this feature is that you can set your drag and then use the normal knob to quickly pull more line off the reel and re-set your drag without thinking about it. It's a great innovation.

DRAG TEST GRAPH

Sage 8080 fly reel drag force chart: blue line on white grid showing force plateau near 5.8–6 lbs across distance

SOUND

The 8080 Pro is the best sounding Sage reel. It definitely sounds like a saltwater reel.

SPOOL & RETRIEVAL RATE

It's huge. The 8080 could easily be used as a 10-weight and gel spun. It has a faster-than-average retrieve as well. The spool is very easy to change.

LOOK & FEEL

The 8080 is also the most solid feeling of the Sage lineup - a big upgrade from the old 6000. It's got the nicest finish we've seen on a Sage reel to date. It's got a great handle as well.

WARRANTY

Lifetime to the original owner + $50 fee. Price: $750

CONCLUSION

The Sage 8080 should be called the 8090 - it's a big, heavy, reel. It lost a lot of points due to its weight. It is, however, Sage's best looking and best feeling saltwater reel. We really enjoyed the Dial-A-Drag as well. Bottom line: if you want a Sage that looks the part, buy it. Like our reviews? Get it here.

PROS

Dial-A-Drag is and awesome idea
Tons of room
Solid construction

CONS

Heavy
Expensive. Really expensive for a Korean made reel.

Written by

Ben Freeman

Ben Freeman founded Trident Fly Fishing in 2012 to cut through the marketing fluff and provide anglers with the technical info they actually need. He’s built his reputation by putting gear to the ultimate test in the world’s most unforgiving fisheries. With fishing stamps from over 22 countries and 17+ states, Ben’s passport is a roadmap of bucket list angling—from landing a 25lb Golden Dorado in Bolivia and 150lb Arapaima in Guyana to sight-casting for Roosterfish off the beaches in Baja. Whether it’s battling 60+mph winds to land a 20lb Rainbow at Jurassic Lake or a full day of casting 8in streamers in Mongolia, Ben has spent decades ensuring his gear performs when a trip of a lifetime is on the line.

At Trident, Ben serves as the lead gear geek, specializing in the deep-dive mechanics of rods, reels, and lines. Over the past 15 years, he's reviewed 250+ fly rods and 150+ fly reels and is likely one of the most prolific rod reviewers in the world. But he doesn't just curate the catalog; he scrutinizes every taper and drag system through the lens of a traveling angler who knows what it's like to have gear fail a thousand miles from home. For Ben, the mission is simple: leverage his experience across nearly 100 species to ensure that when you head into the wild, you’re equipped with gear that has been vetted by someone who has actually been there.

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