I think I understand the difference between the Sig V and FT, but what about Sig V vs. FTL? The AA and ERN of the new blanks look similar. What are the relative pros/cons of each?

Good morning, Marty. I have built and cast the Sig. V in 966-4 and the FTL in 803-5, 803-6, 904-6, and 905-6. I have also CC'd most of the other models. I think the blanks feel quite similar and would cast and fish very similarly. I would say the main differences are the number of pieces and cosmetics. The FTL has a matte satin grey paint with none of the internal graphite visible (sort of like the matte green paint on St. Croix SCIV rods but grey instead). The Sig. Vs have a gloss clear coat over the natural graphite. I've had my eye on the Sig. V 863-4 but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Also, the old 3pc. Sig. Vs in 844-3, 894-3, 895-3, and 896-3 were quite a bit more powerful than the newer 4pc. Sig. Vs.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2007 07:59AM by Steve Kartalia.

That helps a bunch. You know the areas I fish. Which would you opt for if you were going to span from Jones Gap on up to the Chattooga?

The newer Sig V blanks look like they are slower and overrated by one line weight.

I haven't had a chance to CC the Sig. V 863-4 and nobody else has entered the data for it yet either. Assuming that that blank is in the low 3s for ERN, I would probably go with that one or the FTL 803-6 and fish either with a 4wt. line since most of my casts would be on the short side and I like to use a lot of streamers which are easier to cast on a 4wt. or heavier line. If I was camping/backpacking, I'd use the shorter 6pc. for packing convenience, if just hiking in for the day then I'd get the longer 4pc.

Dang, now you have me obsessing about another project. I would really like to built that 863-4 soon.

I like the idea of a 6pc, but I tend to like longer rods than 8'.

Well, if you like 9' rods and 6pc., then go with the FTL 904-6 as a great all-around trout rod. I prefer 8.5' or shorter. I don't really know why, but it seems like all my favorite rods are under 9' long. My favorite trout rod of all-time, is my pre-IPC 2pc. St. Croix 4F864 (3.86/72). It suits me perfectly. I fish it alternately with either a 4wt. ro 5wt. line depending on how far I'm casting and whether I plan to fish small flies or streamers. I've even used a 3wt. line if I knew I'd be fishing for really spooky trout. The FTL 904-6 is quite similar in feel and power. I built one but sold it only because anything that is standing in line behind my favorite rod, and very similar, is likely to never see much action.

Marty,while I can,t compare the SigV to the FTL,I finished a sig v 6wt early winter but haven,t used it yet ,live in frozen north. I built a FTL 4wt last spring and used it lots . It is a very nice rod,used it mostly with 3 wt DT lineand preformed very well. I to think I will be using the sig v one wt under as well,but will try it first and see. The FTL packs nice and short,is 9 ft long and has very sweet action,more full flex than FT yet still casts well to suprisingly long distances,even with3wt line,nice feel and good with lite tippet. It is the sort of blank that I like more and more as I use it and highly recommend it. Daryl

my FTL 8', 6 pc seems to flex a tad more than my Sig V 8'-4" 3/4 wt in the older 3 pc configuration. i would say the Sig V has a faster recovery rate than the FTL. i've used a cortland SYLK DT4F and rio selective trout WF4F on both. i like the 4 wts on the FTL 3 wt rod. both are great rods. for me, the FTL is better for smaller streams and shorter distances and overlining it by one probably helps. and i love the smaller pack down size of the 6pc.

i haven't checked out the new Sig Vs.

eric
fresno, ca.

Like Steve said above, the new SigVs are very different from the old 3pc model. The mid and butt on the new models are nowhere near as strong. The taper from butt to tip is much more gradual (.330 to 5.0, vs. the old which went .375 to 4.5, or around there). I think overall I liked the old Vs a little more...

Scott Kinney
The Longest Cast Fly Rods
[www.thelongestcast.com]