Design Goals | Prototyping and Field Testing | Materials and Components | Model-by-Model Review
Saltwater fly fishing evolves faster than any other channel in our sport. Like young mountains eroding, the barriers to success in saltwater are brought down by an unspoken collaboration between anglers and rod designers. As elite anglers push fishing technique and new saltwater anglers seek equipment that buoys success in the most challenging fly fishing environment, the Scott company develops saltwater fly rods that fish with a combination of speed and soul that is simply unmatched in our industry.
The Scott Sector now upstages the Meridian. Why? Rod Designer Jim Bartschi acknowledges that the Meridian, arguably the finest saltwater rod on the market since 2015, has not nearly outlived its relevance. The Meridian is trusted and loved by anglers worldwide, many of whom own multiple rods in the series. As fervor begets momentum, the collective love of Scott saltwater rods generated a head wave to make the best even better. In parallel, a new technology appeared on the radar: Carbon Web, a continuous strand graphite that improves strength, stability and efficiency.
Design goals
Greater range, both short and long- More accurate casts, especially when pushing the rod in the wind
- Increased line speed without sacrificing the casting ease of Meridian
- Improved ability to take 2nd and 3rd shots by lifting line off the water with more command
- Greater lifting power for heavy fish under the boat
- Superior durability, especially in high line weights
Accepting that Sector is actually superior to Meridian will take some convincing until you’ve cast or fished the rods. It helps to understand the backstory, a continuous strand of a different nature that has everything to do with Scott’s unmatched trust from dealers and anglers. Bartschi’s fly rod introductions are guided by innovation and fishing opportunity, rather than sales curves or specialty fishing interests. He introduces rods only when he has something better to offer. In turn, when he develops a better fly rod, he doesn’t hold it back. His process of collaboration and field testing is honestly unique in all of fly fishing. The evolution of Sector prototypes was influenced by dealers from the Ohio Valley to Colorado to the Conch Republic. Telluride Angler staff have cast the Sector series at four stages of development and some of the finished models evolved through five prototypes. Each Sector was finalized only after testing with the top saltwater fly lines from both Rio and Scientific Anglers. Scott Pro Staff have fished these rods for hundreds of days on the flats of Mexico, the Bahamas and Florida. Every detail has been polished: action, feel, componentry, colors. The Sector was conceived, designed and finished by Jim Bartschi, but it’s a rod in which many have a stake, none more than global anglers who will soon fish the prodigal Scott saltwater fly rod.
In today’s saltwater fly fishing, the ultimate rod would cover the demands of the next line weight while feeling light and nimble in its own class. 10-weights are now broadly fished for adult tarpon, but most 10-weight tarpon rods either lack authority or are actually 11-weights labeled as 10-weights. Likewise, many experienced anglers will fish a 9-weight for permit and a 7-weight for bonefish when conditions allow. Bartschi’s challenge was to develop a rod that feels like an authentic Scott but allows the angler to keep casting when the wind is “blowing a dog off its chain,” or when simply fishing for larger quarry.
The mission to improve casting, stealth, power and sport transcends the fundamentals of rod design and could be fulfilled only with significant contributions from technology and taper engineering. The availability of Carbon Web was largely chance, but the design element was not. Sector is simply the next stride beyond Meridian for a company that races the waves like a flats skiff at dawn.
The components of a better saltwater fly rod
Carbon Web – improves our ability to pick up a long line for redirecting 2nd and 3rd shots. Carbon Web also increases durability by reducing the propagation of micro fractures that lead to rod failure.
Guide Set — Ceracoil stripping guides with nickel titanium frames and highly polished Zirconia ceramic inserts along with Recoil nickel titanium snake guides for low friction and corrosion free performance. The guide sets are PVD coated in a low reflective finish for even greater durability and stealth. Beyond doubt, the guides make a significant difference in casting performance. Lighter, slicker, more durable and less reflective, this is our industry’s premium guide set.
Reel Seat: The reel seat is milled from aircraft grade aluminum, featuring self-indexing slide hoods, extra deep knurling to easily turn lock rings with wet hands, type 3 mil-spec hard coat in non-reflective flat black, and line weight engravings for quick rod identification in boat racks.
Grip and fighting butt: The grip is your physical connection to the fly rod, an element of design critical to the angler’s appreciation of the fly rod. Flor grade cork grips are turned to Scott’s modified Wells shape in a saltwater appropriate length and diameter, and new fighting butts feature a thick soft rubber for greater comfort in tough fights.
Model-by-model review
4-piece rods
Scott Sector 846-4 (8’4” 6-wt, 4-pc)
John Duncan: This is a super light streamer rod that will hold its own in appropriate saltwater applications but is really designed for the driftboat. Paired with a Rio InTouch Big Nasty, it’s lightweight and lethal for working shorelines with small and medium sized streamers. Extra large and articulated streamers are easier to cast with a 7-weight, but for flies in the size #6-10 range, this rod is unbeatable. Smallmouth anglers will fall in love with the S 846-4. It’s a dream with a small popper or Clouser and has fantastic leverage for pulling fish out of tight cover. There just isn’t another 6-weight rod that does so much work with so little effort.
Richard Post: This rod surprised me more than any other in the Sector lineup. Admittedly this is an odd line weight and length at 8 foot 4 inches in a 6 line, but I think that makes me like it even more. Quite frankly, I’ve never picked up a 6 weight like this rod. It is supernatural in its feeling and its ability to place fly line. Otherworldly light in the hand and with the ability to throw the whole line with such ease of effort, this is a rod to take notice of. I threw short headed lines and long bonefish tapers on the 846/4 and the rod loved them all. This is an exceptionally quick casting rod (makes sense for a short stick) but with an uncanny ability to hold line up in the air like a 9 footer. This rod is an extraordinary trout streamer or smallmouth rod, making easy and pleasant work of heavy or wind resistant flies and shorter heavy headed lines, but it throws a regular bonefish taper too well to pigeon hole this rod. The 846/4 is a top contender for a lightweight saltwater rod for anglers in the know. If you’re looking for a crossover rod for throwing trout steamers and using as a light bonefish or redfish rod, you’d be hard pressed to find a better one. I wouldn’t be afraid to use it for big terrestrials out of a drift boat either. Very simply, there is no comparable rod to the Sector 846/4. This rod is totally unique and truly stunning to cast. If you’re curious, get one. You will not want to put it down!
Scott Sector 848-4 (8’4” 8-wt, 4-pc)
John Duncan: This rod has much more range than the comparable Meridian. It casts with enormous line speed and knifes through wind like it’s not even a factor. From 20 feet to over 80 feet, the S 848-4 just explodes out of your hand. On pure casting merits, the Rio Direct Core Bonefish line is the best match. The rod will handle shorter, heavier heads with ease, however, whether you’re fishing for largemouth bass or for striped bass with a shooting head. Fish fighting leverage is outstanding and casting accuracy unmatched with this spectacular 8-weight. The S 908-4 possesses greater distance casting capability, but the S 848-4 wins for overall lightness and swing weight. Either rod will probably be the best 8-weight you’ll ever own.
Richard Post: The Sector 8-foot 4-inch rods are simply breathtaking. The Sector 848/4 is the most universal and deserves serious consideration from flats and boat anglers using an 8-weight rod. Freakishly light in the hand, you’ll think you’re holding a 5-weight. Cast it and this rod will blow you away with its screaming line speed, lightness through the casting stroke and uncompromising accuracy. I’m not sure that I can throw a tighter loop with any other rod. Line and loop control through the air is remarkable. I like the shorter length for a slightly quicker casting stroke and more control over my fly during the retrieve. My personal 8-weight fishing is usually out of a boat for pike or tiger musky. The shorter length of this rod gives you more room to manipulate the action of the fly with the rod and turn a bigger fish with the stouter, shorter lever. This is an 8-weight for the open-minded fly angler. If you feel like the shorter length isn’t for you, simply buy the Sector 908/4. It is remarkable. If you own a 9-foot 8-weight and this rod interests you, get one in your hands. This rod is good enough to make a paradigm shift in the 8-weight category. The 848/4 can do everything the 9-footer can do, just in a lighter and quicker way. A very special fly rod.
Scott Sector 8410-4 (8’4” 10-wt, 4-pc)
John Duncan: The most accurate casting 10-weight on the market, the S 8410-4 is designed for fishing docks and mangroves for large snook and tarpon. Its unique length offers terrific leverage for stopping a surging fish from reaching cover. This model also makes a fantastic boat rod for striped bass, where the angler may cast all day without the fatigue of swinging a 9’ fly rod. The Rio Direct Core Tarpon WF10F line is a match made in heaven for the S 8410-4, but the rod will confidently fish any saltwater line that’s close to a 10-weight.
Richard Post: This rod is the biggest surprise out of the Sector lineup. The Sector 8410 makes you reconsider what a 10-weight rod is. The 8410 is so light in the hand and commands a 10-weight line so confidently that it was hard for me to wrap my head around the rod I was holding doing what it was doing with the 10-weight line on the reel. In the hand the rod feels too light to handle the 10-weight line. As soon as you put line in the air you know that the rod not only handles the line, but commands it. The 8410 is excellent at close range and an absolute rocket launcher at distance. The shorter length takes some of the sting out of casting the 10-weight line all day. You can really feel the benefit of the shorter length making the swing easier and you can watch the fly get to the target quicker. The 8410 is light enough in the hand and playful enough through the cast that you feel like this rod could be a bonefish stick. You need to pick this rod up to believe it. If you have some questions about this one of a kind rod, pick up the phone and let’s talk. The Sector 8410 is the real deal.
Scott Sector 906-4 (9’0” 6-wt, 4-pc)
John Duncan: Rod Designer Jim Bartschi believes this is the best 6-weight Scott has ever designed for any purpose. It’s a tremendous streamer rod for heavy trout and bass, more powerful than the S 846-4 for articulated streamers, rabbit leaches and other wind resistant or water-logged patterns. The casting action is simply marvelous. It loads so naturally in the top half of the rod, but with supreme control and power from the butt section. This rod showcases Bartschi’s complex and purposeful rod design capability. When fishing the flats, use a Rio Direct Core Bonefish line. For bass, choose your favorite specialty bass taper or the Rio InTouch Big Nasty. Have fun.
Richard Post: This rod is the 6-weight unicorn. For years I have been asked about a 6-weight for the salt and freshwater, a rod that can throw a large streamer with a sinking line, or a bonefish fly and a tropical floating line, maybe an indicator rig or a grasshopper. This rod can perform all these tasks with the best of them. A true all around 9-foot 6-weight that can handle any of the tasks called upon for its line weight. Bartschi says this is the best 906 that he’s ever made, and I absolutely agree. Like all the Sector rods, the 906 possesses a suppleness and touch that is inexplicable with the lightness in the hand and the amount of power this rod generates. The feeling of control with line in the air is second to none and you feel like you are in total command of every inch of fly line that leaves the tip. The Sector 906 has the lightness in hand of a high end 5-weight and power through the cast of a high end 7-weight. An argument could be made that other 9-foot 6-weights can perform certain specific tasks better than the Sector 906, but no other 9-foot 6-weight is as good as this rod at everything you could dream of doing with a 6-weight.
Scott Sector 907-4 (9’0” 7-wt, 4-pc)
John Duncan: In no Scott fly rod is the feeling of tip lightness more evident. Most saltwater rods lose that sensitivity, but not this one. This is a lightweight rod that “casts light,” but lacks nothing for power. It throws laser loops with any modern bonefish line, but the very best choice is the Rio Direct Core Bonefish taper. Scott has designed some legendary saltwater 7-weights over the years, highlighted by the S4S 907-4 and Meridian 907-4. The Sector is even better. Even when shooting line, the caster has the sensation of “placing the fly” rather than just firing and praying.
Richard Post: Another outstanding rod in the Sector lineup and one of many truly outstanding 9-foot-7 weights that are out there. Scott has always made an outstanding 907 in its saltwater lineup. Where the 907/4 Sector is most improved over the Meridian is its ability to pick up a ton of fly line or yank an intermediate line out of the water from a long way off. Despite the strength down low in the 907/4, it casts with the lightness and intuition of a light saber, light in the hand and airy through the cast while imparting confidence to the caster. The Sector 907/4 has Solo Cup dropping-in accuracy with consummate loop control. With a Rio DirectCore Bonefish WF7F the rod feels light, intuitive and no-compromise accurate. Put an intermediate line on it with an aggravatingly wind resistant waterlogged fly and you can feel the rod tighten up and show of its power and stability. The 907/4 casts delicately at distance and picks up and hucks the junk without a thought. It isn’t quite as supernatural feeling as the 906/4 but it feels appropriately stronger and more powerful for a 7-weight line. Very well made and another timeless 9-foot 7-weight saltwater rod from Scott.
Scott Sector 908-4 (9’0” 8-wt, 4-pc)
John Duncan: This rod is simply stunning, mind blowing. Rangier than the Meridian 908-4, it casts better at every distance while possessing superior ability to pick up a long line to redirect a 2nd or 3rd shot. Line speed, accuracy, efficiency and feel are all improved with the Sector. I have never cast a fly rod of any kind that throws so effortlessly at short and medium distances but possesses this much power and control at 70’-100’. Beyond question, this is the best 8-weight flats rod I have ever cast. What’s crazy is that it seems to cast equally well with almost any casting style. With a Rio Direct Core Bonefish line, I couldn’t make it malfunction. Like a lot of Scott rods, it loads deeply and smoothly with a long stroke and late wrist engagement. When I tried to throw a tailing loop by “stab casting” with the whole line head aerialized (a move that will fold almost any rod), the mid section of the rod kicked back and sent me well into the backing without any risk of tailing. I’ve never cast anything like it (except the 9-weight…).
Richard Post: The Scott Meridian 908/4 was our most well received and best selling 8-weights we’ve ever had in the fly shop. When we heard there was going to be a replacement, we approached the idea with trepidation. Why replace something that is so good, we asked. The answer became apparent once I began playing with prototypes that would become the Sector 908/4. The Meridian was a great casting rod but lacked some of the power down low on the blank for picking up sinking lines and long lengths of floating line on the water. The challenge was to make a great rod with a floating line and a bonefish fly be a great rod with a sinking line and baitfish pattern. Behold the Sector 908/4. This rod is every bit as good with a floating line and a bonefish fly as the Meridian, but it has so much more power to pick up fly line. Somehow, the Sector 908/4 feels lighter in the hand and through the cast than its predecessor. You can turn up the tempo and step on this rod or you can slow down and place the line with the light touch of a hand petting a sleeping puppy. The Sector 908/4 is an 8-weight for the ages and a new classic without question. Unbelievably improved in every way over the Meridian, the rod feels and casts lighter while being more powerful without feeling more substantial. A commanding and airy light casting rod all in one, this is the new standard 9-foot 8-weight for saltwater.
Scott Sector 909-4 (9’0” 9-wt, 4-pc)
John Duncan: For the record, this is the greatest 9-weight ever designed and quite possibly the finest saltwater fly rod of all time. Almost no other 9-weight casts well under 40 feet, but the Sector 909-4 throws like a trout rod until you step on it. You’ll make all those short shots like you were swinging a 7-weight. With each advancing false cast, line speed just explodes. Every section of the rod feels super charged, the control and resilience of Carbon Web technology channeling casting energy to the fly. I’ve never felt anything like it. Whether casting in wind for large bonefish or carefully presenting a crab to a 30 lbs permit, you’ll never doubt that you’re fishing the right rod. The rod will handle any line you choose to fish on it, but the Rio Direct Core Bonefish possesses a combination of taper and head weight that brings the best out of this rod at almost any distance. That’s a compliment to the fly line, which is quickly becoming one of our favorites in the salt.
Richard Post: Another amazing fly rod in the Sector lineup, and another rod that sets the bar for its respective line weight. I believe that the Sector 909/4 is the most similar rod to its predecessor, the Meridian 909/4 (my favorite rod in the Meridian lineup). The main difference is the Sector’s ability to pick up a ridiculous amount of line off the water. With a Rio Permit WF9F on the grass, we were picking up two rod lengths of line past the head and laying it right back down. The 9-weight feels like a 7-weight in the hand and drills line towards the horizon like a 10-weight. Distance seems closer with this rod and this translates into more confidence through the entire casting range. This 9-weight has the line speed to combat the wind, the touch to present a crab to a permit, and the backbone to pick up sinking lines for stripers. It is also very fun to cast and feels tremendous in the hand.
Scott Sector 9010-4 (9’0” 10-wt, 4-pc)
John Duncan: The S 9010-4 is even more castable than the Meridian 9010-4, but has considerably more power in the butt section for drilling heavy flies into the wind and, in particular, fighting adult tarpon. As tarpon fishing evolves, cutting edge guides are fishing 10-weights, even for adult fish. 10-weights are so much easier to cast than 12-weights. Even the best casters benefit from having a lighter and somewhat more flexible rod in hand for generating a quick, high line speed casting loop. Tarpon are played off the butt section of the rod which is still pretty darn beefy, even on a 10-weight. A priority for the Sector was to create a rod with greater ability to lift line off the water for second shots. This goal has clearly been met in the 9, 10 and 11-weights, the core permit and tarpon rods in the series.
The Sector 9010-4 is the finest 10-weight I’ve ever cast. It possesses uncanny elasticity, generating incredible line speed just by rocking it back and forth. You can lay it down gently or stab it into the wind with equal success. The SA Mastery Tarpon taper loads the rod promptly with great line speed, but the Rio Direct Core Tarpon line overs more loop control and accuracy without sacrificing the quick load.
Richard Post: The Sector 9010/4 is a stronger rod than the Meridian and a more castable rod as well. For a 10-weight it has an action I would almost call buttery if not for the fantastic line speed this rod is capable of. With a 10-weight line you can feel every inch of the line in a way that is similar to good 5-weights. Time slows down with this rod and it leaves you with a feeling of exactness in your cast. The Sector 8410 is a more playful and fun rod while the Sector 9010/4 feels more serious. This is a tool for the 10-weight fly angler. The rod had strength down low for driving big flies into the wind at distance and turning large fish. This is every bit a tarpon class 10-weight with permit class 10-weight touch. Like the 8410, you do not feel like you are casting or holding a 10-weight with the Sector 9010/4. This rod flat out makes a 10-weight line much more enjoyable to cast and gives you the feeling you’re fishing a lighter rod and line.
Scott Sector 9011-4 (9’0” 11-wt, 4-pc)
John Duncan: Rod Designer Jim Bartschi calls the S 9011-4 the most improved in the series. That speaks volumes, because the Meridian 9011-4 is one heck of an 11-weight. I first cast this rod with a Rio Direct Core WF11F and wrote the following one-word review: perfect. Coming back to it an hour later with an SA Tarpon Taper, I was surprised at how favorably this line pairs with the rod, as well. This tells me that the Sector 9011-4 will cast any popular tarpon line with command and control. Casting range, feel, loop control, power, fly turnover and ease of casting are spectacular with this model. Amazing. It has much more power than the Meridian 9011-4 for lifting line off the water, hammering into the wind and putting the timber to the fish.
Richard Post: A tarpon standard 11-weight, the Sector 9011/4 could be the smoothest casting big game rod I’ve ever picked up. You can actually carry line in the air and form loops, nice loops with finesse, rather than just load and launch. Like the rest of the lineup, light in the hand, light through the cast and strong on the pickup and at distance. The Sector 9011/4 feels so good picking up line and putting it right back down. The intuitive accuracy and distance meter of this rod will make it a dream for hitting those second and third shots at daisy-chaining fish. Jimmy spent some time developing this rod and putting it to work on Florida tarpon. The action feels purposeful and refined for this work and the rod handled everything I could imagine. Short cast, then dump the whole line, Belgian casts off either shoulder, backhanded delivery, quick direction changes, the Sector 9011/4 makes it all easy and that translates into confidence. That’s a good thing to have on the bow of a skiff with approaching tarpon.
Scott Sector 9012-4 (9’0” 12-wt, 4-pc)
John Duncan: Anglers seeking maximum lifting power in a 12-weight have formerly chosen a Sage or Loomis, but Scott stepped up the S 9012-4 to match anything on the market without sacrificing the trademark castability of Scott fly rods. 12-weights are still the go-to tarpon rod in Boca Grande, Homosassa, Costa Rica and other big-fish destinations. If you love Scott saltwater rods but need more power, this is your stick. I found a measurable performance improvement when I traded to the Rio Direct Core Tarpon WF12F, a line favored by every rod in this series.
Richard Post: GT and big tarpon fisherman pay attention to the Sector 9012/4. The rod handles a 400+ grain fly line in a way that is confident and enjoyable. The rod is capable in close and powerful at distance while remaining much easier on the caster. I could form tight controlled loops that made the casting much more predictable with heavy headed fly lines. Line pickup off the water is tremendous and last ditch hero shots seemed to unroll the line and leader automatically. Tarpon fishermen that fish an 11-weight, but want a little more turning power, check out this rod. It casts like an 11. GT fisherman take note of this rod for its fighting power and its ability to cast the fly without beating you down all day. This is a serious big game rod that doesn’t take a big time toll on the caster.
Scott Sector 8413-3 (8’4″ 13-wt, 3-pc)
John Duncan: Dubbed the “GT Special,” the Sector 8413-3 is actually a highly practical rod for almost all heavy species fished either from a boat or on foot. This is a surprisingly castable fly rod. I like it with a Rio Direct Core Tarpon WF12F line, but it will certainly handle almost any 13-weight line or specialty taper designed to cast big flies. The butt section is as strong as iron, but the overall casting qualities of the 8413-3 are similar to other Sector models. The rod feels light, springy, progressive and rangy, all unusual for 13-weight fly rods.
Richard Post: Behold a 13-weight that doesn’t cast like a 13-weight. Are you targeting 90 pound GTs on foot? If so, you need a rod that you can cast accurately and can stop a freight train. Tarpon guys going after the true denizens will find a friendly casting rod that pulls on fish very well. The shorter length along with the carbon web reinforced graphite make this thing a force to be reckoned with regarding lifting power. The extended grip is well done and gives you the option to change your grip during the fight. The rod is a 3-piece, but the shorter length brings it close to a 9-foot 4-piece pack size. Overall, this rod feels like a member of the Sector lineup and not just a bigger, more lifting power oriented version. The Sector 8413/3 is a bluewater class rod that you can take out onto the flats when the biggest hard running fish are on the ticket for the day.
2-piece rods
Scott Sector 8107-2 (8’ 10” 7-wt, 2-pc)
John Duncan: Truly spectacular with a Scientific Anglers Mastery Bonefish Taper or Rio Direct Core Bonefish line, the S 8107-2 will handle a wide range of lines for an equal range of both saltwater and freshwater fishing situations. Scott makes light-tipped fly rods, no where more evident that in this particular model. It casts with an airy feel that seems to defy gravity. Unlike with many saltwater rods, the caster can feel the connection between rod and line even at short distances. Tight loops and high line speed make the S 8107-2 an ideal choice for bonefish and redfish.
Richard Post: You will hear me say this throughout these reviews, the 2-piece Sectors are so much more similar to the 4-piece rods than in the Meridian series. I honestly have a hard time telling the difference between the 2-and 4-piece rods just from casting. You do notice a slight difference in overall weight, and this is one light-in-the-hand 7-weight. Like the 4-piece 907 Sector, the 907/2 Sector is an easy intuitive caster that loves to reach out and fish where your eyes are looking in close. The range is incredible and the lightness in the hand is pretty hard to comprehend. The Sector 907/2 does take a shade more of a push to get going from the caster compared to the 907/4, but the rod is ideal for light saltwater duty when an airplane isn’t part of the equation.
Scott Sector 8108-2 (8’ 10” 8-wt, 2-pc)
John Duncan: A spectacular bonefish, red or striper rod for the angler who doesn’t require the convenience of a 4-piece fly rod, the S 8108-2 offers unmatched casting range, especially with a Rio Direct Core Bonefish line, our favorite for this fly rod. As compared with the former Meridian 8108-2, the new Sector is easier to cast and much better on short shots. It is every bit as powerful as its predecessor, but more well-tuned for a complete casting range, short to long.
Richard Post: The Sector 8108/2 is the Sector 8-weight for the crew that loved the 2-piece Meridian 8-weight. Of the three Sector 8-weights, the 2-piece rod felt the most substantial and needed a little bit more caster input. I am splitting hairs here, but I preferred the 4-piece models to this rod. For an 8-weight that stays in the gunnel of a skiff this is a hard rod to look past. The 2-piece configuration makes it really simple to keep rigged up or go from the garage to the gunnel.
Scott Sector 8109-2 (8’ 10” 9-wt, 2-pc)
John Duncan: A wicked rod for the boat or beach, the Sector 8109-2 offers a rare combination of loop control and line speed. Every false cast is easy and natural, from fly-in-hand to delivery at any distance. This is a huge caster with superb lightness and stability, but notably easier to load than its predecessor. The S 8109-2 is a terrific windy weather bonefish rod with plenty of punch for permit of any size. This rod will be really popular among striped bass anglers, too. The best flats-style line on this rod is the Rio Direct Core Bonefish. It will certainly handle any line in the 9-weight class, but the DC Bonefish is the best pure caster.
Richard Post: The Sector 8109/2 is an absolute line speed machine that throws laser-like loops. This thing is a true line slinger and should be on the radar of saltwater captains and dedicated boat anglers the world over. This rod throws loops that are so tight they defy convention. While possessing this blistering ability to rip loops toward the target, the rod has that surreal pliability possessed by the Sector series. You can simply feel every inch of the blank getting behind the cast. Pick up all the line off the water and lay it right back down with the ease of tipping up your hat bill.
Scott Sector 81010-2 (8’ 10” 10-wt, 2-pc)
John Duncan: This is the ultimate oceanside Keys Tarpon rod for the angler who keeps rods on the boat. It casts easier than the former Meridian, but with greater power thanks to the capability of generating line speed with fewer false casts. Like others in the Sector Series, it is both easier to cast and more powerful than its predecessor. Also, like the others, our favorite line pairing is the Rio Direct Core Tarpon line. Striped bass fishermen will cast this rod from the beach or boat with great command. It will handle the full range of shooting heads and full sinking lines popular for the rips, beaches and flats of the Northeast.
Richard Post: Pick up this rod and you’ll have to convince yourself you have a 10-weight in your hands. All of the Sector 10-weights are surprisingly light in the hand and through the cast. The 2-piece version casts with the same ease and confidence as the 4-piece models but with the added convenience or a 2-piece configuration for the dedicated saltwater boat angler. Thinking about a 10-weight tarpon rig for laid up fish? The pulling power and touch of this rod will impress you.
Scott Sector 81011-2 (8’ 10” 11-wt, 2-pc)
John Duncan: Side-by-side with the 10-weight, the Sector 2-piece 11-weight will be the go-to rod for tarpon fishermen who own a boat in the Southeast. All of these 2-piecers are easier to cast than the former Meridians. Even an average caster can throw most of the fly line with just a few strokes. The very best line pairing is the Rio Direct Core Tarpon, but the Sector will handle all SA and Rio tarpon lines.
Richard Post: I have a feeling that this rod will show up in a lot of tarpon-centric fly fishing ads in the coming years. Of all the Sector rods, the 81011/2 promises to become a cult classic. Tarpon fanatics will find this rod and they will put it to work. This rod is a highly castable and highly intuitive big game class fly rod. Light enough to throw all day with the backbone to pull on an adult tarpon. The rod throws a variety of tapers and has the power down low to pick up both sinking and floating lines off the water at distance. The one-shot accuracy is special and seems to read your mind. The Sector 81011/2 has as much touch in close as it has at distance. This rod is everything you want in an 11-weight for the boat without sacrificing anything.
Scott Sector 81012-2 (8’ 10” 12-wt, 2-pc)
John Duncan: For maximum lifting power with minimum rod weight, choose the 2-piece Sector 12-weight. This is your boat rod for the West Coast of Florida, where the largest tarpon are encountered on a daily basis.
Richard Post: The Sector 81012/2 is one of the easiest casting and most controllable 12-weights out there. Loop control and cast-ability with a Rio DirectCore Tarpon WF12F were second to none. You feel like you’re carrying line in the air with the ease of an 8-weight. This 12-weight tames the unruly grain weights of 450 and up and makes these heavy lines much more workable. If you’re looking for a legitimate sailfish rod that can double as a big tarpon rod, pay attention to this stick.
First Shot: Fishing the Sector in Key West
Troy Youngfleish, Telluride Angler head guide and Scott Pro Staff
I had the privilege of spending four days in early May fishing the new Scott Sector with rod designer and tarpon savant Jim Bartschi. While our focus was the new Sector 11wt, we had ample opportunities to cast both the 908 and 909 at bonefish and permit. I came into this Keys trip in a true love affair with the Scott Meridian, so my expectations were guarded at best. Incredibly, Jim has created a rod that casts more instinctively while improving the bottom end strength and lifting power for saltwater anglers. Unfortunately, Bartschi had to remind me numerous times that the increased lifting power is for picking line off the water and fighting fish, not for “trout setting” tarpon. For the first three days, I cast to fish that couldn’t be convinced, at least not by me. Then, on the last morning, the tarpon vibe changed. We fed seven fish in the morning, putting four in the air. The Sector 11-wt is my new tarpon rod. – Troy