Scott Sector 6 Weight Fly Rod Review
Updated: Nov 4, 2021
Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship
Scott is among those manufacturers at the top of the game when it comes to who builds the best saltwater fly rods. I had some limited experience with their last two premium saltwater lineups—the X2s and the more recent Meridian—and was thoroughly impressed with the feel and performance of each.
Although casting those rods was a real treat, Scott is now delivering even more sweetness for us inshore and offshore anglers in the form of their newest Sector fly rods. Filling the void left by the departed Meridian series, these rods cover the range from bonefish to billfish and promise to deliver what sounds like an unparalleled package. So...is it??
Length: 9'0"
Action: Fast
Line Weight: 6
Pieces: 4
Material: Graphite
Measured Weight: approx 4.17 ounces
Stripping Guides: CeRecoil / Zirconia Insert
Snake Guides: Recoil Snakes
Reel Seat: Aluminum
Rod Tube/Sock: Yes/Yes
Price: $985.00
Comprised of flor-grade cork, the handle of the Sector is shaped into a "modified wells" which brings the palm swell a bit more forward.
In the past I've generally not been a fan of some grips that stray from a more standard shape, but this one ranks extremely high on the comfort scale. The cork quality is also very nice with no pits, rough spots, or tons of filler to be found.
Like most everything else about the Sector, the reel seat is anything but average. It is made from aircraft aluminum with a flat-black and very stealthy Type-III mil-spec hard coat. The two chunky up-locking rings offer plenty of grip for wet fingers and tighten with superb feel that locks a reel solidly in place. In addition, you'll find the Scott name engraved on the reel seat barrel and a line weight engraving on the slide band which is a simple way of making sure you pick up the right rod each time. Finally, there's a fighting butt with a soft, thick rubber end for ample cushion.
The graphite blank is finished in a very dark charcoal color and exhibits a textured surface rather than one that is totally smooth. Scott has infused these rods with several technologies including ReAct which increases blank recovery speed while minimizing vibration, and Carbon Web which encases the unidirectional fibers in a web of lightweight multi-directional carbon fiber. Technical stuff aside, everything that goes into Sector rods is said to simply make them cast at a higher level while increasing durability. If you want to dig deeper into all the tech features, you can do that right here.
One of my favorite aspects of the Sector are the guides. The setup is comprised of two CeRecoil stripping guides that have nickel-titanium frames with zirconia inserts along with Recoil snakes to round out the guide train. All of the guides have a black PVD (physical vapor deposition) coating which is said to not only be tougher than plated guides, but also offer the lowest coefficient of friction. Like all Recoils, the Sector's guides are able to retain their shape even after bending and are impervious to corrosion.
In going over the rod, it seems like every area was examined carefully and tweaked for the utmost in performance. As expected for a rod of this caliber, build quality was flawless and all of the ferrules joined perfectly which yielded a smooth, quiet flexing action.
Fishing/Testing
I fished the 6-weight Sector with RIO's WF6F DirectCore Flats Pro line (30 foot head weight of 185 grains) and found this to be an ideal match.
Let's start off with the weight of the rod. With an approximate static weight of 4.17 ounces on my scale, it actually checked in a bit heavier when compared to other fighting-butt-equipped 6-weights I've tested like the Sage Salt HD (3 3/4 ounces) and even the much-cheaper G. Loomis IMX PRO (3.5 ounces). However, thanks to good balance it certainly doesn't feel hefty in hand. While casting, the light and lively feel of the Sector stood out to me from the very first stroke.
Here is part of what Scott says about the performance of the Sector:
"Imagine a rod that casts tight high line speed loops effortlessly and turns over your leader straight into the wind; a rod that delivers the fly on target with just one false cast, and can pick it back up and redirect if the fish changes course; a rod that is intuitive so you can focus on the fish instead of your cast; a rod that feels light and alive in your hand and has the touch and feel needed to make short quick shots or float the fly in quietly."
It can be funny reading stuff like this when you actually fish a rod and the performance doesn't quite live up to the hype. In the case of the 6-weight Sector, I have to say that Scott's claims are dead accurate. This rod is a serious casting machine and is one of the finest 6-weights I've ever thrown to date. Seriously!
I could go on and on about how sweet this rod felt.
The Sector had good feedback at short range, while casting at more "average" fishing distances was just too much fun. Whether it was a weighted streamer or a lighter one, the Sector handled even medium-sized bass flies with ease and was above average in accuracy. When it came time to reach out even further, plenty of reserve power was always on tap. In fact, while lawn casting I could bomb the entire line out there without a crazy amount of effort. There was no problem picking up a healthy length of line off the water, and (as advertised) the rod is great for quick single false cast shots or instant direction changes. This is simply an awesomely well-rounded stick for fishing near, far, and everything in between, but what really struck me the most was just how precise this rod felt.
I like to say precision "oozes" from this rod. It feels incredibly connected; like I was always in control. The Sector tracks beautifully, dampens fast, throws very compact loops, and offers ample feedback right into the casting hand. Lightweight. Crisp. Smooth. Super accurate. Surgically precise. You get the idea!
Conclusion
This is a rod I'd absolutely love to own. The 6-weight Sector blew me away with its quality components, build, and especially its performance. The folks at Scott totally dialed-in this particular model and gave it an ideal blend of versatility and power that in my experience is top notch. Are the other models in the lineup just as good? Let's hope so! Carrying a price tag of $985 no matter which Sector you choose, the cost of ownership is definitely extreme but I have no doubt the most hardcore and discerning anglers will not be disappointed. When it comes to ultra-premium light saltwater rods, this thing is legit.
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