Fishing rods

All Star ASNano

Made to endure the intense demands of tournament action, All Star built this lineup of technique-specific rods with Nano Resin technology, which offers two distinct design options: lessening material for a lighter rod while maintaining break strength or keeping the same amount of material and significantly increasing break strength.

Going with Option 2 yields one of the strongest and most-durable rods on the market.

These rods include Fuji alconite guides for added strength and weight reduction, while the exposed Fuji ACS and VSS reels seats bolster dependability, reduce weight and allow direct contact with the blank — a sensitivity feature that helps you feel the most subtle bites.

The cork handle provides a more-comfortable and slip-resistant grip, even when wet The Nano Series consists of 14 freshwater baitcasting and four freshwater spinning rods.

MSRP is $89.99. Log onto www.academy.com for more information.

Daiwa Tatula

Built to optimize the advanced performance standards of the new TATULA baitcasting reels, this set of rods incorporates the latest, cutting-edge rod technology, such as X45 Bias Construction — the use of 45-degree bias construction to prevent twisting of the blank for greater strength, sensitivity and hook-setting power.

Tatula rods include Daiwa’s exclusive SVF (Super Volume Fiber) Graphite technology, Micro pitch blank finish, Daiwa custom reel seats & machined aluminum reel clamp nuts, Fuji Alconite ring guides, Split Grip design with EVA foam, hook keeper and blank-through handle construction.

Eighteen models include frogging, spinning, trigger-grip casting, flipping and dropshot finesse rods, all backed by a five-year limited warranty.

Log onto www.daiwa.com for more information.

G.Loomis NRX Umbrella Rig

Expanding the advanced rod blank technology of its NRX graphite construction, G.Loomis created a rod that’ll stand up to the rigors of casting multi-arm baits.

Based on a blank made of stiffer, lighter and higher density carbon married with Nano Silica resin, the G.Loomis NRX Umbrella Rig rod boasts a lighter design that doesn’t compromise on durability, sensitivity or stiffness.

With 7 feet, 7 inches of extra-heavy power, the NRX916C UBR umbrella rig casting rod earned the 2013 New Product Showcase award at ICAST. Ideal for hunting those suspended fish, the rod features a tip soft enough to load but stiff enough to prevent overflexing, which create issues with the line and reel. Rated for 50- to 80-pound braided line, the rod’s NRX sensitivity ensures you feel every change in the rig and how the baits are swimming.

All G.Loomis NRX bass rods feature a unique Hybrid Guide System that combines the strategic placement of Fuji titanium-framed SIC and REC Recoil black ion-coated nickel-titanium guides from the stripper to the tip.

G.Loomis also provides its own skeletonized reel seat design that puts an angler’s finger in direct contact with the rod blank.

The rod is available in matte-black blank with blue wraps, and a deep-green blank with accenting green wraps.

Go to gloomis.com for more information.

Lew’s 365

The name says it all — the new premium graphite rod from Lew’s is truly a rod for everyday fishing, all year long, year after year. Featuring Lew’s proprietary Carbon Nanolar HM50 fiber graphite blanks, the new 365s are light, strong and sensitive rods that challenge the performance of rods twice their $100 price tag.

This next generation of 50 million modulus graphite blanks draws its strength from a multi-layer, multidirectional construction process using premium resins. Exposing the blank through the reel seat allows for instant vibration transmission, which keeps the angler informed of everything that’s happening on the other end of the line.

And the lightweight graphite skeletal reel seat on casting models has a ceramic hook holder in the trigger to eliminate the line-fouling that can happen with hook keepers positioned on the blank.

Rod guides featuring rugged gun smoke stainless steel frames with stainless steel inserts promote smooth line flow for enhanced castability and silky-smooth retrieves. Split-grip rod handles feature premium high-density EVA foam for all-day fishing comfort and no-slip handling.

The 365 lineup includes seven casting and four spinning models. All are backed by Lew’s limited one-year warranty.

More information can be found at Lews.com.

Wright & McGill Blair Wiggins Flats Blue Inshore

Anglers work so hard to silently approach nervous fish in shallow water, so what a bummer when the outline of your rod spooks your quarry. Wright & McGill has taken another step toward eliminating such frustration with a new look for its popular Blair Wiggins Inshore saltwater series rods.

The new cosmetics on the handle and fore handle section have been updated with a classy metallic pearl-white color. Combined with the flats blue rod blanks, you have a one-of-a-kind color design that makes these rods almost invisible to fish in clear water.

Each of the seven new models have been designed around Wright & McGill’s exclusive S-Curve blank technology, which provides strength, sensitivity, light weight, incredible lifting power, and now a faster firm tip section.

Models feature split-handle design for weight reduction and improved balance, with zirconium guides for improved casting distance and oversized fighting butt for performance and durability. A custom split fore grip made of rubber cork allows for fingertip recognition of sensitive bites, while revolutionary high-density rubber handles provide incredible feel and a sure grip.

Find more information at www.wright-mcgill.com.

St. Croix Legend Extreme

From redfish to speckled trout, St. Croix’s all-new LegendXtreme Inshore saltwater rods offer a design that’s easy on the eyes and hard on the fish.

Built on blanks rolled from high-modulus/high-strain SCV graphite with super-high-modulus SCVI graphite in the lower section, the rods provide an ideal blend of maximum power and strength, increased sensitivity and reduced weight. The attractive marine-white series includes three 7-foot spinning models and one 7-foot casting rod.

Blending contemporary design with functionality, the all-white Xtreme-Skin handle repels water, dirt and fish slime — and cleans up easily while providing a comfortable, non-slip grip in both hot and cold weather. The handle trim pieces are machined by St. Croix, and are corrosion proof. The rod blank features a distinctive gloss-white pearlescent finish, and the two-piece Fuji SK2 reel seat has an exposed-blank design for enhanced sensitivity.

Each rod is fitted with Kigan Master Hand Zero Tangle guides with ultra-hard zirconia rings and ultra-light titanium frames for the ultimate protection against saltwater corrosion. The unique sloped, wide-leg design prevents line tangles. All thread wraps are protected by two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish for exceptional durability.

The new LegendXtreme Inshore rods are designed using St. Croix’s proprietary Integrated Poly Curve tooling and Taper Enhancement Technology to produce continuous-curve tapers with improved actions and sensitivity.

Each blank is strengthened with St. Croix’s proprietary Fortified Resin System (FRS) that prevents micro-buckling by keeping carbon fibers in proper alignment to produce blanks that are 33 percent stronger than those built with standard resins and curing methods. All key stress points are further strengthened using Advanced Reinforcing Technology, an exotic carbon fiber material that adds a magnitude of strength with virtually no increase in blank diameter or weight.

Go to http://stcroixrods.com for more information.

About David A. Brown 323 Articles
A full-time freelance writer specializing in sport fishing, David A. Brown splits his time between journalism and marketing communications www.tightwords.com).