This black beauty is extremely nimble, tipping the scales at a feathery 6.2-ounces. When saddled to a light stick, the reel washes into the background; your only recollection of its presence is through subtly pleasant tactile sensations.
Ceramic discs handle drag duties, while an eight-bearing drive train delivers liquid-like casts and fluid 6.3:1 cranking. The time-tested micro ACS cast-control system maximizes casting distance, while virtually eliminating backlashes. Generous soft-touch EVA knobs nestle nicely in hand, providing creature comfort while performing grunt work. Misses: While it’s hard to find flaw with a reel this good, the screws holding the right side plate were sharp to the touch. Bottom Line: A rarity in baitcasters: a combination of value and performance sure to bring smiles to scores of fishermen this year. [ $199; quantumfishing.com ]
High-density EVA grips delight fingers during long cranking sessions and resist slipperiness when wet. The monolithic frame-to-component interfaces are tight and fuse seamlessly.
The Caenan handled ultra-light baits with ease under less than favorable wind conditions. While other manufacturers tout eight or more bearings, the “Shimano Six” (as they were affectionately dubbed by the test team) were the smoothest of the field. Misses: The partial thumb bar might take some getting used to for clumsy thumbs. Bottom Line: One of the most functional reels at any price. [ $90; shimano.com ]
The bright gold finish is a titanium nitride deposition; while adding sparkle, it’s also more durable than painted coatings. The XLT utilizes a multi-stack drag with cross-woven uni-directional carbon discs, which we found up to the challenge of the chunkiest redfish.
A “quick-flip” button on top of the right side plate will appeal to the flippers and pitchers. Mashing it engages the drive gears instantly, without having to turn the crank, for instantaneous hook sets. Misses: Casting controls can be a bit finicky. Bottom Line: A well-equipped reel with plenty of bells and whistles, worth the modest price tag from an up-and-coming industry player. [ $180; pinnaclefishing.com ]
A 10-bearing system (nine stainless steel bearings plus one corrosion-resistant anti-reverse bearing) keeps everything turning smoothly. A polished aircraft-grade spool with anodized highlights holds a respectable 145 yards of 12-pound-test mono. The ergonomically designed knobs are EVA foam, which are firm as well as comfortable.
Audible clicks on the friction casting control are a tremendous improvement over the click-less industry standard. Misses: We’d like to see the retail price tamed a bit. Bottom Line: A beautifully executed reel that will draw legions of fans from the bass faithful. [ $280; abugarcia.com ]
An all-aluminum frame is a solid foundation, one that minimizes energy loss through frame torque and twist. A beefy drive train is supported by 11 high-speed ball bearings that calm retrieving and casting bumps.
Luxury appointments include a trick all-carbon in-swept handle, infinite anti-reverse, a perforated aluminum spool and dual casting controls. Misses: The deeply recessed magnetic casting-control button is difficult to adjust. Bottom Line: Tremendous high-end engineering that translates into one sleek top-fuel performer. [ $400; daiwausa.com ]
Typically rods of this length hobble along, working baits with the refinement of a boat paddle. However, this Carrot handles confidently, more like a sub-7-foot rod. And while it’s rated medium-heavy action, it is versatile enough to handle a wide variety of baits.
An oddly abstract split reel seat permits the hand to wrap the exposed blank, adding to the rod’s surprising sensitivity. A vivid orange polyprism holographic topcoat and lifetime warranty put an exclamation mark on this total-performance package. Misses: The hook keeper is in desperate need of a makeover. Bottom Line: A crisp performer built on a bio-fiber-enhanced platform, which offers power, control and uber fishability. [ $199; carrotstix.com ]
Fuji micro guides with hardened inserts quietly transfer line along a wonderfully well-balanced blank. The soft-touch Fuji ACS reel seat offers unexpected comfort. The split grip, with its EVA foam, is easy on the paws, while the HSX70 high-modulus-graphite blank handles casting and fish-hauling duties with surprising ease. The action is laser-engraved on the butt―no squinting to read the fine print. Misses: Given its medium-action rating, we’d like to see a bit more tip action. Bottom Line: As well thought out a rod as we’ve seen in years, especially given its bargain-basement price tag. [ $129; quantumfishing.com ]
The blank is exposed at the bottom of the Fuji handle, increasing sensitivity. The double-A cork throttle is dense and ergonomically contoured.
The Micro Magic feels like an extension of the casting arm, delivering laser-sharp casts to diminutive targets near and far. Misses: The hook keeper is unnecessarily huge. Bottom Line: You’ll be amazed at how much rod $159 will buy you. [ $159; duckettfishing.com ]
A Fuji ACS reel seat, machined-aluminum wind check and split grip round out the exhaustive list of accoutrements. A limited lifetime warranty covers this American-built beauty. Misses: We’d like to see a bit more cork length on the handle. Bottom Line: A great all-around rod capable of handling any number of bass-specific assignments. [ $380; stcroixrods.com ]
The design team thoughtfully eliminated the handle’s foregrip, thereby reducing weight and allowing the user to directly manipulate the raw blank for increased sensitivity. A hybrid IM-10 58-million-modulus blank anchors the design, while the reel mounts directly to the rod blank.
As with the spinning version of the Team Series rods, the baitcasters have V17 Tour Grips, which become super tacky when they get wet–nice for the occasional downpour or sweat-producing heat. Misses: The foregrip has sharp edges. Bottom Line: A hard-working, American-made rod that’s stout enough to aptly handle worming and jigging duties. [ $160; americanrodsmiths.com ]
The 40-Series cast magnesium body, rotor and side plate are light as well as structurally sound. Inside, the guts are impressive, with a solid titanium main shaft (30 percent lighter and 43 percent stronger than stainless) at the epicenter of this dynamo.
A titanium-coated roller assures abrasion-free line care, while baying pesky twists. Quality is evident as techie materials meld in seamless perfection, establishing a new benchmark in the freshwater spinning reel class. Misses: The reel’s stem could use some manicuring to whittle down its sharp edge. Bottom Line: An exceptionally lightweight machine that impressed on every level. [ $200; pfluegerfishing.com ]
Spooling line is easy, thanks to a nifty rubber spool strip (see “Innovations” sidebar, page tk). Beefy components abound and are up to the challenge of the strongest adversary. The machined and anodized aluminum spool and smooth drag are of signature Penn pedigree.
A stainless main shaft offers a solid architecture to this stout machine. Six sealed stainless steel ball bearings keep things spinning like silk, while the infinite anti-reverse affords solid hook-sets without pesky gear lash or lag. Misses: At 11.6 ounces, this Penn lumbers a bit. Bottom Line: The frills-free spooler is priced right, while its ability to handle both fresh and saltwater assignments adds to its appeal. [ $100; pennreels.com ]
We found the Stella the smoothest spinning reel we tested, due in part to the double-bearing-supported pinion gear and the 14+1 shielded anti-rust bearing system.
Shimano’s anti-corrosion surface treatment is the best in the business, minimizing corrosion when exposed to salt. The aluminum frame and graphite side plates are light, and the Septon handle grips deliver expected Shimano comfort.
A thread-in machined aluminum handle, one-piece bail wire, graphite rotor and spare spool are added niceties. Misses: $700 will buy you a cartful of tackle…or a Stella. Bottom Line: Legendary Shimano performance that sophisticated fishermen will appreciate. [ $700; shimano.com ]
We liked the push-button quick-fold handle, as well as the line roller, which is accessible for cleaning with the removal of a single screw. Misses: The handle, with its plump ribs, is odd to the touch and has a bit of wiggle. Bottom Line: Pinnacle continues its climb in a very competitive market with well-equipped offerings at a reasonable price. [ $100; pinnaclefishing.com ]
Beyond the glitter, the Revo’s whopping 11 bearings, one-piece aluminum gearbox and carbon-matrix drag operate cleanly. The bail is particularly well engineered, offering one of the crispest closures in the field. The large, wide bail wire picked up line no matter how slack it hung, a great feature for limp-line finesse-bait fishermen. The drag is infinitely adjustable, capable of quickly taming fish with bad attitudes. Misses: The price tag left us a bit unsettled. Bottom Line: A quality reel worthy of a look from those searching for a compact spinner with plenty of high-end features. [ $250; abugarcia.com ]
A forward-mounted hook keeper lets fingers fondle the blank, sensing subsurface subtleties that other rods overlook. The wet-look translucent pearlescent finish soothes the eyes.
The natural cork/soft EVA-foam-blended butt is easy on the body when mind-numbing hours are spent flicking and skipping plastics around docks.
Beyond its skin-deep beauty, the Xtreme is all business, boasting a high-modulus, high-strain graphite blank and translating that “just-right” feel and balance that often escapes other rods. Misses: The cork grip mid-section has a slightly sharp edge. Bottom Line: Though premium-priced, the Xtreme is the complete casting platform that will glean “favorite rod” status from those who fish it. [ $360; stcroixrods.com ]
This rod balances perfectly, with eight micro-guides, a stripper guide and two truss-braced guides clustered on the blank.
Sublime pallid white guide wraps dissolve into the blank, while bright red anodized machined winding checks bling-out the handle and butt sections. The power-hump grip provides a solid foundation and helps leverage mossbacks bent on making haste into cover. Misses: The exposed reel seat threads are distracting and uncomfortable. Bottom Line: This rod insists you fish it; once you’ve got it in hand, you won’t put it down. [ $159; duckettfishing.com ]
Our Z-Bone demonstrated astonishing sensitivity, deciphering the faintest nibbles and garnering praise across the board.
Minute attention to detail, like an EVA cover on the forehand grip, adds to the Z-Bone’s appeal. With its medium-heavy action, anglers tossing heavy jerkbaits and twitching plastics in slop will find this rod just the prescription. Misses: It will cost you a whole lot of “bones.” Bottom Line: The Z-Bone should springboard Kistler to national prominence. It’s a rod worthy of a test drive, no matter the cost. [ $420; kistlerrods.com ]
The NRX is outfitted with Fuji titanium deposition single-foot recoil guides and proprietary high-density cork grips–top-shelf components consumers expect on a Loomis. We loved the retro handle, reminiscent of a ringed “Tennessee,” only improved by decades of technology. The new split grip helps narrow the gap when casts call for two hands. Misses: The NRX price tag will be hard to swallow for most. Bottom Line: The NRX is a heavily anticipated fishing rod, one that will find favor with savvy anglers who won’t settle for anything less than G. Loomis quality. [ $475; gloomis.com ]
We liked how quickly the rod became “familiar” after we picked it up. With its medium action and 6-foot 6-inch length, the HD is long enough to manage most lighter baits with confidence. The HD, with its retro 7-inch full cork rear and foregrip, fits user hands amazingly well and made easy work of delicate finesse bait maneuvers. Misses: Rated for 1/4- to 1/2-ounce lures, we would not recommend fishing baits in the higher end of this range, as the rod loads a bit. Bottom Line: An old school workhorse for cost-conscious consumers wanting a custom feel at a real-world price. [ $69; falconrods.com ]
