THE RATINGS •Excellent •Very Good •Good •Fair
Wright & McGill Essentials Medium Drifter
FINAL SCORE:Excellent Retail: $190 Performance: Excellent Design: Excellent Price/Value: Excellent
Aimed at shoredrift-fishing for salmonids. Blends a medium action with a powerful butt. A4-piece 9-footer. 720-941-8700; wright-mcgill.com
Rapala XtremeUltra Light XL40SP70UL1
FINAL SCORE:Excellent Retail: $50 Performance: Excellent Design: Very Good Price/Value: Excellent
The 7-foot lengthmakes for easier casting. Best for trout, panfish and smaller bass usingappropriate mini baits. 952-933-7060; rapala.com
Eagle ClawGranger GNG500-7
FINAL SCORE: VeryGood Retail: $29 Performance: Very Good Design: Very Good Price/Value: Excellent
An extremelyflexible rod that is good for trout and most crappie applications. Additionalstiffness would make it better for deeper-water techniques. Another nice7-footer in the ultralight stable. 720-941-8700; eagleclaw.com
AmericanRodsmiths Limit Stix CLS-CS 60
FINAL SCORE: VeryGood Retail: $60 Performance: Very Good Design: Very Good Price/Value: Very Good
Has a stiffmidsection for sure setting on deep crappies, white bass and yellow bass, butthe tip is flexible enough to protect 4-pound-test line. Extremely comfortablegrip for all-day fishing. 713-466-7849; americanrodsmiths.com
CortlandEndurance Spin
FINAL SCORE: VeryGood Retail: $80 Performance: Very Good Design: Very Good Price/Value: Very Good
Super-stiff withfoam grips. Great for casting substantial baits and slamming hooks home inbarracudas, blues or stripers. Good for beach or boat. Not for tossing lightplastic tails. 607-756-2851; cortlandline.com