Tackle Test 2017: The best fishing rods
The best fishing rods of 2017. Nathaniel Welch
The Outdoor Life Tackle Test team set off for the Deep South loaded to the gills with a collection of 26 reels and 32 rods, ready to take on the big mouths and rockfish of Venice, Louisiana. In our most comprehensive rod and reel review to date, we made thousands of casts and fought dozens of fish in search of all the strengths and weaknesses of our bass gear. Here are the best rods in the test.
SPINNING: AT THE EDITOR’S CHOICE
FITZGERALD VURSA
Score: 94.3
Buy It Now! Price: $ 130
Trevor Fitzgerald is a phenomenal professional bass fisherman, competing on both the BASS and FLW circuits. What he learned about water is reflected in the design of his namesake rods. This is evident in the new Vursa, a rod built on a 30 ton high modulus blank.
Equipped with American Tackle Microwave rings and an American Tackle AT reel seat and grip, this rod is incredibly light, even with its painted exterior. We were impressed with the guide train and its lack of flex. This rigidity transmits vibrations better than guides to a more spongy spring foot. The result is a rod that lets you feel every nuance of structure and the action of the bait as if you were wired to the line. It will put a lot more keepers in the tank during cold front conditions or a shy bite.
A limited lifetime warranty completes this exceptional offer.
SPINNING: SUPER PURCHASE
Score: 92.8
Price: $ 120
With its flashy cane wraps and fiery actions, the Denali brand caught our eye a few years ago. This year Attaxe won the Great Buy award unanimously. This rod is just screaming, “Fish me!” “
Attax’s IM7 blank has a nimble tip, perfectly suited for making shaky heads tremble around rip-rap or drag drop shots over deep rock piles. Once you’ve got a bite, the midsection and stock provide enough oomph to drive small diameter wire hooks deep, even on long, clear, squishy lines.
The eight single-footed guides accentuate the blank’s ability to remain flexible, even when fully loaded. The Winn Grip is an ace, providing all-day comfort and secure handling on the front grip and cane heel.
The skeletonized reel seat drew the only negative comments on this amazing spin stick. While increasing the sensitivity of the rod, this causes the blank to flex under acute load.
BAITCASTING: AT THE EDITOR’S CHOICE
KISTLER FEEL N REEL
Goal: 94.6
Price: $ 250
This new 7ft 1in radial shell rod based on North Fork Composite Blank technology is simply fantastic. However, when we first unboxed it, we were disappointed with the dull, two-tone appearance of the upper. Our opinions quickly changed from the first casting.
The Feel n reel The blank loads effortlessly and transfers that kinetic energy into baits for long casts, regardless of weight (rated 1⁄16 to 3⁄8 ounce, 6 to 12 pound test).
Once on the water, the genius of a two-tone white became evident. The faded white upper section allows you to visually monitor the bait action and rate, as well as the tilt of the rod, which is essential when trying to reproduce successful presentations on wayward bites. The cork handle provides an almost perfect way to communicate the behavior of the bait to the fisherman. But be prepared for a sticker shock.
BAITCASTING: GREAT PURCHASE
Rating: 91.8
Price: $ 120
Like its sister in the spinning rod category, the Attax Bait Fishing Rod is quite impressive. The 7ft Denali is designed for ¼ to 5/8 ounce bait and 8 to 14 pound test line. It features an ultra-sensitive tip that is flexible enough to cast light bait without breaking a sweat, yet sharp enough to help anglers cast casts in stiff headwinds with minimal play. A Winn grip is a treat. tactile and provides all-day comfort for ripping lipless baits through hydrilla or wrapping chubby lip baits along deep edges.
In contrast, the reel seat has exposed front threads, which tend to get in the way. However, this is a small nip on an otherwise flawless rod, which earned it the Great Buy Award alongside 13 Fishing‘s Fate Black entry (below). Our testers could not choose just one.
BAITCASTING: GREAT PURCHASE
Rating: 91.8
Price: $ 100
Coming out of doors a few years ago, 13 Fishing offered a wide variety of rods with good actions and great features at very low prices. The Black fate continues this trend.
The medium-fast 7-foot-1 blank threw a variety of baits (rated ¼ to 5⁄8 ounces) well, but its sweet spot is definitely in the ¼ to ½ ounce range. All reviewers agreed that the Fate is exceptional value, as it is actually three rods in one: it is suitable for a variety of baits, from crankbaits to spinnerbaits to weighted worms.
The versatility of the rod is based on the quick tip, which can accommodate lighter baits. The sturdy butt section, which extends almost three-quarters the height of the blank, provides the extra muscle needed for hooks on heavier baits (½ ounce to 5⁄8 ounce). It is a versatile rod that can be used for a number of techniques.
MORE RODS TO TURN FROM THE TEST:
13 Black Destiny Fishing**
Price: $ 100
Final score: 91.0
Lew’s Mach Speed Stix Inshore
Price: * $ 80
*Final score: 90.9
13 Muse of Black Fishing
* Price: * $ 185
* Final score: * 90.8
G. Loomis E6X
Price: $ 190
Final score: 88.9
Temple Fork Outfitters Professional Series
Price: $ 100
Final score: 87.7
Dobyns Sierra Series
Price: $ 160
Final score: 85.8
Cabela Fishing Eagle
Price: $ 90
Final score: 85.4
Cabela’s XML bass
Price: $ 150
Final score: 85.2
Pacemaker Temple Forks Outfitters
Price: $ 190
Final score: 84.9
Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Tube / Jig
Price: $ 100
Final score: 82.8
MORE CASTING RODS IN THE TEST
Lew’s Custom Pro Speed Stick
Price: $ 200
Final score: 91.4
Fenwick Aetos
Price: $ 160
Final score: 91.1
13 Black Muse Peach
Price: * $ 185
*Final score: 90.8
Shimano zodia
Price: $ 200
Final score: 90.6
Phoenix Recon Elite
Price: * $ 180
*Final score: 90.5
Cabela’s XML bass
Price: $ 150
Final score:89.3
Holy Cross Legend Glass
Price: $ 250
Final score: 86.8
Daiwa tutula
Price: $ 100
Final score: 86.8
Fitzgerald vursa
Price: * $ 130
*Final score: 86.4
Dobyns Sierra Series
Price: * $ 160
*Final score: 85.8
Temple Forks Outfitter Series
Price: * $ 190
*Final score: 84.9
