Saltwater fishing rods were once made of bamboo with guides that rusted away after one season. Then anglers began taking modernized freshwater rods to the salt water with better results. Eventually, there were many rods claiming to serve double duty. But veteran ocean fishermen know they are better served by choosing today's rods built specifically for the challenges of saltwater fishing.

Saltwater rods are banged around in holders, perpetually soaked with seawater and spend weeks in direct sunlight. As further abused beyond the capabilities of freshwater rods, they catch bigger, faster, harder-fighting fish. Therefore, as advancing technology creates new manufacturing techniques and materials, it is applied to improve saltwater rods on which tackle manufacturers stake their reputations. Here's the lowdown on the newest saltwater rods.

TICA
(TicaGlobal.com)
Tica's new rods include BFEP, JCLA and JCLB Jig Rods. BFEP rods are 6-foot, 6-inch fiberglass with EVA handles. JCLA rods have 7-foot fiberglass/high modulus graphite blanks, with special reel seats and SIC Gunsmoke guides. The JCLB series is heavier with similar features to the JCLA series but with titanium oxide guides.

Tica Jig Rods are similar to the Boat Rods. The JCLB Jig Rod series is fiberglass/graphite composite, and the BFEP series rod is fiberglass.

Twelve new Surf Series rods include the UEHA in 7- to 12-foot lengths. These new rods have high modulus graphite blanks, heat-treated stainless steel guides, graphite reel seats and cork grips. Two new 7-foot and 8-foot Surf Series UELA rods have moderate-fast actions and EVA handles.

ALL STAR RODS
(AllStarRods.com)
All Star Rods has several new Team Inshore series rods. There are two new one-piece, fast-action casting rods, including the Special Tail Rod at 6 feet, 6 inches and the Top N Tales rod at 6 feet, 9 inches. Five new rods in the spinning category range from 7 to 8 feet: the Trout/Redfish Special, the Redfish Special, the Croaker Special, the Surf Special and the Tarpon Heavy Spin.