G. Loomis Pro Blue Saltwater Series

G. LOOMIS
G. Loomis has introduced four new rod series for 2006. The company's new Salmon Rods are designed with actions specifically tailored for salmon-fishing techniques. Fourteen models are available: five mooching/trolling rods, two plug rods, two in-line spinner rods, two back-bounce rods, one for the unique Pacific Northwest hovering technique, and two multi-purpose spinning rods for bank anglers, especially on salmon rivers.

GLX bass spinning rods are designed with GLX technology and feature REC Recoil guides, making these some of the lightest bass rods in G. Loomis' lineup. This series includes a 6-foot, 10-inch Bronzeback smallmouth rod for finesse baits, and a 6-foot, 10-inch drop-shot rod.

Also new are two GLX walleye spinning rods, one for jigging (6-foot, 2 inch) and one for rigging (7-foot).

The saltwater angler isn't left out, either. G. Loomis' new Pro Blue saltwater series includes six stand-up rods with lightweight graphite blanks: the PBR843S spinning; the PBR843C casting; the PBR844S spinning and PRB844S casting (7-footers); the 6-foot, 6-inch PBR785C casting; and the 8-foot PBR963S spinning rod. (www.gloomis.com)

LAMIGLAS
Lamiglas' new XMG Bass Series rods were designed specifically with high-stakes tournament anglers in mind. Each is constructed with XMG 50, Lamiglas' newest super-graphite, which offers the ability to construct extremely small-diameter blanks while retaining fast actions and power. Blank weight is minimal -- as well as wind-resistant -- in casting, while sensitivity and power are at a maximum.

Lamiglas XMG Bass Series

Additional features include guides with Titan titanium frames with Nanolite rings, graphite handles, and Comfort Finish reel seats. The series includes 11 models, five casting and six spinning, in lengths from 6 feet, 6 inches to 7 feet, 2 inches. (www.lamiglas.com)

PFLUEGER
Light-tackle enthusiasts get a hand up with Pflueger's new Microspin Rods. Lightweight, hypersensitive and well-balanced actions leave little room for improvement in this series, with 10 application-specific ultralight and light models from 4 feet, 6 inches to 10 feet. Features include IM-7 graphite construction, lightweight guides with stainless-steel inserts, graphite reel seats with stainless-steel cushioned hoods, stainless-steel hook keeper and blank-through-handle construction for added strength and sensitivity.

Pflueger's Microspin Rods

Comfortable premium-grade cork grips come on all models except the 8- and 10-footers with EVA grips. (www.pfluegerfishing.com)

ST. CROIX
St. Croix has put together an impressive introductory lineup of 16 new fly rods in the Reign series, designed to appeal to a broad angling audience, from savvy veterans to fly-fishing newcomers. Reign fly rods feature premium SCII graphite blanks with moderate-fast action for easy casting; uplocking, anodized aluminum reel seats (including a rosewood insert on 4-, 5- and 6-weight models); premium-grade cork grips; aluminum-oxide stripper guides; and hard chrome snake guides.

St. Croix Reign Series

Also new is the value-priced Triumph series of casting and spinning rods. These rods feature premium-quality SCII graphite; finely tuned actions and tapers for superior performance; hard aluminum-oxide guides with black frames; Fuji DPS reel seat/frosted silver hoods on spinning models; Fuji ECS reel seat/frosted silver hoods on casting models; and a premium-grade cork handle. (www.stcroixrods.com)

QUANTUM
Serious slab anglers will be doing a quick little two-step to get their hands on Quantum's new Xtralite Todd Huckabee Crappie Rods. Designed by professional crappie angler Todd Huckabee, each of the four rods in the series is made for a specific crappie fishing technique: dipping cover, spider rigging or pulling. So don't be thinking short rods with slow actions. These rods feature durable graphite blanks for exceptional sensitivity, super-ultralight tips for light baits, good backbone in all the right places, graphite reel seats, quality line guides and plenty of rod length, ranging from 9 feet to 11 feet. The rods are two-piece.

New for bass anglers are Quantum's Tour Edition PT Signature Series Rods. For years, Quantum has quietly built customized rods for its top touring pros. Each is designed to perfectly match an individual's favorite fishing style or "go to" technique. Now the rods are being made available to the fishing public.

Quantum Xtralite Todd Huckabee Crappie Rod

Also new from Quantum are 11 Xtralite XP rods, all spinning, ranging in size and action from 5-foot ultralight to 7-foot medium-light.

For the more budget-minded angler, there are new Xtralite XT spinning rods. They, too, feature graphite blanks. There are six XT models, ranging in length from 4 feet to 6 feet, 6 inches, all in ultralight actions. (www.quantumfishing.com)