St. Croix's Physyx series now includes 28 casting and spinning rods. (Photo courtesy of St. Croix Rods)
July 25, 2024
By Alan Clemons
New fishing rods were amid the spotlight at the 67th ICAST Show, including several designed for travelers and others for specific techniques.
Anglers won’t have any problem poring over the offerings for everything from finesse and crappie to bass and other species. Here are some of the top introductions that hooked us at this year’s show.
Daiwa Ardito Jitte Daiwa Ardito Jitte travel rod Designed for travel and tested on everything from small fish to bass and larger freshwater species, the Ardito Jitte from Daiwa definitely turned heads. These self-contained telescoping rods fit in a travel bag, backpack or suitcase when you’re ready to hit the road. V-Flex ferrules bend with the rod, which comes in two models. The largest Fuji O-ring line guide is hinged, and locks into place during use but collapses for storage in the handle. The spinning rod is medium power with a fast action, has a 6-foot-7 length, handles line weights from 3- to 8-pound test and has 7 Fuji O-ring guides. It is designed for lures weighing 1/16th to 3-8ths ounces. The conventional (baitcasting) rod has the same power, action and length, but handles line from 8- to 16-pound test and lures from 1/4- to 1/2-ounce. It has eight guides. $199.99 | daiwa.us
Abu Garcia Zenon BFS Abu Garcia Zenon BFS Anglers interested in the popular Bait Finesse System technique have three models of BFS rods in the Abu Garcia Zenon lineup, all of which pair with the Zenon BFS casting reel. The BFS technique is a low-profile setup designed for light, small baits such as 1/8th-ounce or lighter. The Abu Garcia Zenon BFS series features premium carbon blanks with Abu Garcia’s exclusive Powerlux 100 resin system. This enables the rods to deliver powerful ultra-light sensitive blanks with higher break strengths and improved impact and fracture resistance without increasing the overall weight or diameter of the rod. A carbon split-grip design and titanium alloy guides with thin zirconia inserts reduce weight and increase sensitivity. The Fuji hook-keeper folds down to prevent line tangle. $449.99 | abugarcia.com
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Ugly Stik GX2 Ugly Stik GX2 fishing rod Ugly Stik is reintroducing the GX2 series of rods and combos with an updated cosmetic look, along with new features for more strength and sensitivity than the original GX2. The renowned Clear Tip design and Ugly Tech construction remain unchanged, but the one-piece stainless steel Ugly Tuff guides now have an upgraded, proprietary PVD coating that increases wear resistance and prevents corrosion. A rubberized diamond EVA handle offers better grip and improved durability, and a new reel seat provides better hand feel and increased sensitivity. Also new are alignment markings on multi-piece models for easy sighting when putting the rod together. Combos include spinning and casting models. The GX2 fishing rod has a 10-year warranty. $49.95 | uglystik.com
SPRO Bronzeye Pop SPRO Bronzeye Pop casting rod If you like throwing topwater frogs, the new SPRO Bronzeye Pop casting rod is designed to make them slither, gurgle, pop and haul in bass from slop or open water. The 7-foot rod has a medium-heavy action with a strong backbone for frog fishing, but works well for other applications. It’s rated for 40- to 65-pound test line and lures from 1/4- to 3/4-ounce. It joins the Bronzeye (7-foot-2 Heavy, 40-80 test) and King Daddy (7-foot-4, 40-80 test) in the Bronzeye lineup. $259.99 | spro.com
13 Fishing Oath 13 Fishing Oath fishing rods 13 Fishing Oath rods are built with a Japanese PVG 36-ton blank with a Cross Carbon Overlay for strength and sensitivity. The split-grip handle is made from premium Portuguese 3A Cork and Evolve Air Foil Carbon. Oath rods have Evolve stainless-steel tangle-free guides with Alconite inserts and an Evolve “Snaggle Tooth” hook keeper. Seven rods in the lineup range from 6-foot-8 to 7-foot-11 and Medium to Heavy power. $99.99 | rapala.com/us_en/13-fishing
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St. Croix Physyx St. Croix Physyx spinning rod Introduced at the 2024 Bassmaster Classic, St. Croix’s new Physyx Series of multispecies freshwater rods are designed to help anglers execute on the water. The Physyx series SCIV+ hybrid carbon fiber blanks, titanium guides, “and anthropometric design combine to produce an evolved lever and conductor of energy.” They have a molded carbon fiber Trigon handle, Dynamix reel seat, and rear trigger for more control, balance, tactile feedback and comfort. Three new 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-6 spinning models have 100 percent tubular, hybrid carbon fiber, extra-fast and fast action blanks engineered to execute popular minnow-shaking techniques. The Physyx series now has 28 casting and spinning rods for any freshwater presentation. $365 | stcroixrods.com
Halo BB Series Jerkbait Rod Halo BB Series jerkbait rod Designed by 2024 Bassmaster Classic champion Justin Hamner, the new BB Series Jerkbait Rod from Halo is crafted from high modulus graphite for greater sensitivity to feel twitch of the lure or soft bite. The rod has a medium heavy power and easily handles shallow and deep-diving jerkbaits. The ergonomic Grade-A cork handle ensures comfort and control, and advanced composite materials provide strength and durability. $189.99 | americanbaitworks.com
Lew’s LFS, TP2 Series Lew’s LFS spinning and baitcasting rods New LFS Series rods feature Lew’s exclusive LFS-X3 blank, lightweight for all-day fishing but with exceptional strength and sensitivity. The LFS Series has premium cork grips with a split-grip handle, EVA cushion on the butt. Also new is the TP2 Series, more affordable yet still packed with top features such as a HM45 graphite blank and stainless-steel guide frames with titaium oxide inserts. Casting and spinning models have Lew’s exclusive skeletal reel seats and Winn Dri-Tac polymer handle grips. $99.99-$129.99 | lews.com
Dobyns Rods Hyperlite Series Dobyns Rods’ new Josh Jones Hyperlite Series fishing rod Dobyns Rods expands its lineup with the new Josh Jones Hyperlite Series for crappie anglers, with forward facing sonar in mind. The Hyperlite Series has a two-piece design and comes in 10-, 11-, 12-, 14- and 16-foot lengths. The rods have high-modulus graphite blanks, Sea Guide guides and Fuji reel seats, Kevlar wrapping and a full cork handle. $259.99 | dobynsrods.com