The Winning New Spinning Rods and Reels from Tackle Test

• Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases.

---

We put the newest spinning rods and reels through a week of rigorous testing in January for our annual Tackle Test gear reviews. The 19 spinning rods and reels we tested were scored by each team member from 60 to 100 in five categories. Those scores were then averaged to determine overall scores (see the scoresheets here). Categories were:

• PERFORMANCE: How well the product meets its intended purpose, along with how well it held up to the rigors of the test.
• BUILD QUALITY: The quality of the materials, construction and fit and finish, along with the efficiency and ease of operation of the mechanical features.
• ERGONOMICS: The overall comfort of the product, especially over the course of extended use.
• AESTHETICS: The degree to which the product is appealing to the eye.
• VALUE: Bang for your buck.

The spinning rods and reels with the highest overall score in each class earned our Editor’s Choice Award. The gear with the highest Value score in each class received our Great Buy Award.

Editors Choice Rod | Megabass Orochi X10

The Megabass Orochi X10 is an elegant looking bass wand that exudes a sense of craftsmanship. Its looks and feel heighten the anticipation of attaching a fine spinning reel and putting it to use.

One must start with the aesthetics when detailing the Orochi X10 (though there’s plenty of muscle behind the beauty). Emerald-thread-wrapped accents and a premium cork split-grip handle pop beautifully against a bronze blank that is pleasantly uncluttered with branding.

The materials and craftsmanship of the finely tuned rod reflect its Japanese heritage. Megabass overlays the carbon blank with unique organic fibers the company says are lighter than carbon and dampen unwanted vibration while enhancing the overall sensitivity of the blank. The crosshatch overlay stretches from the butt through the mid-section of the rod, providing increased strength without deadening sensitivity.

Great attention to detail was paid to the space-age-looking IES reel seat. It checks the aesthetics box but is also incredibly comfortable when retrieving a lure. A slight bulge in the cork grip nestles deep within the palm for increased surface contact and maximum sensitivity. As one tester commented, the rod boasts “incredible ergonomics for all-day comfort.”

The performance of the Orochi rises to match its beauty and comfort, with evaluators applauding the superb sensitivity, wonderful balance and crisp action. Our 7-foot, medium-light rod directed weightless soft plastics with ease while maintaining enough backbone through the midsection to deliver the hook point with a sweep of the rod. When pulling a lure along the bottom, one can virtually trace the changes in the composition of the lake bed from the rod’s sensitivity.

As a final touch of class to this magnificent rod series, Megabass includes a custom rod sleeve stating the rod model for quick reference.

The MSRP for all four spinning models in the Orochi X10 series is $399, and the spinning series includes lengths of 6 feet 8 inches, 6 feet 10 inches, 6 feet 11 inches and 7 feet in various powers and actions. The Orochi X10 topped the charts with all evaluators, elevating it to our Editor’s Choice award in spinning rods.

Editors Choice Reel | Shimano Vanford 2500 HG

With an increased need for spinning gear in bass fishing due to the finesse tactics associated with live sonar, the design of the new Shimano Vanford reflects the demands of these open-water techniques. Featuring a lightweight frame designed for agile movements and a bail that engages quickly, it’s ideal for the start-and-stop techniques employed with a jig-head minnow in open water. Even if you’re not a forward-facing-sonar convert, you’ll benefit from the heightened performance of this sleek, perfectly balanced reel.

Aesthetically, the look of the gray reel frame with its smooth angles and subtle red accents can be likened to a fine sports car. The appearance almost hints there are horses under the hood, ready to run.

High-end technologies abound throughout the reel. Shimano has shaved weight off the Vanford with a lighter MGL rotor, titanium bail and ultra-light CI4+ frame. The brand’s Anti-Twist Fin, a flexible polymer fin near the line roller, keeps tension on the line when the bail is closed to minimize frustrating line twist.

Shimano’s finely cut Micro-Module II gears provide greater surface area at the mesh point, resulting in a silky-smooth and quiet retrieve. During testing, the Vanford was used to deftly work wacky-rigged stick worms and soft-plastic jerkbaits around shallow vegetation, and the many upgrades were evident in the overall performance of the reel.

The Vanford is offered in six sizes, from a diminutive 500 series to a giant 5000 series. Our test reel was a 2500-series, a size commonly found on bass boats throughout the country, that weighed 6.2 ounces and had a gear ratio of 5.8:1.

The new Vanford delivers over-the-top performance with a reasonable MSRP of $249.99. It was the runaway favorite among the test team, making it the Editor’s Choice in spinning reels.

Great Buy Rod | Abu Garcia Veritas

The Veritas is a familiar name among Abu Garcia’s rod lineup, and the improvements to the latest iteration of the spinning series were quickly acknowledged by the test team. The Veritas was frequently mentioned as surprisingly lightweight and sensitive given the $99.95 MSRP, rivaling some more pricey competitors.

The exceptional casting distance with small finesse worms was also appreciated.Indeed, the Veritas has a quick, responsive tip that zipped lures through the stiff Florida breeze. Just as impressive was being able to feel a subtle “tick” when a bass touched the worm as it fell near shoreline vegetation. When battling a bass, the 7-foot Veritas flexed into a deep parabolic bend to properly distribute the load across the length of the blank.

Abu Garcia states it has reduced the weight of the new Veritas by 5 percent while increasing sensitivity by 15 percent thanks to the Powerlux resin system. Titanium-alloy guides trim grams from the overall weight, while zirconium inserts resist damage from braided lines.

The ergonomic custom reel seat remains very comfortable after extended use, and the exposed blank where the thumb rests enhances sensitivity. A hook keeper just ahead of the foregrip neatly stows the lure while in transit.

The Veritas has a distinctive look with an all-black butt section that abruptly transitions to white just past the foregrip. The black EVA foam that accents the foregrip and butt cap complements the look of the rod and adds a touch of comfort.

There are six spinning models in the revamped Veritas line, from lengths of 6 feet 6 inches to 7 feet 6 inches in assorted actions. Our 7-foot, medium-action test sample met expectations for its designated action and is versatile enough to fit a wide range of light-line applications.

With the demand for spinning tackle on the rise in freshwater fishing, anglers of all skill levels will find the pleasing performance of the Veritas worthy of investment. The price makes the Veritas a slam-dunk value in spinning rods and worthy of our Great Buy award.

Great Buy Reel | Daiwa Regal LT3000D-CXH

In the “space race” among reel manufacturers to reduce frame weight without sacrificing quality, Daiwa delivers with the affordable new Regal LT series. With an MSRP of only $69.99, the light feel, clean look and smooth performance of the Regal LT is destined to please anglers of all skill levels and budgets.

Daiwa trimmed the overall weight of the new Regal to 7.2 ounces by incorporating proprietary materials, such as a composite Zaion V body and a lightweight AirDrive rotor.

Rotational balance from the AirDrive rotor is noticeable throughout the retrieve, avoiding the “clunkiness” pervasive in other reels in this price range. The weight and balance of the reel frame will pair nicely with your favorite spinning rod.

The team was also pleased with the smooth, quiet operation of the reel during the retrieve, derived from Daiwa’s DigiGear technology that creates a smoother mesh point between the drive and pinion gears. It’s a nice addition that enhances the total experience and value of a budget-friendly reel.

The ergonomics leave nothing to be desired, with a big cranking knob and a drag adjustment dial that’s easy to manipulate when preoccupied with fighting a bass.

Speaking of drag, Daiwa’s ATD (Automatic Tournament Drag) is enhanced with an improved grease that is of low viscosity while at rest but becomes more viscous during use. Experience on the water revealed the drag worked accordingly, remaining smooth without surging when landing a bass. Maxing out at 22 pounds, the ATD has all the strength needed to handle any freshwater gamefish.

The Regal LT is offered in a variety of sizes to suit multiple freshwater applications. Our size-3000 model had a deep spool that held 280 yards of 10-pound flurocarbon.With a light, compact frame, smooth rotational balance and plenty of functionality at a bargain price, the Daiwa Regal LT defines the term “Great Buy” in spinning reels.