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CB Rod Wars Part
10: Crankin' with Carrots, That's E21's 21
Carrot Gold
Since ICAST 2007 our email
boxes and discussion forum have been full or requests for review on a particular
product. This product was touted as being the first in the industry with
bio-fibers integrated into the blank to supplement the graphite at a time when
graphite supplies were growing more scarce... |
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CB Rod Wars Part
8: Daiwa’s Steez Fle-X-Lite Cranking Sticks are Scary Slick
As the crankbait rod wars
continue we turn our attention to the premium Steez Fle-X-Lite from Daiwa and
see if this rod is worth the high price of admission. These all graphite rods
are designed to be the ultimate cranking rods when it comes to weight and
sensitivity while still offering fiberglass flexibility. |
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CB Rod Wars Part #7 :
Our First Detailed Look at Dobyns Rods Gen 2 Product
With ICAST 2009 coverage
wrapping up it is time
to get back to the
Crankbait Rod Wars. At the onset of our Year of the Crank field work back in the fall of 2008, we already had on hand, several sticks from various manufacturers. One of these manufacturers was Dobyns Rods... |
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Kistler Custom Rods Returns to Form with Micro Rods and Custom, Build to Order Rods
One company formerly at the forefront at this type of risk has been relatively quiet over the past couple of years. Kistler
Custom rods was well known for bringing custom rod features and technology to
the forefront and assuming the risk of providing these features on a mass
production rod |
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Phenix Rods Takes Flight With Their Ultra MBX 707H
Officially, we’ve only
scratched the surface of
product remaining to
evaluate. Unofficially,
we like what we’ve seen
from this reborn rod
manufacturer so far.
Next up? A seven foot,
seven inch, heavy
powered graphite stick.
Introducing Phenix Rods’
Ultra MBX 707H fishing
rod.
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The Sticks With an Adjustable Backety Back : Introducing Mattlures Swimbait Rods
Matt Servant, the
company’s owner and
namesake has really
cranked it up himself
this year with the
launch of his series of
unbelievably realistic hardbaits. As if that weren’t enough, he now has his name on a full set of swimbait sticks. |
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First Look: Skeet Reese Signature Series Tessera Rods
Wright & McGill Company released information on the new Skeet Reese Signature Series Tessera rods that will be debuted at
ICAST in just a few weeks. The initial lineup will include models specifically deigned by Skeet for a specific technique that will help you catch more fish. |
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CB Rod Wars Part #6:
Lucky Craft's Fat Mini Magic
After several starts, stops, and rumored OEM sources, Japanese Lure Manufacturing giant, Lucky Craft has finally landed on North American Shores with their own line of fishing rods. As a detail that I’m sure comes as no surprise to anyone, each of their rods are Lucky Craft lure specific. |
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CB Rod Wars Part #3 : New Kid on the Block Damiki
When we came to the
decision that 2009 would
be the Year of the Crank
here on TackleTour, this new manufacturer was one of the first we contacted to see if they wanted to take part in our Crankbait Rod Wars. We’re happy to report, their response was an overwhelming yes, and here is our report on the Damiki Dark Angel C761M-CR Medium Cranking Stick |
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CB Rod Wars Part 2 : Is It Jackall's Year?
The Jackall Poison rods are site to behold and are quite befitting what we’ve come to expect from a rod designed for the JDM
market – right down to
their customized rod
sleeves. Imagine
our added excitement to
learn, included in their
rod lineup are not just
one, but two rods
intended for throwing
cranks. |
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It's Time to Crank It Up and Blow Out the Locker Door: Presenting Our 2009 Crankbait Rod Wars Lineup!
It's now Spring and
while there are a few
key manufacturers still
missing from our planned
battles, we are no
longer holding back.
That's right, let the
flood gates open as we
present our lineup for
the 2009 Crankbait Rod Wars! |
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Power, Value, and a Great Hook Keeper are all
attributes of Harmonix rods
Have you heard of Reel Time
Designs? Perhaps their innovative hook hanger will jog your memory. The company
has a patent on a well known drop-shot weight keeper system, and this system has now been incorporated into the company's own branded rod
series called "Harmonix."
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Does the Daiwa Zillion TDZL74XHFB Have
"IT" for Swimbaits?
When we debuted our
article on the
TDZL691MHXB proclaiming
Daiwa had brought the
"IT" factor with their
new TD Zillion Rods, the
first questions we got
back were, what about
the swimbait stick? |
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Winter Jerkbait Fishing with St.
Croix’s Application Specific Legend Tournament Rod
St. Croix continues to
ratchet up their bass offerings and the Legend Tournament series are designed to
appeal to serious bass anglers looking for truly application specific rods. Over
the course of two winter seasons we put the “Jerkbait” rod in the company’s
series to the test. |
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PRODUCTTPREVIEW :
Dobyns Rods TNG (The Next Generation)
It was just two short
years ago the bass
fishing market out West
was abuzz in
anticipation of Gary
Dobyns' debut of his
new, namesake rods and
rod company. And now, TT
is proud to announce
your exclusive first
peak at Dobyns Rods
Generation 2 (g2). |
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Shimano's new Ultra Durable Voltaeus Rods
are also Lightweight
Shimano introduces a brand new line of ultra durable rods under the new
"Voltaeus" series. These
rods are designed to be
extremely durable yet
also extremely
lightweight with a
proprietary construction
that fuses carbon and
T-glass together to form
a light, sensitive, and
extremely durable rod. |
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CB Rod Wars Part 1:
Mixing it up with Phenix’s X10
Phenix has reinvented
itself as a company and
their new rods boast new
materials and styling
that effectively
modernize the brand. Our
first official review
from this manufacturer
is the X10, which is
also the first entry
into our Crankbait Rod
Wars. |
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Finally! Our Take on the Steez Eight Foot Flipping Stick
When we first held this
stick at ICAST 2007, we
could not believe how
light and relatively
balanced it felt. After
the show concluded we
were left to wonder was
it all an ICAST illusion
or did this rod really
feel that great in hand? |
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Can't Find Exactly What You Need in a New Rod? Maybe It's Time You Considered Custom!
When compromise is not
an option, the next
logical step is to go
custom, but to the
uninitiated, this route
can be a daunting path
and one where the
question of worth will
always surface. What do
you think? Are you ready
to go custom? |
