Evergreen International Brett Hite Combat Stick RCSS-71MH Casting Rod Product Review

Rod Review

Saving the Best for Last? Evergreen International's Brett Hite Medium Powered Casting Rod

Date:	12/20/17
Tackle Type:	Rod
Manufacturer:	Evergreen International
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 8.33 - GREAT

Introduction: From the new Jack Hammer cranking stick to the medium heavy spinning rod, we've already taken a close look at two of the new Brett Hite Combat Series rods from Evergreen International. Of course, no look at a specific series of rods would be complete without a few tests with a standard application casting rod, right? Introducing Evergreen International's Brett Hite RCSC-71M casting rod.

Evergreen Intl BH Combat RCSC-71M Specifications
Material	Unspecified Graphite
Length	7'-1"
Line Wt.	8-20lb
Lure Wt.	3/8-2oz
Pieces	One
Guides	8+tip (Fuji Alconite)
Rear Handle Length	10.25"
Power Rating	Medium
Taper	Xtra-Fast
Rod Weight	4.4oz
Origin	Made in China
MSRP	$199

Introducing Evergreen International's Brett Hite Combat Series RCSC-71M.

Impressions: Evergreen International's Brett Hite Combat Series RCSC-71M is a seven foot, one inch casting rod rated medium in power. This stick caught our attention because it carries with it a lure rating of between three eighths of an ounce up to two ounces (3/8oz - 2oz). That's a rating more typically reserved for something in the heavy to extra-heavy range in bass fishing circles.

This is a medium powered casting rod rated up to two ounces in lure weight?

Everything else about the stick is pretty standard and in line with what we saw with the RCSS-71MH spinning rod and RCSC-73HG Jack Hammer cranking stick. The RCSC-71M has the same EVA camo grip, glossy, unsanded blank, Fuji Alconite guides with stainless steel frames (double footed through the first five guides), and an Evergreen branded, Fuji reel seat. It is light, relatively well balanced but not a stick you'd expect to throw a two ounce lure with.

The rod features a split rear grip made of camo colored EVA foam.

Real World Tests: For the RCSC-71M's tests, I decided to ignore the rod's lure ratings and paired it up with two different reels. First up was Shimano Japan's Scorpion DC and second was Quantum's new PT Tour S3 baitcaster. Both were spooled with ten pound Sunline Super Natural monofilament.

The blank is unsanded but finished with a glossy clear coat.

Casting: Doing my best not to be swayed by the RCSC-71M's actual lure rating, my first goal was to discover the rod's comfortable casting range by tying on a Gamakastsu G-Finesse Tournament Snap and switching back and forth between a range of baits to get a better feel for this stick. I cast everything from a quarter ounce jig on up to a Strike King 10XD (rated at just under two ounces) and found that while the RCSC-71M can certainly cast that 10XD, it excels with lighter lures.

I much preferred the feeling of this Evergreen stick while casting lures less than ounce. In fact, once I put a Megabass of America I Jack (rated one once) on the snap and cast this bait with the RCSC-71M paired with the Scorpion DC, I almost forgot about the tests. It was just too much fun!

Guides are Fuji Alconite.

Sensitivity: To test the RCSC-71M's sensitivity, I had to interrupt my casting fun, cut off the snap, and tie on a jig. The RSCS-71M's lower end lure rating is pretty good as I found myself gravitating towards a three eighths ounce (3/8oz) jig for the rod's comfortable lower end rating. Of course, tipped with a trailer like the Strike King Rage Tail Chunk, the actual combined lure weight was a hair over 3/8oz.

Checking out the rod's xtra fast tip.

Correcting for the fact I was fishing the RCSC-71M with nylon monofilament, I found it to be pretty good in terms of sensitivity and closely in line with what I'd expect from a rod at this price point kind of reinforcing what I felt about the RCSS-71MH spinning rod. This stick would be very good fished with either braid or fluorocarbon line.

Next Section: Combat Power?