Sensitivity: I've been somewhat critical of Legit Design's Wild Side builds in this department finding the three or four rods I've fished and reviewed in this series average at best in sensitivity. I suspect the overall build is simply putting too much weight on the blanks. With the Stand Out series, Legit Design goes minimal. There is no excessive gloss coating on the blanks, the handle designs are simple, and even though the grade of graphite is lower, this SOC66L+ is very lively translating to very good sensitivity.

Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our Legit Design Stand Out SOC66L+ against the historical averages of similarly powered rods we've tested over the past twenty years

Power: The SOC66L+ carries with it a pretty standard "light" powered curve. If you look at the chart above, its deflection characteristics (red line) charts just below the average collected over the past twenty years of rods we'd consider to be a finesse power. The great majority of these sticks are spinning rods. The fact that the SOC66L+'s curve is lower, means it carries slightly more power than that average.

Spec'd as "Moderate-Fast" this stick feels as if it has a more progressive taper changing depending on the load applied to the blank

Clean detailing at the guides

On the water, thanks to that moderate-fast taper, the SOC66L+ performs perfectly in both horizontal and vertical bait presentations. There's plenty of power to hook up on light line with finesse jigs (Ned Rigs) and drop shot worms and enough give in the blank to allow fish to inhale moving presentations. Despite its shorter length, this is a surprisingly capable fishing rod.

Exposed blank reel seat

The EVA foam is sculpted with a nice winding check between the grip and reel seat

Design & Ergonomics: I touched upon it earlier, but the SOC66L+ is, from a design standpoint, just about everything its Wild Side cousins are not. The build is simple, but not plain - there are highlights and details to keep it interesting, and overall it is very light. Weighing just three and a half ounces (3.5oz). Matched with the LX992Z, overall weight of the combo is just over nine ounces! What's more, because of its shorter length, this stick is very well balanced so it just floats in your hand. All of this contributes to its surprising performance because in the end, light and balanced together wins in fishing rod design.

Detailing at the hood is very JDM-esque

Tasteful and subtle details help this rod "stand out."

Clean detail at the back of the grip

Price & Applications: A rod with JDM-esque styling and Fuji Alconite guides could easily command $300 or slightly more in today's market. Perhaps it's the grade of graphite, but Legit Design's SOC66L+ has a retail price of only $226. It is a thoroughly capable BFS rod in both vertical and horizontal bait presentations and an excellent tool to either continue or initiate your experience in this whole light line with baitcasting setups movement.

Conclusion: Whether you're into it or not, rest assured, the BFS movement is here. Nowhere has that been more evident than when last year Shimano introduced their Curado BFS. Daiwa tried more than ten years ago by bringing the PX68 over from Japan, but the masses weren't ready. In fact Shimano, Daiwa, and Abu Garcia offer several different reel options for this approach in Japan, but ordering a reel from Japan is one thing. Importing a fishing rod sight unseen and with zero warranty takes a level of dedication and commitment only the more steadfast enthusiast can muster. The true limiting factor here in the US has been the lack of available fishing rod options - "2" power rods don't quite cut it.

Unfortunately, the SOC66L+ is going to make me say it so forgive me in advance, but ... This stick is Legit

As rod manufacturers recognize this growing market, available options are growing - slowly but growing nonetheless. Legit Design's Stand Out SOC66L+ is a true JDM stick where JDM sticks dominate - bait finesse. Only it is available right here, right now, with a US backed warranty service through Arundel Tackle (please visit their website or contact them directly for the most up to date policies). Knowing the grade of graphite in the blank, I really wasn't expecting much from this rod. It truly surprised me in all the ways you want to be surprised by a fishing rod. Unfortunately, the SOC66L+ is going to make me say it so forgive me in advance, but ... This stick is Legit.

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