(Article by Field & Stream)
Top 5 Bass RodsKEY / U=Ultra • L=Light • M=Medium • H=Heavy • Mod=Moderate • F=Fast • X=Extra
Brand Rating Description Specs Cost
G. Loomis GLX 97.5 American-made perfection—or at least very, very near to it. 6'8" • Casting • HF • 5/16–3/4 oz. $445
St. Croix Legend Glass 97 Most amazing glass rod you’ll ever own. Missed the win by half a point. 7'4" • Casting • MHMod • 3/8–1 oz. $250
Kistler KLX Feel N Reel 92 Solid overall performance and casts like a dream. 7'2" • Casting • MHMod • 1/4–1 oz. $250
13 Fishing Muse Black 89.5 A nice stick that scored well in every test category. 7'4" • Casting • HF • 3/8–11/2 oz. $205
St. Croix Bass X 86.5 Top-shelf feel and finish. Overall, a great value. 7'1" • Spinning • MF • 3/16–5/8 oz. $100
Top 5 Catfish RodsKEY / U=Ultra • L=Light • M=Medium • H=Heavy • Mod=Moderate • F=Fast • X=Extra
Brand Rating Description Specs Cost
Whisker Seeker Chad Ferguson 95 Versatile and strong, it’ll handle any cat you hook. 9'6" • Casting • HF • 1–12 oz. $95
Berkley TEC Cat Hunter 91.5 A stellar performer. Great for all but the biggest cats. 8' • Spinning • MHF • 1–4 oz. $100
Berkley Mudcat 83 The third best catfish rod overall costs only $40. 6'6" • Casting • MMod • 1/2–3 oz. $40
Berkley Glowstick 81.5 An innovative design with solid performance to back it up. 6'6" • Casting • MHMod • 1/2–3 oz. $50
Ugly Stik Bigwater 66 Decent all-around performance. Best suited for channel cats. 6'6" • Spinning • M • 1/2–3 oz. $60
Top 5 Muskie RodsKEY / U=Ultra • L=Light • M=Medium • H=Heavy • Mod=Moderate • F=Fast • X=Extra
Brand Rating Description Specs Cost
Okuma SCT Musky 97.5 Top-of-the-line muskie stick at a great price. 9'3" • Casting • XHMF/F • 4–16 oz. $200
Temple Fork Outfitters Big Fish Rod 97 This brute of a stick just missed the top spot. 9'6" • Casting • XXXH • Lure Rating n/a $280
Okuma EVx B-Series Musky 88.5 Absolutely the best muskie stick you’ll find at this price. 8'6" • Casting • XHMF/F • 4–12 oz. $120
13 Fishing Muse Black Swimbait Series 87.5 It casts anything and everything, beautifully. 8'6" • Casting • XXHF• 14–22 oz. $235
Lew’s Custom Speed Stick Super Duty 4 85 A light stick that handles heavy baits with ease 7'11" • Casting • XHMF • 3–10 oz. $180
Top 5 Panfish or Trout RodsKEY / U=Ultra • L=Light • M=Medium • H=Heavy • Mod=Moderate • F=Fast • X=Extra
Brand Rating Description Specs Cost
Fitzgerald Rods Vursa Series 94.5 Superlightweight and incredibly sensitive. 6'9" • Spinning • MModF • 1/8–5/8 oz. $130
Lew’s Wally Marshall Speed Shooter 85 Awesome stick at any price, even better at this one. 7' • Spinning • MLF • 1/64–1/4 oz. $50
Fenwick HMX Series 83.5 An incredibly sensitive and well-built rod. 5'6" • Spinning • ULModF • 1/32–1/4 oz. $80
Berkley C-Series Crappie Pro* 81.5 Great buy, quality stick. 6'6" • Spinning • LModF • Lure Rating n/a $40
B’n’M Poles Buck’s Graphite Crappie Series 81.5 An excellent caster with solid sensitivity. 6'6" • Spinning • M • Lure Rating n/a $55
Top 5 Walleye RodsKEY / U=Ultra • L=Light • M=Medium • H=Heavy • Mod=Moderate • F=Fast • X=Extra
Brand Rating Description Specs Cost
Dobyns Sierra Series 95 A walleye angler’s dream, at a fair price. 6'9" • Spinning • MLF • 1/8–1/2 oz. $160
Fenwick Aetos 91.5 Beautiful feel and finish, plus solid overall performance. 6'3" • Spinning • MLF • 1/8–1/2 oz. $200
Lew’s Mach Speed Stick 91.5 A great caster with good sensitivity for jigging. 6'9" • Spinning • MLF • 1/8–3/8 oz. $80
Daiwa Cronos Series 82.5 Decent performance in all test categories. 7'3" • Spinning • MXF • 3/16–1/2 oz. $180
Abu Garcia Vendetta 78.5 Good stick for the price, but feel and finish is a bit lacking. 6'6" • Spinning • MF • 1/8–1/2 oz. $80
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Topic: The 25 Best New Fishing Rods For 2017 (Read 2177 times)
