Light weight is the hallmark of most of these fishing rods, which include spinning models for inshore fishing, conventional rods for jigging and trolling around offshore reefs and wrecks and sturdy bluewater offerings for taming big tunas, marlin and swordfish. All were on display at the 2018 ICAST international tackle trade show in Orlando. Some are available now and the others will be in tackle stores later this year.
Accurate Valiant
Accurate’s first rod line, the new Valiant rods were built specifically to complement the California company’s Valiant reels because anglers couldn’t find rods that were light enough and strong enough for the small but powerful conventional reels
Key Features
The lightweight composite rods are designed to match the Valiant 300 through 600 reels
There are 12 rods in four lengths: 6 feet, 8 inches, 7 feet, 7-6 and 8 feet
Of the 12 Valiant rod and reel combinations, nine have a total weight of less than 2 pounds
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Available: August 2018 Doug Olander / Sport Fishing
G. Loomis E6X Inshore
The E6X Inshore Series rods, which were introduced in 2015, have been redesigned to improve their durability and balance
Key Features
Three casting and 11 spinning models ranging from 6 feet, 6 inches to 8 feet for live bait or lures for everything from tarpon to trout
AdvertisementEach rod is crafted for a particular fishery and style of fishing, such as soft plastics used on braided line with a medium-size spinning reel for redfish
Full-cork fore and rear grips and a more streamlined reel seat on spinning rods; all rods have a buff blank finish
Available: Shipping now to retail outlets Courtesy G. Loomis
St. Croix Mojo Yak
Voted the Best Saltwater Rod at ICAST, the rugged Mojo Yak is designed for kayak fishing
Key Features
Six spinning and two casting models in 7-foot and 7-foot, 6-inch lengths made of premium, high-modulus SCIII graphite that can handle frequent bumps against a fiberglass kayak
Custom Winn split-grip handles; the tacky grips offer a better hold when wet, which is the norm when fishing from a kayak
Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with aluminum-oxide rings and black frames and a Kigan hook-keeper
Available: September 2018 Courtesy St. Croix
Hanta Moto 80-2 and 79-8
These newest lightweight rods pack a lot of power for catching big snook and stripers inshore or yellowfin and bluefin tuna offshore
Key Features
Both two-piece rods are made from a blend of carbons
The 80-2 has a spigot joint in the center of the 8-foot rod while the 7-foot, 9-inch 79-8 has the company’s traditional butt joint
The 80-2, which weighs just 10.4 ounces, is rated for 15- to 30-pound line; the 12.875-ounce 79-8 is designed for 80- to 130-pound line
Available: September 2018 Steve Waters / Sport Fishing
Okuma Ricky Red Signature Series
These new inshore rods were designed and tested by Capt. Rick Murphy, a South Florida-based guide and TV fishing show host, for bonefish, sea trout, redfish and snook
Key Features
Four 7-foot and four 7-foot, 6-inch spinning models, three 6-6 casting rods and one 7-footer
Lightweight 24-ton carbon blanks; the red-colored rods have a one-year limited warranty
Components chosen by Murphy include Fuji aluminum oxide guide inserts for braided line, premium Fuji reel seat and cork fore and rear grips
Available: August 2018 Courtesy Okuma
Shimano GLF
The new GLFs are built to match the demands of Gulf Coast anglers who target redfish, sea trout or flounder
Key Features
Lightweight 30-ton hybrid blanks, Shimano custom reel seats and titanium oxide guides
Four casting models ranging from 6 feet, 6 inches to 7 feet with shorter handles for wade fishing and four spinning models ranging from 6-6 to 7-6
Medium power rods can handle 8- to 14-pound monofilament line or 15- to 30-pound PowerPro braided line. Medium light rods are rated for 6- to 12-pound mono and 10- to 30-pound PowerPro.
Available: August 2018 Courtesy Shimano
13 Fishing Fate Green
The Clearwater, Florida, company introduced its newest line of inshore fishing rods after 18 months of developing the different Fate Green tapers with local guides
Key Features
Six casting models ranging from 6 feet, 7 inches to 7-6 and six spinning rods ranging from 7-1 to 7-6
Power offerings include medium light, medium and medium heavy, all with fast actions
30-ton HTC3 blanks with Evolve Engage reel seats, tangle-free guides with zirconium inserts and cork grips
Available: Shipping now to retailers Steve Waters / Sport Fishing
Daiwa Proteus WN
These eye-catching new rods have comfortable, blue D-VEC Winn Grip polymer wraps similar to what you’d find on a good set of golf clubs and a limited lifetime warranty
Key Features
Seven conventional rods and two spinning models designed for everything from sailfish and tarpon on the Atlantic coast to bluefin tuna and yellowtail on the West coast
Fuji reel seats with woven carbon inserts; Fuji FazLite ring guides, which offer more protection against corrosion than stainless guides
Braiding-X carbon fiber, which results in a criss-cross pattern that makes the rod lighter and much stronger while keeping its diameter small
Available: Now at tackle stores Steve Waters / Sport Fishing
Star Rods VPR
Five new models join the VPR line of spinning and conventional rods for inshore and offshore fishing
Key Features
Four of the rods are 7 feet, 6 inches long and the fifth is 8 feet; previously, the longest VPR rod was 7 feet
Blanks are made of specially formulated high-modulus multi-directional graphite with a nano resin for increased strength and reduced weight
Inshore spinning rods have cork handles
Available: Now at authorized dealers Steve Waters / Sport Fishing
