Great American Rod Shoot out part II-ML Spinning rods

[earthworm77]

The Great American Rod Shootout part II
By Craig DeFronzo

Having already compared bait casting rods, flipping sticks in general, spinning rods are a natural next choice. I have spent a great deal of the last 20 years using many brands of spinning rods. They have been instrumental for me as I picked up light tackle techniques and learned how to use them correctly. We are going to focus on Medium Light action rods for this shoot out. For spinning applications the ML is a very good action that can handle large fish with little problem and makes even smaller fish challenging. I can utilize a full arsenal of baits in the ML action. ML spinning rods have smallmouth bass written all over them although they will handle just about any species. There really are so many options available today an angler could get lost when trying to decide on which rod would be suit his or her needs. Keep in mind that cheaper is not better with rods but at the same time, you shouldnÌt need to take out a home equity loan to purchase a new quiver of rods.

Bass Pro Shops Extreme 6-8 ML EX68MLS 79.99
This is one of the newer offerings from Bass Pro Shops. The EX68MLS is a completely new look Extreme rod that features a cool split handle design. The butt end and reel seat cork are separated and the blank exposed. I like this feature on any rod. The truth is that the 6-8 Extreme ML is actually a medium to medium heavy action. You can see by the exposed blank that the diameter of the blank in the butt section is enormous. Although it isnÌt a true ML, it is a solid rod. You can throw literally any bait on it from the smallest tubes to the largest worms. It has power, strength and backbone. It features HM-54 graphite, Fuji Concept guides and has the right amount of them for its length. I donÌt know why BPS retooled the handle design without changing the reel seat screw down system and keeping the fore grip. I do like their screw down system better than just about any other on the market but it just doesnÌt go with the split handle design. I would have liked to see a Tennessee system where I could simply tape my reel onto the cork. This would cut down on weight.

On the water: This rod despite being heavier in action than it is labeled is adequate as a multi purpose rod. IÌve used it to drop shot, fish tubes and slider fish with in the same trip. It has brute backbone and strength. Setting the hook solidly is no problem. The rod may not load as well as some others in this shootout but it did so adequately.

Kudos: I like to see BPS getting innovative. The split handle is a cool addition to the line up. I might have preferred a Tennessee type reel seat that is held in place with rings or tape.

Quirks: Although I like the redesigned split handle, I feel as if the rod is out of balance with the screw down seat system. The rod is also a bit on the heavy side. The rod is way too stiff to be a ML rod. This rod is also very top heavy.

What it means: The Extreme series has always been a good value in rods. I can recommend them with the notion IÌd be steering someone in the right direction. This particular rod however is not a ML rod therefore I couldnÌt recommend it as such. I think the fact that BPS offers a weight system for this rod explains that it is out of balance. I wish they would design this rod that it is in balance so you wouldnÌt need to use a weight system to make it right. Too heavy.

Final Score 7

Bass Pro Shops Bionic Blade 6-6 ML BB66MLS 59.99
I suppose that since I was critical of the Extreme, I should shoot down its less expensive BPS relative. Not so here. The Blade series is likely the best value in rods today for the budget conscious angler. Crafted on IM8 graphite and equipped with Fuji Concept guides, this series is king of the low dollar price range. They really are good rods and for the bulk of my early fishing career, took up most of the slots on my rod racks. The BB66MLS is a true ML action rod. It features solid backbone with a soft, forgiving tip. Again, BPS has placed the correct number of guides on the rod. I love the screw down reel seat that this model offers. I do not like competitors version that feature too much plastic. This one is all cork covered and cuts down on blisters or sore hands from a full daysÌ use.

On the water: The Blade feels great whether you are drop shotting or burning a light crank bait through the shallows. It loads up nicely when a fish strikes and provides solid backbone to handle large fish while at the same time providing sport for even the smaller ones. The soft, forgiving tip is nice as well. This is a good rod.

Kudos: This is a great little rod and very much a great value. What it lacks in glamour, it makes up in performance. This is truly a rod that puts function before form. You do not get fancy bells and whistles here, instead you get the essential meat and potatoes and it really works out. Great warranty.

Quirks: Some mass produced rods are prone to being finished a little sloppy. These Bionic Blades do unfortunately sometimes have excess glue visible on some of the guides and tip. The cork is not always perfect. I would prefer to see the rear grip of this rod shortened about 2 inches over all.

What it means: The BB66MLS is indeed a great rod for anglers on a budget. Even anglers with extra cash to throw around would be well served by using it. I like the rod. I fish for function and not form so the sloppy glue or cork doesnÌt concern me all that much on a 59.99 rod. If it were more expensive, IÌd likely be annoyed. In all, this rod will likely out perform many more expensive models and its relative cost to performance ratio is excellent. I rate this rod 8.5. This is a great rating and a great value.

Final score 8.5

Loomis IMX PR8400S 7ft ML 250.00
Well, what can I tell you about this 250.00 high end, high dollar rod from world famous Loomis? Not much because they donÌt tell you the graphite they use, they donÌt list the components either. Now fishing with the rod, I did notice that it was very light and responsive. IÌd say it was slightly on the heavy end of ML but still within an acceptable range to me. It is a very fast rod. It is stiff despite its thin blank diameter. IÌm surely not a fan of Loomis products despite actually owning a couple but this rod certainly fished rather well. It surely will have your back no matter what you want to throw. It handles baits up to 1/2oz as its sticker rates it but that is a bit heavy for a true ML.

On the water: Simply put, the IMX fishes well. It has the strength and power to handle big fish and the smooth loading you would expect from a 250.00 rod.

Kudos: This Loomis rod is smooth, it fishÌs nicely with a good combination of strength and sensitivity. It is constructed well.

Quirks: It kills me to know that there are guys out there who would buy a Loomis rod without actually knowing what type of graphite it is made out of or what components come stock on it. If this was a 99.00 rod, maybe I could see that as not being really important but this rod costs 250.00. Ignorance is not bliss. I really need to know if IÌm going to drop that much coin on it.

What it means: This rod doesnÌt fish 200.00 better that the BPS Bionic Blade. With that said, yes, it is more polished and clean, yes it looks nicer and yes owning one is more prestigious but it isnÌt worth the extra money. IÌd stay away unless I won Lotto and wanted to show my equipment off and I do own an IMX. This rod rates 7.5. If it was less expensive it certainly would rate higher. It is a performer but not a value.

Final score 7.5


St Croix Legend Elite 6-6 ML ES66MLF 300.00
My loathing for St Croix rods was apparent in the flipping rod shootout but the Legend Elite series is actually very well constructed and the ML entry is a good solid rod. A pleasure to fish. These rods feature SiC guides in the correct number on Titanium lightweight frames, and SCV Graphite. What that is though, I am unsure. Elite rods feature a graphite reel seat that tightens from screwing down the bottom rather than the top as most others do. This cuts down on blisters and discomfort. I like that. The rods are fairly light and actions are true. Keep in mind that this is a 300.00 rod. I expect its components and actions to be top notch and flawless.

On the water: Unlike my Premiere, I didnÌt break this one. It was actually refreshing to fish. I liked its overall weight, I liked its responsiveness. It is a great rod. This was not my rod and I did baby it. I didnÌt want to damage the rod. I didnÌt Bo Jackson it like I did the Premiere, before I hurled it into the drink after it snapped on me.

**Note to self, next time remove the Scorpion 1001 before throwing temper tantrum.

***Note to self, you were lucky you know a diver in the area who thought it was cool to receive a mission to retrieve said Scorpion 1001.

Kudos: Simply put, this rod fishÌs like a 300.00 rod should. I expected it to be good and it was. Reel seat was a refreshing change from what you find on most of todayÌs rods.

Quirks: I do not know what SCV graphite is. It scares me to think that several rod companies may indeed call these materials something exclusive to their factory name in order to deceive customers into thinking their graphite is some major new technology. I certainly would need to know what this rod is made of to purchase one comfortably. What am I saying, this rod is 300.00. Tell me what it is made out of.

What it means: If I accidentally purchased this rod I would check myself into the psychiatric ward likely quicker than my wife would put me in there if she found out I bought a 300.00 rod. The price does not justify the product here. Sorry St. Croix fans, it is a great rod but at 300.00 they can keep it. My rating for this rod is 8 based on the value to performance level of the rod. It should be lower for the price but this is a great rod. If this was a 150.00 rod, it might be a 10. It isnÌt, and itÌs an 8.

Final Score 8

CabelaÌs Fish Eagle XML XCLS664-1 139.99
CabelaÌs has quietly become a major player in rod industry. They offer some high quality sticks that reek of Fenwick construction. The Fish Eagle XML is a 64 million modulus spiral core technology blank. It is light and responsive. It does feature a fairly uncomfortable screw down reel seat. I would likely have to place some type of wrap on it for all day comfort. Alconite guides come stock on these wands in the right quantity. ThatÌs a good thing.

On the water: This rod fished nicely. It loads nicely and dampens out smoothly. It is not over powering and it features true ML action. I liked the backbone of the rod and the softer than average tip. I managed to knock one of the guides loose throughout my day on the water with it, likely my fault.

Kudos: This is a nice rod with good components, Alconite guides are a plus.

Quirks: I hate the reel seat and its screw down design. I felt that it was slightly top heavy. I knocked a guide loose.

What it means: The XML is a decent rod. IÌm not so sure it fishes better than the Bionic Blade though. It is average in price and the components are good quality. This rod rates a 7.5

Final Score 7.5

Kistler California series Drop Shot 6-9 ML KDSS69 139.00
After instantly falling for the Helium Series, I decided to look for a drop shot rod made by Kistler. As luck would have it this California series rod is actually labeled the Drop Shot special. The rod features IM7 graphite. It has quality guides and features KistlerÌs Smart Touch reel seat design, a no fore grip design that I just love. Its 6ft 9 inch length is ideal for the exact balance required while drop shotting. The soft tip action helps to feel the slightest strikes and the hidden backbone can pull those lunkers out of the depths in a hurry. Black plated, low profile, stainless steel guides with braid proof ceramic rings come standard. I liked the relative shortness of the rear grip as well. All too often many companies overpower a rod by putting on a rear cork grip that is much too large for the action and length of the rod.

On the water: IÌll admit it, I cheated, I didnÌt actually use this rod for drop shotting the first time out nor for the testing. I stitched some split shot worms, wacky rigged a 3Ó Stick bait, chucked a 3/16oz spinnerbait and a 1/8oz BagleyÌs Honey B crankbait with no problems at all. I even used a grub on a darter head and this rod handled all of that with ease. The rod is light in weight and a true ML rod. It features excellent backbone. I like the components. Remember, this is a custom rod. It offers a handy hook holder you just wonÌt find on any other brand. The lack of a fore grip is nice when you are fishing lures that demand your attention and when you must rely on feel. The rod flexes well under strain and dampens smoothly.

Kudos: This is a good custom rod with some wicked innovations. Built on an IM7 blank, you wouldnÌt know it as this rod is as sensitive and powerful as rods that utilize higher modulus graphite. Clean rods with excellent finishes and they are put together neatly. Great warranty. Great innovation.

Quirks: The only thing I donÌt love about this rod is the fact that I prefer a softer reel seat. When my hand rubs all day against plastic or edges, it gets roughed up. Adding a wrap solves this problem. But it isnÌt a serious problem to start with.

What it means: I think the Kistler D/S rod is one of the best spinning rods on the market. At 139.00 per, it surely doesnÌt break the bank. Considering what your 139.00 gets you, a solid taste of custom rod ownership, and innovation, I think it is very value oriented. It is impressive to see a company take an intermediate grade of graphite and turn around a high performance rod that fishes better than rods costing double the price. The performance to value ratio is very high. I would rate this rod a 9.

Final Score 9


I think that every angler wants to purchase the best rod for the money. I think the two clear winners of this comparison are the Bionic Blade and the Kistler California Series Drop Shot rod. If I didnÌt have more than 100.00 to spend on a rod, the Bionic Blade would be my clear choice. If I had a little more, I would get the Kistler. ThatÌs the bottom line. Although there were some high dollar rods in this installment, none impressed me enough to make me become a convert. With that said, why would an angler spend that kind of money. The Loomis and St. Croix rods are very good but can anyone really tell me that they are worth 250.00 and 300.00 respectively and do they really fish the difference in price better than the Blade or Kistler? I doubt it highly. What does that extra money get you? Until I know, I can't recomend those brands.

I recently looked at the latest BPS X-Mas catalog and noticed that both the Extreme and Blade were priced 20.00 higher. I don't know if I simply missed this or if this price increase is brand new for the holidays. Either way, I think the Blade is worth it, obviously a fantastic value at 59.99 but at 79.99 it is still reasonable. Perhaps knock off .5 to make the score for it an 8. As for the Extreme, I'm not really recommending it to anyone, in fact with a price increase, I'd expect you'd look elsewhere and hopefully toward the Kistler California series rod.