GEARING UP
1 lew ’ s 2022 xd cranking series
All models $ 149.99 | lews . com
Brilliant design at an even more brilliant price , the new Lew ’ s 2022 XD Cranking Series ( announced in the second half of 2021 ) was designed with the explicit goal of giving anglers the perfect cranking sticks to pair with the Strike King XD series of crankbaits . Though these rods are undoubtedly well-suited for other crankbaits , Lew ’ s made it a point to tailor each of its five new models to the XD series in particular , with each model corresponding to one of the five sizes of XD baits ( 3XD , 5XD , 6XD , 8XD and 10XD ) for perfect tuning on every cast . Constructed with HM50 graphite and S Glass hybrid blanks , SeaGuide X- Frame guides , Lew ’ s SoftTouch graphite skeletal reel seats and full-handle Winn Dri-Tac Ultra grips , every model offers excellent quality at a tremendous price point . Models range from 7-3 to 7-10 with powers and actions to ma tch .
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2 shimano expride b
$ 279.99 –$ 299.99 | fish . shimano . com
A redesign of the popular Expride A line ( which was itself a redesign of the original Exprides ), Shimano updated several key features for the new Expride B series – most notably , a hollow carbon monocoque handle that ’ s meant to allow vibration to travel all the way down the rod and into anglers ’ hands for 30 percent more sensitivity . Fuji SiC guides cut down on overall weight , as does a CI4 + reel seat , creating a rod that ’ s every bit as good as the prior generation – only better . The Expride B lineup consists of 22 different models ( 16 casting and six spinning ) with a model for every technique . Lengths available from 6-foot-10 to 7-2 ( spinning ) and 6-10 to 8-foot ( casting ) in powers from medium-light to extra-extraheavy and actions from moderate to extra-fast , meaning anglers can have a rod available for everything from finesse to power .
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3 abu garcia fantasista x
$ 299.99 –$ 329.99 | abugarcia . com
Abu Garcia has completed a redesign of one of its most popular rods , rolling out the Fantasista X lineup at ICAST 2021 as an upgrade over the Fantasista Premier series . The Fantasista X offers many of the great features found in the prior generation with some notable improvements that include molded carbon split grips to cut down on weight and increase sensitivity as well as strong , lightweight titanium alloy guides with zirconium inserts for better balance and casting . Abu Garcia built the Fantasista X lineup around its proprietary Powerlux 500 resin system for an unbeatable strength-to-weight ratio . Nine casting and four spinning models available from 6-10 medium-light to 7-6 medium ( spinning ) and 6-10 medium-light to 7-11 extra-heavy ( casting ).
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MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | APRIL-MAY 2022