ARK Rods Pierces the Sub $100 Stigma with their Lancer Bass Rods

Total Score: 7.67 - GOOD

Introduction: The Invoker stick from ARK Rods we reviewed in March 2018, showed us the company's capabilities in combining a solid blank with good components in an attractive package that fished well and didn't break the bank. At ICAST 2018, the company introduced a new entry level series of rods built from an IM8 blank with a retail price set at just under ninety dollars ($90)! Can a sub $100 rod really perform? Today, we take a look at the search for one candidate within this series, the Lancer LAC73MHFC to find out.

Ark Rod's Lancer series is new for 2018.

Impressions: When investigating a new rod series, our preference is to begin with a model that best fits that "all purpose" categorization - hence the Search for One moniker. ARK Rods's Lancer LAC73MHFC is a seven foot, three inch stick made from the old school, IM8 graphite blend. Its lure rating is between one quarter ounce to one full ounce (1/4-1oz) and its line rating is ten to twenty pounds (10-20lbs). The stick's power rating is "medium heavy" which fits right into what we typically consider all purpose.

The company's logo on the grip is a nice touch.

The Lancer features a split rear grip made of grey EVA foam, an exposed blank reel seat, and a blank that is covered in a thin, glossy coat. It's built up with a simple guide train of stainless steel frames with aluminum oxide inserts.

These sticks feature a split rear grip of EVA foam.