G-Rods is the first company to use graphene to build a fishing rod

Impressions: Before we talk fishing it is first time to put on your nerd glasses. To understand what the “G” in “G-Rods” really means we first need to delve into what the material that is “graphene,” and why it even matters in terms of integration into a fishing rod. Graphene is basically an atomic scale hexagonal lattice made of carbon atoms. Say what?

Graphene is a atomic scale hexagonal lattice made of carbon atoms

Scientists have theorized about the existence graphene for a long time, and even unknowingly produced it in small quantities through the use of graphite in items as simple as pencils. The material was first observed in electron microscopes in 1962 but it was not until 2004 when it was isolated and characterized by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov at the University of Manchester, a discovery that would ultimately lead to the two of them winning the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010.

G-Rods uses a split grip design

Since then graphene has been described by many scientists as a “wonder material” as it possesses some very interesting and useful properties, including being about 200 times as strong as steel, an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity, and in pure form it is nearly transparent. As you might expect that combination of strength and transfer of energy makes this material particularly interesting when it comes to an application such as a fishing rod. Today the material is being used across multiple industries and uses for the material continue to develop. Most of the uses of graphene today center within the semiconductor, energy, and composites industries.

The reel seat is Fuji ASCM

So how does G-Rod’s leverage this unique material in rods? The team recognized that by using graphene in combination with more conventional carbon they could create a rod that would be light, durable, and also very sensitive. In their blanks G-Rods utilizes four layers of graphene sandwiched between Toray IK carbon, unidirectional carbon, and X carbon, to create each of their rods.

A Fuji hook hanger is placed at the rear of the split grip

In terms of styling the G-Rod BA-7MH-C features a clean design that lets the carbon really be the star. Gloss is kept to a minimum, just the way I like it, and the matte blank and both the epoxy and threadwork is excellent throughout. Not a lot of color on this rod, just a silver logo, silver threading, and aluminum components, including the very slick looking reel seat clamp.

This is a very clean looking rod, not a lot of fancy colors here, and we actually really like the simple yet elegant styling

Next Section: Graphene put to the test