Is Graphene The New Wonder Material? G-Rods Says Yes

Introduction: It goes without question, each year at ICAST we will happen by yet another new rod manufacturer or two, or three, or more. More often than not, there is very little to distinguish these new manufacturers from one another because the great majority of them have jumped on the bandwagon of having their rods built overseas in one of the many factories producing today's fishing rods.

There's another new rod manufacturer in town.

Sometimes, it seems all it takes is a name, a logo, a list of rod specifications, and the capital to place that first order of a thousand pieces - or whatever the minimum may be. This year, though, we happened upon a brand new company that is actually bringing something new to the table.

Using unique art to designate target species on their sticks.

G-Rods is building an entire array of sticks for multiple species with blanks made from a proprietary grahpene and Toray carbon fiber blend. That's not a typo, "graphene" is an actual material that can best be described as a thin layer of pure carbon atoms tightly packed and bonded together in a hexagonal, honeycomb lattice. It is described as the lightest material known, and the strongest compound discovered (between 100-300 times stronger than steel).

Clean, simple builds.

G-Rods Pro Series: The company is building rods to target 7 different species with a series of fly rods mixed in for 8 different categories of rods: Pro Bass; Pro Crappie; Pro Trout, Pro Striper, Pro Walleye, Pro Salmon/Steelhead; Pro Catfish; Pro Fly.

G-Rods is using graphene to reinforce the graphite material in their blanks.

Each series features blanks with specific actions and lengths tailored for the species being targeted and any relevant techniques, but all the rods feature components by Fuji, and specifically, titanium framed guides with SiC inserts.

All rods feature Fuji ti/SiC guides.

Of particular interest to our readers will be the Pro Bass series which consists of 10 different models ranging from $349.95 - $389.95 in price. The Pro Crappie rod series consists of four different models (from 8' to 12' in length) and range from $119.95 - $149.95. There are four different Pro Salmon/Steelhead rods ($379.95 - $399.95); Five Pro Trout rods ($359.95 - $399.95); 3 Pro Striper Surf rods ($409.95 - $429.95); 5 Pro Walleye Rods ($99.95 - $129.95); 1 Pro Catfish stick ($129.95); and three Pro Fly rods ($499.95 - $699.95).

There are rods for 7 target species.

Including catfish.

A few select models and lines will be available beginning September 2015 with the remaining models and skus to be available sometime in the Winter of 2015.

On top of that, they're even making fly rods.

Thanks to Vanhdy and Glenn Miller for introducing us to their new company, G-Rods.