Sensitivity: Why you ask? Because I don't find glass rods sensitive enough to fish vertical bait presentations like jigs. The N2 764C on the other hand is plenty sensitive, not just from the blank material, but because of it's light overall build. Light sticks built with high quality graphite are inherently sensitive. The N2 764C passes that test easily. Despite it's moderate-fast taper, it makes an excellent stick for jigs. In fact, I had a difficult time switching from that Keitech Model II jig plus Fat Swing Impact bait combo.

You're not going to want to fish vertical bait presentations on the N2 755C, but it has plenty of feel through the blank. Gone are the days of dead-feeling glass rods

As for the N2 755C, yes it is a glass rod, but for moving bait applications it's more than sufficient with regards to sensitivity. I fished a variety of cranks on this stick and could feel them shaking and bumping into obstacles as they swam. But all of that is secondary when fishing a glass rod with moving baits because when that strike inevitably arrives, the buttery smooth forgiveness in that blank to absorb the hit and give you the chance to pull back and set the hook... All I can say is, if you're a moving bait connoisseur and have not had the pleasure of this experience, you are seriously missing out.

Reese Fishing's N2 764C with 24oz of weight applied to the tip

I was reminded of it myself while retrieving a RAID Japan Level Spin Double Willow spinnerbait through some emerging strands of sparse tules. I was having slight difficulty pulling the blade through because it'd catch and bump on the way out. When I was just about clear, and my bait about ten feet from the boat, a fish snagged the it. Reflexes kicked in and I immediately pulled back. I'm pretty certain if I were throwing that blade on a fast tapered graphite stick, my usual choice for a spinnerbait, I'd have pulled the blade out of the fish's mouth. Instead, with that slight delay only a glass stick can provide, the N2 755C loaded up buttery smooth, hooked the fish, and was forgiving enough to allow me to subdue and pull it in for a photo op while still all hot and bothered (the fish, not me).

Reese Fishing's N2 755C Glass with 24oz of weight applied to the tip

Power: When I pulled that fish out of the water, I was honestly surprised how deep that hook penetrated its lip. I really didn't have much of a chance to set, yet thanks to the inherent power of the 755C's glass blank, the hook was driven home naturally. All my catches with the N764C were more textbook and that stick, despite its wide ranging lure rating, really does behave more like I'd expect from a medium-heavy powered rod when under the load of a fish.

Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our Reese Fishing N2 rods against the historical averages of similarly powered rods we've tested over the past twenty plus years

Looking at Fig 1, above, you can see both rods really do chart similarly and both, as the load increases, their curves rise closer to the historic average for medium powered rods. This is the effect of their mod-fast tapers. Because the rods set up further down the blank, they deflect more, giving you in return, more forgiveness while battling a fish and actually increasing your chances at landing your catch. Note while slower tapered rods are typically ideal for moving bait applications, the N2 764C handled vertical bait presentations, namely jigs, perfectly fine.

That feisty bass that short struck my RAID Japan spinnerbait. The N2 755C Glass absorbed the hit giving me time to swing and set, and was buttery smooth as the fish came in all hot and bothered

Design & Ergonomics: Stamped, inscribed, however the message is applied, written across the very top of the reel seat forenut on these sticks is the motto "Meticulously Crafted for the Serious Angler." I took that as an invitation to meticulously inspect both sticks and I must say, they are some of the cleanest builds I've seen in a factory stick. Of particular note, of course, is the choice to go with a carbon handle. Not just any carbon handle mind you, but one that is tapered in the middle with finger hold indentations near the reel seat. Reese told me he wanted the look of a split rear grip design in a one-piece handle, hence that taper in the middle.

Another look at Reese's wide flange reel seat design

Another tid-bit he shared is that the reel seat on these N2 rods is something he designed himself with the intent of providing a wrap around surface for your fingers, underneath your reel of choice. This provides a more comfortable transition between the seat and the large gear boxes of today's low profile reels. While the design and approach is not unique, (Daiwa and Megabass come to mind) I really appreciate the thoughtfulness Reese has put forth in the assembly of these rods. A thoughtfulness that certainly exemplifies the statement wrapped around the reel seat forenut.

Ergonomically, both these N2 rods score well in balance points which makes them both feel lighter than they actually are - note the numbers in the table above. Pairing them with light reels like my Abu Garcia Zenon MG-Xs is a must as far as I'm concerned. Honestly, as I sit down to write this and look at the actual weight measurements for each stick, I'm surprised the N2 764 is close to six ounces. I could have sworn, after spending several trips out on the water with it paired with my Zenon MG-X, that the rods itself was lighter than average - it certainly fishes that way. Shows you what good balance will do for you.

Sculpted finger holds along the grip

Otherwise, handle length on both sticks is perfect for conventional applications in both pitching and two handed casting scenarios. They're not big bait, two handed casting handle lengths, but for a quick little wrist-flick, second hand assist, they're just barely long enough. Which in turn makes them an ideal length with which to pitch because if that rear handle is too long, pitching becomes awkward. There is no ergonomic awkwardness with the Reese Fishing N2 sticks.

Only downside are the channels on the back side of the guides that could welcome accumulation of gunk and debris

Returning to the discussion of guides, I've already broken down the decision to go with SeaGuide instead of Fuji. However, one thing to point out is in the design of their guides, SeaGuide uses as similar approach to Kigan in that the side of the guide facing the rod's tip top is not very refined. Maybe it's a build limitation, but the result is exposed channels on that side of the guide that may or may not welcome accumulation of debris brought in from your line. Just something of which to be aware and keep an eye on when performing maintenance and cleaning of your sticks with similar guides.

When your rod, reel, and bait combo are spot on

Price & Applications: Reese Fishing's N2 sticks range in price from $249 to $269 depending on the model. Both rods in this article are priced at $249. Application wise, the N2 755C Glass, as you might expect is a wonderful stick for moving bait applications. I fished cranks, smaller big baits, and spinnerbaits on this rod and it handled them all fine. I really like how that blank responds under load of a fish, but that's all thanks to the glass blank.

Conclusion: The market for fishing rods is quite over saturated these days, it's really difficult to make a decision on what to choose. What really helps me is if a stick, or series of sticks, stands out from the crowded rod racks in some way. Reese Fishing's N2 sticks stand out. The tapered and sculpted carbon handle, custom reel seat, and clean, high-end look are worthy of that statement stamped on the reel seat hood "Meticulously Crafted for the Serious Angler."

Reese Fishing's N2 sticks leverage all of what Skeet has learned his many years on the trail and are built surprisingly well and are a joy to fish

The wonderful thing about these meticulously crafted sticks, however, is the fact the consumer doesn't have to pay a premium to take one or more home. They're not budget rods, mind you, but they are more than reasonable when you take everything into account. Paired with the Abu Garcia Zenon MG-X reels, I genuinely had a difficult time putting either of these combos down. They’re simply a joy to fish, and when enthusiasm reaches that level, it’s a clear signal: Editor's Choice Award for the N2. Reese Fishing’s N2 series marks an surprisingly strong entry into an already crowded rod market, but then again, given Skeet’s track record of success, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised.

Looking for a Reese Fishing N2 Rods? TackleWarehouse carries both the

Reese Fishing N2 Casting Rods & N2 Glass Cranking Sticks