Lamiglas X 96 LLS

 

When new rods hit the market, they don’t often make the same splash as say, new lures.  Lures are cheap, and when something new comes out, most anglers are willing to throw $20 at a few lures and potentially a new opportunity.  Rods are an investment.  As such, they grow by grassroots conversations, reputation, and on the water experience.

One rod following that path is the Lamiglas X 96 LLS spinning rod.  This rod was amongst two new side-drifting models brought out in late 2003.  The other is the EC 96 LLS.  Essentially, these are the exact same rod in terms of construction, but the X 96 LLS is built from Certified Pro graphite and the EC 96 LLS is built from Esprit graphite.  Materials can make a big difference. 

Esprit graphite is super-fast and the Certified Pro material a bit slower (only by a little). While both rods are feather-light and very nimble, the touch slower action of the Certified Pro material offers a tip on the X 96 LLS that’s just awesome. 

The Certified Pro X 96 LLS is a rod that you simply love to own and fish.  At 9’6” in length the rod is rated for 4-to 8-pound line, but fishes like a 6- to 10-pound rod and in fact fishes very nicely with 10-pound line. Its very light tip will load and cast the lightest of leads with ease.  The rod telegraphs every tick, bump and take.  Behind the tip is a smooth progression of power to a surprisingly powerful butt section. As a fish grabs the bait, the rod loads smoothly and settles the hook firmly.  Well balanced, this rod fishes all day long without causing an ounce of fatigue.

The standard by which all other rods are judged in this category is the G. Loomis STR 1141.  Similar in weight, what’s most noticeable is the X 96 LS has a firmer butt section to move fish.  Where the 1141 flexes clean into the handle, the X 96 LLS shuts off a couple of feet forward of the handle, offering some leverage to turn a fish’s head.  In terms of price, the X 96 LLS comes in under $200 while the STR 1141 is a touch north of $280 in GL3 material. 

While there are a lot of “me-too” rods out there targeting the success of G. Loomis’ STR 1141, Lamiglas has done a great job with the X 96 LLS of acknowledging what was currently available, and taking a slightly different track that anglers are certain to appreciate.

 

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