Date: November 24, 2005

Product Reviewed: Lone Star Graphite Rods new Viper 2.5

Length:   6' 6"

Rod weight: 2.5 oz. (lightest 6’-6”on the market)

Line: 6 - 12 lbs.

Lure Wt: 1/16 - 1/2 oz

Action: Medium/Light

Key features include: Shikari Rod Blank, Titanium Fuji Guides, Totally Exposed Technology reel seat design, very comfortable quality made cork from Portugal, and rod markers at 15”, 20”, 25”, 28”
 

The product review began in September 2005, and was completed November 23, 2005. The product review was done fishing multiple structure types including mud/shell, sand/grass, open water drifting, and drifting and wading shell reefs. Several lure types were used including Corkys, soft plastics, large and small top water lures, and spoons.  There were several different focus points on this super light weight, high performance rod of 2.5 oz, including the incredible sensitivity of the Shikari rod blank, the revolutionary “Totally Exposed Technology” design of the reel seat area, and how this light weight wonder would handle heavy weight trout and reds over 25”.

 

To begin, let me say that, to date, this is the lightest, and most sensitive rod I’ve ever had the pleasure to fish with. At 2.5 oz this rod is your wrists best friend. With Lone Star Graphite Rods new “Totally Exposed Technology” reel seat design you feel everything. With this new technology, you have the ability to fish with 2 fingers on the rod blank, which doubles your ability to feel the fish strike. When fishing in a cold-water situation, and the fish are lethargic, I had no problem feeling the lightest of strikes, which helped me to catch more fish.

 

I’m sure you’re wondering if a 6’-6” rod that weighs only 2.5 oz can hold up to trophy sized trout and reds. Well, let me tell you, it handles them with ease. I caught and released 11 trout over 25”, and many big reds in this test period. From the excellent, long distance castability, to the precision action, the incredible sensitivity, the perfect amount of back bone for solid hook sets, the flexibility to cushion the trophy trout and redfish violent drag pulling runs, this rod does it better than any other I’ve fished with to date.

 

 

The feature that grabbed my attention at first sight was the absence of the all-familiar trigger we traditionally see on the bottom side of our reel seat. I’ll tell you before I fished with it I was a little concerned that when a big fish nailed a top water lure at full speed, that I might loose the rod. I quickly discovered this is no problem; when you’re fishing with this rod correctly, and you’re cradling the rod and reel in the palm of your hand, you have total control. I had multiple, high speed, violet hook-ups, and was very comfortable. As I picked it up for the first time, I found another feature. With a huge smile on my face, all I could say was wow that has to be the lightest 6’-6 “ rod I’ve ever held. Dennis Ball, the founder of Lone Star Graphite Rods then tells me, you’re holding the lightest 6’6” coastal rod soon to be on the market.

 

I will say that this rod is not for the average guy that fishes 10-12 times per year. This rod is geared toward the high level, serious fisherman, and tournament professional. Although very strong, a rod of this caliber is designed for an experienced angler that knows the bend limits of a super lightweight rod. This rod is truly at the top end of the market. Great product.

 

Capt. Glenn Rector

Wadefishing.com