Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Signature Series Spinning Reels
Imagine a longer casting reel, with smoother line pickup and less memory, enhanced drag efficiency and greatly reduced line twist. Bass Pro Shops’ new Johnny Morris Signature Series spinning reels are lightweight, featuring an extra-wide diameter spool that achieves all this and more. By incorporating these performance characteristics into its finest reel, Bass Pro has pushed the system to the very limits of refinement. The reel’s compact aluminum chassis houses an incredibly smooth 11-bearing system supported by a stainless-steel mainshaft and hardened brass pinion gear. Shielded stainless-steel ball bearings, a chemically bonded titanium deposition finish, a titanium line roller, PowerLock instant anti-reverse, a forged aluminum spool and handle with comfort-touch grip, and a free aluminum spare spool for braided line come standard with the reel.  Bass Pro Shops, 1-800-920-4400, www.basspro.com

Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Elite Baitcast Reels
The Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Elite reels are true world-class baitcasters — sleek and fast, light and strong, virtually effortless in their handling. The company gave the Elite series a striking cobalt blue titanium deposition finish, which is bonded directly to the aluminum side-plates. Chip-proof and scratch-resistant, the reels continue to look like winners through many seasons. The resilient model line comes with a titanium-coated line guide, super-hard and super-light Duralumin gears, an 11 ball-bearing system and PowerLock instant anti-reverse.  Bass Pro Shops, 1-800-920-4400, www.basspro.com

Pflueger Patriarch Low-Profile Baitcast Reel Series
Given Pflueger’s history and current line of outstanding low-profile reels, creating a new reel that would take the position as top of the line in the low-profile category was a grand undertaking. In 2008, Pflueger accomplished just that with a new level of performance never before achieved in the Pflueger low profile lineup. Coming in at just 8.4 ounces and with two models and gear ratios to choose from (6.4-to-1 and 7.1-to-1), the Patriarch contains 10 double-shielded stainless-steel ball bearings, one-way clutch instant anti-reverse bearing, a titanium line guide and Pflueger’s Ultimate Brake System technology. Pflueger, 1-800-334-9105, www.pfluegerfishing.com

Ardent C400 Casting Reel
The C400 is the newest model to enter Ardent’s growing line of high-performance American-made reels. The C400 boasts a one-piece cast and machined aluminum frame. The reel comes with double-cut 6.3-to-1 hardened brass helical gears. The very smooth Ardent Strike Saver drag has lock-down capability, and a quick-release side cover allows quick adjustment of the six-pin casting brakes. If you’re on the water, you might find that the C400 is the world’s easiest spool switch when you use the C400’s quick-release spool interchange feature. All of the bells and whistles of the C400 make the reel a great value at a suggested retail price of $169.99, with a three-year warranty.  Ardent Reels, (660) 395-9200, www.ardentreels.com

Pflueger Summit Baitcast Reel
Pflueger’s new Summit Low-Profile Reel is a leader when it comes to “micro” baitcasters. The Summit is available in both narrow- and wide-spool models, with a blistering fast 7.1-to-1 gear ratio, nine double-shielded stainless-steel ball bearings, a titanium line guide, dual soft-touch knobs, a lightweight aluminum frame and Pflueger’s Ultimate Brake System technology. Without a doubt, the Summit is top of the class when it comes to anglers’ “micro” class needs.  Pflueger, 1-800-334-9105, www.pfluegerfishing.com

Ardent XS 1000
The XS 1000 is Ardent’s premier reel and is precision-engineered for superior on-the-water performance. The reel is designed for greater casting distance and maximum backlash resistance, a must for serious anglers. The lightweight magnesium frame and ergonomic design ensure fatigue-free fishing, while the easily adjusted Strike Saver Drag System delivers an ultra-smooth drag with lock-down capability. The American-made reel features 10 ABEC grade stainless-steel ball bearings and one stainless clutch bearing. The XS 1000 comes with a fully machined aluminum ventilated spool and will also accept Ardent’s new Ultra High Capacity spool when you want more line capacity for very heavy braided line. Anglers also enjoy the security of a three-year warranty.

Ardent Reels, (660) 395-9200, www.ardentreels.com

Ardent S400M
The Ardent S400M spinning reel with Total Titanium Protection (TTP) system is made with the highest quality A360 aluminum. The one-piece aluminum frame is corrosion resistant, precision-machined and built to deliver years of fishing use. The American-made reel is engineered to handle mono, braid and fluorocarbon line. The TTP system offers a titanium-coated bail, line roller and spool lip to provide greater performance along with superior wear and damage protection. Other features include the Strike Saver drag that has a wide range of very smooth settings, high-strength gear drive, ABEC grade bearings and a full three-year warranty.

Ardent Reels, (660) 395-9200, www.ardentreels.com

Esox Carbon Series
The Esox Carbon Series rods are extremely lightweight, sensitive and perfectly balanced, yet through the power of skillful engineering, offer superior strength and durability. The Esox series rods now come with the ALPS guides with a recessed ring design that protects the ring from coming loose. They are 28 percent lighter than comparable guides. Esox rods are widely recognized and valued by avid bass-tournament anglers for their proven fish-catching performance. The Esox Carbon Series has models targeted at specific fishing applications and provide the ultimate in high-performance bass rods. Esox Fishing Rods, 1-888-462-3832, www.esoxfishingrods.com

All Star ASR Series
The new ASR Series from All Star will give anglers even more technique-specific choices for 2008. Designed with high-grade materials and components, the new rods are sure to generate a following with the hard-core angler. The ASR Series comes in seven casting and three spinning models, all labeled on the rod for the designated technique. IM-10 multi-modulus graphite blanks, Fuji Alconite guides, premium cork split grips and Total Touch reel seats on both spinning and casting models make the ASR Series a prime candidate for time in your hands this year. All Star Rods, 1-800-347-3759, www.allstarrods.com

Bass Pro Shops NITRO Big Bass Rods
Meet the big gun of bass fishing. Every inch of the Nitro is designed to haul bass through the nastiest bass cover on the planet. The one-piece, Type I Slit Carbon, 70-million-modulus graphite blanks bring big-time strength without the extra materials that make other big rods clunky. They’re the first bass rods ever to be fitted with state-of-the-art Fuji Silicon Nitride Guides, known to be the toughest, most sensitive and wear-resistant guides ever developed for braided line. The handles are extra long to give you and your forearm the leverage needed to haul back and get them moving. The rods come in five lengths from 6 feet, 10 inches to 7 feet, 10 inches.

Bass Pro Shops, 1-800-920-4400, www.basspro.com

Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Elite Series
Like a feather in the hand and with its magnificent Recoil Guides gleaming in the reflection of the lake, the Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Elite Series baitcast rod is truly in a class by itself. The blank is crafted in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment, using the finest 85-million super-high-modulus graphite available. Type I Slit Carbon Powerwall construction gives the rod a full carbon filament wrap on the inside of the blank. The rod also features a 1K carbon cloth butt wrap, resulting in unprecedented strength for a rod so incredibly light and sensitive. The rods come in five lengths from 6 feet, 3 inches to 7 feet, 10 inches and have three handle options. Bass Pro Shops, 1-800-920-4400, www.basspro.com