2015 looks like the year of the mid-priced cane. Every rod maker seems to be saying “out with the old and in with the new” when it comes to mid-range rods this season. I’ll take you through the world of these new mid-range rods one by one, starting with the Scott Tidal.
Scott has long been known as a leader in fly rod technology, and they prove it with the Tidal series of rods. These rods are offered in 7- to 12-weight models, all 9’0″ long. They’re built with the same X-Core and Multi Modulus technology found in their higher-priced rods, and at $475 these rods won’t pop. The bench.
For my testing purposes, I paired a Scott Tidal 9wt rod with an Orvis Hydros V reel wound with Hatch Tropical 9wt line. This rod is definitely a fast action rod, but it has a softer tip than the S4 or Radian. With all anodized hardware and premium cork, this rod is saltwater ready and built to last a lifetime. They feature Scott’s sleeve splint and are proudly made in the USA.
The rod casts like a dream in every sense of the word. I usually prefer a medium action rod, but boy is this baby sling! I was able to throw an easy 80 foot double haul with very little effort. This rod is a bit heavier than other companies’ mid-range offerings, but the softer tip and ease of casting more than make up for the heavier weight. I was able to pick up up to 80 feet of line and cast it accurately with a single overhand cast, something every saltwater angler knows is great skill for a rod. This rod is not only truly slinging, but it is accurate from 20 feet to 60 and beyond. I set targets at 20, 30, 50, and 60 feet, taking 15 pitches at each. I only missed my target twice, and only by an inch.
I will give this rod 9/10. If they dropped the weight a bit, it would be a perfect 10 in my mind. Tough, salt-ready hardware, a tip light enough for delicate presentations, and enough backbone to cast the entirety of the line make this rod one of the best in its price range that I haven’t tried yet this year. Once again Scott offers a top quality rod at a price laymen can afford. Go try one yourself, I’m sure you’ll be eager to take one home.
