1. Scott G Series 7’7” #3 $945
I thought this was the best overall rod, and by a fair margin. It is extremely light and provided accurate and delicate presentations at all distances. Every time I came back to it after casting other rods it always felt better in my hands. I am not a huge fan of the all cork reel seat but I could certainly live with that for as well as it performs.
Total Score: 79.5
20’ – 19.8. This was an amazing rod in close. It provided good quick turnover with a delicate presentation.
25’ – 20. The G Series was perfect at this distance.
30’ – 19.9. For such a short, delicate rod it again performed flawlessly at this moderate distance.
40’ – 19.8. I was pleasantly surprised at how easily the rod handled the longest distance. Outstanding.
2. Winston Pure 2 7’9” #3 $995
I loved this rod. It was very light with a slow, deep bend. It just felt great to cast. Being a Winston, the aesthetics are unmatched.
Total Score: 79.3
20’ – 19.8. The rod was deadly accurate and soft. It matched the small G Series and Superfine as the best in close.
25’ – 19.9. It was nearly perfect here and almost imperceptibly close to the G Series in my opinion.
30’ – 19.9. The Pure 2 maintained accuracy and presentation even as we stretched out to longer distances.
40’ – 19.7. It fell slightly behind the very top performers at this distance but still well above most of the rods we tested.
3. Hardy Ultralite SR 7’6” #3 $825
Both of the Hardy SR’s were light and accurate, but with a crisp feel. I liked the shorter one slightly better only because I got better feel in close.
Total Score: 79.2
20’ – 19.7. It was very accurate in close but did not quite have the feel of the highest performing rods at this distance.
25’ – 19.8. The Hardy was excellent at this distance and one of the top performers.
30’ – 19.8. It still performed great as you stretched it out a little.
40’ – 19.9. The Ultralite really performed well at long distance. It was easy and accurate.
4. Hardy Ultralite SR 8’ #3 $825
It had the same light, crisp feel of the shorter SR but was not quite as soft at the tip. It was still an outstanding rod and a pleasure to cast.
Total Score: 79
20’ – 19.5. It was quite accurate at this distance but lacked a little feel compared to the very top rods.
25’ – 19.6. Again it was a top performer but did not have the delicate presentation of some others.
30’ – 19.9. The rod really started to come into its own here. It was an absolute pleasure to cast at this distance.
40’ – 20. I gave it a perfect score here. It hit the mark with ease while maintaining accuracy.
5. Scott G Series 8’4” $945
The larger G Series is slightly heavier than the smaller version but still cast beautifully.
Total Score: 78.3
20’ – 19.4. The rod was an excellent performer at close range but not quite as light and delicate as the smaller G Series rod.
25’ – 19.4. It again performed well at this range but just a tick below the top rods.
30’ – 19.7. The rod started to separate itself from the pack at increasingly longer ranges.
40’ – 19.8. It displayed effortless power at long range.
6. Thomas & Thomas Paradigm 8’2”#3 $895
This rod was a very smooth and responsive caster.
Total Score: 78
20’ – 19.4. The Paradigm was accurate and soft at this range but just a touch stiffer than the rods I liked best at short range.
25’ – 19.5. It was supremely accurate at 25’.
30’ – 19.6. It seemed to have a slightly faster action than a lot of the other top performing rods, which helped it as we gained distance.
40’ – 19.5. The rod was smooth and still accurate at long range.
7. Orvis Superfine 7’6”#3 $598
The Superfine is supremely light and delicate. It was simply brilliant at short range, which is the distance I would choose to fish this rod. If you are looking for a specialized tool for short and light presentations this may be a great choice, especially for the price.
Total Score: 77.5
20’ – 19.9. Excellent. This was one of my favorite rods in tight. It provided such a soft and delicate presentation.
25’ – 19.8. It was accurate, soft and delicate at this distance.
30’ – 19.3. The rod started to fall off as we got to longer casts.
40’ – 18.5. At long range you really felt the tradeoff for the soft tip up close. It was just an average rod at this distance.
8. Orvis Helios F 7’6” #3 $1098
The F was not as delicate as the Superfine but was still among the top performing rods.
Total Score: 77.3
20’ – 19.4. It performed well at this range but did not seem to have the feel of the other top rods.
25’ – 19.4. It was still accurate but lacked a little feel.
30’ – 19.5. The Helios had good power at this distance.
40’ – 19. It got the job done long range.
9. Echo Trout X 7’6” #3 $399
The Trout X was surprisingly very light and crisp, especially for a rod in this price range.
Total Score: 76.5
20’ – 19.3. I was impressed with the feel and light presentation of this rod at close range.
25’ – 19.2. It had an accurate and light delivery. There was a crisp feeling to it I did not find in the other mid price rods.
30’ – 19. The Trout X performed above average at this distance.
40’ – 19. It got the job done here but was not as effortless as the top rods at this distance.
10. Echo Lift 7’6”#3
The Lift was a pleasant surprise. It is the least expensive rod in the Shootout but still produced above average performance.
Total Score: 74.6
20’ – 18.6. It lacked a little feel in close but was definitely accurate enough.
25’ – 19. I was surprised at the accuracy here. I was not expecting it to perform this well. It performed well but did not have the stable feel of the nicer rods.
30’ – 18.5. Again at this distance, the Lift impressed me.
40’ – 18.5. You can make it work with a little effort.