Best Fishing Rods For Forward Facing Sonar? Yes and Much More

Are these designed for forward facing sonar?

My first thought was that most of these new features all seem to be pointed at maximizing control and precision of casting. Therefore, my second thought was that these were designed to serve new forward facing sonar applications. So, I asked Brand Manager, Ryan Teach if that was the case, and I absolutely loved his answer.

“As a company we preach, ‘we exist to provide every angler the upper hand on the water’. If an angler is fishing with live sonar, it’s our responsibility to bring that angler an advantage if we have one available. To say we are targeting the live sonar angler would be true. But even more true is that we are targeting the angler who’s open to different and alternative rod designs if they provide an advantage, regardless of the specific technique they’re fishing. Since the release of PHYSYX we’ve had people who have literally converted all their rods to it. But, we’ve also had people denounce it and question our mentality as a brand because of the design. This is exactly what it was designed to do—push the guardrails of what is acceptable, but do so with the purpose of providing honest innovation to improve their experience on the water.”

What are the features?

SCIV+ Carbon Fiber Blanks – These hybrid carbon fiber blanks feature a distinct and exotic blend of SCIV and SCVI material on every different length, power, and action to create blanks that are exceptionally refined, balanced, light, strong, sensitive, and optimized for their intended techniques and presentations. Select moderate-action reaction-bait models have iACT Glass blanks, which are a hybrid layup of our SCIV+ and 100% linear S-glass materials.

Titanium Guides – All PHYSYX models receive premium, rigid titanium guides with silicon carbide rings. These advanced guide trains support maximum performance with all line types and further promote PHYSYX’s supreme balance.

High-Tactile TPU Grip Lines – Angler grip is enhanced in all weather conditions via strategically placed TPU grip lines that are molded into (not surface applied) PHYSYX’s handle (the white lines on the handle). TPU is a unique thermoplastic polyurethane material featuring elasticity, transparency, and resistance to oils, grease, and abrasion.

Molded Carbon Fiber TRIGON Handle – Rather than a traditional cylindrical, round profile handle, TRIGON offers a softened triangle profile. This rigid, molded carbon fiber handle takes TRIGON’s benefits of dramatically increased comfort and control to all-new levels, offering superior energy transmission.

Molded Carbon Fiber DYNAMIX Reel Seat – It’s stronger, lighter, and transmits energy better than the previous DYNAMIX reel seat, while blending seamlessly with the TRIGON handle to create the ultimate angler interface.

Rear Trigger – A unique rear-trigger design near the base of the handle on PHYSYX casting and spinning models works in conjunction with the primary TRIGON handle design to further promote control and accuracy during casting. This innovative design feature benefits all anglers but excels when making precise presentations to fish on live sonar.

15-Year Warranty – Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA, PHYSYX is backed by a 15-year warranty and St. Croix service.

Where to start?

In all, there are 17 casting models and 8 spinning models, each optimized for maximum performance. In the video at the top of this article, Ryan Teach mentions the 6’8”, medium-power, extra-fast, jerk bait rod as one of his personal favorites. I would suggest that might be a great place to start. I will personally be testing several models and providing my thoughts and feedback in a coming article. Based on my initial experience from the trade show floor, along with St Croix’s reputation, I’m pretty optimistic.