ZOLO McSmalls - 7'6", Light+, Fast Spinning

This spinning rod does it all, it’s my go to from Ned rigs, big drop shots, wacky rig, neko, small swimmer….etc. It does it all, by far my favorite spinning rod. Fast tip with some a** in the back side to handle those big Texas fish!

I finally purchased a McSmalls last week. Fished it hard all day today, which was an epic day, with over 30 SM put in the net within about 4 hours. All I can say is WOW, where has this rod been my whole life?! I paired it with a Shimano Excense 3000 and 8lb Suffix 832. I threw mostly 6 lb leaders today. We have some pretty ginny water up here. This stick is very light for its length, sensitive enough to feel slack line takes and the light plus (1.5) tip, tapering in to a stiffer than I’m used to for its medium light rated backbone is tuned absolutely perfect, in my humble opinion. I threw 1/15 oz. Ned rigs, 1/16 and 1/8 oz Okishira screw heads loaded with 2.8 and 3.3 Keitechs, as well as 4” and even 5” whacky rigged Senkos, and bare, 1/8 oz Z-Man micro jigs. The McSmalls handled them all equally well and prior to fishing it I was actually a bit nervous about those 1/16 screw heads and 1/15 Neds because this rod is more stout than you think it is when just reading its specs. I was astonished when it launched a 1/16 ounce screw head about 35 yards on the very cast of the morning! Same with 1/15 oz Neds. When I threw the first 5” Senko I could actually see the inside of the shallow depth spool after it hit the water a LONG WAY away, because it took so much line with it. The McSmalls also easily broke the spirit of every angry bronze fish I hooked with it, up to four and a half pounds today and it could easily handle larger, which I’m greatly looking forward to on this rod. The tip on this thing is like a trebuchet for light baits.

I went through a LOT of 7-6 spinning rods looking for this very rod. I’m so happy with this stick that I’m buying another one very soon. If you are looking for THE smallmouth, spinning scepter this is it if you need long casting distance with small finesse baits. The only rival to the McSmalls, for my style of fishing which I have come in contact with is the Loomis 902s. Personally speaking, the McSmalls is 95% of what the 902 is for less than half the cost and with the way ALX has tuned its action, for me, it’s the better rod. Great job ALX! I’m looking forward to embarrassing some mean, plus five pound smallies with this McSmalls.

Couldn't be happier with my custom built McSmalls. After speaking with Alex, I had them build me a McSmalls with the Enox reel seat and grips. Build quality is excellent and turnaround time was great. Even though it's 7'6", the rod balances perfectly with a 2500 size Shimano Stradic CI4+. I've only had a chance to fish with the rod a handful of times so far flinging a 1/15oz Ned rig around. It's by far the best casting rod in terms of distance I've used for light Neds so far. It's also a real pleasure to fight fish on with light line. Its handled 3lbs+ smallies without issue using light fluoro leaders, never felt under gunned. They really nailed the action and power of this rod. The light tip and medium light backbone are perfect as far as I'm concerned, much better than the typical straight medium lights I'm used to fishing Neds and other light finess baits on.

I can’t get over the versatility of this rod. I wanted a small bait rod that would work for crappie, perch and small bass. I got that and than some. I’ve pulled in 5lb bass on this thing and while you’re not muscling them in the fight is incredible and the rod kept the hook pinned the entire time. Micro jigs, mini cranks, drop shots, this rod throws them all with ease and throws them unbelievably far. It makes catching panfish actually fun when everything else wants to be picky. The backbone is incredible when you have to drive a heavier hook home and the sensitivity is mind boggling, you feel every bump pebble and piece of grass in the bottom.

Wanted a rod specifically for hair jigs - this rod works great for that application - shipping was extremely fast - rod arrived in excellent condition AS USUAL - Thanks ALX