Constructed with IM-8 graphite blanks to reduce weight and increase sensitivity, plus the addition of single-foot Fuji aluminum-oxide guides, the new Clarus salmon/steelhead rods reach the next level in performance. Worth noting is the reel seat, featuring Shimano’s proprietary design on the casting rods to keep the anglers fingers in touch with the blank for detecting those oh-so-light bites.

The spinning rod reel seats are a breakthrough for steelheaders, notes Robby Gant who heads up Shimano’s product development team. “The seats are designed to keep your hand away from threads, seat bands and hard surfaces. A rubber cork inner body provides both comfort and a measure of warmth for cold fingers when fishing during the winter.”

There are nine steelhead spinning models in lengths ranging from an 8-foot-6-inch, medium-action CSS-86M2B, to the 10-foot CSS-100MH2B. Included in the range are two light-action rods, the 9-foot CSS-90ML2B and 9-foot6-inch CSS-96ML2B, designed for side-drifting and float-and-jig techniques. All work well with any Shimano 2500 or 3000 size spinning reels. “For an ideal set-up, rig them up with our Symetre 3000 – or step up to our new Stradic FJ reels,” Gant suggests.

The steelhead casting rods run in length from popular 8-foot-6-inch models in medium and medium-heavy actions – the CSC-86M2B and CSC-86MH2B, to a 10-foot medium CSC-100M2B to serve as a float rod on long drifts.

The casting rods sport the new Shimano proprietary blank-through reel seat that puts the angler in direct touch with the fish.

Shimano engineers recognize that salmon are bigger and tougher than steelhead and require rods that can handle the difference. Anglers will see that difference in the Clarus salmon rods.

On the spinning side, the CSS-90H2B is rated for 10- to 20-pound test mono or 20- to 40-pound test PowerPro, and is ideal for cork-and-eggs or float-and-herring at tidewater. The Clarus salmon casting series covers a wide range of technique-specific applications, from pulling plugs with the CSC-80MHB magnum-action rod to the 10-foot, heavy action mooching and float rod, the CSC-100H2B. All casting rods feature cork handles, Shimano’s proprietary reel seat and Fuji aluminum-oxide guides.

The Clarus center-pin (or centre-pin for our Canadian friends) rods are first for Shimano as this technique has quickly seen growing popularity in the past few years. These rods, the CSS-130ML4B and CSS-113ML4B, offer the ability to fish light gear on long drifts and still set the hook. With cork handles and sliding reel-seat bands, the rods can be configured to meet the needs of most center-pin anglers.

All the Clarus rods feature a limited, lifetime warranty.

For more information on the new Clarus rod series – a line-up including 32 salmon and steelhead fishing specific models – visit the Shimano web site at http://fish.shimano.com - or call Shimano’s tech service support line at 877/577-0600.