Tournament Grade I

Personal Design

Through the past 40 years I have used a lot of fishing rods. Some of them were great and some not so great. I am asked by fans almost everyday "What is the best rod to use?". Well that obviously depends on how you are going to use it. I decided to design a rod series that gives the best action for a particular purpose and make it easy for an angler to know which rod to grab on any given day of fishing. I wanted a rod that gave durability, performance, and was affordable. After nearly three years of research and testing, I have developed what I believe to be a fantastic series of rods designed to deliver my personal preference in action and handling from years of experience. In addition, they are priced so that the average fisherman can afford them.

High Modulus Graphite Blanks

Our blanks are constructed from a high modulus (IM7 rated) carbon fiber. We roll each blank 5-1/2 times, giving them the strength they need for the demands of big bass fishing. Each rod is carefully tuned to the exact power and action Roland desires.

Fuji New Concept Guides

The "New Concept" guide system from Fuji means using more guides, spaced closer together, giving you better power and control.

Fuji Reel Seats

The Fuji DPS reel seat gives a solid and lightweight secure lock for your reel.

100% Natural Cork Handles

Roland wanted a good handle. Low grade cork found on many of our competitors rods wasn't acceptable. We use a top grade natural cork for all our handles and foregrips. The 7'0" Casting and 7'6" Flipping stick also have a Hypalon wrap on the handle to give you extra comfort and grip.

Extra Fast and Fast Taper Actions

The action of every rod is a key point in whether it's worth fishing with. Each action is custom-designed by Roland to deliver the best performance for each rod.

Purpose-Specific Models

One thing Roland says, is there's no one rod for every condition. When he conceived Tournament Grade I, he sat down and determined that these 9 models were the key to solving almost all of his rod needs, based on the style of fishing, as well as the types of bait and fish he was fishing for. Each of the rods carries it's own iconic name, whether it be Skip Jiggin', or Lite Crankbait. Roland put these nomenclatures here to help you know which rod to use for a particular application.