The new Proteus EX series is an upgrade to what is already an excellent line of rods, and while unstated these really are West Coast tailored rods with live bait, surface iron, night time jigging and rail rod models. These rods feature improved aesthetics and better components, opting to use Fuji Alconite instead of Fazlite rings in the bait models and silicon nitride rings on the spiral wrapped models. The grips have a lot of texture from a cord wrap underneath the heat shrink tubing covering the grips, this makes the grips thicker and more comfortable for me. The blanks have been slightly stiffened up compared to the current Proteus rods and the guides have been pushed up accordingly.

The unique models in this line up are the 64XXH which serves as a spiral wrapped night time jigging rod, the spiral wrapped 74XXH which serves as a light rail rod made for 80-100lb line, the 74XH which is a nice 40-50lb yoyo iron or dropper loop rod and the 8'10" 20-40lb jig stick. I would consider these models a good value for our unique styles of fishing in SoCal.

For the other models, at a $100 more it's a bit hard to justify the upgrade from the current Proteus lineup, once you get into the $300 price range there are comparable made in California rods from manufacturers like United Composites that would be well suited for our style of fishing. I think these rods make the most sense for people who already have a standard Proteus and want something a bit better to fill in their range of rods. Otherwise I'd spend the same money for a UC RCE or stick with a standard Proteus for $100 less.

*Take braid only line ratings on rods with a grain of salt, they almost never represent the right line tests a rod can handle. The 74XXH is best at 80lb or 100lb max.

**The 64XXH rod is labeled a fast action by Daiwa despite it being fairly parabolic