One of the most intriguing new rods for 2015 is the Winston Nexus. Winston discontinued all of their overseas-made rods this year, which included the very popular Passport and VSL, and replaced them with a made-in-the-USA rod at a very attractive price.
We got a chance to cast the 9’ 5-weight Nexus this year at iCast. Read on to see how it stacks up.
Help us write more reviews by buying yours here.
Fit and Finish
It only takes a glance to realize that the Nexus is packed with the same kind of quality that you’ve come to expect from Winston. It’s got a beautiful black blank (to distinguish it from the top of the line Boron rods) and a great wooden reel seat. It’s adorned with the usual chrome snake and stripping guides.
The grip was a cigar, but felt a bit larger than usual (just like the Passport). It’s very comfortable, particularly if you’ve got larger hands.
Weight
We weren’t able to measure the rod’s weight at iCast, but I would guess that it weights in right around 3 ounces. Regardless, it felt nice and light when I was casting it.
Distance
It’s no Sage Method, but it’s got plenty of power to get it out there. 80’ casts are no problem with the Nexus.
Accuracy
The Nexus is right up there with the best rods in terms of accuracy. In close, its soft tip is classically Winston and delivers top notch accuracy. The Nexus performs best, however, at about 40’ and that’s what makes it an excellent all-around trout rod. But the performance doesn’t stop there. It’s also a great rod at 60+’ and has excellent power and tracking.
Flex & Feel
The Nexus is a ‘fast’ rod, but not overly fast. It’s got a soft tip that loads well in close and protects those delicate tippets. It’s also got plenty of power in the butt and mid sections to get it out there when the wind comes up and fight that 24” brown.
Nymphing
I didn’t get to test this rod with a nymph rig, but it’s got the right blend of characteristics to be an awesome nymph stick. It’s got the power to throw a heavier rig into the wind and the user-friendliness to make it easy to open up your loop to avoid tangles.
Warranty
The Nexus comes with the same lifetime warranty you get on all Winston rods.
Price: $475
Conclusion
Is the new Winston Nexus a re-packaged Passport? The guys at Winston assured me that it’s not, but I really liked the Passport, and I wouldn’t be upset if it actually was the same rod. Particularly, since they upgraded it in all the right places. So if you missed out on the Passport before it was discontinued, fret not, this rod is pretty similar, and sure to be a hit.
But, whether or not it’s a re-packaged Passport, is really irrelevant. The Nexus is a premium rod, with premium performance at a less than premium price. I’m glad that we’re beginning to see some quality US-made rods at more affordable prices.
Line Recommendation: This rod is just soft enough to cast with either a standard or half-size heavier line, like SA GPX.
Pros
Great all-around performance
Top notch Winston quality
Made in the USA
Cons
Winston purists won’t like the black blank color
It didn’t feel like much of a performance upgrade over the Passport
Ben Freeman founded Trident Fly Fishing in 2012 to cut through the marketing fluff and provide anglers with the technical info they actually need. He’s built his reputation by putting gear to the ultimate test in the world’s most unforgiving fisheries. With fishing stamps from over 22 countries and 17+ states, Ben’s passport is a roadmap of bucket list angling—from landing a 25lb Golden Dorado in Bolivia and 150lb Arapaima in Guyana to sight-casting for Roosterfish off the beaches in Baja. Whether it’s battling 60+mph winds to land a 20lb Rainbow at Jurassic Lake or a full day of casting 8in streamers in Mongolia, Ben has spent decades ensuring his gear performs when a trip of a lifetime is on the line.
At Trident, Ben serves as the lead gear geek, specializing in the deep-dive mechanics of rods, reels, and lines. Over the past 15 years, he's reviewed 250+ fly rods and 150+ fly reels and is likely one of the most prolific rod reviewers in the world. But he doesn't just curate the catalog; he scrutinizes every taper and drag system through the lens of a traveling angler who knows what it's like to have gear fail a thousand miles from home. For Ben, the mission is simple: leverage his experience across nearly 100 species to ensure that when you head into the wild, you’re equipped with gear that has been vetted by someone who has actually been there.
One of the most intriguing new rods for 2015 is the Winston Nexus. Winston discontinued all of their overseas-made rods this year, which included the very popular Passport and VSL, and replaced them with a made-in-the-USA rod at a very attractive price.
We got a chance to cast the 9’ 5-weight Nexus this year at iCast. Read on to see how it stacks up.
Help us write more reviews by buying yours here.
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