American Hero Tier 1 Rods
Tournament-ready all-around bass casting and spinning rods, veteran-affiliated, HM50 graphite
American Hero Tier 1 is Lew's veteran-affiliated bass series, developed with former U. S. Army Special Operations soldier and professional bass angler Jamey Caldwell. It functions as a tournament-ready all-around bass lineup at a mid-market price point, with a portion of proceeds directed to veteran support programs. The target angler is a competitive or dedicated recreational bass fisherman who wants versatile technique coverage, pitching, flipping, cranking, swimbait, and spinning, without buying multiple specialty series.
HM50 Tour Grade high-modulus graphite blanks with Lew's VTR (Vibration Transfer Ring) technology for increased blank-to-angler contact. Skeletal graphite reel seats, stainless steel guides with aluminum oxide inserts, EVA grips. A MultiCam dip process applies a camo pattern to each blank. The build quality serves the $100–$150 range and competes with Daiwa's Tatula and similar mid-tier tournament tools. Construction is graphite throughout, no glass blend, unlike the XD Cranking series.
Five models: four baitcasting (6'10" M/F, 7' MH/F, 7'3" H/F, 7'6" MH/M for crankbait) plus one spinning (7'2" M/F). The AHT176MH-CB is the dedicated crankbait model (M action vs. F on the others). The AHT173H serves heavy flipping and punching applications.
Shaded band: the spread of the lineup's 5 models, as percentile rank among same-type rods. Solid line = series median · dashed ring = catalog median.
- Models
- 5 4 casting · 1 spinning
- Length
- 6'10"–7'6" 2.08–2.29 m
- Power
- M–H 3 classes
- Action
- F–M
- Line
- 6–25 lb
- Lure
- 1/8–1 1/2 oz 3.5–28 g
- List price
- $129.99–$139.99
- Released
- 2022
Rods in this series
5 models| Save | Model | Length | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHT1610M | 6'10" | M | Buy on Amazon | |
| AHT170MH | 7' | MH | Buy on Amazon | |
| AHT172MFS | 7'2" | M | Buy on Amazon | |
| AHT173H | 7'3" | H | Buy from Lew's | |
| AHT176MH-CB | 7'6" | MH | Buy from Lew's |
Model notes
3 of 5 modelsSingle spinning model in the series for drop shot, ned rig, and finesse presentations. Covers finesse applications without requiring a separate series purchase.
Heavy-power, fast-action 7'3" for flipping, pitching heavy jigs, or punching mats with large soft plastics. Heaviest model in the lineup, outside the finesse tool lane.
The only M-action model in the series, crankbait specialist. Softer tip allows plugs to run properly and absorbs head shakes; the remaining four rods are all fast action.