Fox Predator xs spin pike rod

Advantages: very strong yet light with good feel
Disadvantages: Can be a handful in tight swims

...I always considered 3lb TC carp rods to be too heavy duty for 'normal' carp fishing situations. Sure they could bang out a large method feeder 90 odd yards but surely the feeling would be lost when playing the fish? I originally stumbled across a pair of the Fox Extreme rods whilst looking for a pair of rods for an up and coming trip to France. I went to a local dealer to ask for something heavy duty that wasn't a fortune. The intention was to use these rods purely for my trips abroad and nothing else. I was showed the Extremes and was instantly amazed at how slim and light they were. They also felt very well balanced. In addition they were a nice matt grey finish and looked quite stylish - I thought how good they would look on my pod. The dealer offered me the pair for £150 since he had vast numbers that were not shifting... Read review

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Advantages: Very good flex distribution for multi-piece rod
Disadvantages: Handle and guide could be better for its price

...A very reasonable all around freshwater fishing and light saltwater fishing. I own the 7'/8' interchangable rod for about 8 month now. Not my first choice of rod to fish with, but conviniences to carry around, this rod is always there as back up. The reason that I don't use it as primary rod is because I am finding its best fishing suitability. For its thin diameter as it coming to the tips, this rod to me is quite stiff but with a good level of bite detection sensitivity to it. The bend is very good and the joining does not seems to affect it at all. A vey good achievement for the Shimano research team. It almost feel like 1 piece rod. I have taken this rod for crappie coarse fishing, spinning, carp fishing and even casting for mackerel from shore. It serve me best on my spinning session where I hooked up bunch of double figure pike... Read review

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Advantages: Toughest freshwater spinning rods money can buy, well made, doesn't cost a fortune
Disadvantages: Nothing (yet)

...a little bit to create versions suitable for freshwater spinning..... and since I'd wanted one of the boat rod versions since I first saw one in a Shakespeare Catalogue in 1993 / 1994, it wasn't long before I bought one of these spinning rods. The following year (2003), my Cousin's son James wanted me to teach him to fish....... and he ended up getting a cheapo Rod & reel combo, which not to put too fine a point on things, was crap. Sometime around April / May 2004 came his first Freshwater fishing session (all other previous sessions being next to Whitby Swing Bridge)....... and as his fluorescent yellow saltwater spinning rod wasn't really suitable for the task in hand (and absolutely stank of sea baits) I lent him my old spinning rod........ though the little tackle tart soon took a liking to my smaller Shakespeare Ugly Stik Gold 6ft... Read review

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