Grauvell specialist float rod

Advantages: Slick, shoots VERY easily, presentation, durability
Disadvantages: Discolours

.... Could it live up to the Prestige line I had grown fond of over the last 4 season? I had no need to worry!!!!!!! The XS is simply superb!!!! This is without a doubt the best floating line I have ever used. With this line I have added an extra 5-6 yards onto my cast with no extra effort. The line is supple and has a very, very smooth finish to it. The head of the line is very thin which lends itself perfectly to a delicate presentation of the fly. In fact, I would put this line up against a double taper any day for presentation. The belly of the line feels a little thicker than other lines, which seems strange at first but does not effect the presentation of the line at all. In fact it is this belly that enables the line to shoot effortlessly through the rod rings and gain those extra, sometimes critical, extra yards... Read review

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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: Allrounder
Disadvantages: Bit too bendy if that makes sense

...M.A.P was started a few years ago now. I am yet to see a bad product from the company (Midland Angling Products). It consists of joint efforts from Leeda, FOSTERS fishing shop in Birmingham, and well known match ace - Dave Harrell, their chief tester). The range is now qite huge, and I bought this rod actually not knowing much about it. I went for it beacuse of the good reputation the make has, and also it's classification as an allround match rod. I didn't want anything too light because I often catch a lot of carp on my travels (in fact, most of the waters down here in Cornwall, hold them as the predominent species), mostly upto about 8lbs. But then there's always those times in winter when you're even finding it hard to catch even the smallest of roach. So I needed something soft yet strong. This rod pefectly suits both... Read review

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