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, although with those big carp over about 7lb, you do lose a bit of control. When you hit the flat spot (maximum amount of power you can exert from the rod), there isn't much you can do. Although I have had them upto about 12lb on it. You'll have to be lucky though to get them in.
It picks up line well at distance and is also a brilliant tool for getting out that far in the first place.
The rod would be perfectly suited with anything between 2 and 4lb mainlines, with hooklengths down to about a pound.
Below the reel seat the handle is 100% quality cork. This is very comfortable and feels nicely warm on cold days. The reel seat is the best I've ever used. The soft foam upper part twists around the blank to secure the reel on the rod. The rings are also what you'd expect for the money (they have a rrp of £140 - but I picked mine up for £105). Very smooth. The rod bends nicely all of the way through, making it a perfect waggler rod.
Apart from fishing brilliantly, the rod also looks superb. It has a kind of navy matt finish, which is very smooth and feels good (not at all sticky in the rain).
Brilliant allrounder. Not the most expensive rod in the world, and I'd say its one of the best in its price range.
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