Shimano antares ax surf rod

Advantages: High quality for a budget price.
Disadvantages: none.

...The Shimano hyperloops are an excellent range of specimen rods especially for those anglers who are trying to keep to a budget. In my opinion the quality of these rods is second to none for any rod priced bellow £50. The rods are 12foot long and have 7 rings to guide the line. They are also available in four test curves 2.25, 2.50, 2.75 and 3.0lb which make these rods extremely versatile. The rods are very sensitive to the movement of the fish allowing you to feel through the rod the change an shift the fish. This makes playing the fish a pure joy. Personally I own three of these rods. Two 2.75lb test curves for my main set of rods used for ledgering, and one for 2.5lb which is used for surface fishing. Combining these rods with a good quality reel and this is more than adequate set up for any level of fishing.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Takes alot of stick!
Disadvantages: Not much

...A great all round speciment/coarse rod. Unlike bulky, clumsy carp rods, the Hyperloop Barbel is smooth and gentle. I have used it in many situations including light bream fishing, carp and medium/heavy river fishing aswell as light/medium float fishing. This rod has also been used for spinning, including light sea/estuery legering/floating giving great results and coping well. It is a great all round rod that I would not be without. I am not into the small stuff (roach etc) so this rod is perfectly suited to me. It incorporates a great reel seat, providing a strong base a comfortable position. Nice big eyes on the rings give a good line feed. This rod also has a very nice through action. It is suitable for nearly all sorts of fishing and I sincerely recommend it to anyone not wishing to fork out loads on some fancy, higher priced rod.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful