3LB TEST CURVE RODS UNDER £120 ON TEST

ANGLERS MAIL FEATURE SPRING 2014

THE BEST MID PRICED 12FT 3LB T/C CARP RODS UP TO £120

Tested by DUNCAN CHARMAN

Taking the ESP Paragon Plus to a local day ticket water Duncan didn’t have to wait long to test out the rods action on this stunning 15lb common.

KORUM CARP – RRP £49.99

This understated matt black carbon blank offering six quality guides ranging between 40 and 14mm. Its quality line clip and screw style reel seat, abbreviated handle and ergonomic rear grip offer great functionality. Great value for money and a rod that will appeal to those on a budget where multiple rods are required or as a first time carp rod. Its responsive, steely action is ideal for casting a method feeder to the horizon or taming big fish in weedy situations. A good all-round carp rod that will cope with most angling situations and having plenty of grunt in the blank will appeal to those targeting catfish.

GREYS PRODIGY GT3 - RRP £99.99

This slim modulus carbon blank certainly looks good, predominantly set in matt grey with stylish understated graphics and wove above handle and featuring six G-Lite TM SIC Guides ranging between 40 and 15mm. Well balanced with a progressive action, good for casting long distances, yet retaining a feel that’s enjoyable whilst playing a big fish close in. Full shrink wrap handle, reinforced joints, DPS reel seat and quality line clip create a great rod for carp of all sizes. A great all-round rod that will appeal too many, especially those progressing from their first rods, anglers that are looking for quality and reliability as well as the experienced carper.

JRC EXTREME XLR - RRP £109.99

Slim, lightweight 40T matt black carbon blank incorporating stylish abbreviated 1K wrap handle between butt and reel seat, understated graphics and six well spaced quality guides ranging between 50 and 18mm create a great casting rod. The responsive powerful blank feels well balanced and creates an enjoyable playing action and features a quality carbon line clip and screw style reel seat. A great all-round rod capable of targeting carp of all sizes and one that will appeal to most including those wishing to upgrade exciting rods as well as the experienced carper who needs complete trust in his equipment.

ESP PARAGON PLUS – RRP £79.95

A multi modulus carbon blank, smooth looking with a black gloss finish and understated graphics and certainly built for distance casting with its six oversized and SiC guides ranging between 50 and 16mm. Those wanting a top quality line clip will be happy and the quality screw style ergonomic reel seat and full length shrink rubber handle with flared casting grip and a subtle butt cap showing logo gives the rod a classy look. Having a steely, responsive action this rod creates loads of power, especially in the middle reaches which is ideal for distance casting and taming big carp and even cats. A nice touch are the rod protector sleeves it’s supplied with.

FOX WARRIOR S – RRP £69.99

This slim matt black low resin carbon blank comes with six SLIK guides ranging between 40 and 14mm which are spaced for long distance casting. Featuring a quality line clip, 18mm DPS reinforced steel headed reel seat for solid fitting as well as an abbreviated ergonomically tapered butt grip (full cork option available). This feels a rod that should have a much higher price tag, a great rod for anglers wanting to progress from their first rod and one that will last. Its feels well balanced and offers a progressive through action, ideal for distance casting, yet its soft tip is ideal for playing carp under the rod tip without fear of pulling the hook.

STILLWATER BPX – RRP £39.99

Popular matt black finish and understated graphics this slim high modulus carbon blank comes complete with six SIC double legged guides, well spaced and ranging between 40 and 15mm. Featuring a quality line clip as well as an 18mm screw style reel seat and Duplon abbreviated full length handle with a laser etched butt cap. Having such a low price tag this is a fantastic rod for the carper on a budget, especially if three rods are required or for a first time carp rod. Its progressive through action and soft tip creates a balanced rod which will cast a good distance, yet it retains an enjoyable feel when playing carp under the rod tip, ideal for bagging on commercials.

NASH ENTITY – RRP £131.99

Slightly outside of our mid priced RRP rods but one that can be picked up for around £110 is Nash Tackle’s Entity. Understated graphics and with a gorgeous 6^th generation woven carbon throughout this low diameter blank offers six well spaced, top quality guides ranging between 50 and 18mm, ideal for distance casting, yet with a forgiving tip for playing fish under the rod top. Genuine Fuji reel seat, abbreviated handle (full shrink handle option available) and carbon line clip complete a rod of distinction, one that will appeal to a vast range of anglers especially the more specialist angler in search of big carp, ones that are looking for a rod that will last and not let them down.

SHIMANO TRIBAL VELOCITY - RRP £149.99

Another rod just outside our mid priced category, but one that can be picked up for around £110 is the Shimano Tribal. Classy looking HPC100 + Biofibre blank with strengthening 3K weave to butt and base of tip joint offering plenty of backbone as well as a forgiving tip great for playing big fish a close quarters . Offering six stainless steel Hardlite guides well spaced for casting distance and ranging between 50mm and 16mm (40mm available). Strong and secure 3K carbon machined reel seat, line clip and safety rod stopper on handle create a well balanced rod ideal for the intermediate and experienced carp angler where reliability and quality counts.