Angler's Mail - No.1 for product news - reveals new Nash custom rods.

ANGLER’S MAIL – your No.1 magazine for product news – has revealed how custom-built carp rods are on the way from a major manufacturer.

This summer saw the launch of the original trio of NR rods from Nash.

But very soon, as reported in the Mail’s authoritative coverage of trade shows, you can get your own NR blank built.

The move is part of an innovative custom build service.

If you order rods through a special website, which the Mail understands is due to go live before Christmas, then you collect it at a Nash tackle shop in your area.

You choose the NR blank you want (12 ft 3 lb or 3.5 lb, or 13 ft 3.5 lb) and then decide on how you want it finished, selecting the handle, line clip, whipping tipping, even personalized stuff like your own name.

Top Kent-based rod builder Nick Buss will be making up each rod to order.

Prices will range from £349.99 to £429.99.

VIDEO>> To watch an Angler’s Mail exclusive video on the creation of NR rods, with Nash consultants Terry Edmonds and Mike Hall, click HERE

Read Angler's Mail magazine every week for the full story on latest gear and our own unbiased reviews.

3 LB QUANTUM SMART PIKE

£62
Designed for launching big baits to the horizon and, with a semi-parabolic action, this rod will absorb the lunges of a big fish under the rod tip. Its thick blank and weight of 400 gr creates a clumsy feel and, as it is overgunned for margin work and unforgiving for small livebaits, it lacks versatility. Good quality reel seat with part Duplon handle, six eyes including the standard 40 mm butt ring. Toning down the graphics, replacing the gloss varnish with matt and paying attention to less paint/varnish run would improve its cosmetics.
SCORE: 17/30

3 LB DAIWA MISSION X PIKE

£89.99
The rod has nine ultra low friction Aluminium Oxide double-legged guides, incorporating a 30 mm butt ring. These are claimed to increase casting distance; however, on testing no benefits were noticed. The handle is a continuation of the blank and feels as if it’s unfinished, awaiting a warm cork or Duplon handle to be fitted. The metal areas that finish off the Fuji reel seat will feel cold when using the rod. Finished in matt black, it has a medium fast action, weighs in at 350 gr but the guide spacing looks clumsy to me.
SCORE: 19/30

3 LB DRAGON DEADBAIT/POWER SPIN PIKE

£15
This rod will undoubtedly appeal to those on a budget, a great first time pike rod and one that will cope with most situations required from a less experienced angler. This rod has its drawbacks though. It’s thick, unforgiving and heavy and a weight of 500 gr makes it unsuitable as a spinning or casting rod, more at home for deadbaits in close. Surprisingly it’s fitted partly with a cork handle and six bulky but a little fragile single-legged anti-friction MATSUKU guides.
SCORE: 20/30

3 LB 30 PLUS RADAR

£99.99
Specifically designed as a carp rod, but will double up for pike and cover most eventualities. Lacking the more classic warm cork or Duplon handle and with its cosmetically pleasing reel seat it looks aimed at the more designer orientated angler. With a slim blank and being the joint lightest rod at just 300 gr it incorporates ‘Active Compression Technology’ and comes with a balanced progressive action. With seven quality guides including a 40 mm butt ring, line clip and finished in matt black, it will catch your eye but it comes at a price. If you shop around you might find it cheaper.
SCORE: 26/30

2.75 LB FOX WARRIOR DEADBAIT PREDATOR

£64.99
This specifically designed deadbait rod boasts a high quality lightweight 325 gr carbon blank with a grey matt finish and understated graphics. It has a fashionable full-length cork handle and a quality reel fitting with six Fox Slik Guides including a 30 mm butt ring. During casting the rod felt a little stiff. Although more comfortable at distance the rod will still perform with small livebaits or when fishing the margins.
SCORE: 27/30

3 LB SHIMANO VENGEANCE

£79.99
This specialist rod has both carp and pike in mind and is a good all-rounder. With a weight of 344 gr it’s not the slimmest of blanks but incorporates a full-length cork handle and six robust double-legged Hardlite stainless steel guides. The Vibra Lock reel seat feels a little uncomfortable, however this is just a minor point. The rod cast a soft bait easily and accurately, although ideally it’s more comfortable punching big baits out at distance. A cosmetically pleasing rod finished in matt black with red touches on the whippings.
SCORE: 27/30

2.75 LB KORUM PRECISION SPECIALIST

£99.99
A specialist rod with barbel, carp and pike in mind. Slim, it’s the lightest rod tested at just 300 gr. Its semi-parabolic action is ideal for casting a bait to the horizon but also when using smaller, softer baits in close. Fitted with a full-length quality cork handle and a Fuji reel seat the rod feels extremely balanced, especially when playing a fish under the rod tip. Seven braid-friendly SiC guides and a matt black finish. A great all-rounder.
SCORE: 28/30

BEST BUY

3 LB E.T. ULTIMATE PITMASTER

£74.99
The best looking rod tested, available from Kent’s The Friendly Fisherman. At first, I felt the action was over exaggerated, however when tested it cast a soft sardine some 15 yards further than all the other rods. Its sweet action makes you feel in complete control of a hooked fish. It has a popular warm full-length Duplon handle and its slim woven high modulus carbon blank is finished in a stylish Kevlar pattern. Fitted with seven braid-friendly aluminium oxide guides it will do almost every task asked of it, however, its action may not cast a big bait as far as some of the other rods tested.
SCORE: 29/30

NOTE: All products tested January 2010. All prices correct at the time of going to Press. Angler’s Mail do not take responsibility for price or product changes or current availability.

MAVER ABYSS

£45
A basic carp rod, designed with the beginner with a tight budget, rung for distance with ‘put-over’ matt grey blank. This rod needs a re-think: very basic build; not sure about the bronze whippings; not much thought has gone into the looks of the rod and it doesn’t compete with the other rods in the group. The Abyss lacks any real backbone, with a floppy action. Casting a 3 oz lead with this rod made me nervous. But it is the cheapest in the group.
SCORE: 21/30

FOX WARRIOR

£59
Slim matt grey blank, SiC guides, non-slip handle, line clip, with nice understated minimalist looks. Competitive entry-level rod from tackle legends Fox. Minimalist, modern looks complete with line clip and non-slip Duplon/shrink tube handle. Slightly tip heavy, so better suited to pit reels. Pleasing soft tip action makes for a forgiving playing curve with bags of power in the butt when you need it. Looks are not as cutting edge as some in the group, but saying that it’s a very classy product. Well worth a try.
SCORE: 25/30

GRAUVELL SC CARP FX 360

£59.99
Made with 100 per cent high modulus carbon. Sexy looks, nice through action rod, whippings could have been neater, but overall build quality is very good. Stainless steel spigot reinforcer rings, SiC guides and good non-slip, slim-line handle are a nice touch. A lovely players’ rod, with a nice forgiving action, not the best casting rod in the group, but certainly not the worst and will cast a
3 oz lead, Method feeder or PVA bag a good distance. Slightly tip heavy, would suit big pit reels over standard free-spools. A strong contender with modern looks and performance to match.
SCORE: 26/30

TFG MAX POWER

£49.99
Matt black carbon blank, balanced action SiC guides, Duplon abbreviated handle. Despite its dated looks, which really need to be addressed, it’s a really pleasant rod to use. Boasting a super slim blank, great playing curve and forgiving tip, it isn’t a casting rod, but for the occasional carper who isn’t fussed about the latest trends and fashions, this is a great choice. Priced at under 50 quid, and with a lifetime guarantee it’s a cracking rod none the less. If TFG sort out the rather dated appearance, they have a potential class leader on their hands.
SCORE: 26/30

JRC J4

£50
Features a slim, matt finished blank, SiC guides, custom-made handle and put-over joint. This is one for you Tackle Tarts out there. Jaw dropping looks, with a very flash reel seat that even features leatherette! It performs very well but not the greatest casting rod in the group as it lacks a bit of backbone when compressed compared to the Daiwa or the ProLogic. It plays fish very well close-in though. Balance is very good, not too heavy and rung for distance with quality SiC guides. I think this will be a top seller, looking the part and handling like a rod twice its price.
SCORE: 27/30

CORMORAN PRO CARP ELIMINATOR

£54.99
Slim carbon blank, spigot joint, minimal and stylish looks, SiC guides, non-slip handle. Very high quality spigotted rod with expensive looks. The Kevlar style seat is eye catching and adds a touch of class. Understated and subtle graphics. Great balance with pit reels makes this rod a serious contender in this group. A joy to use and a true players’ rod with a very pleasing through action. It’s not the ultimate casting rod as there is a slight softness in the backbone, but this is not a bad thing, because what it does, it does very well. Superb for the price.
SCORE: 28/30

DAIWA REGAL X

£54.99
Medium to fast taper gloss carbon blank, Aluminium Oxide guides, low profile soft touch grips, half hood Fuji FPS reel seat. This rod is superb, with all the feel and quality of top-flight Daiwa offerings. A pleasure to use. You can feel the quality the moment you pick it up. The balance is perfect with a pit reel but it still feels balanced with a medium model. A great casting rod too, as the blank is quite tippy with a rather stiff backbone, but not overly. It’s nice to see a quality fast taper rod in this price bracket. A cracking players rod too.
SCORE: 29/30

BEST BUY

PROLOGIC CLASSIC CARP

£49.99
Lightweight and slim high modulus carbon blank, SiC guides, Fuji reel seat, put-over joint. What a stunner! Simply amazing value. Super slim blank, superb gloss finish reminiscent of the early Sportex and Harrison rods. Drop dead looks, perfect whippings, great non-slip handle that looks the biz. Has the appearance of a much more expensive rod, punches well above its weight. Very responsive with great recovery when casting, but still having a soft enough tip for delicate fish playing. This rod is an obvious choice for a budget long distance rod or one to buy for the occasional foreign trip.
SCORE: 30/30

NOTE: All products tested May 2009. All prices correct at the time of going to Press. Angler’s Mail do not take responsibility for price or product changes or current availability.