Shimano new rod models, they just keep getting better!

I have just had the pleasure of testing out a couple of new rods from Shimano, and wow, I am impressed. Who would have thought that they could keep on improving on products that are already so good!

Firstly the new Crucial range is absolutely amazing. The Crucial series have been my favourite light spinning rods for some years now, but the new ones are stunning. The IM 10 graphite gives the rods feather lightness and super sensitivity, with plenty of power. The new series has much better quality fittings than the previous series, with Fuji Alconite guides which are stronger, yet lighter than other guides. The reel seat set up, with split grip handles also contribute to the overall lightness of the rods. I also like the Aesthetics of the rod, with the tasteful green coating on the butt section of the blank.

I used the 7’2″ Crucial spinning rod on a recent trip to the Cape, where I just fell in love with this rod. I like a fast action rod, with a quick taper for my lure fishing, as it gives me so much more control over the lure action. This combined with the lightness of the rod made it absolutely perfect for the job, and it is hard to see how Shimano are going to ever improve on this model! I was wondering how it would hold up to a hard fighting fish, and didn’t have long to wonder. I landed some excellent fish on it, and was very impressed with the power in the lower section of the blank, which helped to tame some good fish quickly. Below is a pic of a nice garrick which was landed with no trouble in a Transkei estuary on the above mentioned rod, fitted with a Shimano Sustain 3000 reel and filled with 6lb Sufix 832 braid, the fish ate a Rapala Subwalk 7cm lure in very shallow water and gave a lovely fight on the light gear, but was beaten in a few minutes by superior quality tackle.

The other great rod that I got to test out was the new Shimano Terez Waxwing, a rod that was specifically designed for spin casting with braided line. This one is another gem from Shimano! The rod is unbelievably light, yet has incredible pulling power, reminding me of a superior version of the succesful Trevala range. The model that I used is the 7’2″ Medium Heavy, which is rated for braid from 20lb to 40lb. It has a classy cork handle and butt, a custom Shimano aluminium reel seat and Fuji K series alconite guides, which are specially deisgned tangle free guides for fishing braid. The thin blank, along with the fast taper gives it super lightness, in a very responsive rod, yet is strong enough to pull the springbok front row around.

I matched the rod with the Shimano Stella 5000 HG reel, loaded with 20lb Sufix 832 braid and felt like I had the best quality fish fighting equipment ever designed in my hands! The setup was light enough for me to cast and work large 6 inch soft plastics on a 3/4 oz jig head for hours without tiring my wrist, and I couldn’t wait to see how it would perform with a decent fish on the end.

The test came pretty soon, as I hooked into a very decent kob from the bank of the Breede river. This fish had the current helping it on a fast outgoing tide, and plenty of weight and fight. I had to put maximum pressure on, as we had spotted a Bull shark in the area short while before and I didn’t want to lose my fish to the taxman. The rod really lived up to its promise and subdued the fish in record time, keeping him close during the fight and out of the deeper channel. I am so impressed with this new stick that I don’t think I will be leaving it behind on any trip in the future! Below is a pic of the kob I cuaght with this spectacular outfit.