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The company’s latest top-end World Pro Feeder rod has an action that will leave you gasping with admiration

We head to the bank with Middy’s top-end World Pro Feeder rod

CLOSE to the pinnacle of Middy’s already comprehensive feeder rod range sits the latest new and improved 11ft Nano-Core XK55-2 World Pro Feeder.

Don’t be deterred by the RRP, because it can be found for around £159.99 if you shop around. That said, it’s still a lot to lay out by anyone’s standards, so what will you be shelling out for?

For starters you get an ultra-slim (just over 3cm circumference at the butt section), ridiculously light, two-sectioned carbon fibre blank, the result of the very latest Nano-Core technology.

This translates into a hugely strong, flexible rod with a set of lightning-fast reflexes.

The understated non-flash matt-black blank has undergone a unique high-pressure vacuum curing process that forces out any tiny air bubbles, ensuring a consistent performance and a flawless finish. Other luxury touches include three push-in carbon quiver tips rated at 1oz, 2oz and 3oz, plus eight ceramic-lined double and single SiC guides.

An ultra-thin full cork handle with screw-down reel seat completes its classy furnishings.

Middy claims the rod will cast bombs and feeders up to 60g using mainlines up to 10lb and hook-lengths up to 8lb. But I reckon top-end models should always have that bit extra. Without a noticeable edge to the rod’s performance, all the marketing speak counts for nowt – that applies to all tackle brands!

And so to the live test, to see if the improved spec and build of the XK55-2 did indeed have the ‘Wow Factor’. We headed to a new day ticket venue for me, Townsend Lakes near Wisbech, deep in the Cambridgeshire Fens. There, the occupants of Woodpecker Pool come in all sizes, and respond well to most open-water straight lead and feeder tactics. Assembling the rod, you cannot help but be impressed by its pencil-slimness and lightness in the hand – if anything, I found the full cork handle a tad too skinny for my own assortment of butt rests, and would suggest that any purchaser should look for a small U-shaped abbreviated rear rest of the type favoured by carp anglers.

The rod’s two sections are of equal length when a quivertip is fitted and, as the XK55-2 comes with its own carry bag, it can be put away ready made-up.

I was not wholly convinced by its suggested 60g (around 2oz) maximum casting weight. For me, the top end of the quivertip carrier section has a little bit too much

play for such a payload, and while there is no denying its impressive post-cast tip recovery speed, this rod is clearly not of the ‘give it a whack’ breed.

And let’s face it, if you miscast and take out the top section it’s likely to be a very expensive mistake to make!

And there end my criticisms. The fact is, the performance of this new and improved version of the Nano-Core XK55-2 11ft World Pro Feeder will have you purring with satisfaction.

It has a wondrous amount of torque and feel, with a handling aptitude up there with the very best. The immaculate high modulus carbon blank has a phenomenal crispness and line pick-up speed, blended with a super-responsive continuous (non-locking) parabolic action which steadily strengthens and tightens the more you pull. This lets you quickly subdue any size or species of fish without any hook-pulls or snapped lines.

This superb action is where the ‘Wow Factor’ that I was looking for kicks in. Think of it as a bit like stepping out of your old family saloon and into a works rally car.

Once you adapt to the change it’s all systems go – except that you won’t have to strap yourself in!

Price: £175