Exclusive first test!
Flagship MTX 4 is equally at home whether fishing for carp or silvers
On the bank with the new Matrix MTX 4 pole
PREPARE yourself for four blisteringly good new match poles from Matrix – the MTX 1, 2 and 3, and the top-end MTX 4 which, rather handily, is on live test duty. Together they cover all commercial fishery scenarios and most angling budgets.
Developed with input from that pocket rocket match ace Mark Pollard, the two 16m MTX Ultra poles are all-rounders with frankly hefty price tags. Then we have 13m and 14.5m MTX Power poles for real hit-and-hold work.
All four benefit from the finest quality Toray Japanese carbon cloths and high impactresistant resins for unparalleled levels of strength, rigidity and responsiveness. And they share the same mandrel, which rather handily makes them fully interchangeable from top-kits through to butt sections.
What’s more, if you are a current Nemesis owner, you’ll find your prized pole fully compatible with these latest beauties.
THE LIVE TEST
After a successful few seasons as Matrix’s best-selling flagship pole, the Nemesis hands over the baton to the new MTX 4 Ultra.
The newcomer, designed from the ground up, will handle everything from heavyweight commercial carp to shy-biting roach on natural venues.
This gem will set you back just a penny shy of three grand, so you have a right to expect something really special. Ever the sceptic, though, I called my good friend and former Image and Essex County team-mate Mark Pollard, who’d been up to his armpits in the MTX’s development.
In typical Polly fashion, he reckons it’s the best thing since drawing end pegs. And face it, he should know – if anyone’s won more matches than he has, I’d like to hear about it!
But is this just a remake of its Nemesis predecessor, or are there any genuine and significant improvements to be found in the MTX 4? Well, to start with it weighs in some 70g lighter at its full 16m length, and the slightly (dare I say?) ‘cumbersome’ feel of the Nemesis when playing fish has been replaced by a much quicker tip section that rounds off the performance with plenty of pulling power in reserve.
You also get improved section and joint strength, and greater linear rigidity. There’s not a sign of joints sticking, even at its longest lengths – this really is a flying machine, as befits Polly’s lightning-fast pole handling speed. I particularly like the MTX top kits. Within the range you can get a Match Kit Ultra 1, a Power Kit 2, a Power Kit Ultra 2, a Match Kit 2, a Finesse Kit and a single section Short Kit.
All come pre-bushed and fitted with Matrix’s brilliant new Revolve side puller kits.
I shan’t bang on too much about the pole’s performance during the live test at Westwood’s Kingfisher Lake because the MTX 4 costs many thousands of pounds.
Could you conceive that it would flop around hopelessly like a stick of rhubarb? Of course not!
This is a lean, mean bagging machine, and just as it should be – a star performer. Price: £2,999.99