WHISKER XLS
Daiwa’s latest release blows other poles out of the water
Mullet
With impressive muscle power honed from roaming between salt and freshwater, along with a profile like an Exocet missile, the mullet fights like a demon. A shame they can be so fickle to try and catch, because pound for pound, these are arguably our hardest battling fish. Please don’t call them British bonefish, though, because that’s just silly (and real bonefish eat things you can see, not just mud).
If it was an athlete:
The mullet would be a world-class sprinter. Like the best of them, he can be hard to catch! (Usain Bolt)
Salmon
The silver tourist doesn’t get his king of the river moniker for nothing. Having travelled thousands of miles just to get back to freshwater, he is as fit
as fish come. Expect relentless strength, spectacular leaps and runs that strip tens of yards of line in seconds.
If it was an athlete:
With endurance to burn and thousands of miles on the clock, this fish would have to be one of those serial marathon running nutters. (Paula Radcliffe)
Eel
Not flavour of the month for many, but you have to respect the eel’s brute strength. A cable of pure muscle, and, unlike the rest, it can swim backwards as well as forwards.
If it was an athlete:
Probably a mixed martial arts fighter, it comes complete with a foul temper and a playbook that’s about as nasty as Donald Trump’s daily Twitter feed. (Conor McGregor)
Barbel
Okay, so the salmon or mullet might leave barbel behind for sheer speed. But here is one of the strongest, most downright dirty fighters in all British waters. He knows the exact location of every snag and bolthole in the river, and is as good at destroying nerves as light tackle.
If it was an athlete:
Gritty, powerful and capable of a sneaky trick or three, the barbel would perhaps be a fast bowler with bags of raw power and a few anger management issues. (Ben Stokes)
Carp
Apart from its huge potential for growth, there’s a very good reason the carp is our most popular fish. He fights like stink! Not the fastest fish, but just doesn’t know when he’s beaten.
If it was an athlete:
Would have to be a heavyweight boxer. Impressive endurance, and plenty of power to burn. Can be prone to putting on weight and its mouth sometimes gets it into trouble.