Live test: Sonik Dominator X carp rod

The pick of Sonik’s latest range of carp rods is a faultless fish-player, a sound investment and a bargain all-rounder

SONIK DOMINATOR X 12ft 3.25lb CARP ROD RRP: £129.99

WHEN it comes to big-carp kit, Northumberland-based Sonik is up there with the very best for innovation, quality and performance. The company, which is introducing many outstanding new products this year, has added a range of carpy SK-Tek Luggage to its ensemble, as well as value for money Vader X, and Dominator X reels. Not to mention a super-comfy new Levelbed bedchair. On the rod front, the firm which is wellnoted for its brilliant big value Buy Two Get One Free offers, have full ranges of carp rods at three price points, from the top-end Gravity X collection, through to the lowerpriced Vader X models. In between these sits Sonik’s comprehensive new mid-priced Dominator X range. This covers everything from 10ft 3lb test curve rods, which incidentally look ideal for small venues, through to more standard 12ft 2.75lb, 3lb, 3.25lb and 3.5lb test curve models. A long-cast 13ft 3.50lb distance rod, and two clever 12ft and 13ft S+M (Spod and Marker) models complete the range. With prices starting from as little as £89.99 going up to £139.99, and with the buy two get one free offer in place (excluding the S+M Hybrid rods) the Dominator X looks to offer the keen carper great value. Technically and build-wise their prices belie their pedigree. They are constructed using

high modulus two-piece carbon fibre blanks that incorporate a 1K weave, which gives the rods that extra bit of oomph when long casts are needed. In addition, a multi-directional cloth configuration is used on the tip section for increased casting accuracy. Sonik hasn’t scrimped on fittings either. Lightweight low-profile double-leg black SiC guides are used throughout with 50mm butt rings, and anti-frap tip rings. The original Fuji 18mm DPS Black screw-down reel seat will fit all of the most popular sizes of big-pit and freespool reels. To that little lot you can add furnishings such as a custom contoured Sonik line clip, super-slim Japanese shrinkwrap butt grip, and black anodised collars with a matching laser-etched S logo butt cap. The 12ft 3.25lb test curve Dominator X is sure to be among the range’s best sellers, because at this particular test curve the blank’s actions can be utilised to fully cover a multitude of differing tactics from big Method feeders through to solid PVA bags. Plus, it should comfortably handle fish of all sizes, making it an excellent all-round tool. Even though decent-sized carp can be hard to come by at this time of year, popular big-fish runs waters such as Drayton, Boddington, and Clattercote Reservoir are still fairly reliable for making sure the bite alarms and bobbins don’t seize up. So on a cold, damp and totally lack-lustre morning I found myself pulling up at Boddington Reservoir for my first carp session of 2018. Tactics would be simple. For Boddington at this time of year you need nothing more than a straightforward Method feeder approach, micro pellets as feed, and a wafter hookbait. I had spooled a pair of Sonik’s latest Vader X 8000 big-pit reels with 10lb line. Matched with two Dominator X 3.25lb test curve rods this would give me the casting clout required to get a long way out into the reservoir and among the fish. As I admired the rods on my pod they really did look the business. The carbon weave is etched perfectly across a classy matt grey/black finish, which is tastefully furnished with half a dozen of the finest matt black lined guides, while the 50mm butt guide provides a modern twist. The Fuji reel seats fitted the big-pit style reels like a glove, while the blank’s full length Japanese shrink wrapped handles, adorned with laser engraved butt caps, provided a custom built aesthetic to the pairing. As casting distance goes the 3.25lb

Dominator X easily generates enough power when fullycompressed to hit 100 yards – as long as you don’t overload it with too much casting weight. My recommendation would be anything up to 3.5oz. The rod’s fish-playing qualities are nothing short of faultless. They have a progressive fighting curve that kicks in quickly when put under pressure. This made short work of the low-doubles I was catching, but with still enough transmission and feel to make them fun to deal with. Rest assured there is still a lot of big-boy muscle lurking in the blank’s lower section should you find yourself connected to a proper fish. Plus, the blank’s reactive carbon build does exactly as Sonik claims, and the rod will absorb the lunges of any hard-fighting fish.