Improve Your Coarse Fishing (UK)
On- the- bank test:
IYCF’s Tony Grigorjevs discovers that hooking and landing fish from range is as easy as plundering the margins when you’ve gone long with MAP’s Stepped Up Version feeder rod
MAP Dual SUV 12ft Feeder
MAP DUAL SUV 12ft FEEDER ROD RRP: £ 159.99
THE popularity of feeder fishing is showing no sign of waning, with thousands of anglers now listing it as their favourite tactic.
It is a style that has literally dozens of strands to it and one in particular that’s picking up new followers by the day – longrange feeder fishing.
Waters such as Boddington Reservoir, Barston Lakes and a plethora of breamdominated venues have helped drive the trend for both carp and silverfish enthusiasts.
That increase has clearly struck a chord among tackle manufacturers, with the vast majority of big brands launching new rods to handle the strain of repeatedly launching a feeder to the horizon.
MAP’s 12ft Dual SUV Feeder is the latest tool for the job to emerge. Bosses at the company have promised a topend performer at a mid- range price, so I headed to Loco Lake at Lindholme Lakes in North Lincolnshire to see whether it was worthy of such hype.
Launching it long
As soon as the Dual SUV – short for Stepped Up Version – came out of the bag, it was apparent that this is a rod designed to chuck a fair distance.
The butt end of the carbon has a fairly thick blank to eradicate the chance of the rod blowing up when the pressure is piled on during the cast.
It also has large rings spread evenly and appropriately down the rod. This helps the mainline flow freely with minimal friction, aiding the distance a feeder can reach.
Three tips of 1.5oz, 2oz and 2.5oz are provided, with the rod rated to handle payloads of 50g- 90g.
A 36g Guru Hybrid feeder was threaded on to the mainline and cast out.
I seem to unintentionally hold back a touch when making the first few casts with a new rod, afraid it will crumble if I give it too much hammer.
But that mentality was soon banished as it became clear this rod is more than capable of handling a barrage of force being applied on the cast.
I clipped up at 60 yards to begin with and it proved extremely easy to hit that spot. I’m no expert at long- range fishing either so I can only imagine it would have been a doddle for anyone with full confidence in this style.
After a couple more casts, the tip eventually went round and it was game on. The rod had passed the casting test, but how would it perform during battle?
Power in abundance
Moments after picking up the rod, the level of resistance increased as the culprit pushed against the line clip. With a 0.20mm hooklength and a size 14 hook at the business end, I knew my terminal tackle would be up to the task but the rod needed to play its part too.
As an angler who is used to fishing with 9ft11ft rods aimed at casting short to medium distances, the playing action initially felt a little alien.
It felt as though the rod was quite stiff and I was worried that action would lead to a hookpull. It didn’t and a 3lb F1 was soon in the net.
Another couple came to the net and I eventually realised there was nothing to be concerned about. It was simply a completely different action to what I was used to, and when you think about what the rod is designed to do, that is exactly what I should have expected.
The top end of the rod is soft enough to deal with the lunges of any fish but you don’t feel every moment because of the thicker and
“I’d have no qualms about using the 12ft Dual SUV Feeder for sessions where bream over 2lb were the main quarry”
more steely carbon at the butt end.
Five fish fell 60 yards out before bites dried up and I stripped a little more line off and reclipped. This time I was at 70 yards, and casting to the zone remained comfortable.
Another trio of big F1s came at this range, as did a handful of small skimmers. Although I wouldn’t view the Dual SUV as a tool for smaller silverfish, it didn’t bump any and I would have no qualms about using it for sessions where bream over 2lb were the main quarry.
If you are new to this type of fishing then it will take a short while to get to grips with the Dual SUV but, once you do, you’ll realise you’ve got your hands on a rod that is more than up to task on all levels.