Top-performing Medusa
Tronixpro unveils a Continental beach rod that really bucks the trend in actually suiting British venues…
Paul Fenech tests the Tronixpro Medusa MT rod.
TRONIXPRO MEDUSA MT RRP: £499.99
I’ m going to be brutally honest and admit that I’m not a massive fan of Continental rods. In fact, I know it’s an absolute nightmare for anyone dipping their toes into this market for the first time – there’s just too many to choose from.
I’ve had many phone calls and emails over the years from readers asking me which models should they choose, and it’s not the easiest question to answer. The choice available is vast and you can pay as much as you like when purchasing.
Another point to make must be the use of fixed-spool reels. Ten years ago, the cream of British angling wouldn’t have ever dreamed of using a ‘mangle’, but nowadays, it’s the must-have reel.
Yes, it’s true that many match anglers use these long rods (and to great effect), but I’m asking the question: has it simply become the case that it’s all about adopting a certain image on the match circuit?
Don’t get me wrong, I do get the whole Continental style. When fishing into shallow, clear conditions, where shy fish may be the target, it probably does warrant the use of thin mainlines, tiny hooks, small rolling lead weights and hair-like hook snoods. However, if anyone can explain to me why some match anglers are using these same tactics in very rough, coloured conditions, then I’m willing to be educated further.
Some Continental-style rods, though, are better than others, especially if they can cope with typical British venues and conditions.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
To be fair, the Medusa, from Tronixpro, is a Continental rod that actually suits British venues, with the added ability to adapt to others. For a start, the three-piece 15ft (4.5m) outfit has proper Fuji ‘K’ rings whipped on – not those fashionable low-rider options.
Although it’s a three-piece, it comes with three carbon push-in tip sections that are rated at light, medium and heavy. The reel is secured with a Fuji DPS winch fitting.
If you’re a freelance angler, then perhaps you don’t particularly care about multi-tips, but they can actually make a difference to shore fishing at times. Match anglers, on the other hand, will find them extremely useful, especially if fishing a mixed-ground venue.
An addition to the rod is also the option to purchase three glass push-in tip sections. Again rated light, medium and heavy, they cost £19.99 each.
The rod is nice to handle and extremely lightweight (there are counterbalance
weights neatly stored under the butt cap) and it does actually cast incredibly well.
I opted to use a medium carbon push-in tip, along with a good old British two-hook clipped rig and 5oz breakout sinker. My fixedspool reel was loaded with 18lb mono and a tapered shockleader, and I used just a simple overhead thump style cast.
EXTRA FUN
Casting-wise, it flies, it really does and without any drama. It sits nice and high in the tripod and registers bites brilliantly – as you would imagine with this type of rod. I was fishing on the shingle stretch of coastline in North Norfolk where dabs and whiting are plentiful, and I had a lot of fun using it. It’s always great to see bites and the rod tip being pulled forward, even from a dab.
Conditions were good, with a decent crunch hitting the shingle and, every now and then, a swell would break further out. Again, this didn’t seem to affect the performance of the rod. In fact, the rig I was using is a typical rig I would use in these conditions with my own ‘proper’ beach rod and multiplier.
The short, four-hour session resulted in lots of fish, with plenty of double-shots too. I’m not a huge fan of large fixed-spool reels simply because I’m old school, but I persevered, particularly as a large amount of whiting and dabs were taking my bait. The rod and reel did put extra fun into my day, rather than just clipping and whacking and reeling in every 15 minutes.
I enjoyed using the Medusa, but must confess it’s really not my style of fishing. However, this type of rod does serve a purpose in UK fishing and it is certainly one of the better Continental-style rods that I have come across.
The rod also comes with a bag and protective neoprene hard case plus a Medusa baseball cap too.