Tronixpro Xenon Match & Power on test.
Tronixpro’s incredible new range of Xenon rods is quickly making an impression among shore anglers
TRONIXPRO XENON MATCH AND POWER BEACH RODS RRP: £206.99 AND £218.99
Whenever I’m out testing items of tackle, such as putting a new beach rod through its paces, I’m constantly jotting down notes during my short time with the product. It’s important for me to record any experiences or particular details that I feel is worth exploring further.
It’s always particularly beneficial for me to eventually end up with four or five pages of descriptive notes, to enable me to put together a concise and explanatory review.
On this occasion, though, while out testing and fishing with Tronixpro’s new Xenon Match and Power beachcasters, my scribbling was quickly taking on a bit of a repetitive slant. Subsequently glancing over my notes, I’d written ‘wow’ far too many times, plus a lot of ‘smiley face’ sketches…but there were very good reasons for me having done that.
SPECIAL
Social media is a fantastic platform to enjoy reading other anglers’ experiences, especially when they’re explaining using a recently purchased shore rod.
“It’s wonderful!”, “Absolutely fabulous!”, “It casts like a dream!”, are all phrases regularly used. Well, I have to admit, on this occasion, I found myself muttering these very same phrases to myself during my test – perhaps not the ‘casting like a dream’ bit. To date, I still have no idea what a dream casts like…
Anyway, back to the new Tronixpro Xenon rods I was fishing with. I have to say they are a bit special in every way. Two-piece outfits at 13ft 8in, with ratings of 5-8oz stamped on the Power model, and, 3-6oz on the Match version. Fuji KWAG guides sit proudly on the blank, while Japanese shrink wrap and an adjustable reel seat that is locked firmly into position with a coaster, furnish the butt section. I firmly believe these rods are going to create quite a stir on the beach, because after just a day using them, they’ve absolutely won me over.
EAGER
I’d had plenty of chats with mates who were catching cod on the Holderness Coast. Fish averaging 4lb, with the odd better specimen to 8lb, were regularly being beached.
With this in mind, I headed over to a
popular East Yorkshire mark at Easington.
Flat calm conditions are perfect for codling here, especially if there is a lot of colour in the water. Imagine my pain when I arrived to see a long line of breakers rolling in front of me. One of these days I might get it right…I’m long overdue some luck in the weather department.
I opted to use an Akios 656 mag multiplier reel on the Match rod, and a Daiwa 7HT Mag on the Power model. The tide was now three hours into its flood and I was eager to plant a bait into the oily swells.
Two single-hook clipped-down rigs anchored with 6oz Impact Leads were soon armed with large, unwashed squid baits and clipped to each rod.
First up was the Xenon Match, and I’d heard from various sources this model being described as a light, scratching outfit. Don’t you believe a word of it!
I went straight into a powerful pendulum swing and let rip. I didn’t have to dig too hard into the butt for a response because the sensation of the blank gradually loading is incredible. With no timing issues and a rod fully locked, I launched the rig skyward with a satisfying grin on my face as it hit the sea.
In contrast, The Xenon Power is another beast altogether. If this rod could speak, I reckon it would have been growling at me.
Again, I went for the same powerful pendulum cast and was suitably amazed at the reaction I got from the blank. Winding the Power model up is not as tough as I imagined it to be. Yes, it does take some effort, and yes, it’s a powerhouse (not a poker), but when I had it locked into position, ready to hit, wow! It flies!
My only grumble, if you can call it that, is the fact it has a slight wobble after the hit. For me, recovery has never been an issue when casting a rod. In fact, I don’t care about immediate recovery and, to this day, I’ve never met an angler who’s complained about a poor recovery. I only mention it for those who rate the recovery action on a rod as a major factor.
testing
I fished all the way to high tide and two hours of the ebb and never had a bite. Conditions may have been wrong for the cod, but they certainly helped me to experience a true test of the Xenon rods.
The ground at Easington on the Holderness Coast is testing in places, especially with rigs anchored into a clay seabed. Tides are often strong, too, and if weed is present, a rod with a bit of grunt does the job perfectly - the Xenon Match and Power handled the whole session with flying colours.
To recap, the rods are built superbly with eye-catching colours, top-quality guides that can be used with both mono and braid. Proper Japanese shrink wrap on the butt section gives superb grip, which is also at the join for parting the rod. An adjustable screw-winch reel seat is locked into position with a coaster, and there’s a white tip for bite spotting.
Both models cast superbly, but they are by no means speedy-tipped blanks. The load-up is gradual, just enough to offer you enough time to really put your weight into a hit and get the timing spot-on.
In my opinion, the pair will easily cope with mixed-ground venues, deep water and strong tides, and the Power version will definitely handle rough ground.
Also, did you notice I haven’t mentioned the price yet? There’s a reason for that. Considering the Xenon Match costs £206.99, and, the Xenon Power carries a price tag of £218.99, I felt the urge to end this review on another positive note. Cue smiley face! ■