ICON GOES ELITE
The popular Icon FXD range of Continental shore rods has recently undergone an upgrade…
Check out the FXD Super Sport and Super Elite.
ICON FXD SUPER SPORT AND SUPER ELITE SHORE RODS RRP: £279.99 - £369.99
When Icon first launched its range of three-piece FXD rods, the company offered the Continental rod fan an outfit that possessed sensitivity and power, matched with a superior quality build.
Eventually, the market place became stuffed with these rods, most proclaiming to be the leading choice and, with a wide array of prices and models to feast your eyes upon, it was inevitable that the price tag would make your decision easy.
Contrary to popular belief, many of the UK’s shore anglers fell into the trap of believing that these outfits were only fit for purpose if you were a match angler.
Of course, match anglers have certainly popularised the Continental rod, especially when more and more adapted to coarse fishing tactics. Targeting tiny species with ultra-light lines and miniature hooks suddenly became easily achievable.
However, the idea of Continental-style fishing is certainly not just aimed at match fishing. There are, in fact, some shore anglers out there who are not only casting a baited rig further, but also actually seeing the rod tip rattle from a wafer-thin dab or a tiny whiting.
Okay, it’s not exactly ripping up trees in terms of fishing, but if the action is particularly slow during a session or suddenly a decent fish decides to grab your hook, expect pulse levels to be raised.
Although it’s becoming increasingly noticeable that the Continental rod boom is definitely showing signs of going full circle, these three-piece outfits – that in the beginning saw captivated anglers hurrying to purchase them – are gradually becoming two-piece rods.
No doubt there will always be a demand for Continental rods, and by making them available in both two- and three-piece versions, Icon may have just made them that little more appealing to a wider audience.
POWERHOUSE
The Icon FXD Super Elite is a twopiece outfit measuring 4.2 metres when assembled. Carrying an increased optimum casting rating of 150g-250g, it really is a powerhouse of a rod.
The balance weights that were once located inside the butt section (I never did see the point of these) are now redundant, and it’s furnished with Fuji KWAG rings and reel seat.
Although it’s designed to be used with a fixed-spool reel, I really do think you could couple it with a multiplier too.
Casting-wise, the power is incredibly noticeable, especially through the butt and middle section of the blank. Load it up and keep pushing all the way to the launch and the end result is very satisfying. There’s absolutely no sign of folding whatsoever, while the recovery is immediate.
A Continental rod it may be, but with this outfit you would have absolutely no concerns at all if you took it to some rough ground and targeted cod, huss or rays.
If Icon ever decides to replace the fixed reel seat with a sliding version, I’d certainly add another tick to the like box.
DESIRABLE
In contrast, the Icon three-piece FXD Super Sport is totally on par with its stablemate the FXD Sport (that I reviewed here a few issues back), except this version is now equipped with a full carbon tip and the counterbalance weights have gone.
The casting rating has been increased to 95g-195g and it’s certainly a desirable outfit when you need more delicacy. Again, the cosmetics and build are superb, with quality Fuji KWAG guides and reel seat.
The really noticeable aspect I spotted when casting was the last 10 inches of the tip locking immediately as I went into the loading process. Strangely, it didn’t pose any timing issues whatsoever because the load does transfer through the blank extremely well.
I reckon this rod will almost definitely raise a few eyebrows and cause quite a lot of interest throughout the match world. ■