LIGHTER OPTIONS
These new rods from Imax will guarantee more fun when fishing delicately from a beach or estuary
IMAX FR MATCH FLATTIE SSP: £129.99
I t may be labelled a flattie rod, but this two-piece, 12ft 6in outfit can be used for much more. Rated to cast loads between 2-4oz, it’s a rod that allows shore anglers to be a lot more tactile in their approach. If you’re an angler who enjoys flicking baits into the edge of the surf, this rod is brilliant in both feel and responsiveness.
A shallow estuary is another venue where it will shine. Bite detection is superb and, along with the fact that it has a particularly good ‘through’ action, performance and handling is also very pleasing.
In particular, I reckon the length is just right. Although you may be targeting fish close in, if you need to punch your bait a little further, it’s extremely reliable when hitting it harder to reach those extra yards.
Cosmetically, it is rather outstanding, and you do get a lot of rod for your buck. For a start, it’s furnished with popular Pac Bay Minima 4 guides and whipped with an impeccable finish. The butt section has Japanese shrink-wrap along its length for a good grip, where a neat, adjustable sliding reel seat is added.
Designed to be used with either a multiplier or fixed-spool reel, I thoroughly enjoyed using the Imax FR Flattie rod with a small palm-sized multiplier and light mono.
TECH SPEC
MODEL: Imax FR Flattie M/FS SECTIONS: Two LENGTH: 12ft 6in RATING: 2-4oz GUIDES: Pac Bay Minima 4 REEL SEAT: Sliding adjustable screw winch BAG: Yes PRICE: £129.99
IMAX FR MATCH QUIVER SSP: £129.99
When the weather is calm and the sea is like a mill pond, this outfit is superb for spotting the tiniest of bites. In a world where Continental rods appear to be all the rage, this two-piece rod offers you another angle for shore fishing.
Unlike its Flattie stablemate, this rod features an extremely delicate tip that will register ultra-fine bites. Having said that, the blank itself maintains all the right attributes needed for shore fishing, albeit targeted at rather lighter tactics.
Again, it is designed to be used with either a multiplier or fixed-spool reel, but I went for the latter loaded with thin braid and found it to be a perfect match, for me anyway.
Casting is extremely effortless, and a simple flick will see your baited rig reaching good distances. This is certainly not a rod for whacking because a simple load-up process and overhead thump is all that is needed.
Even though I enjoyed using it from the beach, I couldn’t help but think that I would use it in estuaries or river marks where flounders, eels, sole and mullet will be feeding. I reckon it will even make a perfect float rod from piers and rocks too.
Like all of the rods in the FR Match range, they’re built and finished superbly, and are incredibly lightweight.
TECH SPEC
MODEL: Imax FR Quiver M/FS SECTIONS: Two LENGTH: 12ft 6in RATING: 2-5.5oz GUIDES: Pac Bay Minima 4 REEL SEAT: Sliding adjustable screw winch BAG: Yes PRICE: £129.99