Rods, Reels & Poles

I’ve really enjoyed reviewing the Nytro products over the past few issues and the feedback about the brand from people I have spoken to has been very positive. The rods, the pole and the accessories I’ve used have been more than impressive for the price point and here again the same rings true. These are the Marvelist TPS natural float rods, designed for more traditional styles of float fishing. They come in three versions – a 13ft light model, a 13ft medium model and a 14ft medium, too. These are the perfect rods for both natural and commercial water fishing where you need a longer rod to help with line pick-up.

These rods have been designed in close collaboration with former World Champion Tom Pickering, hence the rods’ TPS lettering in the name. Each rod features ‘Minima-style’ line guides and slim 40T carbon blanks for a perfectly balanced lightweight feel. Recommended for reel lines between 2.5lb to 4lb (0.12mm to 0.18mm) the rods have a rigid, crisp action with great recovery for exceptional line and float control. Additionally, the soft tip action acts as a gentle shock absorber, minimising the risk of hook-pulls and allowing the use of lighter hooklengths.

Today I’m fishing a light insert waggler setup with a view to targeting the venue’s silver fish with a delicate maggot approach. I’ve brought a pint of maggots with me for both feed and hook bait, just for a nice simple day’s sport (hopefully). It’s very cold today and I’ve decided to start by fishing around four feet deep where I can loose feed a few maggots over the top. Main line is 4lb, so it’s nice and thin to aid float control and the rig is very simple with the bulk of shot around the float and just three No10 droppers spaced evenly below. Hooklength is 0.10mm to a small hook so I can fish double red maggot to (hopefully) entice a skimmer or two.

I’ve chosen the 13ft light model for the session today, but were this a river session the 13ft medium or even the 14ft model could be a better choice. The lightweight guides really do help with the balance of these rods and the blank is both responsive and crisp as you would expect. The light waggler flies effortlessly to the desired range and the rod clearly has been engineered specifically for this discipline. The action is far from frantic due to the freezing conditions, but we manage a few bites and an occasional skimmer to help test the rods out. The actions of the rods clearly lend themselves perfectly to the lighter lines and smaller hooks that you’re likely to want to use when you’re doing this style of fishing. The longer 13ft and 14ft lengths are ideal for helping that float control and line pick-up, especially on running water where you’re constantly mending the line and controlling the float as it runs through the swim.

The rods are all constructed with a three-piece design along with a securely locking reel seat, flat section on the handle, a hook keeper ring and all of the other features you’d expect from Nytro. Retail price is very good too, with the rods ranging from £109.99 to £119.99 in the shops.

Marvelist Float 13ft Light
• Casting Weight: 12g
• Line rating: 2lb to 4lb

Marvelist Float 13ft Medium
• Casting Weight: 20g
• Line rating: 3lb to 6lb

Marvelist Float 14ft Medium
• Casting Weight: 28g
• Line rating: 3lb to 7lb

KEY FEATURES
• 40T carbon blank
• Slim blanks
• Minima-style guides
• Lightweight and perfectly balanced
• Excellent line and float control
• Crisp and responsive action
• Cork handle
• Supplied in a rod bag
• Butt cap with epoxy logo

SRP: £109.99 to £119.99
WEBSITE: www.nytrofishing.com