Testing Times: Antares BX 20lb to 30lb Braid Boat Rod. - 12/02/2010

The Antares braid is a stunning-looking rod with its metallic-brown finish and tough copper-coloured Fossilwood reel seat. It is a 7ft 6in two-piece rod constructed from XT250 carbon and Biofibre. The 12 Fuji SiC guides are underwhipped with gold and secured with brown thread. The action is superb for fishing with braid – the supple tip blends into a steely midsection and a powerful butt for pumping stubborn fish from the depths. The stunning-looking reel seat locks the reel firmly in place and the hand grips above and below the reel seat offer good grip in cold, wet conditions.

Out on test I matched the rod with Shimano’s Tyrnos 10 multiplier loaded with 30lb braid and topped with a 30lb fluorocarbon leader. The end rig was a simple running leger consisting of a 3ft trace with Pennel-rigged size 2/0 hooks baited with lug and squid – a very successful rig and bait for our intended targets of codling and whiting. Once again appalling weather prevented us getting out to sea, so we had to remain in the shelter of the estuary, limiting our chances of getting stuck into a decent cod.

A few minutes after dropping the bait down, some sharp rattles on the rod tip indicated a whiting had found the bait. This was the case for the next couple of hours – whiting after whiting. Their rattling bites showed really well on the supple tip and even the bite from a 20cm pout was unmissable. On the ebb tide I had to go up to a 10oz lead to hold bottom, and out of curiosity I even tried a pound weight. This was no problem for the Antares. Being able to cope with these heavy leads tells me this weapon will cope with offshore fishing for cod and pollack over deep-water wrecks and reefs.

There are three rods in the range – the light 12lb to 20lb model for drifting sandbanks for flatties and bass or over reefs for black bream. The 20lb to 30lb version I used is a step up in power to cope with stronger currents and fish both inshore and offshore. The 30lb to 50lb rod is for battling serious fish in very strong currents or over offshore wrecks and reefs. The Antares range really does offer a rod for every occasion and species.

INFORMATION

Blank Material: XT250 carbon and Biofibre
Overall Length: 7ft 6in
Sections: Two
Rings: 12 Fuji braid guides
Whipping: Brown – underwhipped with gold
Reel Seat: Fossilwood screw-up
RRP: £254.99

ROGER'S RATING

Appearance: 10
Fishing: 10
Value for Money: 9

Contact: Shimano UK Ltd on 01386 425826
Website: www.shimano.com