Testing Times: Orbula 15lb to 20lb Carbon Boat Rod - 11/03/2010
If you want an all-round boat rod that won’t break the bank, the Orbula could be just what you’re looking for – as Roger Mortimore discovered on his latest test.
Built on a slim carbon blank, the Orbula carbon boat rod has a well-balanced, responsive action for good bite detection but with enough muscle to handle powerful fish. It’s in two sections – the tip section and a detachable butt – to transport and store easily. The action is parabolic, meaning it bends along its length rather than being soft in the tip, but bites still show well, as I found out…
I managed to arrange a boat trip at short notice in what turned out to be awful conditions. With a fresh northerly wind and persistent rain, it was freezing – but at least these conditions would provide a good test for the rod.
I took two multipliers – one loaded with 20lb mono, the other with 20lb braid – to see how the rod coped with different lines.
I started by just dropping the baited rig over the side, bouncing it back with the current until the lead stayed firmly on the bottom. A few sharp taps indicated that a whiting was attacking the bait and the bite showed clearly on the tip. After a few more seconds I wound in the first whiting of the day. Though the bites were clear, the rod could’ve done with a blend of fibreglass to make the tip a little softer – not just for bite indication but to avoid pulling hooks from soft mouths.
The constant rain and wind made my fingers numb so I couldn’t feel the bites, but there was no way you could miss seeing them when a few fat codling moved through. It was easy to see the violent ‘bang bang’ as a codling scoffed the bait, especially when compared to the sharp taps that the whiting gave.
The action and length of the rod are nothing like that of a purpose-built uptider, but when I lobbed a 6oz Breakaway lead across the tide, the Orbula managed quite well. This tactic resulted in a much better cod – one of those head-thumpers that stay deep until you have to heave them up into the net.
The day drew to a close and, while it was a shame to leave the feeding fish, it was a relief to get out of the freezing, wet weather.
As for the rod’s plus points – it’s slim, light, easily transported and stored, and it handled some decent fish in a current with relative ease. And the minus points – the rod would be improved with a slightly softer tip to stop hooks being pulled from mouths.
INFORMATION
- Blank Material: Carbon
- Overall Length: 7ft
- Class: 15lb to 20lb
- Sections: Two
- Rings: Seven, plus tip
- Whipping: Black
- Reel Seat: Fixed screw-winch
- RRP: £27.99
ROGER’S RATINGS
- Appearance: 8
- Fishing: 9
- Value for Money: 10
Contact: WSB on 01209 340010
Website: www.wsbtackle.com
