Tubertini Gorilla Boat 500 Rod - 12/06/2009

Every so often we come across a new product that makes us drool and this rod falls into that category. When I took delivery of the Gorilla Boat 500 the first thing I noticed was the very fast taper and its amazing lightness. The 500g rated, high-tenacity-carbon-constructed rod is 2.4m long in two equal sections and the tip section has a choice of two push-in tips for unbelievable bite sensitivity. There are also two larger versions at 2.7 metres and 3 metres for those preferring a longer rod. I was really impressed by the angled spigot, when you put this rod together the guides are automatically lined-up – idiot proof! The butt has a textured finish, instead of the usual bulky grips, and is fitted with an ALPS zip-lock reel seat for lightning-quick reel changes.

The Fuji guides are secured with black whippings tipped with silver. There are two three-leg guides on the butt and 11 single leg tip guides, meaning that the line will follow the rod curve without touching the blank. After familiarising myself with the rod I was keen to give it a proper test session, so I arranged a trip with former World Champion Glen Milligan aboard his charter boat ‘Wight Huntress’. The early plaice run off Gosport, Hants, was our target. I rigged-up a small baitcaster loaded with 20lb braid, a 20ft-long 20lb fluorocarbon leader, a running-leger rig with plenty of coloured beads and a bunch of lively rag. I dropped the rig over the side and the soft tip curved over and absorbed the roll of the boat. After two drops with no bites, I changed to a lighter lead and cast it up and across the tide allowing the gentle current to slowly drag it down and find a fish. The tip trembled as the lead bumped over the shingle sea bed, and when the rig had travelled past the stern I wound in and cast again.

After a couple of minutes, a sharp rattle on the tip showed that a fish had found the bait. A minute later the tip rattled again and I picked the rod up and could feel that it was still there. Winding in I felt the fish trying to stay deep, a good indication that it was a flattie. A few seconds later we could see a brown shape with orange spots, it was a plaice – mission accomplished! With the current dying away, Glen decided to move further offshore so we could target other species and find some current to stimulate feeding. As we were in deeper water, I changed to a single-hook leger with a 150g lead and cast it well away from the boat. I managed to boat two pouting, but the bites felt like they were huge fish, the sensitive tip of the rod hammering over when they took the bait. As we headed back to port I knew that my first outing with the Gorilla Boat 500 wouldn’t be the last. This rod will be ideal for drifting over wrecks and reefs with Redgills and shads for pollack and bass, or drifting sandbanks for plaice, turbot and brill.

INFORMATION
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Blank material: High-tenacity carbon
Overall length: 2.4m
Casting weight: 500g
Sections: Two, plus spare push-in tip
Rings: Thirteen, plus tip
Whippings: Black tipped with silver
Reel seat: ALPS slide-lock
RRP: 2.4m, £112; 2.7m, £123; 3m, £130

ROGER’S RATINGS
Appearance 10
Casting 9
Fishing 10
Value for money 10

Contact Tubertinti on 028 6634 7891, Website www.tubertini.co.uk