Technical Spec
The popular Sand Storm range also includes a bass rod. At 11 feet long in two equal sections it’s a bit like its big brother, the Sand Storm Beach, giving the angler a superb action at a sensible price.
The action is progressive, starting with a fairly stiff carbon butt that blends into the flexible compound taper tip, while it’s rated to cast weights of between 2oz and 4oz.
The butt is protected with the famous bright-yellow shrink-wrap and fitted with contoured Duplon grips and a fixed reel seat. The guides are shock-ring protected aluminium oxide with one on the butt and six on the tip section, plus the tip guide.
Live Session
For the live session I headed to a remote Suffolk beach that has a reputation for producing a few decent bass. The plan was to fish a Pennel-rigged whole squid on a 4ft leger trace anchored with a 90g Breakaway lead due to a strong lateral current. The combination of the lead and bait was probably just over the maximum casting rating of 4oz but as I’d only be lobbing the bait 10 to 20 metres it shouldn’t be a problem.
The rod was paired with my old Daiwa 6HM loaded with 20lb mono straight through to the rig. I dispensed with the shockleader because there was quite a bit of weed about that would snag on the knot then jam in the tip guide. I like the 6HM because it has a levelwind and it lets me concentrate on playing the fish instead of worrying about the line lay.
After a few gentle bites from dogfish and whiting I discovered that the ratchet still worked well when the rod tip slammed over and line was ripped from the reel. By the time I’d jumped up and grabbed the rod, the fish was tearing off again, putting a nice curve in the tip. I could tell it wasn’t a very big fish but it was pretty lively so I shouted to my mate Ian to help me land it.
A minute later, 50 centimetres of shiny silver bass lay on the beach. It was just shy of 3lb and while it was only a schoolie I was happy that I’d managed to bag a bass while testing a bass rod.
Summing Up
I enjoyed the session with the Sand Storm Bass rod and a good scrap with a bass had put a decent bend in the tip. I think I’d better hang on to it for a bit longer and try to hook a bigger one!
INFORMATION
Blank material: Carbon with blended glass tip
Overall length: 11ft
Sections: Two – equal
Rings: Seven, plus tip (aluminium-oxide)
Whipping: Black
Reel seat: Fixed screw-up
RRP: £135
TSF RATINGS
Appearance: ★★★★★★★★★★
Casting: ★★★★★★★★★★
Fishing: ★★★★★★★★★★
Value for money: ★★★★★★★★★★
Contact: Daiwa on 01698 355723
Website: www.daiwasports.co.uk
