There are three rods in the Triplex range. The T160 is 16 feet long and designed for fixed-spool or multiplier use, while the T150 measures 15 feet and is ringed for multipliers, as is the T140, the shortest in the range at 14 feet. However, they’re all three-piece rods that are capable of delivering baited rigs at long range.
Being three-section rods, storage and transportation is much easier than if they were in two long sections and each rod is supplied in a cloth rod bag with a compartment for each section so they’re well protected.
They’re constructed from high-modulus carbon and have progressive actions so the tips give superb bite detection, but there’s plenty of power low down for casting. They’re all fitted with top-quality Fuji guides and Slide-Lock reel seats that sit over comfortable Sure-Grip shrink tubing so you can secure the reel exactly where you want it.
Live Test
The rod on test was the 15ft T150 that’s rated to cast leads of 110g to 170g, although I found it felt best with a 150g.
I used a 6500-sized multiplier loaded with 15lb mono and two different rigs: a single-hook rig baited with a couple of black lug clipped down behind a 170g lead to target cod and a three-hook rig with half a worm for whiting and dabs. I used two styles of casting to see which would get the best performance out of the blank – off the ground and the European overhead style – but, to be honest, there’s wasn’t much between them so I stuck with the easier overhead cast.
The rod loaded and unloaded very smoothly and sent the rigs way out to the 100m/130m mark with very little effort. I’ve often said that I’m not a big fan of long, three-piece rods but I have to admit that for anglers who don’t pendulum cast, this is definitely a short cut to extra distance. The 170g lead is supposed to be the upper limit for this rod but the T150 handled hard casting and certainly didn’t feel overloaded.
I tried the reel in two positions: low down to start with because it’s usually easier to cast a long rod with the reel down, but I found it just as easy with the reel in the ‘up’ position, possibly due to the easy action of the blank.
With the rod laid low in the rest, the tip curved sweetly round to the anchored lead and absorbed the pull of crashing waves without pulling the lead out, so it helps to keep your bait in one spot so that the fish can find it.
The main problem I’ve found with longer rods is that in a strong crosswind as on the test day, it can be hard work holding the rod straight when you’re winding in because the wind is constantly pushing it to the side. The wind effect on shorter rods is much less but with the extra distance that the long rod gives you, it’s something you can live with.
Bite detection was superb with the bites from small dabs and whiting showing really well on the sensitive tip.
Summing Up
I was impressed with how the T150 coped with casting a 170g lead and, when broken down and stored in its bag, it will lay diagonally in the car boot safely out of sight.
INFORMATION
Blank material: High-modulus carbon
Overall length: 15ft
Sections: Three
Rings: Eight plus tip
Whipping: Red tipped with gold
Reel seat: Slide-Lock
RRP: £269.99
TSF RATINGS
Appearance: ★★★★★★★★★★
Casting: ★★★★★★★★★★
Fishing: ★★★★★★★★★★
Value for money: ★★★★★★★★★★
Contact: Hardy & Greys on 01665 602771
Website: www.greysfishing.com
