28 EsoxEcosse Magazine
product review
Agitator Bait
Rod Review
I recently decided that I was fed up using my 12ft
rods when fishing on a boat. This was due to the
handles of the rods sticking too far into the boat, and
because of that, I kept bumping them with my arms
or I found I had to climb over them to get to my lure
bag etc. (A very risky, and potentially expensive, manoeuvre when you are a man of my “Stature” with
poor sea legs! lol) So I decided that designated Boat
rods were needed. I asked a few of the members
for advice on which rods to go for and alot of people
mentioned the Wychwood rods. I was a bit dubious
at first as they were originally only available in 2.75Ib
t/c BUT I was told that Glasgow Angling Centre had
the brand new one’s which were 3.5lb T/C. At a cost
of £69.99 each they were just within my budget.
these rods can do that easily. I also used the rods
The rods have a full cork handle (which I personally
on the canal and they are ideal for a roving mobile
prefer to duplon) and you can see from the picture
approach due to being a good bit lighter than my
how much shorter the handle is compared to a 12ft
12 footers and the fact that I have them set up on
deadbait rod. I dont really like the look of the “car-
a float ledger rig means that I don’t need to carry
bon effect” reel seat but it does its job of gripping on
banksticks, alarms, drop off’s etc.
tightly to my Baitrunner reels. The eyes on the rod
are quite large especially the tip ring which helps to
As I’ve said, I’ve only used them twice but first
minimise the resistance on a stop knot going through
impressions are very good and overall I’m happy
it. The biggest fish I’ve had so far on these is only
with my purchase. Due to having young kids, I think
9lb’s but it put up enough of a fight to show me the
most of my Piking this year will be short sessions ie.
action of the rod is quite nice, it has a forgiving tip
a couple of hours down the canal or day sessions
through to the mid section that deals admirably with
on a boat on PAAS events so I’m guessing these
lunging fish near the boat but is stiff enough not to
rods will see alot more use than my 12 footers.
be bent over double when casting a large deadbait.
Casting is ok too, I don’t feel the need to chuck a
bait any more than 30yds anyway from a boat and
Scott Kelly