LURE 1 | Page 102

L U R E CATC H CAST & Microwave Guides Kuroshio LRF 7ft 2in 0.5-7g Finesse lure fishing for predators is more popular than ever. This boom in presenting tiny lures and the need for the sensitive feeling of delicate bites has resulted in an army of ultra-light rods hitting tackle-shop shelves. One of these is the Kuroshio Light Rock Fishing rod from British firm Snowbee. We got our hands on the daintiest version of the two LRF Kuroshio units from the seven-strong rod line-up. Weighing in at 0.5g to 7g, this length of carbon is designed to cast and work the smallest of lures, with a number of interesting factors in its build to make it more than worth a look. Developed in the USA by Florida-based firm American Tackle Company, these specially designed line guides deliver an added edge to the Kuroshio when it comes to punching out small lures. Featuring a small guide inside and slightly forward of a standard diameter butt or bottom ring, the Microwave guide works to eliminate the oscillations or frapping caused when line peels off a spool and then goes through a ring. This frapping sees the line hitting a number of the guides as it travels up the rod before straightening out, with every impact of the line causing friction and robbing the cast of energy. The Microwave guide’s two-ring formation deletes this from the cast, the combination of the two rings on the bottom guide channeling the oscillations so that once the line passes the first guide it’s straight and travels through the following guides without losing energy. Not only does this mean that you will achieve a greater range for the power you put into the cast (an obvious bonus for lighter lures), but it will also aid accuracy as you will need to put less power into reaching targets, so your casting won’t be as forced.