SPRO FASTFwd S/12

[Why not join the forum? Click Here]

more info www.spro.nl

When I first started shore fishing [I confess I'm a converted Coarse Match Angler] I found that fishing light in shore matches was key. The big Pennel rigs and and 3 hook match rigs were far removed from the hemp and squatt rigs with size 24 hooks and 0.08mm fluorocarbon lines.

With Sea Match Fishing going 'Green' in regards to fish conservation, the points for species and quantity [ie no weight involved] played into my hands and it was these matches I wanted to focus on. A first I was given odd looks as I set up my trusty Heavy Feeder Rod next to my ZZiplex, but it was the light rod and single hook that nearly always scored the bulk of my points - and I won the first two Shore Matches I ever fished!

Some years have passed since then and the use of Braid and Lighter 'Surf' rods has long since become a little more than a passing fad. With the likes of the Dutch National Squad and many others using such approaches to add to an ever growing collection of Gold Medals, I had to take a look at these Long Rods.

I found a supplier of SPRO tackle in the UK via my friends at UKMatchAngler and arranged for a pair of FastFWD Series 12 5.00m Rods to add to my Armoury.

The Series 12 is 'Top of the Range' and has the capacity to blast up to 250gms clipped down rigs well beyond what I'm capable of doing with my Bristol Channel setup of my ZZiplex Tournament International and Slosh. Adding argument that long rods just make bad casters just slightly better bad casters! But I don't agree with that, the distance isn't what these rods are about, most match anglers would agree I'm sure. The fish we're catching over the years has changed, our tackle needs to match that if we're to compete.

The key to getting the best out of the rod during the cast is building everything up very slowly and letting everything release at its own pace. The actual speed of the cast is a little slower and much smoother, which can only help soft baits - the more bait in the water has to be a good thing?

Simply put the combination of lighter braid = lighter leads = greater distance and good bite detection because of the light lead and braid; be warned this also has a negative of greater potential for drag and more chance of picking up rubbish in a heavy ebbing tide; such are the joys of the Bristol Channel. The S/12 could have had a slightly larger end eye, but then we weed only ends up on the reel. In my experience neither are a good thing so I'm happy to have let SPRO balance that one!

The HM-Carbon structure, SIC Guides and DPS reel seat confirm the quality of these rods and underpin the durability I expect to get out of them. However, it's the thin end that I'm most impressed with...

Bite Detection & Feeling the Fish

The key selling point of the FastFWD Series 12 is it's very clear bite detection, and after a bit of waiting a small run of Whiting produced a few fish on a hard evening at Severn Bridge. The bite detection is the best I've experienced [apart from those wholloping Cod Drop Backs that I get all to infrequently!] I must say I've been nothing but impressed with my purchase, and I'm glad I got myself a pair!

Playing the fish, simply put - you'll be delighted with the fun that's put back into your fishing. You'll never complain about catching small fish again - well almost never complain. I can't wait to get my hands on more SPRO gear, shame it's not on all good tackle shops shelves.