MTI 15lb Offshore

Mike Thrussell and the MTI Team produce just 2 Boat rods, so you’d expect them to be spot on given the teams’ passion for Sea Fishing and producing tackle items they’ll ultimately use themselves.

Taking the rod out of the cloth bag for the first time reveals an ultra slim black blank with matching whippings. The 9 intermediate Fuji Alconite BMNAG rings and Fuji Alconite BMNAT tip ring complete the exclusive use of Fuji components which also includes a screw down reel seat and rubber end cap on the Butt Section. The Butt section is finished with a diagonally hatched black shrink wrap.

The use of Fuji rod furniture is reassuring and a piscatorial given on most mid range and top end rods.* The rod has a recommend retail price of £180 [as listed by www.mitfishing.com] which leaves it approaching the higher end of the market.

The MTI 15lb Offshore, like so many other rods, comes supplied with only a cloth bag,* I’d be much rather send a few extra quid and have the rod supplied in a nice hard protective case. Ok, so I'm a bit of a tackle tart and like a nice touch here and there, but I'm also a realist and know given time a hard case would prolong the immaculate looks and ultimately the performance of the rod.

Reportedly the rod has already landed Conger to 60lb+ and a Tope that tipped the scales one Pouting short of 70lb, such power isn't immediately obvious in the slim blank which only hints at being towards the lower end of the power class, but when put to task you soon find out it has oodles of 'grunt' in the midships that progresses into a very powerful but controllable base section.

I've fished the rod in slack water with light leads and in good hard running tides with 1lb+ leads. On each occasion I have been impressed with the blank and find the 8ft 8inch length perfect for my boat fishing needs.

Clearly style was on the agenda and as a bonus the hi-gloss finish reduces the grime and salt build up whilst fishing, it’s also easier to clean once you get home too.

At depth the longer rod will keep you in touch with the baits or the lures it is so perfectly matched to. Fishing hoppers, shads and plastics is a real joy as all can be danced around with ease. Jigging light lures in and around wrecks is in my opinion much easier when a single 'draw' on the rod will pull you a good 10ft away from danger and the extra length and progressive power will help control a diving fish and maintain the best hook hold.

As a converted Coarse angler I immediately found comfort in the new longer boat rods in the same way I have with Continental Surf rods I use for much of my shore fishing.

The direct transmission from fish to hand is something else and lots of fun is had as the tip hoops over and allows the middle section to take firm control.

There is a negative however, with my bucket sized hands I've found the thin Butt a little uncomfortable to hold when retrieving a fish - something I've since overcome . . . you can fit a cricket bat handle rubber that will give you grip and the extra thickness desired. I have and the difference is outstanding – you can add two or three layers if needed and the really cheap bat rubbers are all black! Perfect.

Getting in Line!

The spigot has alignment guides and double step which at first requires a second look to make sure you've got the right two halves of a rod! On fitting the very snug parts together there's a reassurance that the joint will last as long as the rod and the two items become one very neat unit.

The rod overall is a real joy to fish with, if you shop around you can get a bargain that's closer to £150 than the £180 listed on the MTI website or the £220 RRPs quoted elsewhere. For that you'll be getting a lot of rod. I can't wait to go drifting for Plaice & Turbot, it's obvious it's just perfect for style of fishing too. If I sat down and drafted my perfect rod for boat fishing I'd be very close to the MTI Offshore. There's not much you couldn't use the rod for and it wouldn't be out of place as an emergency uptider or for scratching around for a bit of fun at the local pier!

3 Men in a Boat - Part II

Shoreangler review team has just committed to do the '3 Men in a Boat' 7 Day Adventure off Portland in May 2010, I'll be taking the MTI 15lb Offshore for a spot of mixed fishing. Species should include everything from Red Ribbon Fish to Tope - and I know this rod will cover a lot of those challenges. Shoreangler will revisit this review then and give you a Part II to the review - I can't promise I'll nudge the 60lb Conger capture, I'm not sure I'm that brave