FISHING TACKLE REVIEWS

LURE RODS

(scroll down for further review categories)

Below are the most recent lure rod reviews from my blog. Please scroll down the page to find the latest spinning reels and all other fishing tackle reviews. If you are looking for more or very specific reviews then either go to the Fishing Tackle page and follow the links from the numerous items of fishing tackle, or use search box below.

 
Featured
CleanShot 2025-11-28 at 08.07.57.jpg
4 Comments
Favorite Skyline '25 862M 8'6'' 8-24g and 862ML 8'6'' 5-18g lure rods review - around £270 (but there is 15% off everything at Veals Mail Order for a few days!)
4 Comments
4 Comments
CleanShot 2025-10-23 at 14.24.25.jpg
15 Comments
Favorite Black Swan 772ML 7'7'' (2.31m) 4-18g lure rod review - £259.99 in the UK, weighs almost nothing at 84g
15 Comments
15 Comments
56g 04.JPG
24 Comments
Review - the three 9’ Favorite Black Swan rods - 902M 6-24g (£280), 902MH 10-36g (£290), 902H 16-56g (£320)
24 Comments
24 Comments
CleanShot 2025-06-27 at 09.28.03.jpg
22 Comments
Westin W2 SBass 9' 9-35g lure rod rod review - at £94.99, another very interesting sub-£100 rod
22 Comments
22 Comments
CleanShot 2025-05-30 at 08.48.02.jpg
6 Comments
Sakura Ryokan 902MH 9' 9-35g lure rod review - under £100
6 Comments
6 Comments
CleanShot 2025-05-20 at 15.33.36.jpg
4 Comments
Sakura Iconic RS “Distance Finesse” 802ML+ 8' 5-15g (but easily fishes 25g) lure rod review - around £275 in the UK
4 Comments
4 Comments
Our brand new Savage Gear Defiance SG8 and Defiance SG4 lure rods are on the market
39 Comments
Our brand new Savage Gear Defiance SG8 and Defiance SG4 lure rods are on the market
39 Comments
39 Comments
CleanShot 2025-03-17 at 09.25.11.jpg
6 Comments
Favorite Totem 842M 8'4'' 6-24g lure rod review - £159.99 (remarkably close to the incredible Favorite Black Swan 8’5’’ 6-24g rod)
6 Comments
6 Comments
CleanShot 2025-01-15 at 08.12.56.jpg
10 Comments
Favorite Totem 842MH 8’4’’ 12-36g lure rod review - £159.99 (SO close to the £269.99 Favorite Black Swan 8'5'' 10-36g)
10 Comments
10 Comments
CleanShot 2024-11-29 at 07.34.44.jpg
6 Comments
Major Craft Seabass Custom Marc Cowling Edition 88ML 8'8'' 6-32g lure rod review - £479.99 (£408 at Veals for the rest of this week)
6 Comments
6 Comments
Favorite X1.1 902MH 9' 12-36g lure rod review - a rather incredible £89.99
9 Comments
Favorite X1.1 902MH 9' 12-36g lure rod review - a rather incredible £89.99
9 Comments
9 Comments
CleanShot 2024-08-29 at 14.21.19.jpg
5 Comments
APIA Foojin'RS Art Magic 90ML+ (UK Custom) 9' 5-36g lure rod review - £399.99 UK price
5 Comments
5 Comments
CleanShot 2024-07-19 at 07.15.00.jpg
3 Comments
Favorite Black Swan 852MH 8'5'' 10-36g lure rod review - £269.99 - ridiculous amount of rod for the money, wand!
3 Comments
3 Comments
CleanShot 2024-06-26 at 13.25.01.jpg
20 Comments
Favorite Black Swan 852H 8'5'' 16-56g lure rod review - £289.99 (the rating doesn’t tell the story at all, this thing is ridiculously versatile)
20 Comments
20 Comments
CleanShot 2024-05-02 at 13.11.31.jpg
7 Comments
Favorite Black Swan 852M 8'5'' 6-24g lure rod review - £259.99 (at 97g I am sure this is the lightest lure rod I have used for bass fishing)
7 Comments
7 Comments
CleanShot 2024-04-08 at 06.23.22.jpg
21 Comments
Savage Gear SGS6 (Long Casting) 9’6’’ 10-35g lure rod review - wasn’t going to review this rod but it’s on sale at an amazing £99.99
21 Comments
21 Comments
CleanShot 2024-02-19 at 05.19.12.jpg
22 Comments
Savage Gear SGS5 9’ 12-46g 2-piece and 4-piece lure rod review - under £150
22 Comments
22 Comments
CleanShot 2024-01-26 at 06.10.13.jpg
16 Comments
Penn Overseas II Inshore 9'10'' 30-60g 4-piece lure rod - under £100 (plus it comes with a hard tube that fits in a typical holdall)
16 Comments
16 Comments
Screenshot 2023-11-08 at 08.07.15.jpg
2 Comments
Tailwalk Crimson S88H-F 8’8’’ Max 50g lure rod review - around £290 here in the UK
2 Comments
2 Comments
Screenshot 2023-10-02 at 06.04.20.jpg
19 Comments
Savage Gear SGS5 10’ 12-46g lure rod review (it’s a cannon!) - as of October 2023 I can find it for well under £150 in the UK
19 Comments
19 Comments
Screenshot 2023-06-13 at 14.59.47.jpg
4 Comments
APIA Foojin'RS Lynx 93M 9'3'' 6-42g lure rod review - £389.99 in the UK
4 Comments
4 Comments
Screenshot 2023-05-31 at 08.00.45.jpg
7 Comments
Penn Conflict Elite 9’6’’ 6-32g lure rod review - around £320 here in the UK
7 Comments
7 Comments
Screenshot 2023-05-12 at 07.15.03.jpg
5 Comments
APIA Foojin’RS Springer 88ML 3-32g lure rod review - £379.99 in the UK
5 Comments
5 Comments
Screenshot 2023-04-26 at 09.58.50.jpg
14 Comments
Penn Conflict Elite 8’ (2.44m) 6-32g lure rod review - just north of £300 here in the UK
14 Comments
14 Comments
Screenshot 2023-04-13 at 14.28.16.jpg
24 Comments
Savage Gear SGS6 9’ 7-35g ML lure rod review (APIA made me do it) - around £200 in the UK
24 Comments
24 Comments
Screenshot 2023-03-29 at 08.33.37.jpg
2 Comments
Major Craft Flatrek 5G FR5-1002M 10' 7-45g lure rod review - around £300 here in the UK
2 Comments
2 Comments
Screenshot 2023-03-17 at 10.23.41.jpg
18 Comments
Penn Conflict Elite 9’6’’ 8-45g lure rod review - £300+ here in the UK
18 Comments
18 Comments
Screenshot 2023-03-01 at 05.15.55.jpg
23 Comments
APIA Foojin’RS Sky High 99M 9’9’’ 8-42g lure rod review - around £400 in the UK
23 Comments
23 Comments
Screenshot 2023-02-28 at 15.46.19.jpg
8 Comments
APIA Foojin’RS Desire 95MH 9’5’’ 12-50g lure rod review - around £400 in the UK
8 Comments
8 Comments
Screenshot 2023-02-15 at 13.46.53.jpg
10 Comments
Penn Conflict Inshore 822MH 8’2’’ Max 45g (under £100) and Penn Conflict XR Inshore 862MH 8’6’’ Max 45g (£170+) lure rod reviews
10 Comments
10 Comments

BRAID, LEADERS, HOOKS, JIG HEADS, LURES, BAGS, CLOTHING, VARIOUS ACCESSORIES ETC.

Below are a bunch of more general reviews from my blog. Please scroll further down the page to find the latest spinning reel reviews.

Featured
Westin W4 Super Finesse (lure) bag review - around £65 (I’ve given up trying to get another HPA Chest Pack, can’t find them anywhere)
14 Comments
Westin W4 Super Finesse (lure) bag review - around £65 (I’ve given up trying to get another HPA Chest Pack, can’t find them anywhere)
14 Comments
14 Comments
CleanShot 2026-02-12 at 14.24.14.jpg
7 Comments
Grundens Full Share waterproof jacket (£120) and Grundens Transmit X waterproof jacket (£180) review
7 Comments
7 Comments
CleanShot 2026-01-21 at 11.23.44.jpg
11 Comments
I am really starting to like this Berkley X9 braid, but the labelling is so confusing it can easily put you off using it
11 Comments
11 Comments
CleanShot 2025-10-19 at 11.28.52.jpg
3 Comments
It might be “just a hook”, but this brilliant Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp L12 Weedless hook with moulded keeper is so good for TPE soft plastics especially
3 Comments
3 Comments
CleanShot 2025-09-26 at 09.25.10.jpg
15 Comments
Sakura Sensibraid 12 braid review - around £40 for a 150m spool, this is a high-end mainline
15 Comments
15 Comments
CleanShot 2025-09-15 at 11.20.40.jpg
18 Comments
Retrying the first 8-strand braid I fished with (Varivas Avani Sea Bass Max Power PE X8) to see if it’s as good as I remember
18 Comments
18 Comments
CleanShot 2025-09-03 at 09.58.14.jpg
12 Comments
BKK Fast Snap-41 lure clip review - a bit more expensive than the regular paperclip style lure clips, rather nice though
12 Comments
12 Comments
BKK Titan Rider and Titan Diver weedless hooks review - not particularly cheap, but they are rather good
17 Comments
BKK Titan Rider and Titan Diver weedless hooks review - not particularly cheap, but they are rather good
17 Comments
17 Comments
CleanShot 2025-07-25 at 08.43.36.jpg
10 Comments
I had almost forgotten how much I like this YGK Nitlon DFC fluorocarbon leader, but has anybody got a clever way to decant it onto smaller spools?
10 Comments
10 Comments
CleanShot 2025-07-18 at 09.51.26.jpg
14 Comments
Some handy lure boxes for the smaller stuff - IMA Lurecase 3010 and the HTO Double Latch Box 20.5cm, both under £10
14 Comments
14 Comments
CleanShot 2025-01-24 at 09.13.47.jpg
5 Comments
Fenix HM65R ShadowMaster headlamp review - around £100 in the UK
5 Comments
5 Comments
Daiwa J-Braid Expedition X8 braid review - around £38 for a 150m spool or £60 for a 300m spool
7 Comments
Daiwa J-Braid Expedition X8 braid review - around £38 for a 150m spool or £60 for a 300m spool
7 Comments
7 Comments
CleanShot 2024-12-10 at 13.50.14.jpg
17 Comments
Savage Gear WP Performance Jacket review - around £150
17 Comments
17 Comments
CleanShot 2024-10-09 at 06.41.06.jpg
2 Comments
Sufix Advance fluorocarbon leader review, plus some general stuff about fluoro
2 Comments
2 Comments
Toit Fishing 7 inch scissors review (yep, I am reviewing a pair of scissors because they are so damn good) - £26.99 in the UK
7 Comments
Toit Fishing 7 inch scissors review (yep, I am reviewing a pair of scissors because they are so damn good) - £26.99 in the UK
7 Comments
7 Comments
CleanShot 2024-06-10 at 09.51.52.jpg
6 Comments
Initial impressions - Gosen Answer Casting PE X16 braid (pretty sure this is the most expensive braid I have tried)
6 Comments
6 Comments
CleanShot 2024-05-14 at 11.32.22.jpg
18 Comments
Anglers Only Performance Fishing Shirts - reviews and info, various prices for different tops, great value for money
18 Comments
18 Comments
CleanShot 2024-04-15 at 11.12.02.jpg
5 Comments
Gosen Roots PEx8 braid review - £23.99 for a 150m spool
5 Comments
5 Comments
Gotta love how the Japanese have had a think about the cheb weight system, then came up with this - Decoy Switch Head
16 Comments
Gotta love how the Japanese have had a think about the cheb weight system, then came up with this - Decoy Switch Head
16 Comments
16 Comments
CleanShot 2024-03-24 at 12.45.07.jpg
15 Comments
SuRPpa lure cases - an interesting way to carry your lures, £9.99 for ten of them
15 Comments
15 Comments
Screenshot 2023-11-15 at 10.04.31.jpg
9 Comments
I have used the Best-Grip boot studs for years now, and I reckon these specific ones are the best for most boots
9 Comments
9 Comments
Screenshot 2023-11-01 at 08.04.55.jpg
13 Comments
Sufix 91 braid review - around £27 for a 150m spool or £50 for a 300m spool
13 Comments
13 Comments
Screenshot 2023-04-28 at 05.42.49.jpg
15 Comments
RBB Surf Supporter II lure bag review - around £95 here in the UK
15 Comments
15 Comments
Screenshot 2023-05-03 at 07.39.30.jpg
17 Comments
Bestard Wildwater Pro (wading) boots - a slightly cheaper alternative to the outstanding Bestard SA Pro Water Rescue (wading) boots
17 Comments
17 Comments
Screenshot 2023-03-13 at 10.19.29.jpg
18 Comments
An interesting way to carry your lures, going to give this RBB Supporter II thing a bit of a go (initial impressions)
18 Comments
18 Comments
Screenshot 2023-02-21 at 16.00.10.jpg
12 Comments
Nitecore NU33 headlamp review (a bit bigger and more powerful than the tiny and perfect Nitecore NU25) - around £50 here in the UK
12 Comments
12 Comments
15.5 F Atherina.jpg
28 Comments
New Savage Gear Surf Walker 2.0 surface lures info/review - all under £12, my growing obsession (ignore if my working with Savage Gear bothers you)
28 Comments
28 Comments
Nitecore NU25 headlamp review (new 2022 version, around £40) - how do you improve upon perfection? RTFM
14 Comments
Nitecore NU25 headlamp review (new 2022 version, around £40) - how do you improve upon perfection? RTFM
14 Comments
14 Comments
Berkeley Sick X8 braid review - under £20 for a 150m spool
15 Comments
Berkeley Sick X8 braid review - under £20 for a 150m spool
15 Comments
15 Comments
Screenshot 2022-11-16 at 07.44.20.jpg
23 Comments
My Bestard SAR Pro Water rescue boots look like they are coming to the end of their time - would I buy another pair? (final review)
23 Comments
23 Comments

SPINNING REELS

Below are the most recent spinning reels reviews from my blog. Please scroll down the page to find the latest spinning reels and all other fishing tackle reviews. If you are looking for more or very specific reviews then either go to the Fishing Tackle page and follow the links from the numerous items of fishing tackle, or use search box below.