Banana Rods Cross Rods

It wasn’t long ago that Banana Rods pulled the covers off its top-end T48 and Vectrum models and had grown men weeping into their Banana towels at their beauty and power. Now the handmade French-based rod manufacturer has created something even more beautiful by, err, making it shorter…

Measuring a teeny 10ft, the Cross isn’t just superb for boat fishing. That shorter length makes life far easier in confined or tree-overhung swims and they make playing fish a dream.

Each rod takes 8hrs to build - that’s four times longer than mass produced Chinese rods.

While the Cross is the cheapest model Banana Rods produce, it still carries many hallmarks of its more expensive brothers. Built on one of the slimmest blanks we’ve seen, it has an ultra-responsive action and is incredibly easy to compress, and this results in a good reserve of power. And whilst distances seem to top out at around 120/130yds, thanks to the shorter length, casting accuracy is vastly improved.

In terms of cosmetics, the ‘off-the-shelf’ model comes with Fuji K SiC Gunsmoke 40 guides, the world-renowned Easy Power Grip handle and an Arrius Blue Grey reel seat. However, should you wish to customise your rod’s look, opt for Banana’s Cross Custom model where you can choose from a variety of different handles, reel seats, rings and whippings.

The Cross isn’t just a rod which casts well and feels even better during a battle; it also looks deliciously good on the buzz bars (or concrete should you do a bit of urban angling).