Century in 2016

“It’s no secret that here at Century we have always had access to nothing but the very finest materials and technology available in today’s angling and Formula One scenes. However, the focus for us over the last three years has been to get the vast majority of the products in line with the ever-evolving aesthetic and cosmetic side of the market which seems to be becoming more and more important by the day.

“We started back in 2013 with the introduction of the Century Neville Black Edition bankware which made an instant and sizeable impact. A range of banksticks, buzzer bars and bankstick stabilisers which saw us move away from the more traditional and bombproof, yet very heavy and somewhat shiny stainless steel fittings and move toward hard anodised, laser-etched black aluminium fittings which really took out a huge amount of unnecessary weight, bling and really, really do look the part. Part of the design parameter was to reduce the overall widths of the buzzer bars to give that nice snug fitting. The finished items are a real thing of beauty, super strong, made to last and are as light as a fag paper for those with a bit of walking to do or that like to carry their gear.

“After the success of the Black Edition range we decided to continue the trend and take a look at the carp rod range too with these lighter weight, darker and more custom look ideas being the priority in line with customer requirements and feedback especially in the UK.”

Century ADV-1

Now finished in the stunning ‘Stealth’ paintwork

“The first release was the super popular ADV-1 and NG+ models in what has now become fondly known as the ‘Stealth’ finish. This saw us replace the part stainless SB20 reel seat, stainless ball stop, stainless butt caps, bright reel hoods and white AT-T logo on the blank with 1k-1k lightweight carbon reel seats to match the blanks with black hoods, full hard EVA Duplon and Japanese shrink wrap handle options, minimal screen logos and black aluminium laser-etched butt caps. The result is simply stunning, if I don’t say so myself. The reduction in overall weight is immense and the look is super slick.

The ADV-1 now features black hoods and full hard EVA Duplon and Japanese shrink wrap handle options…

“The Stealth Duplon build looked so good that I immediately had all my rods built this way and have done ever since and the high quality EVA-based Duplon that we use is very hard-wearing and not the squidgy type stuff that seems to last no more than a few sessions before looking worn. The 1k-1k weave and PTFE anti-scratch coating on the blanks is a dull matt finish and really helps to keep them looking as good as they perform.

…Along with minimal screen logos and black aluminium laser-etched butt caps.

“Another big bonus with the new Stealth look is that with a little research we soon confirmed what we had suspected which was that a large percentage of all custom builds were looking very much like this anyway, meaning that you can now have a full custom look straight off the shelf without having to wait eight weeks for a busy custom builder to fulfil what is often the same requirements.

“After running these new builds for some time with huge success and bundles of positive feedback we have now for 2015 and beyond decided to introduce many of the existing models and also the newer ones in to the Stealth family with some varied and really understated finishes.”

The long range C2-Ds

Performance and looks combined
“The new C2-D long-range rods benefits from a lightweight matt black custom ALPS reel seat and lightweight Titanium K Guides. The new FMA-1 and FMA-2 sees the end of the stainless fittings and now boasts the same aforementioned reel seat as the C2-D as well as a matt black ali butt cap and black ali laser-etched ring at the joint which complement the full JSR handle to perfection.”

The new C2-D long-range rods benefit from using only the finest tech such as a lightweight matt black custom ALPS reel seat…

6. …And lightweight Titanium K Guides

The new FMA-1 and FMA-2 sees the end of the stainless fittings and now boasts the same aforementioned reel seat as the C2-D

As well as a matt black ali butt cap and black ali laser-etched ring at the joint which complement the full JSR handle to perfection

NG and Armalites

Now these are really stunning!
“The legendary NG and Armalite are now virtually unrecognisable in comparison to the previous versions. The NG standard build is now blacker than black with a brand new 1k-1k twill reel seat which compliments the exact same finish on the blank perfectly. Plain black whippings, an electric blue tipping and black reel hoods and fittings finish this classic off a treat.

Plain black whippings, an electric blue tipping and black reel hoods and fittings finish this classic
off a treat

“The new Armalite MKIII however, is a completely different animal. As with the FMA and NG, the blank itself has not changed (if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!) but the finish really is something to behold. The new Armalite now comes as standard with a full supergrade cork/composite cork handle, custom lightweight laser-etched ALPS reel seat and some really carpy looking olive green whippings throughout. It’s very different to the cosmetics that anglers may be used to on a Century rod but when you see it in the flesh it’s something very special indeed.”

The Armalite now comes as standard with a full supergrade cork/composite cork handle, custom lightweight laser-etched ALPS reel seat and some really carpy looking olive green whippings throughout

The CQ Close Quarter range

For all your short- to medium-range angling needs
“Last but not least is the new CQ Close Quarter range which have been well documented this year and cover a multitude of short- to medium-range angling situations. Once again these are super stealthy having all of the slick looking and ultra light carbon and black aluminium fittings that the bigger rods now benefit from.

These are super stealthy looking. Having all of the slick looking and ultra light carbon and black aluminium fittings that the bigger rods now benefit from

“A lot of hard work has gone in over the last 36-months or so to make these already superb rods as beautiful as they now are and the result is stunning. We have always prided ourselves in manufacturing the highest quality and best performing UK made carp rods and bankware on the planet and they now look and feel just as great as they perform.”
centurycarp.co.ukt