Breaking the rules
There are many good rods on the market in 2015, but none are quite as good – or cheap – as Avid’s new Traction models
Thought all budget priced rods weren’t worth the sleeve they came in, did ya? This month, that misconception has been smashed to pieces by Avid and their new Traction rod collection. Not only is this six-piece rod range bang-on trend when it comes to styling – think matt black guides, 50mm butts and full-length Japanese shrink wrap handle – they’re also beautiful in their playing and casting action
How they stack up:
10ft 3lb model: 265g
12ft 3lb model: 360g
12ft 3.25lb model: 325g
12ft 3.5lb model: 390g
Spod Rod: 425g
Marker Rod: 285g
All six models – 10ft 3lb, 12ft 3lb, 12ft 3.25lb, 12ft 3.5lb and then the Spod and Marker rods – boast Avid’s unique Reactive carbon and 3k weave (a finish usually only found on real top-end rods) which results in a perfect blend of progressive power with a responsive action for maximum control when it matters. The 50mm butt ring, which is matt black like all the guides and the blank itself, aids for a longer cast. The full-length Japanese shrink wrap handle and 18mm Supa-Lite reel seat are honed for maximum comfort with minimal looks. And the tapered line clip and laser engraved butt cap complete these future award-winning rods – especially when you consider the price – all are pitched at a penny under £100. Awesome, right?
“GIMME”: £99.99; avidcarp.com
The Spod and Marker rods look identical to the main angling rods, featuring a full-length Japanese shrink wrap handle…
Find the spot, bait the spot
And for the first time ever you don’t have to spend a fortune to do that
The design of a marker and/or spod rod is about more than just upping the test curve, it’s about providing a blank which is super responsive in the marker rod’s case and one which will compress and recover instantly with a spod rod.
Each of these two new models are built from the reactive parabolic carbon, which with the spod rod extends the period of time it takes to fully compress the rod, meaning you can cast large weights repeatedly without an issue, whilst the marker enables long, accurate casts, whilst retaining tip stiffness for better registration of the features below the water.
Plus, both come with the same 3k weave and high quality matt finish to match the main angling rods, along with matt black guides and 50mm butt rings.
“GIMME”: £99.99 each
…And 18mm Supa-Lite reel seats for maximum comfort with minimal looks
Beanies at the ready
Add one of these new beanies to your shopping list to keep warm this wintertime
Winter essentials
The weather’s officially miserable. Wrap up warm and banish those cold-weather blues in style (and with a bulging wallet) thanks to Avid’s Blizzard Outfit
The Blizzard: extremely waterproof and extremely friendly on the wallet
We’re on the verge of entering a time of year when even a 20-second stroll, let alone a complete lap of the lake, can seem like an Arctic expedition, fraught with extreme winds and cheek-shredding rain. So you need to give yourself the upper hand against said winter elements, and that edge comes in the form of Avid’s new Blizzard outfit.
Both parts of the outfit – the jacket and bib & brace – are made from a drab olive green 10,000mm waterproof material (which is also rated at 3000 g/ms breathable) and feature a stylish, understated leather patch logo. They’re also both lined with a lightweight, soft-touch camouflage material that provides an extra wind-proof barrier, and they both compress down small and neat to take up minimal space in your luggage. Available in sizes Medium to XXL.
“GIMME”: Jacket, £59.99; Bib & Brace, £49.99; avidcarp.com