Plus size really is more attractive

Cygnet Tackle is one of the North’s finest exports, up there with fish and chips, Peter Kay and their beer prices. And the 2014 launched 20/20 collection symbolised everything that is great about Cygnet, namely its matt black colour palette, its minimal fixture and fittings, and of course their hugely wife-appreciating price tags.

In essence, the 20/20 collection is a terrain-conquering version that comes complete with steroid-enhanced strength over the brand’s Sniper and Snug ranges. It’s a collection of bars, sticks and accessories that are completely interchangeable. All the collars on the sticks correspond with the treads on the bars size-wise, the colours are the same and the diameter of the round bar used is consistent throughout, giving a perfectly balanced look.

The big questions

Doesn’t chunky mean super heavy?
Don’t be daft. This is Cygnet we’re talking about here – the masters of combining lightness with strength. Whilst 20/20 is obviously heavier than their Sniper and Snug ranges, thanks to their connections with the stainless and aluminium world, it means they’ve produced something which is amazingly strong (we’ve used these for over 12-months and haven’t suffered any problems) and yet haven’t compromised on their lightweight values.

All the collars on the sticks correspond with the threads on the bars size-wise

The Butt Grabber rod rests completes the look and comes in two sizes

So, how do the sticks and bars shape up?
We’ll start with the bars. Made from a 16mm solid aluminium bar along with 22mm collars throughout, all of which are anodised in black. The build quality is second-to-none and you only have to screw them onto the chunky 20/20 sticks to see it all lines up seamlessly. And talking of those, these are produced from a powder coated 16mm O/D shaft and 22 O/D anodised collars, making them one seriously strong mother. The thumbscrews they have used are a hybrid of an anodised grip with a stainless thread for absolute reliability and strength – and before you ask, cam locks were trialled but then binned as they weren’t up to the job. These thumbscrews really are impressive – and they just look right too.

There’s a matching bankstick stabiliser

The thumbscrew is a hybrid of an anodised grip with a stainless thread for absolute reliability and strength

Sounds impressive. What is the range made up of?
If you want it, Cygnet does it. There’s 2 and 3 Rod Snugs in sizes: 4.5”, 5”, 5.5” and 6”, and then 8.5”, 9.5”, 10.5” and 11.5” for the 3 Rod models. There’s a 3 Rod Goal Post in sizes 8.5”, 9.5”, 10.5” and 11.5”. The banksticks are available in: 6-10” (for use with stage stands mainly), 9-16”, 12-22” and 18-34”. There’s also a collection of addition accessories, such as the Stabiliser and a Stage Stand which is machined from one piece of aluminium that Cygnet has anodised. And finally there’s the classic looking Butt Grabber rod rests which come in two sizes.

The 2 Rod Snug is lush!

The Stage Stand is machined from one piece of aluminium that Cygnet has anodised

What are the figures like?
As we’ve come to expect from Cygnet: extremely competitive. The 2 Rod Snugs versions retail for £9.99 each and the 3 Rods £12.99 each; the Goal Posts are £12.99 each; the Banksticks range from £9.50 to £10.99; the Stabiliser is £11.99; the Stage Stand retails for £14.99l and Butt Grabbers retail for £7.99 for a pack of three.

Hang on, doesn’t Cygnet now do bite indicators too?
Good knowledge. Sometime last year, Cygnet bought out legendary bobbin maker, Muddy Waters, and this summer launched Cygnet Indication: a collection of ultra culty indicator heads and accessories. From the legendary Clinga Old Skool to the Clinga XXL they’re using over at Rainbow, there is now a total six head models and seven colours.

The matt black paintwork looks amazing

Cygnet Indication: a new collection of ultra culty indicator heads and accessories

So you’d really recommend the range then?
Hell, yes. Seriously, this bar and stick collection is so good that it blows our minds that Cygnet charge so little, especially when pitched against the competition. The looks, the build quality and the price all combine to make this the best, super affordable rod system available. God bless, Cygnet.cygnettackle.co.uk