It started with Ron Clay, who posted a thread on the forum about playing big fish.

It developed from there into an opportunity for FM members to offer their input into designing the best possible all-round rod. Harrison Advanced Angling, the makers of some of the best rods in the UK, offered to build it.

I had the first prototype sent to me a few weeks ago. Then, following a few slight cosmetic changes, the second build of the rod is now exactly what we specified. Those specifications are:

  • LENGTH: 11ft in two pieces.
  • TEST CURVE: 11/2 lbs.
  • HANDLE: 22 inches long, Full Cork.
  • REEL FITTING: Fuji Downlocking
  • RINGS: 8 SIC, double legged, plus 1 keeper ring.
  • FINISH: Plain carbon with no varnish, black, gloss-varnished whippings.
  • WEIGHT: 6oz.
  • MODEL (LOGO): FISHINGmagic.com Concept Rod.

I’m biased

Let’s get something out of the way first: how can I possibly give you a totally unbiased review of this rod that carries the FM logo and in which I’ve had my say in its design?

The honest answer is that I can’t.

This review will be totally biased and have nothing but praise for the rod. How could it be any other way? If there was something I didn’t like about the rod I would have said so before it became available. If there was ANYTHING that I thought was wrong with the rod I would have asked Harrison Advanced Rods to alter it before it was too late.


So we’ll make that clear before we go any further. This rod, in my view, is the best possible rod, in its class and price range, that you could wish to use. As far as I’m concerned there is nothing at all wrong with it. It’s a rod I’ve dreamed about owning for many years but never thought was possible. Why? Because the vast majority of rods have been built to commercial requirements, based on latest fashions and trends, rather than practical and functional ones.

Most rods may be longer because most anglers have been told they should be using a 12ft rod. It may be shinier because most anglers want a shiny rod. It may have fancy whippings because that’s what most anglers think they want. It could be stiffer so that it casts further but to hell with how it feels with a fish on. And it could have a Duplon handle because that’s a cheaper material. All things that will, possibly, make the rod sell, simply because the general angling public have a preconceived idea fashioned by latest trends and whatever was readily and cheaply available from the Far East and been pushed down their throats by clever advertising.

So when Harrisons said they would build the rod to the exact spec we came up with, with no restrictions (within sensible reason) whatsoever, it was like opening the door of the Playboy Mansion and someone saying, “take your pick.”

So what did the rod feel like?

The specification of any rod is only as good as it feels and no matter what the specs say the acid test is what it feels like when you pick it up; and what it feels like with a reel fitted. What does it feel like when you actually thread the line through the rings and attach an end rig and fish with it, hook a fish and play it?

Trouble is, most of us don’t get the chance to actually try a rod to that degree before we have to part with our hard-earned cash. A read of a review from someone like me and then a quick waggle of it in the tackle shop is as far as most of us get before committing to purchase. So most of the time it’s down to trust.

All-round?

So what is meant by an ‘all-round’ rod? It probably means different things to different anglers, but to most it means a rod that can turn its handle to various types of fishing. Unfortunately, it also means that there will be some types of fishing where an all-round rod is a compromise.


The FM Concept rod is a slight compromise when it comes to float fishing, for a 12ft or 13ft rod would be better. It isn’t heavy enough for casting extreme distances with heavy leads, or for snag fishing for big barbel – although, when bending the rod against a fixed object when testing it, I was amazed at how much power you can muster with it, even when the rod is bent into a lip-biting curve. It didn’t ‘bottom out’ either, but I admit to being scared of bending it any more than I did. You wouldn’t use it for catfishing or big pike, or for throwing half mackerel when piking. Maybe it isn’t sensitive enough for feeder fishing for some species. But for everything else I reckon it’s the tops. If you’re looking for a rod that fits the old description of ‘Avon’ then this is it.

It’s a rod I’ll use for most of my barbel and chub fishing, for lure fishing with certain types of lures, for float fishing swims less than 6ft deep, for fishing for zander and pike where I don’t have to cast big baits. I’ll use it for legering for tench, bream, roach, rudd, perch and crucian carp. It’ll make a fabulous rod for floater fishing for carp and general, short to medium range legering for carp.

Since testing it I’ve had barbel and zander to over 6lb on it, and chub of almost 4lb. Ron Clay caught a Fenland mid-double pike when using it. They were fish that weren’t just caught but were a fish-catching experience. The rod is a real pleasure to use.

The one I’m using was given to me for review. I’m going to buy another one, maybe two. If you get to handle one, and can appreciate what a true all-round rod feels like, you’ll want one too. At least. This is a rod that you’ll like a lot. Trust me.

Available from Harrison Advanced rods for £ 99 each, which is a special price considering such a rod would normally sell at £ 150.

Phone 0151 709 5981.

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