They say: The Ganza Medium Feeder has been designed for optimum fish playing and the blank provides for extra casting power. Specifically designed for all round feeder fishing, the Ganza has an excellent through action and offers total versatility. Ideal for all species including match size carp.
Features:
Lined Guides
Overslide Joints
Full cork handle
Supplied with two glass tips
Fixed reel seat fitting
RRP: £ 49.99
The Shakespeare Ganza
We Say: The Ganza is a good looking and great feeling rod. Tackled up, it is one of those rods that just feels right. The rod feels powerful and has a certain ‘brutus’ look to it but it also possesses the finesse you would expect from a rod of this nature. It has absolutely no problems at all in punching out fully loaded feeders sometimes weighing in excess of 4oz. Casting distance and accuracy is also helped by the fact that the tip ‘dampens’ quickly, meaning that it does not wobble a lot when making a cast, causing unwanted friction. The Ganza’s fish-playing ability is amazing, especially for a rod so affordable. Whilst playing fish on this rod we always felt in control and were not worried about hook pulls when the fish decided on one last ditch effort for freedom. Although we didn’t catch any double figure fish on the test day we did feel that the rod would have enough power to handle them, as it did the hard-fighting single figure carp we caught. It would certainly handle barbel in most swims.
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Mitchell Laser Medium/Heavy Feeder
They say: Quality carbon graphite blank, screw down reel seat, cork / eva handle, lined guides throughout. Supplied with 3 glass push in tips.
Features:
Quality carbon graphite blank
Screw down reel seat
Cork / EVA handle
Lined guides throughout
Supplied with 3 glass push in tips
RRP: £ 39.99
The Mitchell Laser
We Say: The Laser has a sort of robustness about it. From the moment you remove it from its rod bag, you immediately get the sense that this rod is powerful. Not the prettiest pick of the bunch but nonetheless a good performer when used for what it’s meant for; casting big feederfuls of bait to those otherwise hard-to-reach places. Its tippy action is perhaps more suited to longer range fishing in search of tench and bream on gravel pits and having a powerful lower section will mean that playing and controlling fish at distance is made somewhat easier. This rod will have no problem whatsoever when fishing big rivers like the Trent or Thames and will happily punch out a feeder to mid-river.
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Abu Garcia Transmitter Feeder
They say: 12ft, 3 section, ultra light high modulus carbon graphite blank, screw down reel seat, power action with three interchangeable tips. Half cork, half duplon handle.
Features:
Ultra light blank
Ergonomic screw down reel seat
Cork / EVA handle
Tip action
RRP: £ 49.99
The Abu Transmitter
We Say: The Abu Transmitter felt like a great rod from the moment it was removed from the rod bag. With the classic ‘Abu’ look to it, you instantly get the impression that you are onto a good thing. Aesthetically pleasing, the Transmitter is another of those rods that ‘feels’ right and is sure to be a hit with the tackle tarts who like to look the part on the bank. The action of this rod is great. Although one of the features says ‘Tip Action’, it is erring more on the side of a through action rod and this becomes apparent when playing a hard fighting mid-single carp. The Transmitter had all the ‘play’ of a nice feeder rod, with the added bonus of always having enough in reserve should you need to control bigger fish. This rod will easily be a hit with the commercial fishery anglers and the low price tag should see them disappearing off the shelves.
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The Badger (Quick Silver) Medium/Heavy 12-14ft Feeder
They say: This progressive-through action feeder rod has the latest cross-wrap carbon blank and comes complete with screw thread reel seat, half cork-half duplon handle and eight hardloy guides. It comes complete with three carbon tips.the rod offers a 150grm casting weight and also includes a dolly butt section allowing it to be fished at 12ft /14ft. More suited to medium to long range feeder fishing making it ideal for large pits and/or faster waters.
Features:
Can be extended from 12 – 14ft
‘Chrome’ Finish
Cork / EVA handle
Powerful tip action
Cross-wrap carbon blank
RRP: £ 69.99
The Badger Heavy Feeder
We Say: Looking like something from the future, the Badger Heavy Feeder Rod, with its gleaming chrome finish is a rod more suited to the ‘Heavy’ category rather than ‘Medium’. Clearly the powerhouse of the bunch, the Badger is more than capable of punching out a fully loaded feeder across many yards of water. Accuracy and distance are helped by the rods ability to dampen quickly and this will mean that fishing at long-range will be a non-strenuous task. The action of the rod is more towards the tip and perhaps more suited to fishing larger waters where casting and playing fish at range is necessary. There is plenty of power further down the rod with most coming from the lower and butt sections. Fish playing was no problem and the rod always helped the angler to stay in control. Having the ability to extend the rod to 14ft is certainly an added bonus, especially when those extra few yards on the cast are required. None of the action is lost with the longer section. The Badger would definetly be OK handling low double figure fish, even on medium paced rivers.
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A nice mid-single fish, tamed by the Badger
The Shimano Hyperloop Medium/Heavy Feeder
They say: In the economy price range these Shimano Hyperloop Feeder rods are available in three specifications. This range offers excellent value for money. Built from 24T carbon, with a carbon cross-loop for additional strength, the Hyperloop Feeder is finished with lined guides, a cork/EVA handle and are supplied with two quivertips.
Features:
Carbon Cross Loop
Lined Guides
Cork/Eva Handle
Supplied with two tips
RRP: £ 49.99
The Shimano Hyperloop
We Say: It’s hard to define why this rod should be any different than the rest, after all the action appears to be more or less the same; stiff for most of its length and tippy, but it is. Somehow it feels just right for the job. It casts medium to heavy feeders considerable distances and yet handles fish without feeling too stiff. That essential shock-absorber effect is there, which is lacking in many heavy feeder rods which are often extremely stiff all the way to the quiver-tip. The livery is understated which is what this reviewer prefers. It just scrapes into ‘Editor’s Choice’, but where rods are concerned it’s a lot about personal taste and what suits this reviewer may not be exactly what you’re looking for, so try to get a feel of all the rods in this group test and then you can ultimately decide for yourself.
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The Shimano Hyperloop (Editor’s Choice) lands another!
