The manufacturer says –
When the discerning angler wants a slightly shorter light specimen rod, Greys discovered the majority of current designs had rather pokey actions and surprisingly heavy test curves.
In order to fill this gap in the market, Greys developed the Prodigy TX 11ft Specimen, a 1lb test curve rod, which offers a much more forgiving action. This is coupled with a lightweight nature and top quality components at a very competitive price!
This delightful rod can be applied to a wealth of applications, including stalking big fish in the margins, free lining, float fishing, legering, feeder fishing, spinning and light carp tactics…the list is endless! It’s also perfect for confined swims, travelling light, roving and a host of other situations.
The forgiving through action allows tackle to be scaled down when fish are proving tricky to tempt, while the high modulus carbon blank and braid friendly SIC line guides can equally cope with presenting stepped up lines and larger hooks. There’s plenty of crisp casting and hook setting power, combined with a lovely anti-lock action when the streamlined blank is put under pressure.
A secure screw lock reel seat, quality cork handle, hinged hook keeper ring, laser etched butt cap and subtle matt grey finish complete a superb package.
High modulus carbon.- Forgiving 1lb test curve.
- Subdued matt grey finish.
- Full SIC line guides.
- Secure screw lock reel seat.
- Quality cork handle.
- Folding hook keeper ring/laser etched butt cap.
- Worldwide Extended Warranty.
Model Code Length (ft) Sections Weight (oz / g) Price (£)
Prodigy TX Specimen 1.0lb GPTXSM010 12 2 260G – 7.30oz 89.99
What the reviewer says –
It’s very late in the season now to be fully testing a rod primarily with rivers in mind (it wasn’t designed so!) and with just 10 days to go and many of our rivers well over their banks, it’s not going to be likely to test this rod for some time. We’ll have to test it on the tench and bream in the close season or wait until the river season recommences on June 16th.
So this is a “PREVIEW” rather than a normal test review.
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| Nice curve on this rod |
When I spoke to Greys about their new Prodigy TX Specimen range I said I hoped they would feel like rods in your hand, unlike one rod (different manufacturer) that I tested that felt like a stick. Well, I have to admit that when I took this one out of it’s bag and connected the two sections together it certainly felt like a good rod should feel. It’s lightweight with a nice tip through middle to butt action giving plenty of power in reserve, it feels meaty, yet delicate.
The reason for all of this, it’s test curve is stated at just one pound (that’s 1.0lb or 16ozs if you prefer it written that way) and at just 11 feet in length it’s a dream to hold. OK, so I like shorter rods, it’s true, but you wouldn’t want a longer version of this, it’s perfect as it is.
Now bear in mind, like I said, I haven’t tested this on any water as yet, these are just my first impressions as to how it should perform to give you an idea in case you want to get hold of one yourself.
It’s all nicely finished in an eggshell grey (I think you would rightly call it, rather than matt) with gloss over black whippings. The butt ring is triple legged, but all the others up to the tip ring are single legged, which perhaps suits this light rod better, even though I’m no great fan of single legged rings. The handle is nicely finished cork with an etched butt button with Greys logo on it.
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| The TX’s open screw reel seat, my preference in the inset. |
The reel seat is a open screw type (best way I have of describing it) rather than a screw down fitting that I would normally prefer. I think they (screw down fittings) are more comfortable to hold especially in winter. It might be nice if Greys could offer either as a choice, but I think I know which would win out. Well, that’s my preference anyway, but I can live with this and it shouldn’t detract from what is otherwise a very nicely designed rod.
What I would give to land a good chub on this right now!
I’ve said that it would suit the river angler mostly, but there is no earthly reason why it couldn’t be used equally by the dedicated tench angler, or bream angler, eel angler, or just about any angler. It’s an all-season rod if you look at it that way so if you’re on the look-out for something new for a bit of lake tenching or early autumn chubbing, why not take a closer look at one of these now.
Jeff Woodhouse
Fishingmagic notes:
In addition to the 11ft 1.0lb model the following are included in the TX/VX range:-
A 12ft TX model available in either of three tip strengths, 1¼, 1½, and 1¾lb test curves
Two 12ft VX models each with two tips, 1¼lb & 1¾lb, and 1½ & 2.0lbs test curves
A Prodigy TX Specialist Feeder rod in two equal lengths with a quivertip installed. Tips included are 1.5oz, 2.5ozs, and 3.5ozs
Two VX 12ft Barbel models with either 1¾lbs or 2.0lbs test curve tips.
