Manufacturer says
The Squad Super Picker is a great new addition to the already popular Squad range of rods. It is ideal for fishing the straight lead or small to medium sized feeder.
The shorter length makes it ideal for tucking close to the bank in windy conditions enabling the angler to see the most delicate of indications.
Comes complete with 3 different strength fibre glass tips in a cloth bag.
Recommended reel lines: 2lb – 5lb
Recommended hooklengths: 12oz – 4lb
Code Length (Feet / m) Closed (m) Sections Weight (g) Casting RRP (£)
SQSP 2752 9/2.75 1.40 2+3 190 10/35 £36.99
SQSP 3002 10/3.00 1.57 2+3 210 10/35 £39.99
Review
I was in a tackle shop rabbitting on about a Garbolino pole I used to have some years ago and how good it was. I hadn’t realised that they had branched out into other types of rods over here (they’re a French company with a very long history in tackle manufacture).
However, when I was first shown this rod (it’s the 10ft version) it was suggested it would make a very good beginner’s rod. It was handed to me and I was immediately impressed with the way it handled, of course this was in a shop and no reel on it, I was still only guessing. And then I was told the price………. Beginner’s rod? My left foot, I’m having this one, I have to try it out!
I couldn’t help it, I bought it more on that whimsy than anything, I had no need for this rod as I already had a good feeder rod of that length anyway, but yet I felt drawn to it. At home and now with a reel on it, it felt good and well balanced and most unlike any beginner’s rod I’ve come across before so let’s get rid of that label for a start, this is one serious little rod. It’s useful for small rivers, great for close-in on lakes, and brilliant for canals.
It then came with me to the Thames and for a couple of evenings it caught lots and lots of nice little perch, nothing big, but this rod (being a ‘picker’) is meant to be used on those days when bites are difficult to detect. In my test they certainly weren’t difficult to detect, but being perch you don’t want to hang around and you strike at the very first indication otherwise you end up deep hooking them with all that that entails.
The butt seems to be loaded (weighted) making it easier to lift the top end and strike, which makes it slightly heavier overall, but much nicer in use. The feel of it is very good, just what I’d expect of a rod costing pounds more and not just £40, that is a real bargain. It’s not going to cast enormous weights, just over an ounce is about its maximum, but again, it’s not a rod for heavy feeder fishing anyway.
I had another similar ‘Picker’-type rod before and that was good for its day, but this leaves that one and my other 10’ feeder rod standing. I’m not too keen on the graphics, bright orange, but I’ll forgive Garbolino for that seeing as they’ve made such a great rod at such a very reasonable price. Other than that, this rod is everything I could have wanted from it, swift and responsive and overall, it has quite a quality feel about it.
So what do I say about recommending this rod? If like me, you enjoy light feeder and bomb fishing and find the need to use a shorter lighter rod for detecting delicate bites on difficult days, then this is a rod you should consider getting. In fact, for £40, you shouldn’t even have to think about it, just buy one. It will go nicely in your holdall.
Why not pay the Garbolino website a visit?
