** Realistic Reviews by Real Anglers**
These long rods are the ideal compromise between poles and rods with reels. They have the superior length and, when fishing on a short line, the control that a pole offers, yet they have a reel that allows you to deal more easily with a fish that can’t be stopped with pole elastic. 
Obviously, they are not as easy to handle as a conventional match rod of 13 or even 14ft, but it’s surprising how soon you get used to the extra 6ft or more. The main thing you have to remember is to leave sufficient line hanging from the rod when you retrieve to bait the hook again. At first I was grabbing at fresh air because I’d reeled in too far. The same applies when you try to land a fish – don’t reel in too much line!
The rod offers a tremendous advantage when fishing a short line. In fact, in the matches I fish I’ve used pole type end tackle and fed the swim with a pole cup. The end tackle is so much more sensitive, and you can get away with it on the short line due to the superior control.
Unlike most other multi-section long rods from other manufacturers this 18/20 Match rod in the XL-ence range from Abu Garcia is no less than six pieces. Five sections is the norm. The result is that the Abu rod is stiffer and therefore more powerful. Surprisingly there is little sign of a flat spot at the joints, as you would expect from so many sections.
The 18ft length is ideal on rivers, giving you the essential reach and control without having to cast. The 20ft length is more useful on stillwaters, when the rod can be rested. 
The top two sections are supple enough to allow you to go down to a 1lb bottom, yet there is a great reserve of power in the butt half of the rod so that you can give the fish some stick when fishing heavier lines up to about 6lb.
This Abu Garcia rod is heavier both in weight and power than the other rods of this class I’ve tried so far, making it the best rod in its class for the carp holes. At 18ft on the river it’s a little on the heavy side for continuous use when trotting, but this can be helped if you use a heavy reel as a counter-balance. The larger model of the Abu Garcia Suveran’s would be ideal.
I’ve used this rod for several months now, in matches and for pleasure, and I must say I do like it very much. Modern materials have made rods like this possible, which only a few years ago would have been far too heavy.
The price isn’t too bad either at £ 199, and you’ll probably find a street price at least £ 20 cheaper.
