Modern Drift: R-Type
I have had the privilege of being able to fish the relatively new
Rapala R-type float/drift rods over the past few weeks; although the
angler behind them hasn't managed to land many fish on them, I feel I
have understanding of how they will perform in the future. (Test models
were the 11'6 4-12lb and the 13' 4-12lb)
Let me start by saying that this is not your father's (grandfathers)
float rod, this rod has a very crisp action able to set hooks at
distance as well as handle some of the Great Lakes region's largest fish
and even some of the west coast's brute steelhead. There was not one
time where I felt under-gunned even when landing my biggest fish of the
season, a 13lb pig off of the pier. This being said the rod manages to
not feel like a pool cue in hand, there is a certain power that this rod
has that still gives you the ability to fish light leaders and not blow
up hook sets.
Although there may be outroar from the traditionalist steelheaders I
have to say the split grip design has really grown on me. As an angler
who prefers his centerpin in a 50/50 position on the cork I was able to
put my reel just above the split and maintain enough cork above the reel
to leverage fish. Also back to the cork, the cork rubber composite used
on the R-Type series of float rods is a dream to fish with, when this
material gets wet it becomes very tacky underhand allowing for maximum
grip even in the worst of conditions. I have also found that even though
this is a sliding ring setup I haven't felt the need to tape my reels
in place, not really a feature I would actively look for in a rod but
definitely something to note.
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