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Friday, 05 October 2007

Nitros are here... ohboy, ohboy, ohboy, ohboy...

Nitro rods - things of beauty

Even if the sky fell in today and there was no possible way I could get out fishing under normal conditions, I'd start casting lures into the swimming pool here at the park I'm currently staying in. Why? Because the Innovator Nitro rods arrived yesterday (courtesy of Innovator) and I don't think I've ever wanted to go fishing so desperately in my life. Casting lures from a kayak using these rods is going to be an absolute pleasure - nothing is more certain. As for reeling in fish on them, well, I'll leave the description of how that is likely to feel for when it actually happens, because I can only use my imagination at this point and right now it's running wild. Hopefully that'll be later this arvo. I would have headed out this morning, but I have some business to take care of at the park first.

I know it sounds like I'm gushing with praise without having used the Nitros (because I am) but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know these rods are made for serious fishing. Just ask AKFF member, Troppo (who stopped in to see me only an hour or so after the rods arrived), who took a hold of the Godzilla and looked as if he didn't want to give it back. Even the bags they come with smack of quality. As previously mentioned, I have actually used Innovator rods before (the earlier Shogun series - one for trout, the other for surf fishing) and they were the best rods I'd ever owned. Noosa Fishing editor 'Billybob' is fond of the Shogun rods to, but I have to agree with the following comment from Innovator (sent to me in an email conversation):

'Shogun is an old technology, pretty much finished now, nice sticks but nothing on Nitro.'

I will review each of these rods individully as I gain more experience with them. But some interesting reading material accompanied the rods and I couldn't find it all at the official Nitro webpage, so I'll copy some of it below (not quite verbatim).

On construction material: Made from high energy impact resistant Torayca IM8 44-million PSI carbon fibre, manufactured by Toray in Japan. * Toray is the worlds largest supplier of PAN system carbon fibre and a major supplier to Boeing, currently used in the Boeing 777 aircraft.

On taper and performance: Fast - on all Nitro rods, designed to meet the specific applications of each model. Fast, crisp action, rapid recovery from deflection ensures positive tracking for precision casting with pin-point accuracy and distance casting with minimal effort.

On components: Fuji 'Alconite' guides with BHVLG 'Hardloy' frames and aluminium oxide rings. Premium grade Portuguese cork / graphite reel seat with padded hood on certain models, EVA grips on others.

Here's the lowdown on each of the models that Innovator were kind enough to supply me with:

Nitro Ultrabream finesse

Ultrabream Finesse (7', 1-2kg, 1-7g, 2-piece): Developed around the needs of tournament anglers. Designed for finesse fishing with hard-body and soft plastic lures down to 1/32oz, but with plenty of butt-authority to fish around oyster leases and other structure. Similarly, these features have made it popular as a trout lure and bait rod for throwing unweighted hoppers and mudeyes. Also a fun rod for mullet and garfish.

Nitro Viper

Viper (7', 6-8kg, 10-55g, 2-piece): Developed from the popular Magnum butt, Viper provides greater stopping and lifting power for bigger longtail tuna and kingfish. Great for bottom bouncing snapper.

Nitro Godzilla

Godzilla (7', 10-15kg, 28-84g, 2-piece): A multi-purpose big fish rod. Great for lure casting or live bait fishing for mulloway. Tossing big poppers at giant trevally or trolling for sailfish. If you were limited to one rod for an around Australia trip that would allow you to cast lures, live bait, jig, troll and bottom bounce, this is the rod.

I'm particularly fond of the description of the Godzilla, because traveling around Aus is precisely what I'm doing. With the other two models in my arsenal, however, now I truly have all bases covered. My catch rate will improve from this point on, no doubt... but I really am going to have to use every ounce my strength to not go out and buy the flashiest reels I can find for them, because at least one of the reels I am using hardly seem worthy!