Rod Information:
" 12ft/3.65m
" 3 piece
" Tip Weight 4-6oz
" High Performance Graphite (IM8)
" Hard Wooden Butt
" Trigger Grip
" AVS Reel Beds
" Approximate Retail Price - R 550
My son won an Adrenalin Surf Master 12' rod at the recently held Struisbaai 5 Spesie. Typically he tried it out once and indicated that it is to light and short for him (thinking bigger and brand name is better). During a club competition I decided to test the 12' rod and fish with it all day.
I have always believed that if you are allowed two rods in an edible fishing competition that your one rod should be a 13 or 14' and the other a 11' or 12'. When fishing for Shad, Galjoen, Blacktail, Belman, etc. I prefer a 12' rod with a "30" reel that can cast a 2 or 5 onz sinker, sensitive enough to detect the slightest enquiry, light in weight and strong enough to lift a fish onto the rocks. The only reason why I would use a 13 or 14' rod for these fish is for additional casting distance or height to "lift" and keep your line clear of rocks or kelp in front of you.
On the day I decided to combine the discontinued Elbe 30 reel which was improved by Keith Murrison with the 12' Adrenalin Rod. I started casting at rocks from the beach with a 3 onz sinker for Galjoen. The rod performed well and a good distance was reached without a problem. This was the first time that I had casted with a trigger rock and surf rod and found it useful. I changed the sinker to a 5 onz wire sinker because of the strong currents. The light rod was a pleasure to hold in the strong wind and currents. With no luck I moved on to the rocks at low tide. Here I had to cast 70m which the rod achieved with a 5 onz sinker and redbait on the hook. I managed to land 3 Galjoen between 1 and 1,7Kg. I was able to reel in the fish and lift it 2m onto the rocks with ease. Later I managed to land 2 blacktail and two Shad from the beach. The sensitivity of the rod was tested as the Shad was biting "skelm" and the lightness of the rod really assisted since I could keep it level with ease to detect the nibbles.
This is how I will score the rod out of a maximum of 10:
Casting 3 - 5 onz sinker - 8/10
Casting 6 onz sinker - 7/10
Sensitive - 8/10
Weight - 8/10
Lift - 7/10
Overall - 8/10
Overall Comments
The rod surprised me so much that I had felt I had to write this report! The price of the rod compares very well with other types of 12' Rods. When looking at the price you need to weigh up the advances of buying a 5 piece rod and paying more with paying less for a 3 piece rod. The Adrenalin rod handled all weights well therefore they have managed to make the rod versatile. The only real advantage of 3 points is that if one breaks you have another available. However you will be able to buy two low cost Adrenalin 12' rods at the same price as other 12' 5 piece rod.
I would recommend the Adrenalin Surf Master 12' for juniors, anglers starting out and as a second rod for experienced anglers which can be used for scratch angling. This rod proved to me that there is a still good low cost product on the market which compares well with the well known more expensive manufacturers.
Test and Report by M Munnik from Ashton Angling Club
