I’d only had this rod in my hand a matter of minutes and I knew what I was holding was a very important piece of kit.
Put simply, this has to be the best value carp rod in Britain bar none. And until now, it’s pretty much gone under the radar… it’s time to let the secret out of the bag.
From stainless etched butt cap right through to the large lined Matsuku tip ring, this is a piece of state-of-the art carbon that you’d comfortably shell out somewhere in the region of £100 to £120.
But somehow the Synapse retails at only £30! Which is why I have the matching three rod set up on my pod… and it cost less than a ton.
You can usually detect a cheaper carp rod from 20 yards – the blank is a bit flabby, the action less crisp, and the cast more of a lob than an aggressive punch.
There’s none of that with a Synapse. It casts leads and pva bags with ease thanks to a powerful mid-section, yet it has a soft tip for playing carp in the margins – a crucial time in a fight when fish can easily slip a barbless hook. I’m not a big caster by any stretch, but I can put a lead 80 yards with my set up.
The handle is super slim – although not too skinny as to impair casting – and the reel seat strong and suitable for regular freespools or big pits.
I love the ringing of the rod – it gives the blank optimum performance – and the guides are all large – starting with a 50 inch butt ring. Class.
If you’re into carp fishing and need to operate within a price range, the Synapse beats the Warrior or Prodigy hands down.
They come in 2.5lb, 2.75lb and 3lb test curve and you even get a lifetime guarantee!
