Sonik have attracted something of a cult following over recent years as hoards of ‘in the know’ anglers have picked up on just how good their rod ranges are for the money, and across all disciplines it seems they are pretty hard to beat. As such, it looks like their new range of skS carp rods is only going to add to their rapidly expanding band of followers!
If it were judged on looks alone, the skS range would hammer much of the competition hands down, but it’s the advanced features that you rarely see on rods in this price band that simply push them up into another league. The super slim high modulus carbon blanks look sublime with their subtle matt finish, and they’d look the business as part of any set up. They have a decent backbone for effective casting yet incorporate a soft tip allowing you to safely play the fish at close quarters.
The skS rods also feature lightweight SIC guides, duplon abbreviated handles with laser etched Sonik butt caps and custom Sonik DPS graphite reel seats with gunmetal hoods and collars – as we said, they look as good as they feel!
Add to this the Sonik Rapidex rod replacement warranty – good for the lifetime of the original owner – and you’d be right in thinking these rods would be retailing at well over a ton a piece. However, you’d be wrong. Brace yourself… the 2.75lb or 3lb test curve versions come in at an incredible £59.99 each RRP! The skS range also features a 4.5lb test curve spod rod, and a 3lb marker rod, both just a touch more at £64.99 each. We found them even cheaper…from £49.99! – CLICK HERE.
However you look at it, this new range from Sonik is stunning; quality, value, and good looks… all for a fraction of the price you’d pay for comparable rods offered by the competition. For years, we’ve thought the best rods in this price range were from Fox and ESP only, though we feel things might be about to change… in a big way!
If you were placing them on their price alone, you’d call them an entry level rod, but in truth they are so much more than that, though with the likes of Nick Helleur on board with development and testing, they were always going to be that little bit special!
Julian Grattidge
Northwestcarp.co.uk
January 2012
