Martin at The Tackle Exchange in Walton showed me a new rod from Shakespeare, the Excelsior XL Match a slim line, stepped up, match rod which at fourteen feet is lighter than anything I have seen under two hundred pounds.

This rod is rated at six pound maximum main line but the power reserve in the butt when it is bent suggests they are being conservative. It has a lovely though action compared with some carp waggler rods that are just designed to cast big floats a long way but have a tendency to bump fish of when using small hooks. The tip is crisp enough to pick up a long trotted line both on the strike and in order to mend out a bow. This is the closest thing I have ever seen to an all round float rod. I was very impressed and waited for the price tag thinking that Martin was trying to sell me this rod and had forgotten what I had told him about my client’s budget. (This man has cost me some money over the years but has never sold me anything I have not enjoyed using.) When he said ninety pounds I searched quickly for excuses to buy one for myself but could not justify buying another stepped up float rod.

I bought one for Rob and it is still in my tackle store waiting for his work commitments to allow him another day out with me.

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