All Reviews

The MAP Parabolix Pro Black Edition range offers a rod for every occasion – and they’re stunning bits of kit. I first got a chance to test them some time back and from the get-go you just know they’re excellent, as the Pro name alludes to. Designed and honed thanks to the extensive knowledge of MAP’s team of expert anglers and in-house team, these three new distance rods round off what is probably one of the most comprehensive rod ranges available.

What have we got here then? Well, adding to the already impressive line-up are these three beauties – the 12ft (320), 13ft (390) and 14ft (420) Parabolix Pro Distance Feeder rods. They’ve been designed to get your feeders out to the range you need, yet they feature lovely fish-playing actions too so you can enjoy the fight, unlike some other distance feeder rods out there that will get you the distance, but are as stiff as a broom handle.

As you would expect, the rods are packed with all of the same Pro features as the rest of this range and come finished with beautifully designed black patterned blanks with white graphics. The rings on the rods are special for these models, using oversized American Tackle guides. The butt rings are designed with a forward-facing angle to help prevent wrap-arounds and crack-offs on the cast. The tips are all carbon (2.5oz, 3oz and 4oz) and feature oversized rings throughout to help with casting when using shockleaders. The tip rings are unique and MAP has invested considerable time here developing these anti-frap tip rings to help prevent tangles or wrap-overs that could lead to a breakage or crack-offs when casting. As you can see from the design they’re very unique for tip rings on a feeder rod, but they really do work well.

Crucially the rods carry a 20 to 160g casting weight, meaning you can really load them up when you need to go the distance. The longest 420 model is mighty and will see you well over 100 metres comfortably, with the right accompanying tackle, if you need to go that far. Today I’m at Albans Lakes and I’m using the shortest 320 model paired with a mini big-pit style distance reel – even this combo is effortlessly punching a feeder far enough to cope with most ‘normal’ distance feeder sessions and… they’re an absolute joy to fish with, too! Designed with a fast taper, with considerable power in the lower section and a more forgiving tip to prevent hook-pulls at the net.

As a comfortable guideline on which model to choose, the 320 would be a great pick for 60 to 70 metres, the 390 for fishing 80 to 90 metres and the 420 for fishing anywhere past that. Of course this all depends on the other tackle you’re accompanying it with (such as reel choice and line diameters) and your casting technique etc. For example, if you’re using bullet-style cage feeders and fine braid for bream you’ll easily cast further than you would with a monofilament main line of course. But as a rough guideline these rods will easily cope with Method fishing at those sorts of ranges.

The rods all come supplied in a well padded rod bag and all include three full carbon tips in the three ratings already mentioned – 2.5oz, 3oz and 4oz – with coloured banding to differentiate them all. This whole Parabolix Pro Black Edition range is absolutely worth a look if you haven't checked out any of the models already. There is literally a rod for every occasion including the stepped-up SUV variants to choose from. 

These three rods perfectly complete the range to offer those distance aficionados the rods they want to do the job they need. The classic parabolic action is as good as ever and the handle length is specific to each rod to help maximise your casting potential. They’re just as good for bream fishing as they are for carp, they’re packed with plenty of features and they’re a joy to use. These three new models should easily find their way into plenty of anglers’ rod bags.

FEATURES:
Ultra-high modulus carbon
Parabolic action
Unique handle design
Casting weight 20 to 160g
Oversized American Tackle guides to aid casting
Hook keeper ring
Fuji reel seat
Supplied with a quality padded rod bag
Supplied with 2.5oz, 3oz and 4oz big guide carbon tips

RRP:
320 – £245
390 – £265
420 – £285
WEBSITE: mapfishing.co.uk