Sonik Sports
SK3 Pro-Specimen 12’ Tri-Tip Rod
Over the past few weeks I have been fortunate enough to try out a new a rod from North East based Sonik Sports that is in my opinion about to take the coarse fishing world by storm and that is not something I say very often. There have been very few rods that have given me so much enjoyment when using them as this superb all-rounder. The rod in question has been under development for nearly three years and has the input of the angling press, retailers, top consultants and established anglers from all aspects of coarse fishing, to produce a rod of superb quality. Introducing the superb Sonik Sports SK3 Pro-Specimen 12’ Tri-Tip Rod, New for 2011.
Vital Statistics
 If you’re in the market for a rod that will do virtually everything you as an angler can ask of it, then look no further. The SK3 Tri-Tip is built on a high modulus carbon blank that produces a subtle fish playing action that is very responsive but when needed, the powerful butt section comes into play producing a powerful through action that is floorless in performance. To get the full potential from the blank there are four two legged low profile SIC lined rings fitted with two on the butt section and a further two above the spigot, then you have a further six single legged rings that take you through to the low profile tip ring on each Avon top section.
There are three Avon style top sections that are rated and clearly marked as 1.5lb, 1.75lb and 2.0lb test curves. Each of these Avon tops give the SK3 Pro-Specimen 12’ Tri-Tip a totally different actions that can be suited to many angling situations. The 1.5lb test curve Avon top is perfect for all still water and slow moving river situations when a float is being used to target chub, tench, bream and small to medium sized barbel are the quarry. The 1.75lb test curve Avon Top is designed for use on commercial fisheries when targeting carp on the baggin waggler and small method feeders but also suitable when targeting big tench and bream on snaggy venues.
The third Avon top is the 2.0lb option and this is the one that has caught the most attention from specialist anglers. It can cover all the tasks performed by the 1.5 and 1.75lb Avon tops but with a lot more authority and power. It is designed to cope with big lead work on flooded rivers down the edge, plus you can use it for floater fishing for carp on commercial fisheries with a controller float. It also has found favour with the big perch brigades and surprisingly amongst those anglers who like chucking fish heads around in search of zander. All in all these three Avon tops offer you an option to cover virtually every angling situation you are likely to encounter.
To finish the SK3 Pro-Specimen 12’ Tri-Tip off a traditional full cork handles with EVA screw down top section are in place to accommodate the screw winch reel seat that locks your reel in place securely. At the end of the cork handle a bronze effect laser etched ‘SONIK’ butt cap is fitted to give the rod its identity and a bit of jewelery for the tackle tarts amongst you. Just to finish things off a handy fold down hook retainer is fitted just above the reel seat on the underside of the blank to hold your hook when on the move or breaking the rod down. So that’s the vital statistics now to get it out on the bank to see how it performs in its natural surroundings.
The Field Test
We decided to take the two SK3 Pro-Specimen 12’ Tri-Tip rods we had sent for review to noted a big tench water in Cambridgeshire. Just to see how they would perform with 6lbs plus of angry green aquatic beast flying around in 14 foot of water under there tips. So I set up using the 2.0lb test curve Avon top and loaded the rod with10lbs reel line, using a 2oz lead on my leader rig, just to get a feel of the rods. I cast my lead about to settle the line on the reel and found casting was a joy to say the least, without trying I was hitting 60yds and accurately every cast into a moderate north westerly head wind. Now it was time to bait up and put these very likeable rods through a proper test and try and land a big tench on them.
After a quiet night, at 4.30am my left hand alarm sounded and I saw my rod tip curing round to the surge of something in a hurry to get away. My first contact with the fish was greeted by the rod curving over to the mid butt section and absorbing every thud of the big paddle at the tale end of what was obviously a very reasonable tench. For about three minutes the tench tried every trick in the book to throw my hook but the rods blank thought back every time with responsive lunges that calmed the fishes aggression and eventually led to a fine 6lbs plus tinca sliding over the net and this was only the start of what was to become a most enjoyable field test. Over the next 30 hours the SK3 Pro-Specimen 12’ Tri-Tip rods landed 14 healthy tench in total to near 8lbs in size and coped with each one of them admirably.
Final Thoughts
I think you may have already guessed that the team at UKMA are exceptionally impressed with these very well built specialist rods from Sonik Sports. Not only do they perform as good as any mid range barbel specialist rods I have had the privilege to use but they out perform many rods (including custom builds) I have used over the past few years that sell for twice as much money. Pretty much all I can say is if you are in the market for a rod for all occasions and don’t won’t to spend a fortune you will have to go a long way to find a rod that offers so many options for less than £100. Yes believe it or not the SK3 Pro-Specimen 12’ Tri-Tip rod from Sonik Sports sells for just £99.99 which is outrageous value for money and worth every single penny.
For information on the products from Sonik Sports, please click below.
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