I’m a coarse fisherman, I fish matches and would describe my standard as a good club angler who is competitive in open matches. I’m very particular with my tackle and always trying new stuff to find what suits me and what is best for any particular job. I mainly fish still waters, but love any method - long and short pole, paste, method, groundbait feeder, maggot feeder, shallow pole, margins, pellet waggler, standard waggler etc. I used to be a local government accountant, but now I’m a carer for my wife and get a full days fishing every week. I have time during the week which has prompted this channel. I’m no computer expert and use my iPad and iPhone for all my videos. I’m not looking to make money, it’s fun for me and I hope to give the kind of independent detailed reviews of tackle tested over a good period of time which are rarely found.
Another fantastic review Paul, as I’m only just starting up fishing again that rod will be right up my alley. A good rod without breaking the bank. I’ve a lot of tackle to buy. Keep up the good work. 👏
@@azertyy3978 yes, subject to availability everywhere seems out of stock of the bigger (12-14 upwards) sizes at the moment, so may have to buy others to fill supply issue gaps.
Been using a padded support for years. Got it because I have a very boney elbow and after a hour was getting pain. Not only does it stop the pain in my elbow it also stops my elbow from damaging the pole and it aids it trapping the pole beneath your forearm when constantly feeding with the catapult when fishing long and shallow. Only costs £5 on eBay
Just sold my Drennan Acolyte 9ft plus feeder rod. Like you, I never quite got along with it. It is definitely not a method feeder rod. Too many times the tip would go round but the fish wasn't hooked. Would you say the 9ft Nytro rods are beefier than the Acolyte?
@@baldrickscunningplan6154 no, the Acolyte plus was stiffer, which is why I also got rid as it was only a big fish rod in my opinion, I kept pulling out of skimmers and smaller carp. That doesn’t mean the Nytro is soft.
@@paulstacklereviews1695 Maybe it is because Drennan used very stiff 40T carbon on the Acolyte. Nytro use 30T carbon on the Solus and Aryzon rods. They use 24T carbon on the Impax.
@@baldrickscunningplan6154 you may be right, it just doesn’t work as well in a short rod, I have an Acolyte 11ft plus feeder that is a joy to fish with for all sized fish.
@@paulstacklereviews1695 Spot on Paul. I just do not think that shorter rods offer anything more. They say it is easier to land fish. In practice it is not much of an advantage. One major drawback that anglers do not think of, is the shorter casting arc of a shorter rod. If you are using the spool clip. You get less turns back on the spool after hitting the clip with a shorter rod. I lost quite a few fish when they ran to the clip and the line broke. A few more turns of line back on the spool can make a lot of difference to getting big fish in the net.
Thanks Paul for another good review. Does the rain cover pull over any further than you showed? Its just that when im holding a long pole and feeding my swim, plus priming my pellet waggler or feeder swim, i place the easy access bait close to my leg so i can reach it blindly without stretch. That near third area where you'd position the easy access bait appears unprotected on the demo.
You need to remember that the tray is closer to your box than other side trays (knuckle to attach is part of tray). I suspect where you currently have your bait on your existing side tray would be under cover on the matrix.
@@paulstacklereviews1695 Thanks Paul but I'm not sure that answers my question ref - does the cover reach the near side of the tray? I can fully see the advantage of having the tray closer to hand with reduced distance blind reach, especially with the larger gap between the trays and the MAP seat, but a disadvantage if that area can't be rain/sun covered.
Yesterday I caught a feisty 15lb carp on 2mm hybrid (MAP same as Duraslip 13) with a hooklength of 0.16mm (Matrix) and it was in and out of weeds and I was applying a lot of pressure, got it in. I can’t therefore see the need to go higher, in reflo terms that’s probably 0.15mm (diameter is understated for reflo). But you could use higher bs line, I think you’d need to get to 0.21mm and above before the risk would be the elastic snapping before the line. If you’re targeting double figure fish I’d probably go up to 15 or 17 duraslip.
Thank you for the quick reply Paul! Wow, 15lb carp on a 0.16mm that is wild! I use the GPM-B hooks, I like size 16 with a band, do you think this hook can handle 0.15 reflo power without carp straighten the hook? In the tackle shop last weekend I checked out the 14 GPM-B, but I find the difference in size between 16 and14 massive.
@@azertyy3978 I think a gpm 16 would be ok with 0.15 reflo, but would use a kkmb beyond that. Kkmb 16 to 0.17m reflo shop bought is my pellet waggler choice.
Hi Paul. Thanks for the review. Has there been anything you've since that you'd be tempted with instead? Can the 4 corner leg clamps be rotated so the knobs all point inwards, taking less space? Many trays don't have any outrigger legs/arms etc, and you've explained the 3 iterations that you've been through to ensure you achieve additional support. Does it really additional support or are you being over cautious?
You can’t adjust the angle of the fittings on the tray. I wouldn’t want to use the extending tray without some sort of support, it would be tilted away from you without support. I still have the extending tray but usually use a Matrix self supporting tray now with a detachable rain cover, which as the name suggests doesn’t need any support. There is a separate video review of the Matrix tray on my channel.
I am looking at trying the Nytro Aryzon 10ft feeder. So far none of my local tackle shops stock them. I did get an Aryzon 10ft pellet waggler rod and that is really good for the money. The blanks, rings and handles are better quality than I expected. Reel seats are basic but work fine. The pellet waggler is surprisingly quite powerful for it's weight, and I am hoping the feeder rods are the same.
@@paulstacklereviews1695 I got the 10ft Aryzon feeder rod. It is basically the same rod as a Daiwa Nzon slim 10ft feeder rod. There is literally nothing between them other than the Daiwa has a more robust reel seat. Both rods are the same price at Angling direct.
Maver are the worst fishing company going. Everything is made from cheap and nasty materials. Everything I've bought from maver has either fell apart or crumpled especially the reality margin poles. I was given a reality feeder rod as a gift recently..the eyes are not whipped on properly.. sonik rods are amazing
The RXX isn’t a bad rod, but not as good as the others. I’m a big fan of Maver poles and use their pole roller, not much else from them. We all have different experiences, I personally don’t like Daiwa having had bad experiences.
Paul. Great honest reviews as always 👌. I personally use the Drennan series 7 puddle chucker 11ft waggler rod a softer version of the Drennan Acolyte rod you reviewed.
Nice insight of the three excellent rods Paul . I have had the Maver Acolyte and the Matrix. I sold the Acolyte because of the two comments you made a bit stiff and the handle was too long l thought same as you that the Maver was too heavy for long pw sessions and the Matrix l had problems with. I bought it mail order and it came with 1and a1/2'' missing from the tip . This was replaced but the replacement broke in the same place first cast. A 3rd rod arrived but l never used it as l had lost confidence in it. I bought the Preston Supera X and love it l also bought the MAP black Edition Pro SUV for the big lumps this rod is also fantastic. I love pellet waggler fishing and l use both rods with my hand made Casper bulb floats. I invented this float some 40 years ago with the first offering slow sinkers for silver fish. I had a rod made by Terry Smith of Sheffield and was named the' bubble master' rod. I continued to use this method until the commercial venue sprung up then l started to make them as floats . There are a few copies on the market made from foam but they are not in the same league as mine for casting and mine are virtually unbreakable. My mates have them and only come back for more when they lose them. Testament indeed. On our local carp dam our secretary goes out in a boat to retrieve lost Caspers periodically. l use Aero xr5000 reels on my pellet waggler rods as they are very light and balance my rods well.
@@paulstacklereviews1695 My advice there then is next time you go to a tackle shop don't take your credit card nor cash or you will definitely come home £200 light in the pocket they are that good. I've had Free Spirit Hi S rods and the Supera X really sits right in my hand and delivers. It's quite expensive but there are dearer rods out there are they any better ? l'll say this l am not good enough to notice. The Supra range is a great line up. PS l am impressed by the Nufish Detexion mono is states sinking but its great for the pellet waggler if you don't sink it.
Freespirit ctx 11ft pellet waggler £130 ,job done …..superb Japanese blank ,super light weight in the hand with a fantastic action plus loads of hidden power in the butt section …looks & finish is exceptional, designed by rod makers from the carp world ,known for their handmade expertise, in precision construction of hi-tech carbon rods …Awesome
Yes and no! I bought the Quattro in the Black Friday sales. I wanted to try a frame box with 36mm legs and the box is superb (love the 4 leg design and the seat is incredibly comfy) and at 18kg is quite light compared to others. Unfortunately that’s 5kg heavier than my H30 and due to medical issues I have is too heavy for me to move safely, especially the venues I fish where a nice level access is rare. I’m back on the H30 and will be putting the Quattro on eBay.
@@paulstacklereviews1695 Oh dear Paul that is a shame but l prefer the H frame boxes anyway. I don't even use a footplate. l like my feet on the ground and sit lower to the water. . I just wish l could find a suitable side tray the ones l've looked at are either too big or too small
@@davidsmith2663 tha Matrix is an excellent size and unlike many only attaches to one leg, after further testing the hood is definitely 100% waterproof.
@@paulstacklereviews1695 not sure the way the Matrix fits closer to the box would work for me but l am going to my local tackle shop to see if l can try one. Maybe the 40cm x 40cm would be a good choice for me. How's the Centris reel going? I love mine for my feeder work but l am more than satisfied with the Aero XR 5000's for my pellet waggler fishing. I totally agree with you about the old Centris too. It is a better choice for me also . Don't like quick drag and prefer the direct handle attachment to a flimsy folding handle. I am just about to order a Centris double handle for my Magnitude and most likely to buy anothr pld Centris before they are obsolete.
The Centris is a very good reel, however I find the clutch adjustment fiddly (I have reduced dexterity in my left hand) and think I actually prefer my Magnitude, double handle doesn’t matter to me. I’ve just ordered an Aero XR 5000 and think I’ll sell the Centris.
Thinking of getting on of these but concerned about leg slip. I am about 6ft but around 18 stone, my Maver box 30mm legs but they slip making me uncomfortable using it any advice on weight capacity of these boxes? Thanks in advance
It’s difficult to say, I think the locking mechanisms are very secure. I guess the weight aspect of the h30 is appealing to you over a framed box (like a Z30 or Z36). Perhaps put a post on a forum (like Maggotdrowning.com, free to join) to see if anyone your size has a MAP H frame box.
Hello paul i bought one of these after watching your video..what a disappointment it is...everytime there's a downpour it feels up with water no matter how its layed..loads of room but leaks terribly
It is an excellent sized hard case. I don’t think any of them are 100% waterproof, the Maver one is definitely more waterproof than the Cresta I had previously. I fish in all weathers and can honestly say I rarely notice any water inside mine.
Nice in drill, looks good, light, perfect blank. But... after a few fishing games where I used textile thread as the main line, the rings or "blunt, red" on the inside. Poor quality rings
Paul, thanks. On your "rec" bought, the matrix line in 8lb. Used it for bream fishing on an old snagg estate lake were carp occasionally break up the party fighting hard and an eel that straightened out my size 10 drennen hook "for a pull " once it had rapid its self around A tree branch in the margins.Found the line exceeds expectations. Tough supple and great knot strength. This line should cost a lot more than it does.
I definitely need this on my seat box.i remember you a few years ago Paul fishing on Scarborough mere.you used to compete in competitions with my dad Paul Malton
Not my experience with Maver, the original roller lasting 14 years backs my experience. I’ve had 3 Daiwa rods snap in my 40 years angling (none from any other brands), but I wouldn’t recommend staying away from everything Daiwa.
Well I never….i have that original roller and never knew about the grommet that holds the legs out. 😂😂. Good roller though. I have the MAP dual roller for my front roller but might look at getting this newer maver one. Top review Paul. Thanks for doing it.
It’s a different type of rod. The Ascension is a silvers rod, with power to handle bigger fish. The rod you have is designed for good sized fish and an upgrade would be the Monster or Supera x. I have the original Supera which is a brilliant rod, second hand ones do come up on eBay at great prices.
I need a shirt with a collar for the microphone so I have limited choice, also shows my independence. I’m not like the guy from Angling Times who matches clothing brand to product reviews 😂
Thanks, paul, for the balanced review without music sung by someone who just inhaled helium. Seriously, these types of reviews are invaluable to anglers who dont mind spending money but hate wasting it. Hard to come by, easy to give away.
Cheers Paul 👍 Was gonna get one when they came out more for the stopwatch (feeder fishing) than the clicker but @£35 i got a cheap stopwatch for a fiver off amazon instead 😆