TESTED | Which Is The Best Retractable Rod? | Comparison Test 03

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The feedback on our first Tackle Comparison video ( • TESTED | Which Is The ... ) was "mega, but can you now do one on retractable carp fishing rods?' Well, here it is! The CARPology boys (Joe, Luke and Iain) are back, and this time testing all the retractable rods they could lay our hands on to find out which one(s) is the best on the market...
Other Comparison Test Videos from the series:
✳️ Which Is The Best Carp Rod For Under £100? • TESTED | Which Is The ...
✳️ Which Is The Best Spod/Spomb? • TESTED | Which Is The ...
𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼:
0:00 Retractable Rod Comparison
1:05 Casting test
2:36 Playing action
3:51 Thoughts on casting
19:13 Thoughts on playing action
23:37 Aesthetics test
29:41 What rods are they?
40:09 Results
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[@waynenippard5933]

As a 10’ 3lb Insurgent (cork handle) user I can only echo your findings. Have been pleasantly surprised at how good they are both in casting and playing and they also look classy. I also have the 4.5lb spod rod to match and again it is excellent. Most rods I have had previously have been £300+ but for whatever reason I decided to get some cheaper rods this time around, I paid about £80 each, and I must say have had my eyes well and truly opened. Fantastic rods, great price and with a real premium feel. I highly recommend them.

[@trevorcornes1056]

Nice one lads , Great information,quite interesting.

[@Mohdock]

Very informative, great video.

[@gavmc1105]

I have a set of 9ft 3lb dwarfs with the shimano ci4 5500 xtc reels as a second set up and can’t fault them. Great for casting and playing fish and love how compact they are. Definitely worth the money

[@alfiecat5671]

Another brilliant one lads

[@josephquinn7356]

This is a fantastic review. Taught Me a lot and helps with my decision on a third rod.

[@ggwildlife]

excellent guys i have both Nash dwarfs 6ft and sonik extractors 9ft, keep'em coming.

[@markwilson8903]

Good overall test for those looking at 9ft and 10ft rods. Couldn't do the same side by side test in any tackle shop, so thanks and well done lads.

[@streetcat1510]

This Is the only video that I’ve seen that actually shows a side view of the rod/ blank under compression like having a big fish on , this is the most important issue when purchasing a rod, not the bling, or lack of it in most cases, but what the actions like

[@taztaz6539]

I've never considered a retractable rod cos to me the blank would be compromised where the joints are so this is eye opening - really liked how you did this test I use free spirit 12' ctx rods that per rod cost less than the rrp of the insurgents and not much more than the scopes

[@nobbs67]

Great video I’d have loved to see the Daiwa rods in this test

[@Emoissupreme]

I've been looking for a second set of rods for smaller waters for a while. Thanks for this, I do reckon I'll end up going for scopes however

[@alexanderribeiroalves580]

Thank you for this video ! Now I know what to buy ! God bless and protect you 🙏🏻

[@mrogy]

Great vid. Got friend and hes NASH lover, so he tried to push me into scopes, but my other friend have dwarf and i couldnt rly find difference between them, so in the end... i bought Insurgents coz they were just on incredible sale :D Side by side, Scope vs Insurgent seems rly similar , didnt saw much of a difference except the price.

[@Captainraskett1989]

I'm the proud owner of a full set of 10 ft sonik insurgent rods, 3.25 test and thier 4lb test spod rod I also picked them up for around 90 quid each a few years back, the spod was a little more if I remember rightly. But I'm comfortable on small waters with them and I find them very accurate up to about 120 yards, if I really try and I wanna fish single hook baits at range I can hit 150 yards easy. I would recommend these highly to anyone if your the type that just want one set of rods to do all aspects of your fishing, top vid lads 🤙🏻

[@damondyke2932]

I'm at a tie with the daiwa emcast 10ft or the 10ft insurgents

[@Captainraskett1989]

@@damondyke2932 the daiwa is definitely the cheaper built product for more money, it's not retractable either from what I've seen, the guides aren't minimal guides and the butt ring is only 30mm I believe. This will drastically impose on your casting abilities if your trying to hit any distance. I am biased though the sonik as stated in this video are a high end rod and right now they are 79.99 wich is a bargain when original retail was 149.99 I think. In my opinion the daiwa is not worth the 99.99 price tag that comes with it for the very little it offers as a rod, its priced like desighner clothes your paying for the brand. Its entirely up to you but you won't regret getting a set of insurgents 🙏

[@damondyke2932]

@@Captainraskett1989 I'm definitely sold they sound good look good and paired with my emblem 35 reels they'll look good and feel good

[@Captainraskett1989]

@@damondyke2932 you won't regret it, honestly great pieces of kit enjoy 🙏

[@VALIS538]

Same what I got and can’t fault them, just a little thick of a blank

[@glennburling2713]

I have scope 10. 3.5 Cork and enjoy them very much but have recently got some insurgent 10 3.5 full shrink coupled with the 6000 insurgent reels I'm very impressed with the setup I work in France 🇫🇷 on a fishing complex and had some very large fish as you can imagine with France and had absolute confidence in that setup exceptional value for money 💰 so much so I've gone and got some insurgent 9 3.25 rods in Cork. Also at the moment if you shop around you can find them for very little money my 3 rods come to only 128 pounds brand new what a bargain for such great rods from sonik.

[@robbymalfliet5100]

I appreciate the test, but don't really agree with the comments of 2 of the lads regarding the ESP Onyx Quickdraw rods. Using them for nearly a year now and managed fish to upper 50s from Belgium and France on the rods. They cast like a dream (solid bags 90yds easily with 18lbs mainline), play a fish nicely and they don't look too shabby either. The blank looks different yes, but not so to make funny cheap comments about them. Just my opinion though, and will keep on following the Carpology vids on a daily basis. 😉👍

[@osmithy5410]

Shame you didn’t have the Diawa crosscast ext and black widow ext included in this review. Surprised you excluded them as you have reviewed the crosscast individually

[@MRT.1977]

Great video lads, I use Soniks and the Nash 👍👍

[@johnpenney1547]

Really good review on the retractable rods, i use 10ft Aqua Atoms and love them, shame they was not in the reiview, but you can't test them all 🤣 nice one lads another good upload 👌👍

[@danielhooker4957]

Aqua have discontinued the Atom so may be a reason why they weren't included

[@vincegibson6834]

Great test, these rods are the future,no more bulky rod bags,the wife and I both go fishing and I opted for four 8 foot and four 12 foot xtractor recon 3.5lb rods teamed up with 5500 and 1400ci4 ultegras, if we take both sets it takes up less space than a 3 rod holdal and they fit in the boot no problem,no more holdal all through the car,and the 8 foot rods fit in a suitcase no problem😁👍

[@Nman666]

I’ve got a fox explorer would of liked to see this in the test. Amazing how cheap some of these are which is good for everyone

[@waynegreen5631]

Great video nash scope 10 ft su ate the best by far been using them for 2 years caught hundreds of carp from under the tip to 100 yards hardy use my 12 foot rods now

[@leeh1974]

Just bought a set of insurgent rods off the back of this review can't wait to try them out next weekend

[@matthewcollinsangler]

I have a set of 9ft 3lb Dwarf shrinks and they are awesome little rods. Great for small estate lakes and river carping. I also have the 9ft 3lb Scope abbreviated. The Scopes have that premium look and feel that the Dwarfs lack. Dwarfs are definitely the value for money choice but if you can afford the Scopes then you’ll love them for sure.

[@craigmiller2935]

Yeah ive had my 9ft scopes for about 3 years now & they are the business. Excellent to play fish & perfect for smaller lakes. Would highly recommend 👍

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@craigmiller2935 That's great to hear mate. I look forward to spending some more time with the Scopes this year!

[@terryweight9949]

Enjoyed the last two rod testing vlogs shame diawa didn’t supply a retractable rod as I’ve got the crosscast, still it was nice to see Luke not cracking one off for a change especially as Joe had given him a cuddle

[@tomwinterfishing9065]

He probably went in the bushes when the cameras were off

[@dermothill8504]

I use the Sonik 2.75 9ft and have never had a problem casting with them , best used with Vader reels.

[@pdilliway]

JOE.. just quick question...I have recently just purchased a set of 10 ft 3lb dwarf...but have found the dwarf bag to be a really snug fit and a struggle to fit in with the reels (Shimano st baitrunner). Is there a better substitute rod bag for these rods???? Thanks keep up the good work and great content. Love the review videos

[@TimMarler]

I use the Xtractor 10ft 3.25lb cork handles with Xtractor GS 5000 reels as a second (longer) set because I actually prefer 9ft rods. It's a decent enough setup but I would rather have a ceramic butt ring instead of the standard one that's on there. They do also have a tendency to twist a little so I find I'm often re-aligning them.

[@benjaminpond5523]

I think you should do a 'tape-up' all the branding (a part from butt-caps🤣) and do a video on who can guess what rods are made by each manufacturer! ...apart from that wouldn't be a test because I'm sure you'd know just from looking at them ! Haha... Another great vid though Chaps it didn't take long for the piss-takes to start ! Love it !

[@cyclonis84]

I own 3 Nash dwarf 9ft spod rods 4.5lb test curve. I bought these to replace my 9ft catmaster rods, that I felt were too “salt water boaty”. The dwarfs were a fraction of the price. I’ve caught cats & sturgeon to 60lb & I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them & felt very assured in casting large weights & playing powerful fish. My local syndicate is also 30ft + deep.

[@Big.E]

Cheers lads 👍

[@geoffers396]

I have 2 6' dwarfs, great for poking into little gaps in the reeds / pads but limited to within a few yards of the bank - off the back of this i just bought a 9' xtractor

[@andijones9330]

I have a full set of xtractor 10ft 3.5tc and have never had an issue,can punch them 100yards with no problem and for me they seem to handle to fish extremely well

[@twincamspit]

18 months on, the insurgent 10' in cork are near to the RRP again, or simply not available. The 9' are available everywhere but the 10' in cork are silly money now :(

[@mousey7789]

Ive owned dwarfs, scopes and now insurgents. Ive found 10ft 3.25lb is the best all round, i liked the insurgents more than the scopes, and the current prices are less than half the price of the equivelant scopes. I do still own my dwarfs as a 2nd set but the scopes got sold on

[@iana7808]

Any reviews on the daiwa crosscast ext? 3.00lb or 3.5lb?

[@TE290493]

Great informative video guys, as I was pretty set on going to get scopes just before watching this so you have helped save a few quid!I'm in two minds whether to purchase the insurgents or the new extractor pros... in my opinion I'm sure the new extractor pro is the insurgent rod with new accents??... e.g the blue wrapping and a new logo and a line clip... all the specs on both rods are identical I personally prefer the design on the insurgents over the extractor pros and don't rely use line clips anyway, what's everyones thoughts on this??

[@TE290493]

also a video comparing the extractor pros vs the insurgents would be great! cheers lads

[@fin1493]

Anyone had any experience with the ESP Onyx Quickdraw? Thanks

[@steveunderhill2341]

What would you say would be the best tc is In the sonik insurgent for all round

[@lendavski]

Thank's 👍

[@bagoroismaelarnaud2531]

Best rod made. I now have several of these and love them.

[@philroberts1050]

I enjoyed the vid guys, well done and good points made. I have been out of carp fishing for a few years but returning and to fish small waters, I bought two Daiwa Black Widow 10' 3tc and to say I am disappointed to say the least, no backbone, soft and needs quite a bit of effort to reach any distance so needless to say they will be going and only wiahed I had seen this vid before spending my pension.

[@sergeyglushchenko1601]

Hi guys, hope you can help me. How to choose between Insurgent 10ft 3.25lb and 10ft 3.5lb? Much appreciated!

[@matthewcheshire6428]

I got the insurgent 10ft 3.25 in cork ,a lot of rod for £55 👌👌

[@steveshiret4143]

I got Sonik insurgents 10ft 3.25 for £112 for 3 and brand new look around your find them cheaper

[@FixDylann]

I use sonik extractors 10ft 3.25tc awesome rods

[@twincamspit]

I have a pair of those in cork, and my lad has a 3.5 Nash Dwarf. Very similar rods. All fit in the boot without having to drop the back seat, unlike my 12's. Seriously tempted by the 12' Insurgent Recons though, they pack down to 50", same as the 10ft Xtractors!

[@ancientgodsword]

I've had a set of Nash dwarfs, Sonik xtractors and now ESP quickdraw and all I can say is the ESP rods shit all over the Nash and Soniks by a country mile, Nash rods were absolute crap and didn't last a year before they fell apart and the Sonik rods were better but felt/look cheap and nasty.

[@Cheshire-mopping]

I have 2 insurgent in 10ft 3.25tc nice rods I use them everywhere

[@user-go6yh7fq8q]

Insurgent are discontinued I've just got the xtractor pro 9ft 3lb they're really good rods

[@adrianhaggett9212]

Just bought 2 x Sonik Insurgent 3lb 10ft for less than £100 !!! New as well ! Amazing value as also Cork handle.

[@chrisleggett8782]

Was that on ebay auction? I just got 3 3.25lb 9ft for a blinding deal!

[@leeh1974]

How do you like them I have just bought 3 , can't wait to try them

[@chrisleggett8782]

Only had them out the once so far unfortunately but love them! Had 8ft xtractor recons before and these feel great 👍🏻

[@leeh1974]

@@chrisleggett8782 thanks mate they look brilliant, they have literally just turned up as I was writing. Can I ask what bag you use to keep them in.i was looking at the scope one but not sure if it will fit

[@chrisleggett8782]

Ive got the sonik transporter t50, think its a bit of a marmite product, some might find it a bit heavy but i like having all my gear together in one place. Fits my rods, reels, alarms, net, sling, pod, tackle box, rig box, and still have bits in other compartments like waterproof and pva bits etc.

[@dalelander2152]

Do the sonik insurgent Rods fit into nash scope luggage?

[@leeh1974]

I've been trying to find out too. Did you ever find out . Cheers

[@Matthewsafc86]

Hi anyone no if a insurgent 10ft rod will fit in scope 3 rod hold-all please

[@damondyke2932]

I definitely think this test should have included the daiwa black widow and the crosscast but has definitely made me want to upgrade my 10ft xtractors or the 10ft insurgents

[@georgegeorgiades3158]

I had 10ft xtractors and swapped to insurgents and they are well worth the upgrade

[@Ben_JM]

I too have the Xtractor and Insurgents. The Insurgents are a much nicer rod.

[@paulh7189]

I have two Daiwa ext crosscast 10ft 3lbs fitted with the emcast 25A …. Just perfect!

[@damondyke2932]

The xtractors are good used them for 1 season on every venue I went on just find a 10ft more accurate and easy for me to cast if I can get the insurgents for this season definitely on my shopping list finding so many different Price's for them so confusing is there a old and new version

[@Backs4more]

@@paulh7189 I have the same, well, 3 of them, but I opted for the Total Fishing Tackle TT version. Better reel seat, better guides, and dare I say it, better quality handle. I have the Black Widow extendable spod rod to match. It’s crap compared to the Crosscast. I also use the Emcast 25a and was a bit pissed off when I ordered the Emcast Spod reel, and it’s bigger. Hey ho 😂

[@dalelander2152]

After some retractable Rods myself what's the aqua atom Rods like ? The insurgents look good though

[@danielhooker4957]

They don't make the Atom anymore

[@dalelander2152]

@@danielhooker4957 didn't know that I am hanging my nose over some cotswold Rods PACE they are another retractable option.

[@yorkshirebanx9237]

Wonder how the black ops and sub rods would compare

[@chrisdado]

I bought the Insurgent 10ft 3.25lb (cork handle version) last year. I chose it purely on its pack-down size (128cm) and price as a 'keep in the car' quick session rod. I agree with everything said here in the vid, its a fantastic caster and my 3.25lb version has chucked sizeable pva mesh bags with no drama. At 79 quid its a really good rod, if I didn't already have a set of 12ft rods I'd have got a set of these, the pack down size is very convenient and I like a cork handle. A line clip would have been nice (Sonic take note), even if that puts the price up a few quid its still a winner.

[@dalelander2152]

Do these Rods fit into nash scope luggage?

[@Bikecampcook]

Had the Nash Scopes in 3.25 and just treated myself to the Insurgents in 3lb.... Now I'm a Nash fanboy but the insurgent blows the Nash away if feels like it cost 3x the price and the build quality is better in my opinion after a full summer they still look mint.

[@gothicgorey]

So many waters only need 6ft rod in my opinion but maybe that’s because I like fishing close in more than anything .

[@tameralucas2983]

Got. 9ft 3lb xstractors Spot on rods. 39.99 angling direct. And got insurgent 9ft 4.5 lb as spod. Can’t knock them

[@fiestaturbo1287]

Shame you didn’t compare the black ops, would be good to see if they worth the money too.

[@carpNcoffee]

Not a bad test, thankyou. One thing I don't understand is the retractability factor. What's the benefit vs a static version? A brief overview of each rod retracting would have been appreciated.

[@notyouraverageguy475]

Typically I believe they were designed for a mobile angler or for anyone that wants equipment to pack down easier. I have a small vehicle and can fit 10ft retractable rods in the backseat, but standard 12ft 2 piece rods have to go from the backseats to the front dash.

[@carpNcoffee]

@NotYourAverageGuy so a 12ft take down would be two 6ft sections, a 10ft takedown would be two 5ft sections, so what does the retraction equate to? Thanks.

[@notyouraverageguy475]

@@carpNcoffee the 10ft rods have a pack down length of 50inches or say 4 ft 2 inches on the Nash dwarf for example. The top section is also this length but the lower section will be longer but retract into the butt piece to make that 4ft 2inch length. Think of it as a slight telescopic lower butt section. Extend that. Put the top piece on and it would be 10ft.

[@carpNcoffee]

@NotYourAverageGuy I see I see! Thankyou. Shame they didn't show it though. I imagine how smooth it feels, the vibration, the locking mechanism (twist n push I imagine?) all play a factor.

[@notyouraverageguy475]

@@carpNcoffee if you flick to the last part where they have the fox rod and showing price at 10ft then 8ft, it's just kept in place by a tighter rubber bung basically.

[@VinylFrontier81]

is there a 6ft comparison anywhere?

[@65swinny]

i had a set of 3x 12ft vader x RS matched with 3x Vader X PRO FRS 10000 + 3 X Sonik Vader X 8000 RS Big Pit sold them and got 3x Xtractor 10ft 3.5LB + 3x sonik Xtractor 5000 mini pit reels and ive never been happier .......................and i bought the 4.5LB spod version can't see me buying another rode

[@andypritchard8504]

Why no daiwa ext rods on the test ?

[@MRT.1977]

Probably Daiwa didn't supply any. Usually they ask companies to supply rods for testing.

[@Jonathanraymen]

What do you think you’d have picked or commented if there was a 9ft 3.25tc insurgent in that test…….??

[@kentcarping8710]

Nash dwarf rods, don't they have issues with tips breaking??? Insurgent bang on got 3

[@thecowboycarper]

Tbh for pure out and out fun and adrenaline rush and a 2nd set up, get a set of 6ft dwarfs and go catch a 20lb carp 😁👍

[@bohemaz8056]

sorry it wasn't on this list shimano TX-5A 10ft 3lb and 3.5lb

[@n0spam911]

When you call out the numbers of the rods, would be nice to know the name too...

[@peterchessell28]

You must have seen what they were when you covered them up

[@jason88580]

No Daiwa??? So hardly a good review for the best.

[@walkaz]

The ext are better than the extractors, ceramic rings for a start

[@twincamspit]

@@walkaz By "better" I'd agree that they're better looking; I do like the look of the ceramic inserts. I've got them on my 12's. But the 'minimalist' ones, while looking less impressive, are actually better for casting distance.

[@lewisgregory263]

I wonder if Luke looks in the mirror or just tries to look as stupid as possible?

[@Matto8827]

I wonder if you think before you type or just bash away and look as stupid as possible

[@lewisgregory263]

@@Matto8827 nah I’m nothing like you lol

[@MarkFarm]

Sorry, not enough proper beards in this video for me!

[@martinjones8220]

Animal cruelty for no reason .