GEAR TEST: Shimano Rod Shoot-Out — Which is Best?

How much practical difference is there between a top-of-the-line rod from Shimano and a more affordable, mid-priced version of the same stick? We hangs couple of near-identical Vanford spin reels on very similar rods from the Anarchy and TCurve Premium ranges to find the answer in this unique, fly-on-the-wall look at a morning on the water with Starlo... We reckon you'll LOVE this insight!

[peterm]

“TWANG” great tip there Starlo. Loved the vid, great comparison and fair review at the end. There’s often subtle differences from mid range to high end and you explained this perfectly. 👌

[DCJiuJitsuGeelong]

man, Starlo is on point all the time, love the delivery and content, i always feel like my understanding of fishing go's up a level after watching his vids.

[robd]

Thanks again Starlo for always providing a wealth of information... keep the shootout going they're awesome!

[michaelburr]

Starlo was a great fishing journalist in the 1980s and now he is ONLINE !

So much raw fishing knowledge he is piscatorial mentor and an inspiring instructor of rod and line.

A rod comparison highlights a soft plastic sensitive vs power delimma.

Starlos frank opinion is undiluted and his appraisal honest.

[JonathanMark-sftm]

Just found the outfits you were letting know about definitely will be having a look this year👍

[DCJiuJitsuGeelong]

that was a master class on adapting to conditions

[seanharwood]

Great review . That’s the type of rod I’m missing at the moment so I’ll go and have a look. Always good to pick them up a wiggle them first. Love those dark land locked fish. Even those sometimes pesky choppers looked nice.

[jordythebassist]

I've just picked up the T curve premium and I absolutely ADORE it, however I reckon the Zodias probably casts further than any other Shimano rod

[johnklansek]

nice review Starlo and a great session

[aarondavis]

Sweet video mate man I love that boat 👍👍

[hairyscary]

Like your review both my go to light outfits have stradic ci4+ 1 outfit is soft plastics 1 for hard bodies but my hard body rod is getting a bit long in the tooth it's been hard to find a substitute for old faithful original 2-5kg Ian Miller design jewel even though a bit older with a bit more money & can justify the spend looked at all sorts of rods thinking of a Poison Adrena with the Vanford or Twin power & probably keep using old faithful as I've looked for 3yrs😅

[theany]

Awesome content just what I was looking for Starlo, I’m doing more land based salt water squid jigging and plastics lures! would the t curve 722 2-4 kg be more suitable all rounder? Noting it can cast heavier jigs and is a bit smaller then the 7 8 1-4kg. Would the 7 8 be a bit too light for my application?
I’m looking to pair it up with the vanford 3000 compact if I hook up with bigger fish.. buying a new rod ain’t that simple anymore! Any response appreciated.

[joshzfishing]

Hey mate I am going to chase some kingfish, salmon and probably Mac tuna around Sydney harbor, looking for a medium/medium heavy rod, Any rod suggestions?Also, are Daiwa TD black rods good?

[keithprinn]

very annoying that so few longer but still light spin sticks are available. look like nice sticks.

[olivergarric]

What do you think would be a better choice as an all round flattie, bream and pinky rod the shimano zodias 270ul, the zodias 270L or the shimano anarchy 702 2-4kg.
The only problem with the 270L is the cast weight is 3-8 grams. Is that too heavy for bream?

[savaspourouti]

Great review and comparison Steve, quick one regarding the Anarchy, would you say it is better suited to Hard bodies over Soft Plastics or would you say it handles both types of Lure fishing well? I am looking to tee the anarchy up for hard Bodies. In general would you say that this size/type of rod is better suited to a 2500 sized reel or could I get away with paring it to a 1000?

[pitchkapizda]

Great review on the rods and reels I’ll definitely be looking at getting one of them combos

[anthonytag]

Hi Steve are these rods more susceptible of breaking easy and if so which rods in the shimano range do you recommend are more user friendly for bait and lure fishing ?

[EbiTsunami]

Hey mate, what do u think about the tcurve 2020 model compared to the 2021 model any difference?

[Hogryder]

Would a sienna 2500 be a good pair with the shimano tcurve premium?