Berkley Cobalt Fire: Fire Starter
Inshore anglers who feel the heat of competition and are looking for a leg up should check out Berkley’s new Cobalt Fire rods. I tested a CFS701MH, 7’0” long model designed for 10- to 20-pound test and lures of ¼ to ¾ ounce, and thought it was well worth the $80 price tag.
Berkley says they designed the Cobalt Fire for inshore saltwater fishing with GULP!. I’m not exactly sure what in specific makes it ideal for GULP! as opposed to other artificials, but there’s no question it’s perfect for tossing four to six inch plastics on leadheads to redfish and speckled trout in the shallows. Berkley’s marketing folks say the relatively fast but soft tip gives the rod diverse applications, and after using it, I have to say that for once the marketing hype is accurate. When casting and retrieving, hook-sets are quick and precise. But the upper section of the rod still has enough give in it to vertically jig a lure and maintain tension on the line without slowing the lure’s action on the drop. The rest of the rod has enough flex and length to give you some extra casting distance over the norm, without giving up the backbone you need to play out trophy-sized fish. The biggest fish I caught while flipping 4” chartreuse Jerk Shads to specks cruising weedbed edges was three pounds, but the power to handle much bigger fish is clearly there. Sensitivity is top-notch thanks to the carbon-wrapped graphite blank, which Berkley calls CF-81 Power Construction.
The Cobalt Fire’s guides are also unique. Instead of inserts, the Pac Bay TiBlue guides feature a PVD coating which becomes a part of the guide itself. The hard, low-friction surface allows the use of monofilament or braid. This also eliminates the ago-old problem of ring guide inserts that pop out of the guide, rendering the rod useless until the guide can be replaced.
Handles are cork (cork tape, on surf models) and spinning, casting, jigging, and surf models are available with two-piece models offered for surf rods.
Price: Ranges from $80 to $120, depending on the model.
The Highs: A soft tip that’s still fast-action; it’s comfortable jigging or casting.
The Lows: Specifically for GULP!... why?
Who Wants It: Inshore anglers ISO a highly competent rod with a mid-range price.
Contact: www.berkley-fishing.com
