Shimano Trevala F Rods: Whip-Lash
You’d think that modern technology would allow rod builders to make thinner, lighter rods with the strength of yester-year’s broomsticks. Well, it’s been a long wait but Shimano’s Trevala F rods make the grade. I tested out a 6’9” TFC-69ML, a conventional model (spinning models are available, too,) which is rated for braid up to 50-pounds, and discovered it had the beef to take on serious gamesters like tunas and mahi.
This rod has a medium-fast action, with a fairly soft tip that’s perfect for jigging with four to eight ounce lures. The grips are a closed-cell foam that is far firmer then what you’ll find on most rods and won’t work as a hook holder… as if you’d want to chew up the grips on this rod, anyway. The butt’s exceptionally long, designed for tucking under your arm while using the Butterfly jigging system. Guides are Fuji SIC, and prolonged use with braid proved that they’re impervious to damage from super-lines.
The biggest fish I bagged while using this rod was bluefin tuna that topped 100-pounds. Not bad, for a rod that looks and feels like a middle-weight stick you’d use for casting plugs and jigs to stripers or blues. Although the tip’s soft the mid-section grows increasingly stiff, and the aft end of the rod has a huge amount of power—even that big bluefin had trouble bending it over. Shimano says the beef comes from a blank that utilizes “TC4” construction, fusing a high-carbon butt section with a TC4 tip. The two together allow for high sensitivity without giving up strength, while producing an action that recovers its shape quickly. I say it kicks butt—end of story.
Price: $120 and up, depending on size and style. (The TFC-69ML goes for just over $200.)
The Highs: Incredibly strong for it’s size and weight, and sensitive as well.
The Lows: None. Seriously, this is one of the best rods we’ve ever tested.
Who Wants It: Saltwater fishermen who like light weight in their hands but heavy weights on the end of the line.
Contact: http://fish.shimano.com
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