Shakespeare K2 Extreme Beachcaster

Most UK beachcasters range between 12ft and 13ft 2ins. However over the past year or so a few longer rods of 14ft, 15ft and even 16ft have been seen on the beaches. Rods of this length are used extensively along European shores, principally in Holland France , Portugal and Spain where the bulk of fish caught by anglers are relatively small and the more common casting styles are overhead thump and easy off-the-ground casts. These long rods are designed to get the very best casting distances for the least physical effort by the caster.

Shakespeare were one of the first to produce a European style long rod. They do several now, but their top of the range 1472/420 K2 Extreme Titanium rod is the shortest at 14ft. It features a new hi-tech manufacturing process incorporating high modulus carbon with a titanium cross wrap for increased power and lightness. It's also a three piece rod making it easier to transport.

The seven intermediate rings are SIC's, and though the rod is quoted as designed for fixed spool reels, the rings are a low bridge pattern and will take a multiplier if you prefer. Casting an eye over the rest of the rod the tip section is glazed in white for improved bite detection at night, the female joints ends are fully protected and strengthened with a neatly fitting metal sleeve, and the male section ends also have a protective rubber guard at the base.

Either side of the reel seat are short 9.5cm shrink tube grips. The shrink tube makes an excellent grip that's hard under the hand giving maximum feel back when both casting and playing fish. The grips though, are short and you need to put part of your upper hand above the reel on to the glossy blank, and most UK anglers might prefer a longer grip about 6-inches.

The reel seat is in the down locking position, threads facing towards the tip, with the reel seat centre positioned exactly 30-inches up from the base of the butt cap. This gives the ideal width between the hands to make the blank work properly.

The lower butt is shaped to fit the hand and is again over-layed with black shrink tube, and finished with a rubber butt cap.

The overall finish of the rod is excellent being a semi matt silver with black whipping threads, but the butt section blends from green through black with white and red graphics to give a total contrast.

Putting the rod through its paces on the beach, then its forte is as mentioned, for overhead thump and off-the-ground casting with leads in the 5 to 6ozs bracket using fixed spool reels and relatively light line between 12 and 15lbs. Set your self up with an easy overhead thump and you'll be impressed with the distance the rod achieves. Wind yourself up with a little more body twist and really hit the rod hard in the last quarter of the cast and you'll send leads an awfully long way for little real effort.

Bite detection is also excellent. The tip has some stiffness, but can be set to the pull of the line against the lead to register the smallest of bites from dabs and whiting at long range. The rod has feel too, when playing fish transmitting the fight of the fish back the hands.

A few British international match anglers have adopted these long rods having seen their worth when fishing abroad. Will they replace our current stiff and powerful pendulum rods at 13ft? No they won't, but they will appeal to the angler who wants to fully utilise the more basic casting styles and maximise his casting distance with them. Also, for the angler who wants to target smaller fish at long range using light lines, these rods are a step forward. Lightweight, powerful and with good bite detection, we can see them making further inroads in to the match circuit at the top level too.

The Shakespeare 1372/420 retails for £240 and is available from all Shakespeare stockists. In addition, the Extreme Titanium range includes the 1372/450 at 15ft with a RRP of £260, and the 16ft 8in 1372/500 for £285.