I had been eager to try out the Suveran Uptide rod for several weeks but had been defeated by the weather. So it was great to eventually head out on Steve Webber’s Minehead Charter boat “Osprey” with the prospect of a few ray to put the new rod through its paces.

The grounds off Minehead are prime up-tiding territory. Relatively shallow water and fast tides are just what up-tiding techniques were developed for during the 1960’s. Early uptide rods would undoubtedly have been modified beachcaster’s.  The theory of up-tiding is that the baits are fished away from the boat where vibration from the boat may scare away the fish. The other great advantage of up- tiding is that it allows lighter tackle to be used that allows the fish to put up a far better fight.

The ABU Garcia Suveran Evo is certainly a visually pleasing rod with its striking black and red livery. It has quality Fuji SIC guides throughout and a Fuji reel seat. The handle is Hi Grade Black EVA.  A neat innovation with this rod is the extending handle that extends for casting and can be retracted when retrieving and battling with a fish.

Top quality FUJI SIC guides throughout

Smart black and red check finish

The feel of a rod can only really be attained when it’s in use. No amount of waggling in a tackle shop will give an idea of a rods front line status. As soon as a 7oz lead and rig were hanging from the tip the rod came alive. An overhead thump propelled the bait and lead effortlessly uptide of the boat. I paid out several yards of line to allow the grip wires on the lead to get a grip and anchor the bait in place.  The next test for an uptide rod is that it will absorb the rock and rolling motion of the boat and not break the leads grip on the seabed. The rod has a distinct white section on its tip that aids visual indication.  The tip of the Suveran  Evo is certainly soft enough to absorb the strain and took on a pleasing curve in the tide.

White tip to aid visual indication for day time and nighttime uptiding expeditions

It was not long before the rod tip signaled the interest of a fish and I lifted the rod from its resting place against the boat rail. The rod transmitted the tugs from the fish until I was certain the fish was hooked.  I wound steadily until I could feel the weight of the fish and leaned back allowing the rod to flex to the pull of tide and fish. A couple of minutes later the first ray of the day was flapping beside the boat ready for the net.  The rod had performed well and ticked all the boxes.

Pleasurable fight with the Abu Suveran Evo!

The day unfolded with several ray to almost ten pounds falling to my rod along with a conger of around 15lb that certainly put a healthy bend in the Suveran Evo. The rod allowed the fish to give a spirited account of themselves and at the same time absorbed each lunge effectively. Whilst we hooked nothing big I felt that the rod had plenty of backbone if a bigger fish were to be hooked.  I look forward to putting the rod through its paces on a tope fishing sortie later in the summer.

The Suveran tames a fine small-eyed ray

My verdict on the ABU Garcia Suveran Evo is that it is a quality rod that does all that is required of it. The rod looks smart, handles well and ticks all the relevant boxes for an effective uptider. The rod is certainly excellent value, functional and a pleasure to use!

VITAL STATISTICS

• Length: 9ft 9"
• Casting Weight: 5 - 10oz
• Multi-dynamic IM6 Carbon blank quality
• FUJI SIC Black Guides quality
• Hi-Grade EVA handle
• Carbon woven DPS reel seat
• Price: £139.99
• Web site: www.abugarcia-fishing.co.uk

The Abu Suveran Evo 992 Uptide Rod is available from most Abu Garcia / Pure Fishing stockist's.

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