A premium beachcaster from one of the world’s best rod makers
The superior quality and hefty price-point make it best suitable for regular, experienced sea anglers
Featured in our guide on the best sea fishing rods
Feature | What This Means |
---|---|
Available Lengths: 13ft and 14ft | Choose between two lengths to suit your fishing style – 13ft for general beach work or 14ft for additional casting range |
Casting Weight: 125-175g (4-6oz) | Optimised for leads between 4-6 ounces, with best performance in the 125-175g range plus bait |
Multi-phase High Tensile Composite Butt with 3K-3K Carbon Twill | Advanced carbon fibre construction using multiple layers of high-strength material, with specially-oriented carbon weave for optimal power transfer during casting |
Hybrid Rapid Recovery Tip | Blend of glass and high-tensile carbon materials creates a responsive tip that quickly returns to position after casting, improving accuracy and bite detection |
Computer-Controlled Oven Cure Technology | Precision manufacturing process ensures consistent blank properties through carefully controlled temperature curing |
Delta Forward Sloping Anti-Tangle Guides | Specially designed stainless steel guides with forward-facing frames that reduce line twist and tangles during casting |
Hybrid Guide Configuration | Guide spacing and design optimised for use with both fixed spool and multiplier reels |
Japanese Shrink Rubber (JSR) Handle System | Premium-grade shrink rubber grip with additional separator grips on the lower tip and upper butt for improved casting control and comfort |
Century Fuji Moveable Reel Seat (Size 24) | Adjustable Fuji reel fitting that can be positioned for optimal balance and comfort with different reel types |
Professional Finishing Details | Matt black coating, red metallic tip wraps, jet-black grade A thread, marine-grade stainless steel trim bands, and EVA caps demonstrate attention to detail |
Two Equal Sections | Splits into two equal-length pieces for easier transport, with a reverse-fit joint for optimal power transfer |
Made in the UK | Manufactured in Britain, ensuring high-quality control standards and supporting local craftsmanship |
We have received frequent requests for what could be best described as an entry-level shore rod to the well-established Century family of top end, high-performance beach casters. The very best performance, with value for money and proven capability, figured highly in the design and processing criteria.
Here’s how the rod performed in testing and/or from experience and feedback from other anglers.Â
When rating the build quality of a rod, consideration has been given to the basic components.
These include the materials used in the blank, handle, reel seat, and line guides.
We also take into account any additional features that make life on the bank easier for anglers.
How a rod casts is one of the key fundamentals that determine a great rod from a mediocre one.
Easy, frictionless casting that provides accuracy and distance is all rated in this category.
The ability to play fish effectively is an important feature of any fishing rod.
Fishing is a sport, and as part of this sport, feeling the pulls, lunges, and the fight of a fish is an exhilarating experience.
This is all taken into account when rating fishing rods.
How much any fishing rod costs is always a key factor in an angler's final choice.
A rod can have all the bells and whistles under the sun, but if it is unaffordable, it may not be the best choice for some anglers.
This rating considers how the rod performs in all the other categories versus its price point.
Crafted in Century’s UK factory, the Fireblade represents an entry point into their premium rod range, offering professional-grade performance and build quality at a more accessible price point while maintaining the brand’s renowned standards.
The Fireblade showcases Century’s expertise in rod building, featuring their advanced multi-phase carbon construction with 3K-3K carbon twill cut at 45-degree bias.
The computer-controlled oven cure technology ensures consistent quality throughout the blank, while the hybrid rapid recovery tip effectively blends glass and high-tensile carbon materials.
The attention to detail is evident in every aspect, from the matt black coating and marine-grade stainless steel trim to the premium Japanese shrink rubber (JSR) handle system.
Scoring an impressive 8.6 overall, the build quality significantly contributes to its high score in testing.
This rod demonstrates exceptional versatility across different casting styles, handling both overhead ground (OTG) and pendulum techniques with equal competence.
While some anglers have commented that the blank is slightly stiffer than expected, this characteristic translates into excellent power transfer and remarkable distance casting capabilities, particularly when loading with 6oz plus weights.
The rapid recovery tip ensures quick blank reset after casting, while also providing outstanding bite detection even in challenging conditions. The hybrid guide configuration accommodates both fixed spool and multiplier reels, making it adaptable to various fishing approaches.
Testing across diverse conditions, from clean ground to rough Channel waters, demonstrates the Fireblade’s exceptional versatility. The slim yet powerful blank handles fast tides effectively while maintaining sensitivity for bite detection. While positioned as Century’s entry-level offering, the price point still places it firmly in the premium category.
However, for regular sea anglers looking for professional-grade performance without stepping up to Century’s flagship models, the Fireblade offers a compelling balance of quality and perceived value, particularly appealing to experienced anglers who fish frequently enough to justify the investment.
Here is how the Century Fireblade Delta compares against other products in its category. This table shows the overall rating based on the average of the key attributes that go into making a great sea fishing rod.
Name | Overall Rating | Price | |
---|---|---|---|
Penn Tidal XR Beach Caster Rod | 8.4 | £126.99 | Sold Here |
Shakespeare Salt Xt Beachcaster | 8 | £59.99 | Sold Here |
Century Fireblade Delta | 8.6 | £274.99 | Sold Here |
Century Eliminator Boat Rod | 8.6 | £344.99 | Sold Here |
Daiwa Super Kenzaki Boat Rod | 8.4 | £139.99 | Sold Here |
Penn Wrath II Boat Rod | 8 | £59.99 | Sold Here |
Daiwa Saltist Spin Rod | 8.3 | £149.99 | Sold Here |
Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod | 7.9 | £41.99 | Sold Here |
Daiwa Seahunter Z Uptide Rod | 8.1 | £89.99 | Sold Here |
Daiwa Gekkabijn LRF Rod | 8.1 | £44.99 | Sold Here |
Penn Regiment IV Travel Rod | 7.8 | £123.29 | Sold Here |
Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Kayak Rod | 7.6 | £34.99 | Sold Here |
Anyfish Anywhere Estuary MK2 | 8.5 | £199.99 | Sold Here |
Daiwa D Wave Surf | 8 | £59.99 | Sold Here |
Daiwa Wilderness Spin Rod | 8.1 | £89.99 | Sold Here |
There are four key attributes that form the basis of our reviews on sea fishing rods. These include the following:
Build Quality: – When assessing the build quality of a fishing rod we focus on the raw materials used to build the rod and how they knit together to output the rod’s overall performance.
Casting Ability: – Without stating the obvious here, we test how the rod casts both short distances and longer distances. We are examining how smooth the cast is and how much effort is required to gain the desired distance.
Playing Fish: – Here, we are looking at how a rod can dictate a fight, i.e. its power, how subtle it is and most importantly how enjoyable it is to play fish on.
Value for Money: – Under the ‘value for money’ review, we value and score the rod for its price-point against its quality and actual worth.
Here is how the Century Fireblade Delta performed against is peers in each of these important attributes:
Name | Build Quality | Casting Ability | Playing Fish | Value For Money |
---|---|---|---|---|
Penn Tidal XR Beach Caster Rod | 8 | 8.5 | 8 | 8.5 |
Shakespeare Salt Xt Beachcaster | 7.5 | 8 | 7.5 | 9 |
Century Fireblade Delta | 8.5 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 |
Century Eliminator Boat Rod | 9 | 8.5 | 9 | 8 |
Daiwa Super Kenzaki Boat Rod | 8.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Penn Wrath II Boat Rod | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 9 |
Daiwa Saltist Spin Rod | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8.5 |
Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod | 7.5 | 8 | 7.5 | 8.5 |
Daiwa Seahunter Z Uptide Rod | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8.5 |
Daiwa Gekkabijn LRF Rod | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8.5 |
Penn Regiment IV Travel Rod | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 8 |
Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Kayak Rod | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
Anyfish Anywhere Estuary MK2 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Daiwa D Wave Surf | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 9 |
Daiwa Wilderness Spin Rod | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8.5 |
If you would like to see more fishing tackle check out our full list of featured products below.Â
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