Fox EOS Pro Carp Rod Review
Last Updated on 10 September 2024 by James Bevan
As I’m sure you know, Fox are major players in the carp fishing tackle industry that produce some top-quality gear and have done so for many years.
I don’t usually associate them with the budget-friendly category, which is why I was surprised when I saw the EOS Pro released at a price that is certainly affordable.
But does this affordability still allow for the quality the brand is known for?
In this Fox EOS Pro Carp Rod review, I take a closer look at its build quality and performance and test it against other models and rods in this category.
So without wasting any more, let’s get straight into it.
Review Rating Summary
Compare Prices
Comparison To Similar Rods
Name | Overall Rating | Price |
---|---|---|
Daiwa Black Widow Carp Rod | 7.6 | £39.99 |
Sonik Vader X Carp Rod | 7.6 | £50.87 |
Fox EOS Pro Carp Rod | 7.2 | £54.99 |
Sonik Xtractor | 7.3 | £52.95 |
Wychwood Riot Carp Rod | 7 | £47.95 |
Sonik Xtractor Recon | 7.3 | £59.95 |
Sonik SKS Commercial Feeder Rod | 7.4 | £44.99 |
How The Rod Compares To The Averages
Quick Summary
The Fox EOS Pro Carp Rod is a highly affordable, versatile carp rod available in 3 and 3.5lb test curves and at lengths of 10, 12, and 13 feet. It boasts a decent build quality and generally good performance across the board.
The rod scored an overall rating of 7.2 in the review, which was conducted by myself across multiple sessions. This score is ever so slightly below the average when compared to other budget-friendly carp rods.
While the rod’s performance isn’t exactly showstopping, it’s uncommon to find a rod of this calibre for such a price. This is why I’d readily recommend it to anyone searching for a reliable carp rod that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Pros & Cons
I used the 12 and 10-foot versions across 4 sessions to put the rod through its paces. Here is what I found to be the benefits and drawbacks:
Pros
- The rod packs good features and build quality at a very accessible price
- It’s very versatile thanks to the variety of test curves/lengths it comes in
- It serves the purpose as a good all-round carp rod
- The Fox EOS boasts subtle good looks with its unique details and tasteful finishings
- The low-resin carbon blank is lightweight without compromising on durability
- The anti-frap tip guide and SLIK air guides make the Fox EOS a reliable caster. I personally was able to hit 130 yards with a 4oz lead with the 3.5lb test curve version
Cons
- Aside from the value for money it brings to the table, the Fox EOS doesn’t excel in any one particular area
- I felt it lacked a degree of responsiveness when playing fish
An Overview Of The Fox EOS Carp Rod
Originally founded in Essex, Fox International got its start when the company’s founder, Cliff Fox, started manufacturing metal rulers that displayed the size limits for various species of fish in the UK.
Since then, the brand has gone on to become one of Europe’s biggest manufacturers of tackle in particular, as well as expanding to produce some excellent angling rods and outdoor gear more generally.
The Fox EOS Carp Rod is one of Fox International’s more budget-friendly offerings. Available in 10, 12, and 13-foot lengths and with test curves of 3 and 3.5 lbs as well as a spod rod version, the EOS Pro Carp rod is, like many of Fox’s other models, versatile, durable, and well-made, blending a subtle, minimal look with reliable performance.
Who’s it ideal for
Any angler in the market looking for an affordable carp rod can’t really go wrong with the EOS Pro. It’s one of the few rods out there that are available for less than £100 and are genuinely worth the investment.
Despite its cheaper price tag, the rod comes with plenty of features that you’d generally expect to see with other, higher-end models, including a lightweight carbon resin blank, anti-frap tip, and DPS reel seat.
So, whether you’re a beginner looking to invest in your first carp rod or have some experience and are in the market for something reliable, versatile, or a decent back-up rod, the Fox EOS Pro will likely be more or less what you’re looking for.
The Different Versions Of The EOS Pro
Here is a table that summarises the different versions of the EOS Pro along with what fishing circumstances they are best suited for:
Length | Test Curve | Ideal For | Max Cast Distance |
---|---|---|---|
10 ft | 3lb | Smaller venues, close range fishing and stalking | 90 yds |
10 ft | 3.5lb | Small to medium sized venues. Ideal for stalking and fishing close to snags and weed | 110 yds |
12 ft | 3lb | Medium sized venues. Good all round rod | 130 yds |
12 ft | 3.5lb | Medium to large sized waters and fishing near areas where carp need to be bullied out of | 150 yds |
13 ft | 3.5lb | Large venues where long casting distances are required | 160 yds |
The 5 Attributes The Rod Was Tested Against
As mentioned previously in the article, there are 5 key elements that carp anglers look for in the best rods. These are as follows:
- Features
- Appearance
- Casting & Feel
- Playing Fish
- Value For Money
For more detail on the review process please visit the designated review explanation page that outlines how products are reviewed on eTackle.
The Fox EOS Pro Carp Rod Review
So having set the scene with where the rod came from and what criteria the rod was tested against let’s now get into how it performed.
Features & Specifications
The handle
The Fox EOS Pro features a full, abbreviated shrink-wrap handle and a butt cap that showcases the Fox logo. Ergonomic and grippy, I felt the handle sat nice and weighty in the hand without being overbalanced or cumbersome.
The reel seat
With an 18mm DPS reel seat, the Fox EOS Pro is comfortably able to accommodate plenty of different styles and sizes of reel with ease. Despite this being a budget rod, the reel seat is remarkably easy to use and feels very reliable.
The eyes/guides
Featuring SLIK Air Guides and an anti-frap tip guide, the Fox EOS Pro is a decent caster, and I never experienced any issues with line frap when using this rod.
The blank
The Fox EOS Pro uses a lightweight blank made from low-resin carbon, which has a decent amount of give without being flimsy or fragile.
Features & Specifications Summary
- Available in 10ft, 12ft and 13ft lengths
- Test curves include 3lb and 3.5lb options
- Constructed with lightweight, low-resin carbon
- High Quality, 18mm reel seat
- Ant-frap tip guide
- Full shrink-wrap handle
- Matt black finish
Appearance
While there’s perhaps nothing remarkable about the look of the Fox EOS Pro, it has a tasteful, simplistic appearance that many budget-friendly rods tend to lack. The rod is finished in black with white details and boasts the fox logo on its butt cap, which is a nice, subtle touch.
I felt Fox could have done a bit more to ‘jazz the rod up a bit’ but I guess on the other hand, the simplistic look gives it a sense of honesty and ‘does it what it says on the tin’ type of look.
Casting & Feel
As you might expect, the various test curves and rod lengths that the Fox EOS Pro is available in perform uniquely when casting, as well as feeling different in the hand more generally.
The rods with the longer lengths and higher test curves handle longer casts better, while the 10-foot model is your best bet for shorter, more precise casting. Additionally, I found that line frap wasn’t much of a concern with the Fox EOS Pro thanks to its anti-frap guide tip and SLIK air guides.
All in all, this is a rod that can cast adequately on mixed venues and should be sufficient for most carpers. However, it won’t suit anglers who are looking for something that offers very specialised performance such as extreme distance casting.
If you are fishing larger venues, need longer distances on the cast and love Fox then I recommend you opt for the rods ‘older sibling’ – The Horizon X3.
Playing Fish
Overall, the Fox EOS Pro feels good when playing fish. I caught carp in the low twenty brackets testing this rod (the biggest being 22lb 12oz). I’d say its performance isn’t life-changing, but is steady and fairly powerful, given the rod’s lightweight blank.
It’s balanced in the hand and offers a good level of responsiveness without being jumpy or sacrificing any of the rod’s power. Its versatility is also commendable, as this is something that many other rods lack.
Value For Money
The value for money that the Fox EOS Pro represents is easily its strongest selling point. It’s difficult to find rods at this price that are even worth purchasing, let alone ones that perform well.
While the EOS Pro doesn’t excel in any one area, I’d argue that it doesn’t need to; those of us in the market for a dependable, affordable carp rod are very unlikely to be looking for something that specialises in any one particular area.
This is a fantastic rod for the money and is clearly one that’s likely to stand the test of time.
Check out this video from Fox that demonstrates the Fox EOS in action:
Final Thoughts & Conclusions
The Fox EOS Pro is certainly one of the stronger budget-friendly carp rods out there. The VaderX and the Nash Black Widow pipped it slightly in testing but it was close.
This is a rod that most carpers will be able to get some decent use out of and it’s clearly built to last, too. While the rod’s performance isn’t exceptional, beginner carpers or anglers in the market for an affordable all-rounder are very unlikely to be disappointed with Fox’s EOS Pro.
Thanks for reading.
You may also be interested in these reviews:
The Daiwa Black Widow Carp Rod – All You Need To Know