Black Cat Battle Cat Elite Bank Rods

How well is it built?

The blank combines 24-ton and 30-ton carbon in one build, which lets the designer put stiffer fibre where the rod needs backbone and more flexible fibre where it needs to bend.

It's a clever way to make a catfish blank, and it's the sort of detail you'd expect at the very top of the market.

The fittings are just as good, with Fuji GM SIN guides to cope with thick braid and heavy loads and a Fuji DPS reel seat to lock a large reel firmly in place.

Behind the seat there's a premium cork rear handle, and the foregrip is EVA with an X-Wrap coating so your hand doesn't slip when it's wet. Every rod is numbered and signed, and the 600D Oxford bag is tough, abrasion resistant and moisture resistant.

For me, there's very little to pick at in the build. A properly thought-out blank with Fuji rings and a Fuji seat is exactly what a flagship catfish rod should have, and I think the 9.0 is well earned.

Power & Action

So, what does a fast action mean on a catfish rod? The blank bends mainly through its upper section, which should give quick, powerful hook sets and plenty of feel when a cat picks up the bait.

That's a different approach from the through actions on the Catfish Pro Top Cat and the Wychwood Agitator rods, and it suits anglers who like a crisp, direct rod.

The three models cover a lot of ground, too. The 3.00m is rated to 600g and is purpose-built for heavy static deadbaits or livebaits on big leads, which is pretty much as heavy as bank fishing for cats gets.

The 2.80m at 180-300g and the 3.20m at 200-400g are lighter, more versatile rods for finesse tactics and general deadbaiting.

With dual-modulus carbon putting the power where it's needed, the blank should feel strong without feeling dead. I think the choice of three ratings makes it easy to match a rod to your venue, and that's why Power & Action earns a 9.0.

Handling

Cork and X-Wrap EVA give the Elite a premium feel in the hand. A cork rear grip is a lovely touch on a rod of this class, and the X-Wrap EVA foregrip should stay secure when your hands are wet from netting or unhooking a fish.

The Fuji DPS seat is a proven, comfortable shape that holds a big reel without fuss.

Weight is reasonable for such a powerful rod, and the 3.00m model weighs 525g. That's a fair amount to hold, but catfish rods spend most of their time in rests, and the extra carbon is there for a reason once a big fish is on the line.

To be fair, a fast action asks a little more of you when a fish is under the rod tip, as it shouldn't soak up a close-in lunge quite as well as a through-action blank. That's why Handling sits half a point lower, though it's still a beautifully finished rod to use.

Is it good value for money?

Does the spend add up? It's one of the dearest catfish rods around, and that's the main reason Value sits at 7.5. Black Cat also has a limited UK retail presence, and with only 100 rods made per model, stock won't hang around for long once it starts to move.

What you're paying for is the Fuji fittings, the dual-modulus blank, the cork and X-Wrap handle and a numbered, hand-signed rod with its own Oxford bag.

The mid-priced Catfish Pro Top Cat 12ft and Wychwood Agitator CR-D are very capable rods in their own right, so the Elite is a choice you make for the extras rather than out of need.

I'd recommend the Battle Cat Elite to the experienced catfish angler who wants a premium, collectable rod with top fittings, and especially to anyone fishing heavy baits on big leads, which is exactly what the 3.00m 600g model is made for.