Fox Rage Prism X Power Spin Rod Up To 100g 200cm 2-Piece

How well is it built?

The Prism X Power Spin is built on a 24/30 Ton Carbon Cloth blank, which is a sensible mid-range carbon mix for a rod that has to cope with heavy lures.

It weighs just 158g, and for a rod rated up to 100g that's very light, so it should be easy on the wrist over a long day of casting. It's extremely well balanced too, which matters on a short rod with a heavy lure hanging off the tip.

It has a split grey EVA handle and a carbon-style reel seat, and the dark Prism X finish with red trim looks smart without being flashy. A black 420D Oxford cloth bag is supplied, which is handy for keeping the two sections together in the car.

To be fair, it isn't a premium build in the way the Savage Gear SG4 Medium Game is, with its Japanese Toray 30T blank and Seaguide CCS guides with SiN rings. For a mid-priced big-lure rod, though, I think 8.0 is a fair score for a light and tidy build.

How well does it cast and feel?

How far will a 6ft 6in rod cast? Not as far as a longer one, and that's the main reason this score stops at 8.0. On a big reservoir or a wide river, the Daiwa Whisker's 8ft, 9ft and 10ft lengths will put a lure further out.

A short rod comes into its own for accuracy, for casting under trees on an overgrown bank and for working lures from a boat.

The fast action should suit heavy lures well. A stiff, fast blank is built to load with a big shad or spoon and send it out on a low, accurate line, and the quick tip should give clear feedback when you're bumping a lure over deep drop-offs or through faster water.

For me, the trade-off is at the light end. Small spinners and light jig heads for perch won't load it properly, and a 12-35g rod such as the SG4 Medium Game suits those far better. With big lures on, though, I think it should feel crisp and light in the hand.

How does it perform when playing fish?

Once a big pike is on, a short, powerful rod gives you plenty of leverage. With a 100g top rating, there's a lot of backbone in the blank, so it's built to stop a big fish running into a weed bed or under a moored boat, and to lift a heavy zander up from deep water.

The fast action should help at the strike too, because big lures carry big hooks and it takes a firm, quick hook-set to drive them home in a pike's bony mouth. Always use a wire trace whenever pike could take the lure, as they'll bite through braid or fluorocarbon in an instant.

A stiff, fast rod doesn't cushion a thrashing fish under the tip as much as a softer one, so I'd keep the drag a touch lighter than you might think, especially as a fish comes to the net.

That's a small point for the fish it's made for, and I think the 8.5 is about right for a rod with this much control.

Is it good value for money?

Is it good value? It costs roughly twice as much as the Fox Rage Warrior Shad & Spin 20-60g, which is the cheaper way into big shad fishing.

The Warrior is a basic entry-level rod that tops out at 60g, though, while the Prism X Power Spin gets a more refined build, a fast-action carbon blank and a 100g rating for proper big lures.

Against the Savage Gear SG4 Medium Game, it costs a fair bit less, but they're very different rods. The SG4 is the all-rounder for perch, zander and jack pike on medium lures, while the Prism X is a specialist for heavy ones.

The Daiwa Whisker costs nearly twice as much again and gives you longer rods for big waters. If you mainly fish smaller lures for perch, the SG4 is the one to look at instead.

Overall, I'd recommend the Prism X Power Spin to boat anglers, and to anyone on rivers, canals or tight, overgrown banks, who wants a light, short rod with the power to cast 100g lures for big pike and zander.