Shimano FX XT Spinning Rod

How well is it built?

The FX XT is built on a strong composite blank, and that's a deliberate choice for a beginner's rod.

Composite is heavier and less crisp than pure carbon, but it's tougher, which is exactly what you want when a rod is being dropped on gravel, leant against railings or packed in a hurry at the end of the day.

The guides are Shimano Hardlite and work with mono or braid main lines, and there's a DPS reel seat and a split EVA handle. It's a two-piece rod with a carbon grey blank and a gold logo, so it looks smart sitting alongside the FX reel.

So, why 7.0? It's a basic rod, built for toughness rather than refinement, and next to the Savage Gear Revenge SG2 Medium Game with its 24+30T carbon and SiN-ringed guides, it's a clear step down.

For a first rod, though, I think the build is sensible, and I'd rather a youngster had a tough rod than a delicate one.

How well does it cast and feel?

A through action bends along the whole length of the blank, and that's what makes the FX XT so forgiving to cast. It should load up easily even when the timing isn't quite right, which helps a beginner get a lure out without hours of practice.

The 2.10m 7-21g model suits small spinners, spoons and soft lures for perch and zander, the 2.40m 10-30g is a handy all-rounder for medium lures, and the 2.70m 20-50g adds length and power for reaching further across a lake or a wide river.

There's a trade-off, though, because a through action and a composite blank can't give the crisp feedback of a fast carbon rod like the Savage Gear SG4 Medium Game. Working twitchbaits or picking up a shy bite will be harder, and hooksets at range will be softer.

That's why it scores 7.0, but for learning to cast, it's pretty much ideal.

How does it perform when playing fish?

A forgiving through action is kind to new anglers once a fish is on. It's built to bend deeply and soak up sudden lunges, which should mean fewer hook pulls and fewer snapped lines while someone is still learning how to set a drag.

The lighter models are made for perch, zander and similar fish, and they aren't pike rods. The 2.70m 20-50g has more power and should cope with a jack pike on bigger lures, but use a wire trace every time pike might be around, as they'll bite straight through braid or mono.

To be fair, a soft blank gives a big fish more say in where it goes, so it can't steer a hard-fighting zander or pike away from snags as firmly as a stiffer carbon rod. For the perch and small predators most beginners catch, though, I think 7.0 is fair.

Is it good value for money?

Is it good value? I think it's hard to argue with. It costs roughly half as much as the Savage Gear Revenge SG2 Medium Game and a good deal less than the Fox Rage Warrior Shad & Spin, yet you're still getting a genuine Shimano with Hardlite guides and a DPS reel seat.

Pair it with the FX reel it was styled to go with and you've got a smart starter setup without a big outlay.

Once someone catches the lure fishing bug, they'll probably want a carbon rod like the Revenge SG2 Medium Game, and that's no criticism, as the FX XT should still earn its keep as a tough spare that lives in the car.

Overall, I'd recommend the FX XT to young anglers, complete beginners and anyone who wants a cheap, hard-wearing lure rod for perch, zander and the odd jack pike.