Shimano's Bassterra XT+ is a mid-range shore spinning rod designed for UK bass anglers fishing from rocks, piers, and harbour walls with artificial lures. The 8ft length and 5-28g cast weight cover the core range of soft plastics, hard lures, and metal jigs used in European bass fishing.
The blank is built from high modulus full carbon with Shimano's Diaflash reinforcement through the butt section, adding power for hard casts and muscling fish away from snags whilst keeping the tip responsive enough to work lures precisely. Fuji stainless steel Fazlite guides resist saltwater corrosion and the split EVA grip keeps weight down and feel direct.
This model is sold in two cast-weight variants: 4-21g for lighter soft plastics and surface lures, and 5-28g for medium-weight metals and plugs. Both are two-piece designs with a transport length of 127cm, so they fit in most car boots without folding seats.
The Bassterra XT+ sits between Shimano's entry-level Vengeance and the flagship Lunamis range, aimed at anglers who want Fuji hardware and a responsive carbon blank without flagship pricing. The medium-fast action suits both soft plastics and hard lures, making it a versatile choice for mixed sessions targeting bass, pollack, and mackerel along the shore.
If you're shopping in the mid-budget tier and want a shore spinning rod that covers the typical UK bass lure range, this is one of the options worth looking at.
| Feature | What this means |
|---|---|
| Length: 8ft (2.44m) | An 8ft rod gives you a comfortable balance between casting distance and control, making it a practical choice for shore fishing and boat use alike. |
| Cast Weight: 6. This is 28g | This lure weight range covers a wide spread of popular sea bass presentations, from lighter soft plastics right up to medium-weight hard lures and metal jigs. |
| Sections: 2 | A two-piece design keeps the rod easy to transport and store. The transport length is 127cm, so it fits comfortably in a car without needing a roof rack. |
| Blank Material: Full Carbon with Diaflash Reinforcement | The high modulus full carbon blank keeps the rod lightweight and responsive, while Shimano's Diaflash reinforcement adds extra power and strength. This means the butt section can handle hard casts and muscling fish away from rocks, while the tip stays sensitive enough to work lures precisely. |
| Action: Medium Fast | A medium fast action means the rod bends mostly in the upper third, giving you the power to cast long distances whilst still being versatile enough to fish both soft plastics and hard lures effectively. |
| Rod Type: Saltwater Spinning | Designed specifically for use with a fixed spool reel in saltwater environments, making it suitable for shore and inshore boat fishing along European coastal waters. |
| Guides: Stainless Steel with Zirconia Rings | Stainless steel frames resist the corrosion that saltwater causes over time, keeping the guides in good shape through regular use. Zirconia ring inserts are smooth and hard-wearing, reducing friction on your line and helping to reduce tangles on the cast. |
| Reel Seat: VSS-Type | A VSS-type reel seat is a slim, comfortable fitting designed for spinning reels. It holds your reel securely during long casting sessions and keeps the overall grip area feeling neat in the hand. |
| Handle: Split EVA Grip | EVA foam is a popular handle material for sea fishing because it is comfortable to grip, dries quickly, and holds up well against saltwater and general wear. The split grip design reduces weight and allows better feel through the blank. |
| Packaging: Cloth Bag | The rod comes supplied in a cloth bag, giving you a simple way to protect the blank and guides when transporting or storing it between sessions. |
Tracked shop prices over time.
Confirm your email once, then watch other products on this device with one click.
One length only: 8ft (2.44m). This is a versatile middle-ground length for shore spinning , long enough to give you decent casting distance from rocks and harbour walls, but short enough to stay manageable in tight spots and on smaller boats. It's not as long as the 9ft+ rods favoured for open beach work, but it's a practical all-rounder for mixed-venue shore fishing.
Two models: 4-21g and 5-28g. The 4-21g suits lighter soft plastics, small surface plugs, and finesse presentations for bass and wrasse. The 5-28g covers heavier shads, metal jigs, and larger hard lures , better for distance casting and deeper water. Most UK shore anglers fishing mixed venues pick the 5-28g for its wider range.
A 2500-3000 size spinning reel loaded with 10-15lb braid. The 8ft blank and medium-fast action suit a 2500 for lighter work (4-21g model) or a 3000 for the 5-28g variant. Pair it with 10-12lb braid for finesse bass fishing, or 15lb for pollack and wrasse around rocks where you need extra abrasion resistance.
Yes, it's designed specifically for shore bass fishing with lures. The 5-28g model covers the typical bass lure range , soft plastics, surface plugs, and small metals , and the medium-fast action gives you the tip sensitivity to work lures precisely while the butt has enough backbone to handle bass in surf or around rocks. The 4-21g model suits calmer conditions and lighter presentations.
A cloth bag for transport and storage. The bag protects the blank and guides between sessions but isn't a rigid tube, so you'll need to pack it carefully in the car. Transport length is 127cm (two-piece rod), which fits most car boots with the rear seats folded.
Shimano Alivio Boat Quiver Rod 
Shimano Vengeance Stand Up Rod 
Shimano TLD B Stand Up Rod 
Shimano Specialist TX Boat Rods 
