Reviews & Where To Buy
Being in the ‘affordable’ price bracket, the Nash X Series is a great option for anglers who are looking for a decent, versatile rod that won’t break the bank.
I believe the 12-foot model is a great all-round option that would be suitable for beginners to the sport or for more experienced anglers who want a one-rod does all option. The 10-foot version is well suited for those who enjoy the option to stalk for carp or fish in tight swims.
When rating the build quality of a rod, consideration has been given to the basic components.
These include the materials used in the blank, handle, reel seat, and line guides.
We also take into account any additional features that make life on the bank easier for anglers.
How a rod casts is one of the key fundamentals that determine a great rod from a mediocre one.
Easy, frictionless casting that provides accuracy and distance is all rated in this category.
The ability to play fish effectively is an important feature of any fishing rod.
Fishing is a sport, and as part of this sport, feeling the pulls, lunges, and the fight of a fish is an exhilarating experience.
This is all taken into account when rating fishing rods.
How much any fishing rod costs is always a key factor in an angler's final choice.
A rod can have all the bells and whistles under the sun, but if it is unaffordable, it may not be the best choice for some anglers.
This rating considers how the rod performs in all the other categories versus its price point.
"Nash described the X Series as hardcore blanks with Colt stylings and they're certainly affordable. These rods feel like real crisp casting tools, aided by minimalistic guides that give a real crisp snap back and fast recovery of the tip during the cast. If you're looking to punch PVA bags or looking to go long with single hook baits, then these rods are well worth a look"
"These rods have been given a deliberately uncluttered look but there are still things worth pointing out including a lovely 1k carbon weave throughout and a flared butt grip wrapped in Japanese shrink rubber. Nash's own DPS reel seat with gloss fittings will house even the biggest of big pit reels, and there are gloss whippings on the joins over the two sections. Topping it off is a carbon line-friendly integrated line clip"
"These rods have been given a deliberately uncluttered look, but there are still things worth pointing out, including a lovely 1k carbon weave throughout and a flared butt grip wrapped in Japanese shrink rubber"
"These rods feel like real crisp casting tools, aided by minimalistic guides that give a real crisp snap back and fast recovery of the tip during the cast"
"The Nash X Series carp rods offer good responsiveness and control when playing fish"
"Now I can tell you that all the rods in this range are currently available for under a hundred quid, and that represents fantastic value for money, especially when you look at them and even more so when you get to have a go with them. These are really solid casting tools, and for under a ton, these are phenomenal value for money"
Length | Test Curve | Ideal For | Max Cast Distance |
---|---|---|---|
10 ft | 3lb | Small to medium sized venues. Good all-round rod | 80 yds |
10 ft | 3.5lb | Medium sized venues or for stalking close to snags or weed | 100 yds |
12 ft | 3lb | Medium sized venues. Good all-round rod | 110 yds |
12 ft | 3.25lb | Medium sized venues. Good all-round rod | 130 yds |
12 ft | 3.5lb | Medium to Larger venue where a little more distance is required and when larger fish are being targeted | 150yds |
13 ft | 3.5lb | Larger venues where a little more distance is required and when larger fish are being targeted. Also good for fishing near snags and weed | 160yds |
The handle
The handle of Nash Tackle’s X Series carp rods features a flared butt grip wrapped in Japanese shrink rubber. I found this grip to be super comfortable whilst still offering a decent grip.
It’s designed with real attention to detail, offering a sleek and uncluttered look. I think the handle really does enhance the overall aesthetic of the rods while ensuring a practical and comfortable user experience
The reel seat
The reel seat on the X series is a DPS type with a unique design. The logo in the middle of the seat is very Nashesque and with its gloss fittings offers a degree of sophistication.
In terms of practicality, it held my Emblems with ease when I tested it so is more than capable of housing larger big pit reels.
The eyes/guides
The guides on the Series X are made from stainless steel but are still surprisingly light and minimalistic which I wasn’t expecting when I saw it was made from this material.
The anti-frap technology in the tip helped prevent tangles and I also felt the ring’s overall build made the rod snap back into position quickly on the cast helping with my distance and accuracy.
The blank
The blank on the Series X is labeled as “Hardcore” by Nash themselves. Im not sure what they mean by this but what I can say is that it certainly held its own when put through its paces.
It offered me a crisp and responsive casting experience allowing me to hit a distance of 110 yards with the 12 foot 3.25lb test curve version.
The only negative is that the blank does feel a bit too stiff when playing fish which decreases its sensitivity slightly.
They do look the part though with a unique design in a black matte finish.
In summary, the Nash Series X carp rod is a solid all-rounder that does a decent job across the board and is available at a really affordable price. It scored an overall rating of 7.8 in my review, which is slightly behind some of its competitors like the excellent Shimano TX2 or the Fox Horizon X3.
However, it is on par with some other good rods such as the Sonik Insurgent and the Emcast from Daiwa. I do feel the rod lost marks due to its lack of feeling when playing fish, as I have tested other rods that offer better sensitivity without sacrificing power.
I personally preferred the 12-foot 3.25lb version, as this seemed to offer the best balance of power and sensitivity that I look for in a rod. I found that the 10-foot version lacked power slightly and felt a little off-balance due to the stiff blank and shorter length.
That said, the 10-foot length would be perfectly adequate for stalking situations where distance isn’t needed. The 13-foot, 3.5lb test curve model will definitely offer longer distances if that’s what you need and would be a great option for fishing on large waters.
The 12-foot, 3lb and 3.25lb test curves are the best all-rounders, with the 3.5lb option being better if you need to cast around the 120-130 yard mark.
Overall, the Nash Series X hasn’t set the world alight, but it is still a good carp rod from a reputable brand at a good price that would satisfy many carp anglers’ needs.
James Bevan
Here is how the Nash X Series Carp Rod compares against other products in its category.
Name | Overall Rating | Price |
---|---|---|
Nash X Series Carp Rod | 7.8 | £39.99 |
Sonik Insurgent | 7.8 | £89.96 |
Fox Horizon X3 Carp Rod | 8.5 | £79.99 |
Shimano TX2 Carp Rod | 8.6 | £99.99 |
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