Nash X Series Carp Rod Review

Last Updated on 1 December 2024 by James Bevan

How It Scores

7.8

OVERALL RATING

Features8.3
Appearance7.5
Casting & Feel7.8
Playing Fish7.5
Value For Money8.3
Check Prices from 4 Shops

Who Is The Rod Most Suitable For:

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.


Features & Specifications Summary:

  • Available in 10, 12 and 13ft lengths
  • Test curves available include 3lb, 3.25lb and 3.5lb
  • Vortex Air reversed ringing
  • Anti-frap tip guide
  • 1K finish carbon
  • Satin black Nash reel seat with tapered EVA trim
  • Gloss back whippings, reinforced at the spigots
  • 50mm butt rings on 12ft and 13ft models
  • Tapered Japanese shrink butt grip with profiled butt cap
  • Carbon line clip

  • Video Showing The Nash Series X Carp Rod In Action:


    How This Rod Compares Against Its Competition:

    NameOverall RatingPrice
    Nash X Series Carp Rod7.8£109.98
    Sonik Insurgent7.8£69.99
    Fox Horizon X3 Carp Rod8.5£119.45
    Shimano TX2 Carp Rod8.6£99.99

    How The Rod Compares To The Averages:

    Nash Series X7.8
    All Carp Rods8.3
    All Affordable Rods8.1

    Product Review Summary From An Expert:

    "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"
    More Details

    Here’s How Other Anglers Have Reviewed The Rod:

    “Very pleased would recommend” (1)


    “Perfect rods and not too expensive” (1)


    “Fantastic quality as you would expect from Nash price was good as well have never ever had a problem with any Nash equipment (Still using a Nash H-Gunn 2 Man Bivvy bought years ago” (2)


    Review Source:

    1. Angling Direct
    2. Total Fishing Tackle

    The Different Variations Of The Rod & How They Are Best Applied:

    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 Rods Features Up Close:

    The handle

    Nash X Series 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

    Nash X Series 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

    Nash X Series guide

    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

    Nash X Series 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.


    The Pros & Cons Of The Nash X Series

    Pros

    • There are a good number of options for lengths and test curves that should cater to the majority of fishing scenarios.
    • I found the ‘hardcore’ blank material to be solid and strong which helped me achieve my required casting distance of 110 yards when testing.
    • Alongside the solid blank, the lightweight, yet strong, guides also contributed to efficient casting.
    • The reel seat is quite unique looking and did hold a big pit reel solidly in place throughout my session.
    • Handy features like a carbon line clip and an anti-frap tip are included in all models
    • The rods are available at an affordable price which makes them a good option for beginners or those that need an all-round set of rods that won’t break the bank.

    Cons

    • I liked the stiff blank for casting but found playing fish was less enjoyable
    • I found that the 12 and 13-foot versions casted really well however the 10-foot lacked a bit of oomph and power.

    ETackle’s Thoughts & Opinions:

    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

    Compare Prices:

    £108.99
    in stock
    as of 8 January 2025 22:07
    Amazon.co.uk
    £69.99
    out of stock

    How This Rod Has Been Reviewed

    Etackle’s objective is to provide anglers with key information on fishing tackle products to help them make an informed decision before purchase.

    We do this by writing about our own experiences of the product being tested as well as researching information from other experts in the field as well as reviews from other users.

    This means you have an unbiased review from a number of sources all in one place. For more information on how products are reviewed on Etackle, please visit our dedicated page on the review process.

    If you have time, please visit our full list of products that have been reviewed.