Onyx Quickdraw Spod Rod Review
Last Updated on 8 August 2023 by James Bevan
Quick Summary:
Read on to find out more information on all you need to know
Features & Specifications Summary:
Length of 10 foot
Test curve of 4.5lb
High modulus carbon blank
Lightweight stainless ringing 40mm – 12mm anti-frap tip
Full length EVA handles
Serious power & fast tip speed for spods up to 6.5oz (180g)
Retractable pack down size: 50″ (127cm)
Video Showcasing The Onyx Quickdraw Range:
How This Rod Compares Against Its Competition:
| Name | Overall Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shimano TX A Spod Rod | 8.8 | £84.99 |
| Nash Dot Spod Rod | 8.6 | £79.99 |
| Harrison Torrix Spod Rod | 9.1 | £369.00 |
| Daiwa Infinity X45 Spod Rod | 9.3 | £299.99 |
| Daiwa Black Widow XT Spod Rod | 8 | £49.99 |
| Sonik Xtractor Spod Rod | 7.6 | £59.95 |
| Trakker Propel Spod Rod | 8.9 | £167.99 |
| Onyx Quickdraw Spod Rod | 7.3 | £91.94 |
| Fox EOS Pro Spod Rod | 7.4 | £69.99 |
| Fox Horizon X3 Spod & Marker Rod | 8.1 | £244.99 |
| Daiwa Emcast Spod Rod | 8.3 | £59.00 |
| Century Stealth Graphene Spod Rod | 9 | £498.99 |
How The Rod Compares To The Averages:
Here’s How Other Anglers Have Reviewed This Spod Rod:
“Good quality product especially for the price” (1)
Review Source:
The Rods Features Up Close:
The handle
The handle on the ESP Onyx Quickdraw spod is a full-length EVA type. Being slightly biased (as I love this type of handle), I found it to be very comfortable in the hand even when covered in sloppy spod mix.
The reel seat
The reel seat is a simple DPS style which does the job it’s meant to. Its simple but effective design also marries nicely with the overall look of the rod.
The eyes/guides
The Quickdraw spod rod features six lightweight minima-style stainless guides with a SIC anti-frap tip ring. Again, nothing to write home about apart from the set-up being simple yet effective.
The blank
Constructed with high-modulus carbon blanks, the Quickdraw spod rod offers lightness and responsiveness on the cast. Okay, it doesn’t cast as far as a 12-foot, premium model but it still can cast a loaded spod and it does it well.
The Pros & Cons Of The Product
Pros
- The quickdraw offers a really neat retractable bottom section to the rod
- A great option for traveling or for those who love to fish light and use a roaming approach
- A very comfortable EVA handle
- The anti-frap tip helps prevent tangles
- Its a sleek and nice-looking spod rod
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Doesn’t cast as far as a non-retractable 12-foot rod but this is to be expected
- I would have preferred a 50mm butt ring and a 16mm tip ring as this may provide a few extra yards of distance
ETackle’s Thoughts & Opinions:
Picking up the Onyx Quickdraw Spod Rod for the first time, I thought to myself, “This feels like a solid piece of kit.” I’ve spent a fair few bob on rods over the years, and this one didn’t make my wallet wince.
Taking it on a 2-night session, I was impressed with how little space it took up in the rod bag. That’s thanks to the crafty retractable butt section, which is ideal for those of us who prefer to keep our gear on the lighter side.
Now don’t mistaken with the rod’s compact nature, this 10-footer might be easy to lug around, but it can lob a loaded spod pretty well too. Okay, it’s not winning any distance records, but it gets the job done.
Hold it in your hands, and it feels like a rod that’s twice the price. That full-length EVA handle just fits right into your grip, even when you’re spodding with a proper messy mix. The stainless steel guides are lightweight, and the anti-frap tip is a no-nonsense touch that really makes a difference.
That being said, it’s not the Holy Grail. It’s a bit shorter on the cast than your old-school 12-footer. But for its size, it’s not half bad. And those 40mm butt ring and 12mm tip ring, while they work fine, I would have preferred them slightly bigger.
But all in all, the Quickdraw is a gem for any carp angler who’s after an affordable spod rod. Yes, it’s got a few quirks, but for what it costs, you’re getting a sturdy rod that looks the part, feels comfortable, and packs a fair bit of oomph for its size.
Compare Prices:
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 and reviews from other users.
This means you have an unbiased, fully-rounded assessment 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.
I hope this appraisal of the spod rod has provided useful insight as to whether it’s the right rod for you.
If you have time, please visit our full list of products that have been reviewed.