Reviewed
Savage Gear Defiance SG2 Medium Game Spinning Rod
Lowest in-stock price
£62.99
from Total Fishing Tackle
Compared across 5 shops
, with 4 currently in stock
5 Things To Know
- Eleven models from 7ft to 9ft and 7g to 60g let you match the rod to your lure weight and venue.
- A 24/30T high-modulus carbon blend gives a crisp feel for accurate lure presentation.
- SeaGuide Gunsmoke SW saltwater-rated guides suit it to coastal and estuary lure work.
- A Custom Cast System guide layout reduces line slap to improve casting.
- A branded SeaGuide Gold Label reel seat lifts it above generic own-brand fittings.
Savage Gear Defiance SG2 Medium Game Spinning Rod Review
Overall Rating
8.0
Build Quality
8.0
Casting & Feel Rating
8.0
Playing Fish Rating
7.5
Value For Money Rating
8.5
Build quality 8.0/10
casting-feel-rating 8.0/10
playing-fish-rating 7.5/10
Value for money 8.5/10
Our Thoughts
Savage Gear have been building saltwater lure rods long enough to know what shore anglers actually need, and the SG2 Medium Game shows that experience at a price that doesn't reflect it. At around sixty quid this is budget territory, but the hardware spec says otherwise.
The blank is 24/30T Toray carbon, a genuine high modulus construction that keeps weight down and puts real responsiveness into a fast-action tip.
SeaGuide Gunsmoke guides with SiN inserts run throughout, and the Gold Label reel seat locks a spinning reel securely through a full session of casting. These are branded, saltwater-rated components you'd normally pay significantly more to get.
The split EVA grip handles salt, sand, and repeated wetting far better than cork over a season of regular use. Whippings are clean, the finish is tidy, and nothing here looks or feels like it was cut to hit a price point.
That fast action blank is where it really comes alive on the bank. Load it with a 20g soft plastic or a 30g metal and it releases cleanly with real sensitivity through the tip, and the CCS guide layout manages line flow on longer throws and the difference is real.
For most shore work the 9ft 10-40g is the one to go for. I'll be honest though, that fast tip is a trade-off and when a bass turns and bolts at close range you're working harder to keep the hooks in than you would be with a through-action rod.
Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing before you buy.
At around sixty quid you're getting branded saltwater hardware at a price that frankly doesn't add up. In summary the Defiance SG2 is the best budget shore lure rod we've had on the site and at this money it's a no-brainer.
Pros
- SeaGuide Gunsmoke SW guides with SiN inserts throughout
- Gold Label reel seat, branded hardware rare at this price
- 24/30T Toray carbon blank with fast action and crisp recovery
- Split EVA grip outperforms cork in saltwater over a full season
- 11 models from 7ft to 9ft covering 7-60g casting weights
Cons
- Fast action tip trades cushion for sensitivity on bigger fish
- Guide layout optimised for braid, mono performance is secondary
Features and Specifications
| Feature | What this means |
|---|---|
| Range: 11 models across 4 lengths | From 7ft (2.13m) to 9ft (2.74m) with casting weights from 7g up to 60g. This means there is a model to cover everything from light lure fishing in harbours to heavier spinning off the rocks. |
| Blank: 24/30T High Modulus Carbon Fibre | A blend of 24-ton and 30-ton carbon gives the blank a crisp feel for accurate lure placement while still absorbing the lunges from a decent bass or pollack. |
| Guides: SeaGuide Gunsmoke SW | SeaGuide saltwater-rated guides with a gunsmoke finish. They handle braid well and resist corrosion from regular saltwater use. |
| Guide layout: CCS (Custom Cast System) | Savage Gear position the guides specifically to reduce line slap and improve casting distance. The CCS layout makes a noticeable difference on longer casts with lighter lures. |
| Reel seat: SeaGuide Gold Label | A branded reel seat from SeaGuide rather than a generic own-brand fitting. Locks your reel down securely without any wobble, even after a full session of hard casting. |
| Handle: Tough EVA grips | EVA handles are hard wearing and hold up well in salty conditions. They keep their grip when wet, which matters when you are casting from rocks or in the rain. |
| Action: Super versatile medium power | A medium power blank works well across hard lures and soft lures alike. It gives enough backbone for heavier metals while still loading up nicely for lighter soft plastics. |
| Target species: bass, pollack, bluefish, mackerel | Designed for multi-species saltwater fishing from ports, rocks, and beaches. It handles anything from a mackerel feathering session to a serious bass spinner along the shoreline. |
| Supplied with: Deluxe rod bag | A padded rod bag is included. A nice touch at this price point and it keeps the rod protected in the back of the car or on the rocks. |
How It Compares
Here is how the Savage Gear Defiance SG2 Medium Game Spinning Rod compares against other sea fishing rods. This table uses eTackle review ratings and current exported product prices.
| Name | Price | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Savage Gear Defiance SG2 Medium Game Spinning Rod | £62.99 | |
| Daiwa Sandstorm Multiplier Surf Rod | £169.99 | |
| Shimano Ultegra J Surf Rod | £233.99 | |
| Daiwa Seahunter Z Beachcaster Rod | £99.00 | |
| Daiwa Whisker Spinning Rod | £159.99 | |
| Anyfish Anywhere Four&Bait Mk2 Combo | £109.99 | |
| Daiwa Seahunter Z Seabass Rod | £85.00 | |
| NGT Profiler Travelmaster 6ft 6pc Travel Rod | £25.99 | |
| Mitchell Neuron Surf Combo Set | £49.92 |
Useful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Defiance SG2 Medium Game model is best for UK bass fishing from the shore?
The 9ft 10-40g model is the most versatile choice for general UK shore bass work. It gives enough length for casting distance from rock marks and beaches, and the 10-40g rating covers most standard soft plastics and plugs. If you fish tighter harbour marks more often, the 8ft3 7-25g is a better all-rounder.
Is the Defiance SG2 Medium Game suitable for braid?
Yes. The SeaGuide Gunsmoke guides with SiN inserts handle braid without issue, and braid is the standard line choice for shore lure fishing in the UK. Most anglers run PE 0.6 to 1.5 braid depending on the model and target species.
What reel size should I pair with the Defiance SG2 Medium Game?
A 2500-4000 size spinning reel suits the range. Lighter 7ft and 8ft models work well with a 2500-3000 class reel, and the longer 9ft models pair best with 3000-4000 class reels. A saltwater-rated reel is recommended for regular sea use.
How does the Defiance SG2 compare to the Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite for shore lure work?
The Defiance SG2 sits a tier above the Ugly Stik Elite on hardware. SeaGuide branded guides and reel seat versus generic own-brand fittings, and a 24/30T Toray carbon blank versus the Ugly Stik's Howald composite. For an active shore lure angler the SG2 is the proper upgrade for the modest extra spend.
What does CCS guide layout mean on the Defiance SG2?
CCS stands for Coil Control System. It is Savage Gear's guide placement and frame design aimed at managing line flow during the cast and reducing friction compared to conventionally spaced guides. On longer casts with lighter lures the difference is noticeable.
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