Shimano TX A Spod Rod Review
Last Updated on 18 March 2024 by James Bevan
Quick Summary:
Read on to find out more information on all you need to know
Features & Specifications Summary:
Lengths available include 12 and 13ft
The test curve available is 5lbs
Blank Material: Xt40
EVA Grip
Guide Type: Seaguide Stainless Steel Zirconia
Rod Type: Carp/Specimen
Reel Seat: Dps
Packaging: Cloth Bag
Video Showing Shimano TX A Spod Rod In Action:
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 | £39.99 |
| Sonik Xtractor Spod Rod | 7.6 | £59.99 |
| 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 | £89.99 |
| 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 The Rod:
“Very good value for money” (1)
“Excellent rod, great quality and reasonable price” (1)
“Great rod for the money, bargain” (1)
Review Source:
The Shimano TX A Features Up Close:
The handle
The handle is a full EVA shrink wrap material with a flared butt which is not only lovely to hold but also efficient to cast with.
It’s finished off nicely with a stainless steel butt cap with the Shimano logo etched into it.
The reel seat
The reel seat is a bog standard DPS style which didn’t budge for me when testing. It is also finished off nicely with complimentary silver collars.
The eyes/guides
The guides on the rod are Seaguide stainless steel zirconia which, again, fits in nicely with the overall aesthetics of the rod.
The 50mm butt ring is always an appreciated feature of a decent distance rod with the TX A not dissapointing with this option.
The blank
The XT40 carbon blank makes for a responsive spod rod yet not too lavish which helps to keep the price point down.
Similar to the TX1A carp rods, they have been finished with a unique-looking green whipping.
The Pros & Cons Of The Shimano TX A Spod Rod
Pros
- The rod features a fairly light tip that I found helps with casting accuracy
- The rod features a good solid Shimano DPS-style reel seat that looks the part and performs well
- The rod boasts a really comfortable EVA foam handle with a flared butt
- The 50mm butt ring adds a few extra yards to the cast compared to a 40mm option
- It’s available in 12 and 13-foot lengths
- The rod offers excellent value for money
Cons
- Some users have reported that the blank is a little too stiff for them
- Although a 13ft length option is appreciated, it doesn’t seem as well-balanced as the 12-foot model.
ETackle’s Thoughts & Opinions:
When you’re hands-on with the TX A Spod rod, you can feel Shimano’s intent to build a spod rod that delivers quality without burning a hole in your pocket. The rod scored an impressive 8.8 in my review reflecting its well-rounded performance and great value.
The TX A spod rod is built around an XT40 carbon blank, a choice that balances responsiveness with a fair degree of stiffness. It isn’t overly plush, but it casts a heavy spod or spomb out effectively. It’s dressed with Seaguide stainless steel zirconia guides that don’t just look good but allow line and braid out with a frictionless feel.
The handle, made from EVA shrink wrap, is very comfy to hold, while the 50mm butt ring helps squeeze out that extra casting distance. Interestingly, despite the rod’s stiff character, I noticed the tip being light, which added a surprising amount of precision to my casts.
That said, the Shimano TX A Spod rod isn’t without a couple of quirks. I found the balance on the 13ft variant wasn’t quite as good as the 12ft version. Also, the stiffness of the rod, while advantageous for certain situations, might not sit well with some anglers.
Still, these are relatively minor trade-offs, given the overall performance and affordability of this spod rod. Whether you’re an experienced angler or someone just getting started with carp fishing, the Shimano TX A Spod rod deserves serious consideration. It’s a reliable piece of kit that delivers more than its price point promises.
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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.