Just a few days before jumping on the plane for our Abaco trip, I'd received a new Hardy saltwater outfit to play with. Where better to test it? So I stuck it in the duffel and here is the result.
I have to say, amidst the usual array of US tackle in use at the saltwater lodges - the typical line-up of Abel, Tibor, Nautilus, Sage - it was great to turn up sporting top-quality gear from an iconic British tacklemaker. The outfit certainly looked the part.
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| Good lookin': Fortuna X1 reel on the Proaxis 9' 8wt |
This is one of the new breed of Sintrix rods from Hardy using nano technology to create stronger, lighter rods. In the hand, it is certainly light but it does feel strong: you could easily believe it was a rod for a heavier line weight.
In a brutal north-easterly wind, the Proaxis threw a Rio Bonefish line effortlessly. Tight loops were simple to achieve. Tip recovery was very quick and the rod can certainly generate high line speed, critical in windy conditions. In fact, the higher the line speed I created, the more the rod liked it.
For very short casts (in low light when seeing bonefish at range is impossible), I switched to a 9wt line, which loaded the rod more quickly at short range, and the Proaxis handled it easily.
But it was when a fish was hooked that the impact of the Sintrix nano technology was really felt. This rod just feels incredibly powerful and I was able to subdue bonefish quickly - that's really important when you want to release these fish unharmed. When a fish headed for the tangle of mangroves, the Proaxis let me pile on the pressure and avoid a lost fish.
I would normally tackle Permit with a 9wt rod or higher, but I was so keen to test this rod, I rigged it for permit when we were over prime water. Unfortunately, I didn't get my permit shot but I had absolute confidence this 8wt Proaxis would have been more than up to the task. The reserves of power are surprising.
In fact, back home, I have rigged it with a 9wt Rio Pike line, which is heavier than the 9wt standard. Even with a bulky pike fly, the Proaxis easily puts out the whole line. I'm going to use it as my pike rod this spring - its lighter than the heavyweight jobs most use for this task, but it's got all the power you need. And, of course, being a Hardy, you'll be hard pushed to find a more beautifully built rod.
Fortuna X1 reel RRP £599
This reel looks beautiful, as you can see from the picture, but it has a rock-solid build quality and feels reassuringly heavy (not that you notice it once it's on the rod). It is well machined and won't complain about a few knocks in the skiff or the odd bounce off a rock in a salmon river.
The handle is sturdy and easy to grip and the spool changes simply by unscrewing the knob in the centre of the reel. Underneath, the drag is completely sealed and protected from the elements.
And, naturally, it's the drag that you really want to know about. I particularly liked the oversized drag dial on the back of the reel - it's really easy to grip even when wet and you can adjust the brake in confidence even with a fish on. The drag is made of multiple carbon brake pads - no cork here. It is silky smooth and handled the lightning runs of bonefish without any jags and with very little start-up inertia at the beginning of the run.
It is powerful, too. Hardy says the drag has 32lb of stopping power. All I know is that if you crank it down, you can effectively lock the reel up. This reel is tough enough for permit and tarpon and even bluewater fly fishing.
Backing capacity is excellent, too. I put 300 yards of 30lb gel spun backing on and still had enough space for a 9wt line with room to spare. In a larger size, it would be a superb buy as a salmon reel, confident in the knowledge that when you do head to the salt (and you know you will) you'll already have the tool for the job.
In saltwater, you need a tough reel with a strong, but smooth drag. This reel is unquestionably pricy, but I'd be utterly confident in it whatever I hooked in the salt.
Verdict: This is a lot of cash to part with for a rod and reel combination. But it is undoubtedly delightful to own and use. And when you hook that big fish in the harsh saltwater environment and your backing is fast disappearing, you probably won't be wishing you hadn't spent so much on your tackle.
The Hardy Proaxis and Fortuna X are available from John Norris.
- Bob
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