Ahead of its impending arrival in our market, we were privileged to have been given the chance to try out a couple of the latest offerings from Jackall. The esteemed company may best be known for its collaboration last year with Shimano to produce the Poison Glorious range of rods. But this is Jackall's own baby, and from what we've experienced, they've got a winner.
Introducing the new Jackall NERO.
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| We were entrusted two models from the baitcast range for evaluation. At first glance the stealthiness of the black sheen consumes you. On closer inspection, the carbon weaves for blank strengthening becomes apparent. This rod is all about details... |
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| The NERO range of rods isn't aimed at the ultra high end market, so prices are sensible. The details though, don't belie the price bracket. The quality components, fit and finish are top notch. As illustrated above, the cockpit is a work of art. The soft touch Fuji reel seat adorns a bespoke machined aluminium non-slip fore-grip and some very handsome carbon trimmings... |
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| We also had some prototype Jackall divers to try and catch something with. This would be released as the Gillcra 60. We head into the estuaries first... |
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| We get lucky despite the iffy weather. A short land-based session sees a decent Mangrove Jack stopped by the medium light member of the NERO range, the NC-66ML... |
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| This Jack fell prey to the ultra natural swimming of the just released Dowsvido 90, another winner from the Jackall stable! |
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| Brandishing the NC-66ML, we head out on a boat for a short session as well and score this Estuary Cod which had to be pried from its lair. It put the medium-light rod to the test, and it displayed some impressive low-down power for its rating... |
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| This Cod fell for a Jackall Waver Shrimp sunk in tight cover after relentless casting with divers yielded nothing. Sometimes due to unfavourable temperatures fish hold tight in structure and refuse to stray far for a feed. They have to be tempted by lures dropped right in the snag... |
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| This next Cod was easier to coax and wasn't a problem for the Jackall rod. Soft plastics were the order of the day and they don't come much better than the Jackall i-Shads... |
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| Our next foray was to introduce the NERO range to a specie that defines many local anglers. The humble Common Snakehead is what many potential NERO owners will be targeting on a regular basis. This one wasn't shy about getting acquainted with the highly effective Kahara Frog... |
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| Snakeheads dwell in heavy covered pools and can be a handful to get to and to extract. Weedless lures like this Jackall Xeno Buzz frog are a staple for this kind of work. The extraction was handled beautifully by the NC-66ML NERO... |
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| The ultra sensitive tip is a joy to use for bouncing craws off the bottom. The takes are amplified, leading to positive hook-sets every time. The Jackall Waver Shrimp is one of the most versatile craws we've seen. The balance between action and durability is just spot-on... |
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| The medium light NC-66ML was indeed a joy to use all session long. It had the ability to cover all applications and did well when the need for power was there... |
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| The Jackall Waver Shrimp claims another... |
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| And another as well... |
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| This last fish was taken on the ultra life-like Imakatsu Huddle Swimmer, a lure to fool vary fish with. Like all others before, the NC-66ML handled this fish without hassle... |
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| Next we put the big gun to good use. Previous sessions didn't require such heavy artillery but this was now the chance to show the biggies in this stocked lake who's boss... |
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| The rod in question is the monster of the range, the NERO NC-74XH. It is a super fast action, ultra sensitive rod which was a revelation. The nimble tip is to be experienced. It was mind-blowing to say the least, how much sensitivity can be achieved on such a heavy rod. Once hooked up though, the low-down strength comes into its own. This Asian Red Tail Catfish was subdued with little fuss... |
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| The IMA Spin Gulf has gained quite a reputation of late, and the results show... |
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| The IMA Spin Gulf at it again... |
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| The Cats in this lake are certainly growing, these bigger ones can be a handful on the lighter gear but the NC-74XH took it all in stride... |
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| Cat after Cat, the punishment continued. For fish not rod... |
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| The DUO Tide Vibe Score scores this one... |
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| This is one powerful rod. We think it will be right at home with super tight cover heavy-handed tactics. But the sensitive tip action makes it freakishly usable even when chucking lighter lures... |
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| No session is complete without one of these hard pulling Amazonian Red Tail Cats. Again hardly a contest for the extra heavy NERO rod... |
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| The DUO Tide Vibe Score continues its streak... |
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| For the ultimate challenge the NERO is put through much more punishment than it was ever built for. We also have many Jackall accompaniments in the form of some large soft plastics for this occasion... |
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| Maxed out, the NERO NC-74XH still has plenty in reserve! |
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| Queensland Groupers of these size in tight ponds are a tall order for lesser gear. This one felt the pinch when it inhaled a Jackall Knuckle soft plastic... |
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| Stickin' it to him. That's the way the butt-jointed NC-74XH plays... |
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| For the smaller denizens in the pond like this Barramundi it was a one way ticket to the waiting net with the heavy NERO... |
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| The Jackall Knuckle proves popular... |
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| It is tough to max the NERO out, cementing our belief for its potential heavy cover abilities... |
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| The giant vibration crank that is the Jackall Doozer is dwarfed by this Queenslander... |
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| With the extra heavy NERO, it is max power and jammed thumbs every time. To say it passed with flying colours is a severe understatement. The NERO range defies our current comprehension of how a rod should work for the angler... |
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| Another Jackall Doozer victim... |
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| The weaves on the NERO blanks are as good as they get. The finish is second to none... |
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| Fancy but not distasteful. The milled aluminium and carbon fibre accoutrements are a succinct touch... |
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| Nice detailing spotted throughout... |
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| Feels custom indeed. This is the way of the future... |
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| The split grip butt enhances its light physical nature. Details carry on to either ends of the NERO. Dirt adds pleasure... |
The time spent getting to know the NEROs better was splendid indeed. We also passed on the rods to a friend of Tackle Source and he has kindly wrote a few pieces on his adventures with them, albeit in the Malay language. For those who can read, and for those who would just enjoy the visual feast, here they are:
For enquiries please email
Hi,
ReplyDeleteWhere can I buy the Jackall Nero NC-610M rod? And what is the price?
Please email tacklesource@live.com and we'll hook you up with a Jackall Nero.
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