TECH SPEC

Spools: Machined, anodised long-cast tapered spools – shallow, for 300m of 15lb (0.37mm) line and ultra-shallow, for 300m of 12lb (0.33mm). Three reels can be filled from a 1,000m bulk spool of mono with no backing required
Features: Slow oscillation for super-smooth line lay. Two interchangeable drag adjusters, fine and rapid lockdown. Quick-fold handle. Stainless steel line clip for secure damage-free clipping up. Front drag grit guard. Easily accessible large anti-reverse lever
Gearing: 7 + 1 stainless bearings, machined gears and a 4.3:1 gear ratio for fast retrieve (approximately 1m per rotation of the reel handle). Rotor brake
Finish: Stylish matt black finish with subtle red decals
Quality control: Every reel is thoroughly quality checked by expert in-house staff in the UK

PAY AROUND

£139

For the first time in its 17-year history, big-carp brand E-S-P is branching into the reel market – with no half measures!

The eye-catching Onyx, developed under wraps by big-fish experts Kev Hewitt, Terry Hearn and Martin Bowler, has been flying under everyone else’s radar for the past two years.

Now, though, it is ready for its debut, exclusively revealed by Angling Times.

The cult all-black model has undergone intensive field-testing, resulting in a very modern looking big pit-style reel with many innovative design features.

E-S-P brand manager Dave Ellyatt was full of enthusiasm, and explained: “When we first started developing the E-S-P reel more than two years ago we looked closely at other reels on the market, plus those we had been using ourselves for many years.

“All had areas which could be vastly improved upon. So we identified these and set about developing a highly practical and durable carp fishing tool.

“Carp catching machine Kev Hewitt has been closely involved in the reel’s development, exhaustively testing prototypes by catching a serious number of big carp.

“With bespoke machined alloy spools that require no backing, three reels can be filled from a single 1,000m bulk spool.

“An absence of backing improves line lay by preventing bedding in, which in turn benefits distance casting.

“The Onyx is also the first reel to provide two different drag adjusters – FD (Fine Drag) for micro adjustment, and RL (Rapid Lockdown), taking it from free-running to locked down mode in around half a turn.

“The rapid deployment handle can also be folded down when using super snug rod set-ups.

“As for its technical features, the E-S-P Onyx incorporates machined long-life gearing with a fast retrieve ratio, and super-slow oscillation for improved line lay – as our field-testers have discovered, it casts like a dream.

“The final touch of muted classic black cosmetics, matched with a wooden handle, means these reels really look the part on any set-up”.

VERDICT

It’s too early to predict the reception the Onyx reel will receive from carp anglers, but E-S-P has surely raised the bar with regard to the technical development of big pit reels.

Features such as shallow and ultra-shallow long cast tapered spools with interchangeable front drag systems, and quick fold-flat handles, are highly desirable.

Add to that a super-slow oscillation which produces an ironed-flat line lay, a line-friendly stainless line clip, and stylish all-black finish, and the E-S-P

Onyx offers simply unbeatable value for money.