PAY AROUND

£72

This 2.25lb test curve model in the four-rod Fox Royale Specialist Barbel range is a true powerhouse, perfect for when you need to cast large bolt-rigged feeders, big PVA bags or heavy leads to hold bottom in strong flows. It’s more than capable of taming the biggest fish.

Another plus point comes to light when you’re fishing in flood or high water conditions. More often than not debris will gather around the line, jamming in the guides when you reel in.

However, the large and evenly-spaced SLIK guides used on the Royale Specialist blank go some way to stop this happening.

The rod’s white tip is highly visible in low light levels when you’ve got it set high and pointing skywards.

VERDICT

An out-and-out specialist barbel basher, the commanding 2.25lb Fox Royale is the rod to reach for when faced with heavy flows and weighty leads.

The powerful progressive action is more than capable of stopping the largest fish, but the blank retains enough feel to make catching them a pleasurable experience.