Browning reveals 2019 gems
The eagerly-awaited Browning trade show in Bremen, near Hamburg, launched the company’s full range of new tackle for 2019.
The American-owned company – famed for its innovative poles, affordable rods and super-reliable reels – delivered more of the same.
Sadly, the new flagship Sphere pole didn’t make the party, as it was starring in a fishing show in France, but summer will see its arrival in the UK. We did, though, get a look at the fabulous Xitan Z6-2 Advance pole, and the new Black Magic margin pole.
Browning also unveiled stunning new seatboxes, seven rods in the CK (Carp King) stable, new Black Magic luggage, and a host of accessory items.
Here, then, is the Angling Times pick of Browning’s latest goodies…
CK ROD RANGE
THE new CK (Carp King) rod range supersedes Browning’s popular Commercial King Series for 2019. Improvements to the blanks include upgraded carbon builds and even better fittings.
Sensationally slim and lightweight, the rods cover a multitude of tactical possibilities – and with a choice of length, casting capabilities and fish-playing actions, the specialist commercial match angler can kit himself out with a rod for any venue.
Price: £54.99-£94.99
RED MONSTER BAITS
THESE baits are for when the going gets hard. The classic spicy Robin Red products contain chunks of chilli and pepper, as well as blended Monster Crab flavour and fishmeal ingredients.
The bi-coloured boilies,
pop-ups, marbles and dumbells all have loose seeds on the green side so all the flavours can freely leach out, while the smoother red side ensures long-lasting attraction once in the water.
Price: Boilies from £5.50 per 1kg bag
XENOS FEEDERS
Browning has made further improvements to its already superb Xenos cage feeder range, with Interchangeable screw-in weights and a larger opening in the bottom of the cage that releases feed quicker.
Four varieties include a slow-sinking version which is ideal for deep-water commercial fisheries.
Price: £1.90 - £3.30
BLACK LINE SEATBOX
Browning’s compact all-black Black Line seatbox is the last word in chic for your cheeks.
The compact design includes a very rigid sliding footplate unit and an independent top frame section that makes the seat height-adjustable, even if you add more storage trays. Other key features include 36mm legs, a secure non-slip leg locking system, two full width storage trays and three 4cm drawers.
Price: £449
XITAN Z6-2 ADVANCE
Delivering top-end performance at a mid-range price, Browning’s new Xitan Z6-2 Advance will handle all pole fishing scenarios.
It’s offered at 14.5m, although a 16m butt section is available.
A true all-rounder in every sense, it is light, stiff and built to last. Key features include carbon over-wrapped male and female joints to maximise strength and minimise wear. There are carbon-reinforced ‘grip’ areas on the lower sections at the most common breakage points.
Supplied with Browning’s unique elbow-friendly square pole protectors, it has a 16/20 elastic rating, and comes with a substantial package that includes three 4.5mm and two 5.5mm spare top kits, as well as a raft of spare sections.
Price: £1,199
BLACK MAGIC 8m MARGIN XS
THIS shameless brute is an upgraded version of Browning’s best-selling Black Magic Margin pole. It’s ultra-strong, stiff and remarkably light considering the immense power it can generate.
Capable of halting a runaway locomotive in its tracks, or so it seems, it will handle the heaviest of hollow elastics, and its tip is already cut back, saving you the job.
Price: £99.90 Spare power top-kits £25
BLACK MAGIC S-LINE LUGGAGE
This eye-catching Black Magic S-Line luggage stands out from the crowd in its black livery with yellow piping.
It will prove a hit with club match and pleasure anglers who find more typical angling luggage too large, expensive or complex for their needs.
All items are made from a super-tough, wipe-clean polyester with dependable zips and double stitching on all stress points.
Price: £9 - £46.60
PRE-TIED SPHERE HOOKS
Developed in conjunction with anglers of the calibre of World Feeder Pairs winner Jens Koschnick, the range uses the finest quality lightweight Japanese hooks tied to quality Cenex line.
Browning’s unique new silicone-surfaced winder concept with folding protective lip safely encloses the hooks, that are looped on and can be easily removed one at a time. Eight per spool.
Price: £3.49
SPHERE HOOKS
THE seven-pattern Sphere range is also available in loose hook form. At the moment there are only barbed versions, but barbless should be available by next summer.
Sphere Beast hooks look ideal for commercial carp, while feeder anglers should find the Sphere Feeder Ultra-Light pattern of particular interest for use with smaller baits when targeting skimmers. Fifteen per packet.
Price: £1.99