Snowbee’s Deep Travel Boat rods go under the spotlight. Des Westmore runs the rule over these latest four-piece 12-20 and 30-50 travellers.
Snowbee offer two Deep Blue travel boat rods in the shape of 12-20lb and 30-50lb versions. Both are four-piece 7 foot, 7 inch rods that pack down to 29 inches, and come supplied with a protective hard-walled travel tube.
The lowest joint is a plug-in junction on the Fuji reel seat, while the remaining two joints are spigots. Rings are genuine Fuji SiC chrome ovals: the two lowermost are double-legged, with six more single legs plus the tip ring. Whippings are black with silver and gold piping while the blank is indeed deep blue.
The well-proportioned handle benefits from EVA material grips and includes a gimble. While I would normally suggest a gimbal is superfluous on a 12-20lb rod for use the in the UK, its inclusion on a travel rod for overseas work is important. A little cross-weave whipping above the fore grip crowns what is a very attractive rod. The only thing missing in my opinion would be a hi-viz tip to assist bite spotting, but I understand that the primary intent of such rods is to lock horns with the type and size of fish that are more likely to haul you off your feet!
IGFA Rated
Ever since I first spoke to Snowbee UK’s MD Russell Weston some years ago, he has always been at pains to point out that the Deep Blue blanks are accurately rated to the classic IGFA line classes, using a very progressive action achieved by mixing and matching fibres of varying modulus. This makes these rods markedly different from many of the stiff butt/soft tip rods on the market. Despite the compact four-piece design, the Deep Blue travellers follow the same design blueprint admirably, despite the compromise 12-20lb and 30-50lb dual line class ratings.
I have enjoyed playing with the rods in home waters and they will be going in the suitcase for my second trip to Antigua later this year. RRP for the 12-20lb is £179 with the 30-50lb slightly more expensive at £199.
Visit www.snowbee.co.ukfor more information.
