FLADEN FISHING UK HITS ALL THE PRICE POINTS WHEN IT COMES TO BOAT RODS. HERE ARE FOUR GREAT OUTFITS…

1) MAXXIMUS SOLID CARBON 7FT
PAY AROUND £249.99

You might swallow at the price but we looked at these rods some years back and gave them five stars.

There are three 7ft rods in the range: 10-20lb, 20-40lb and a monster-lifter at

20-60lb. All pack a punch, even with a slim blank.

The power comes from the solid carbon C blanks, which weigh just 200g. This, coupled with Fuji SiC rings, quality whippings, genuine Fuji reel seat and Duplon handle, results in a rod that is a delight to fish with and a real fish beater.

The sensitive tip works well with mono or braid, and it separates above the reel seat for easy carriage.

2) VANTAGE HEAVY ACTION 9-12FT
PAY AROUND £24.99

We suspect the three rods in this range have their roots firmly set in Scandinavian waters.

Available at 9ft, 10ft and 11ft, they have oversized line guides that work well with fixed-spool reels.

Where is this taking us? Probably working heavy pirks up to 300g in deep fjords for 30lb cod. But would the rods have an application in UK waters? If you changed the mind-set, then yes. The overlong rods are ideal for working big pirks hard and this would score over our wrecks and reefs. Think uptider – they come in two equal sections, but with more power.

3) MAXXIMUS SEA RANGE
PAY AROUND £42.99

Three rods all representing value for money in the 12, 20 and 30lb classes.

At 7ft 6in and built in IM7 Kevlar graphite, they appear soft until you pull hard, and then they lock halfway through the curve. This makes them perfect for inshore reef fishing in the larger classes, drifting over wrecks with lures, while the 30 would be a match for congers, skate and 100lb-plus sharks.

Complete with SiC guides, screw-winch reel seat, and Duplon foregrip, this rod breaks down above the handle.

4) MAXXIMUS IM8 SUPER SENSOR
PAY AROUND £75.99

Why would you want a 10ft boat rod with three tips? You might be a boat match angler fishing for every bite, you might be bream fishing, you could be bassing with light lures or jellyworms…the possibilities are endless.

In truth even the slightest nibble is going to show up on the choice of three tips; the one painted red would probably show a tiny whiting nibbling your bait.

The black blank is built from IM8 carbon, which gives the rod a steely feel, and you get a 30in Duplon handle.

If you like fishing for bites this is the one to go for.