Tackle for travel is nothing new, Multi section rods have been around in the UK for a while now, but I’m sad to say that most are nothing more than standard British rods, chopped up in to several sections, so they can be packed into a suitcase, and to be perfectly honest, they’re very little use outside of UK waters. Tackle, and of course techniques, vary from place to place and are often very specific to areas and species, and that’s where the new Fox Sport Fishing travel gear comes into a league of it’s own. The Brand Fox Sport Fishing has been purposely designed by Cliff Fox (Owner of Fox International) and Andy Little (Deputy Chairman of Fox International) from their own experiences of worldwide fishing travel over the last 25 years, to fill a gap in the market for specialist travel tackle, aimed at those anglers, like me, who fish overseas. Right, lets get down to business...

Trek Travel rods
Having tested the Tarpon Spin, Permit Spin, Bonefish Spin and Trek boat 20-30lb class in Florida for nearly two months this spring, I’ll start by saying I don’t have enough word-space in this article to report just how excellent they really are, and they truly deserve a complete review all of their own, however they are sporting, strong, and very lightweight, varying from 0.16kg to 0.76kg, which is exactly what you need as a travelling angler with baggage restrictions. All the Trek range are either four or five piece with a transport length between 20-27 inches and feature shaped EVA grips, gimbal and/or protective rubber butt cap, Fox’s own top quality reel seat, and either Fox’s own SIC’s or Stewart guides, depending on the model. And finally the entire Trek rod range comes supplied with a protective cloth bag and a high-quality zipped, protective tube for travel.

My initial thoughts when first seeing the Trek range of rods were that it would be impossible to make a 4-5 piece travel rod, that was both light and sporting, without ruining the action. Being brutally honest, I actually thought I’d break one, but I couldn’t have been more wrong! Oh and just because some of these rods are named the Bonefish, Tarpon, Sailfish Trek rods and so forth, DO NOT go thinking that their use is exclusively for these species. These rods will be happy fighting any fish within their ratings class (and bigger!) where a spin or conventional rod is required. To put this in perspective, a few of my angling friends have already purchased 20-50lb Tarpon Trek Spin rods to take to Norway in search of Giant Halibut. For your information… that’s targeting a fish, that could top 400lb, on a 20-50lb-class rod. Enough said!



Spinning Reels
The Fox Sport Fishing range of spinning reels are available in three models – the Diablo, the Santos and the top of the range Stratos.

The Diablo comes in the following sizes - 350S which features stainless bearings, brass gearing and a retrieve ratio of 4.9:1; the 550S which again features stainless bearings, brass gearing and a retrieve ratio of 4.6:1; and the larger 750S which features stainless bearings, brass gearing and a retrieve ratio of 4.7:1.

The Santos comes in two sizes – the 4500 which features stainless bearings and gearing, Fox’s own Infinite anti reverse system and a retrieve ratio of 4.6:1; and the 6500 which again features stainless bearings and gearing and Fox’s own Infinite anti reverse system, which has a retrieve ratio of 4.5:1. The main difference between the Diablo and Santos range is that the Santos is entirely constructed out of high-quality lightweight aluminium, is fully sealed and uses Fox’s CCD drag configuration for maximum drag strength and smoothness.

And finally, the Stratos comes in one size, the 20000 but in two versions – the 20000SS (Single Speed), which as you would expect features stainless bearings and gearing, a high quality lightweight aluminium construction and a retrieve ratio of 6.1:1; and the 20000TS (Twin Speed) – this is the same construction as it’s little brother, the 20000SS, but features a staggering high speed retrieve of 6.1:1, and at the flick of a switch, a low retrieve of 2:1 to cope with the demands of modern high-speed jigging.

Although I cannot comment on the Santos or Stratos models, as I haven’t tested them, I have put the full Diablo range through their paces and all I can say is that, if Fox describe the Diablo range as their low-priced budget range, then both the Santos and Stratos will be out of this world. The Diablo is of bulletproof construction, with a thick sturdy bail arm; they feature Fox’s own RTS gear system, CDT drag system and a large cranking handle. The Diablo range was designed to cope with all manner of saltwater species from small snappers to monster grouper, while taking any abuse an angler can throw at it. And don’t go thinking that the Diablo is exclusively for tropical travels – this reel will be just at home here in the UK, fishing for any of our own saltwater species!



Multiplier Reels
The Fox EOS is Fox’s range of Multiplier (Trolling) reels, designed to pair with their Trek stand-up and conventional boat rods. The EOS comes in two sizes – the EOS 30 and it’s larger brother, the EOS 50. Both feature a high-quality lightweight aluminium construction, stainless gears and bearings, Fox’s CDT star drag system which will deliver a maximum of 25lb drag pressure, an oversized EVA Powergrip handle, reel clamp and both feature a retrieve ratio of 4.7:1.

This spring, paired with the Fox Trek Boat 20-30, I tested the EOS 30 while shark and grouper fishing and would describe it as a powerhouse of reel. Both the rod and reel together happily coped with fish in excess of 250lb! This reel is built solid, designed to last, the clutch is smooth and after two months of heavy use, with only the odd rinse under freshwater, it still performed like new. This reel was built to handle big fish, when fishing spin is not an option, in the most corrosive of tropical environments yet, just like the Diablo spin, it will be just at home here in the UK, fishing for any of our own saltwater species!



Saltwater Fly Tackle
No brand of purpose travel tackle would be complete without fly rods and fly reels, and to finish off the Fox Sport Fishing range, Fox have added two fly rods and two fly reels to their Sport Fishing range - the Fox Bonefish Trek fly rod, which pairs perfectly with their Cellmax 7/8 fly reel and the Tarpon Trek fly rod, which again pairs up nicely with their Cellmax 10/12 Fly reel.

Both the Bonefish and Tarpon fly rods are 9ft, cork handled, 5 piece and of the same high quality construction as the rest of the Trek range of rods, however the Tarpon Trek fly comes with an extra removable fighting grip for battling larger fish. Both reels feature Fox’s unique ‘Wet Drag’ system, are manufactured from high-quality lightweight aluminium, and will hold a full fly line and 300 yards of appropriate backing. And just like their spin and conventional counterparts, just because these rods are named the Bonefish and Tarpon Trek fly rods, again don’t go thinking that their use is exclusively for these species. These rods will be happy fighting any fish within their ratings and bigger, that is if you dare!

I’m no fly angler – I can just about throw a bit of fluff to catch the odd species, so I don’t feel qualified enough to give a complete review on these rods, however I do know a nice rod and reel when I see one, and after using the Bonefish Trek fly in Florida this year with several friends who are outstanding in this field, I can confirm they thought that it was nothing short of excellent. The Bonefish Trek fly happily coped any Bonefish… and small Tarpon to nearly 50lb!

Lines, Braids and Lures
To compliment their extensive range of Trek saltwater travel rods and reels, The Fox Sport Fishing range also includes…

Aquos Sports Monofilament – a high quality modern monofilament, which features a low diameter to breaking strain ratio, high abrasion resistance and knot strength with a low inherent stretch. Available in I.G.F.A. standard breaking strains 30, 50, 80 & 130lb.

Fox Horizon Pro & Sport Braid – both made of 100% Spectra (the same fibre as PowerPro) and features almost zero stretch, extremely low diameter to breaking strain ratios, high abrasion resistance and knot strength. Horizon Pro is available in 10, 15, 20, 30 & 50lb breaking strains and Horizon Sport is available in 65, 80 & 100lb breaking strains.



And last but not least, a growing range of lures. These include the Bellyeye range, the Bellyeye Popper range, and the Wave Runner trolling range.

The Fox Sport Fishing range has only been on the shelves since June 2010 but it’s already kicking up a storm with worldwide sport-fishing anglers. In just one year, the Trek Rods, Diablo reels and lines are awaiting clarification on several I.G.F.A line class records and the Wave Runner lures have accounted for various ‘Grandeur’ Marlin catches (1000lb plus Marlin!) from around the globe!

The only way to describe Fox Sport Fishing, is a by anglers for anglers range of travel tackle, designed by two madly passionate fishermen – tested to complete perfection, by some of the worlds top professional guides!

Fishing In Florida
Florida Keys sport fishing holidays
Jim O’Donnell
www.fishinginflorida.co.uk
info@fishinginflorida.co.uk