Shimano TX7 Review
Last Updated on 2 January 2024 by James Bevan
The Shimano TX7 is one of the more popular and better-selling carp rods from the Japanese firm’s well-known Tribal range.
But why is this? With there being newer versions released since the TX7 launch, surely these should have improved on the model?
In this Shimano TX7 review, I, with the help of some carp rod experts test the rod on 5 key attributes of a carp fishing rod. These attributes all get rated so you can make a clear comparison against its competition.
So let’s get into the detail and find out whether the TX7 is worthy of all its plaudits.
Overall Review Ratings
Compare Prices
Comparison To Similar Rods
| Name | Overall Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shimano TX7 Carp Rod | 8.9 | from £178.97 |
| Daiwa Longbow X45 | 8.7 | from £239.99 |
| Nash Dwarf Carp Rod | 7.2 | from £49.99 |
| Daiwa Emblem Carp Rod | 8.5 | from £74.99 |
| Greys X-Flite Carp Rod | 8.4 | from £79.99 |
| Greys Prodigy GT4 Carp Rod | 7.8 | from £149.99 |
| Shimano TX2 Carp Rod | 8.6 | from £79.99 |
| Daiwa Emcast Carp Rod | 7.9 | from £99.99 |
| Fox Horizon X3 Carp Rod | 8.5 | from £99.99 |
| Daiwa Crosscast EXT | 7.6 | from £67.99 |
| ESP Onyx Quickdraw Carp Rod | 7.7 | from £84.95 |
| Sonik Insurgent | 7.8 | from £79.99 |
| Nash X Series Carp Rod | 7.8 | from £69.99 |
| Avid Traction Pro Carp Rod | 7.4 | from £79.99 |
| Daiwa Crosscast XT Carp Rod | 7.5 | from £69.99 |
How The Rod Compares To The Averages
Quick Summary
The rod scored an overall rating of 8.9 which is a very respectful score for its price point and up there with some of the elite rods I have reviewed.
It’s available in lengths of 12 and 13 feet and test curves of 2.75, 3, 3.25, and 3.5 lbs. At its best when casting and fishing on larger waters, the TX7 is a high-end rod that comes with a fairly accessible price tag, in many ways offering similar performance to its more expensive counterpart, the TX9.
While beginner anglers might be a bit out of their depth with the TX7, most carpers, especially those with a preference for fishing larger venues, will find plenty to like here.
This in-depth Shimano TX7 Review goes into detail on all you need to know about this popular carp rod.
Pros & Cons
I tested the Shimano TX7 over the course of 2 separate sessions on two different waters (1 medium-sized and 1 large). Here is what I found to be the advantages and disadvantages of the rod.
Pros
- Reasonably versatile, thanks to the range of test curves it comes in (2.75, 3, 3.25, and 3.5 lbs)
- The TX7 offers high performance at a very reasonable price
- The EVA handle is nice and grippy, reliable even when wet
- The Anti-frap tip ring, 50mm butt guide and powerful blank make the TX7 a fantastic distance caster
- The rod looks sleek and stylish
- It feels really light and well-balanced in the hand
- There’s a lovely full bend in the rod when playing fish and it balances power and subtlety across the blank really well
Cons
- As shorter rod lengths are becoming more and more the norm, it’s a bit of a shame that there’s no 10 foot TX7
A Bit About The Shimano TX7
Headquartered in Sakai, Japan, and with manufacturing facilities in Singapore, Malaysia, and China, Shimano was founded back in 1921 as a bicycle parts manufacturer. Since then, the brand has gone on to produce angling and rowing gear, too, and has previously made equipment for golfing and snowboarding.
The TX7 is part of Shimano’s ‘Tribal’ carp rod series. With a range of models aimed at anglers of varying abilities and available at different price points. The TX7 is one of the range’s higher-end offerings, though it’s still more affordable than, say, the TX9.
The rod is a great option for fishing on medium to large venues, though, like the Shimano TX9, it’s also versatile enough that you can use it on most waters fairly successfully with the 2.75lb test curve model being more suited for smaller waters.
Who’s it ideal for
The TX7 is ideal for experienced carp anglers that want to up their game a little without spending the hefty money required for a top, premium carp rod.
This is a versatile, well-made model with plenty of great features that looks fantastic, too. Beginner anglers or those searching for a truly budget-friendly model may want to look elsewhere, though; while the TX7 is more affordable than some, there are cheaper offerings out there for those brand new to carp fishing.
I’d argue that you can use the TX7 on any venue, but it’s clear that the rod has been designed with larger waters in mind. The lengths the rod is available in, combined with its powerful guides and anti-frap tip ring, make it especially adept at longer casts.
So, I’d recommend this model in particular to anglers looking to fish on larger venues, and especially those for whom casting prowess in their rod is a top priority.
How Does the Shimano TX7 Differ From the Shimano TX2 and TX9
In many ways, I’d say that the TX7 actually holds its own against the TX9. Despite the TX9 coming at a much higher price and perhaps being somewhat lighter, these rods basically have more in common than what sets them apart from one another.
Because of this, the TX7 will be sufficient for most anglers unless they’re specifically interested in some of the TX9’s hardware, which does differ from that of the TX7, but only slightly.
Having tested both versions, the TX7 actually scored slightly higher as an overall rating at 8.9 compared to the TX9s score of 8.6. This is largely down to the two rods having many similarities with the TX7 scoring a lot higher in the ‘value for money’ assessment.
The TX2, on the other hand, is the most budget-friendly model of the three and is geared more towards providing the best possible value for money, rather than elite performance. As a result of this, the TX2, while a great rod in its own right, is unlikely to appeal to the same crowd that the TX7 and TX9 will.
The Different Versions Of The TX7
The TX7 comes in both 12 and 13-foot lengths across test curves ranging from 2.75 and 3.5lb. You can check out the different versions of the rod, their maximum casting distance alongside what situations they are best suited for in the following table:
| Length | Test Curve | Ideal For | Max Cast Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 ft | 2.75lb | Small to medium sized venues, and close range fishing | 130 yds |
| 12 ft | 3lb | Small to medium venues. Good all-round rod | 135 yds |
| 12 ft | 3.25lb | Small to medium venues. Good all-round rod | 145 yds |
| 12 ft (intensity) | 3.5lb+ | Medium to Larger venue where distance casting is required | 160 yds |
| 13 ft (Intensity) | 3.5lb+ | Large venues for casting long distances | 170 yds |
The 5 Attributes The Rod Was Tested Against
As mentioned previously in the article, there are 5 key elements that carp anglers look for in the best rods. These are as follows:
- Features
- Appearance
- Casting & Feel
- Playing Fish
- Value For Money
For more detail on the review process please visit the designated review explanation page that outlines how products are reviewed on eTackle.
The Shimano TX7 Review
So having set the scene with where the rod came from and what criteria the rod was tested against let’s now get into how it performed.
First off, let’s see how the experts have rated this rod…
More Details
The Key Attributes Scrutinised
Features & Specifications
The handle
The TX7 comes with a comfortable EVA grip on its handle which I personally prefer. It holds up well in all kinds of weather conditions which I certainly endured whilst testing it in February.
It’s nice and easy to hold and feels comfortable to cast with. Rounding off the handle is an aluminium butt cap etched with the Tribal logo, which is a nice touch.
The reel seat
Not one to skimp on hardware, Shimano equips its TX7 rods with the classic, beloved Fuji DPS reel seat, which is about as solid and dependable as a reel seat can get.
When testing I used a set of large big pits and was casting 25 wraps (100 yards) and never experienced any issues with reel movement.
The eyes/guides
The Shimano TX7 is kitted out with KIGAN stainless steel zirconia guides and an anti-frap tip ring, which helped make my experience of casting with it smooth and effortless.
The blank
Crafted using a mixture of high-pressure carbon and biofibre material, the TX7’s HPC250 lightweight carbon blank is balanced and durable, as well as featuring that classic Shimano stealthy look.
As mentioned previously, I really appreciated how light and balanced the rod felt in the hand and especially when playing fish. This is a testament to the quality of the material used in the construction of the blank.
Features & Specifications Summary
- Available in 12 & 13-foot lengths
- Test curves available include 2.75lb, 3lb, 3.25lb and 3.5lb (Intensity)
- Fuji DPS reel seat
- Comfortable EVA grip
- KIGAN Stainless Steel Zirconia Guides
- HPC250 (high pressure) lightweight carbon blank
- Aluminium butt cap
Here’s what the experts said about the rods features:
"The Shimano Tribal TX7 carp rod features a slim and powerful blank made of high-pressure carbon and bio-fibre materials, Kigan guides with a 50mm ring set and stainless steel inner, a robust reel seat with an EVA grip designed to prevent twisting and slipping"More Details
Appearance
One thing I especially loved about the Shimano TX7 was its overall look. While this is one of the more affordable high-performance rods, you definitely wouldn’t know it by looking at it; with its matte black blank with stainless steel details. The TX7 has a very tasteful, classy appearance to it and its stainless steel butt cap also rounds it off very nicely.
Here’s what an expert said about the appearance of the TX7:
"The Shimano Tribal TX-7 carp rod has a slim and aesthetically pleasing blank made of high-pressure carbon and bio-fibre materials"More Details
Casting & Feel
In testing, I loved casting the TX7. It just seemed smooth and effortless and I was able to hit a nice gravel patch at 25 wraps with ease. It feels nice and balanced in the hand, and the anti-frap tip ring certainly gets the job done. With that being said, I’d argue that this rod definitely performs at its best when used for longer casts.
This is what Angling Direct said about how the rod casts and feels when handled:
"The TX7 carp rod is ideal for casting at long distances due to its Kigan guides with 50mm rings and a slim and powerful blank"More Details
Playing Fish
On the whole, the TX7 provides a great experience for the angler when playing fish. On the 3 sessions I tested this rod with, I had fish to 24lb 5oz and was able to play and land them without ever losing control. It’s lightweight and responsive, while still delivering lots of torque and power through its base.
Here is a quote from an expert on how the rod performs when playing fish:
"Ideal for when playing carp under the rod tip, the TX7’s carbon blanks create a very strong and stiff rod with a crisp recovery during the cast"More Details
Value For Money
The TX7 represents excellent value for money. The rod has plenty of fantastic features and is made to last. Combine this with its hardware, performance, and price point, and it’s sort of hard to go wrong. In fact, I’d encourage most anglers to consider purchasing the TX7 over the pricier TX9, as it offers similar performance in a far more affordable package.
Here’s how an expert scored the rod on value for money:
"This rod has a real premium feel to it at a great price"More Details
Final Thoughts & Conclusions
Shimano’s TX7 is a fantastic rod for the money. It’s especially suited to fishing medium to large waters, but is, on the whole, a versatile, highly dependable rod that more advanced carpers will be able to get plenty of use out of.
I loved testing the TX7 and will comfortably say it’s one of the best mid-ranged carp rods I have used in my 30 years of fishing.
You can see this rod as well as all the other top rods I have featured in the recommended carp rod category in our shop below.
Thanks for reading.