Sonik Xtractor Spod Rod Review
Last Updated on 4 June 2024 by James Bevan
Quick Summary:
Read on to find out more information on all you need to know
Features & Specifications Summary:
Available in 9 and 10 foot lengths
4.5lb test curve
9ft transport length 113cm (44“)
10ft transport length 127cm (50”)
Large ID 40mm to 12mm ringing pattern
17mm black DPS reel seat to house all reels
Super-light M-SERIES DL black guides
Hard wearing Anti-frap ceramic tip ring
Slim, silk matt black carbon fibre blank with progressive power action
Line friendly custom contoured Sonik clip
Slim Japanese shrink rubber handle
Black anodised butt cap laser etched with ‘S’ logo
Video Showing The Sonik Xtractor Range In Action:
How The Sonik Xtractor Spod Rod Compares Against Its Competition:
| Name | Overall Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shimano TX A Spod Rod | 8.8 | from £79.99 |
| Nash Dot Spod Rod | 8.6 | from £169.99 |
| Harrison Torrix Spod Rod | 9.1 | from £369.00 |
| Daiwa Infinity X45 Spod Rod | 9.3 | from £299.99 |
| Daiwa Black Widow XT Spod Rod | 8 | from £54.99 |
| Sonik Xtractor Spod Rod | 7.6 | from £53.00 |
| Trakker Propel Spod Rod | 8.9 | from £167.99 |
| Onyx Quickdraw Spod Rod | 7.3 | from £49.99 |
| Fox EOS Pro Spod Rod | 7.4 | from £69.99 |
| Fox Horizon X3 Spod & Marker Rod | 8.1 | from £89.99 |
| Daiwa Emcast Spod Rod | 8.3 | from £59.00 |
| Century Stealth Graphene Spod Rod | 9 | from £498.99 |
How The Rod Compares To The Averages:
A Sonik Xtractor Spod Rod Review By Other Anglers:
“Wkd rods just what I need” (1)
“Very good for the money” (2)
Review Source:
The Sonik Xtractor Spod Rods Features Up Close:
The handle
The handle of the Xtractor spod is made of Japanese shrink rubber, which I found to be comfortable in the hand and easy to hold even when wet.
Its ionised butt cap, with Sonik’s logo etched onto it, rounds the handle off with a neat finish.
The reel seat
The 17mm black DPS reel seat comes standard throughout the whole Xtractor range, including the spod rod.
It feels very reliable and does a great job of keeping the reel solidly in place even throughout the most intense of spodding sessions.
The eyes/guides
Similar to the main Xtractor carp rod the spod rod features a set of black 40mm M-series DL guides, which I think look great and are exceptionally light, keeping the overall weight of the rod down.
The anti-frap tip is always a nice addition to a rod and the Xtractor spod rod doesn’t let you down featuring one at 12mm.
The blank
The Xtractor features a slimline carbon fibre blank with progressive action. It feels remarkably light and supple and alongside the 4.5lb test curve, it packs a punch as well.
The Pros & Cons Of The Sonik Xtractor Spod Rod
Pros
- The rod packs down into a nice small unit making it ideal for a roaming approach or traveling
- The blank is lightweight yet quite powerful for a 9 or 10-foot length rod
- The rod Boasts some great hardware, like its M-series DL guides and Japanese shrink rubber handle
- It has a good build quality at a very reasonable price, representing great value for money
Cons
- I would have liked to have seen a 50mm butt ring for the spod rod version of the range
- It lacks a little bit of overall distance potential compared to a 12 or 13-foot spod rod but this is to be expected
ETackle’s Thoughts & Opinions:
After testing a fair few rods out recently, I have to say the Sonik Xtractor Spod Rod has made a pretty good impression on me, considering its modest price tag. Its compact design caught my eye straight off the bat and my initial reaction was that it’s perfect for us anglers who are always moving spots or working with smaller areas.
The rod’s handle, fashioned from Japanese shrink rubber, stays grippy even when wet, giving me a secure hold for those long casting sessions.
Now, I wouldn’t want to just blow smoke about this rod, so let’s talk about where it comes up a bit short. It’s a great option when you’re working with smaller water bodies, but when it comes to longer casts, the Xtractor begins to falter.
Its 4.5lb test curve is solid and can handle fairly heavy spod loads of bait at close to mid range (up to 60 yards). However, I did struggle a bit when casting heavy spods over the 60-70 yard mark.
I was also left a little disappointed with the 40mm butt ring. Maybe a few extra yards could have been achieved if a 50mm was featured. But hey, this rod’s more of a budget buddy and it’s only fair to stack it up against similar rods, not those top-tier carp rods.
Looking at the construction of the rod, I’ve got to tip my hat to Sonik. The balance on the Xtractor is top-notch. Its carbon fibre blank is slim and light, yet brings quite a bit of oomph to the party. The M-series DL guides add a sleek touch without weighing the rod down, and the 12mm anti-frap tip is always a nice feature I appreciate.
The DPS reel seat, finished in black, is sturdy as a rock, and held my reel perfectly in place even during the most animated of spodding sessions.
All in all, for the money you’re paying, the Sonik Xtractor Spod Rod is a solid bet and it is certainly up there with the likes of the Daiwa Black Widow XT spod rod which scored highly in this category.
It’s got the right stuff for anglers who want a compact, good quality rod without burning through their wallet. Sure, it could do with a bit more muscle for those long-distance casts, but overall, it’s a reliable choice in the budget segment. For beginners or those in need of a space-saver, the Xtractor’s a quality choice.
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How This Rod Has Been Reviewed
Etackle’s objective is to provide anglers with key information on fishing tackle products to help them make an informed decision before purchase.
We do this by writing about our own experiences of the product being tested as well as researching information from other experts in the field as well as reviews from other users.
This means you have an unbiased review from a number of sources all in one place. For more information on how products are reviewed on Etackle, please visit our dedicated page on the review process.
I hope this appraisal of the spod rod has provided useful insight as to whether it’s the right rod for you.
If you have time, please visit our full list of products that have been reviewed.