Apia Foojin'RS Vivogue 96ML+

The Vivogue was really the first rod within this RS range that stood out. As much as anything they are just one of the most unique bass rods that we've ever sold.

I'll be honest, I immediately took a mild disliking when these arrived. One waggle in the shop and I assumed the tip was too soft to be useful for a UK market. But I was very wrong. They manage to have this lightness in the tip that you'd compare to most other much less powerful bass rods, but then they do have that power in the butt. The power kicks in around about the fifth or sixth guide, and from that point forward you then just have complete control over any type of lure, and certainly all the guts to land any fish you're ever going to hook.

They're rated at 38g, but I think, to be honest, with a medium you'd feel like you could cast 40 without too many issues, and I have. The ML+ rating is quite accurate in that you'll feel like you have the sensitivity of a 30g rod, but with the power of a 40. At the same time, because you have the lighter tip, they're still very happy with a light plastic. I've even used these in some of our videos where you might be fishing a light soft plastic lure needing a bit of distance or line control. The tip will bend in a little bit more into those lightweight lures, and that gives you the tension in the line, which is what you need if you're going to feel anything when you're retrieving a lure.

They're not a rod that I would use in the surf every day of the week, or anywhere where I was fishing big lures all the time, because of the lightness in the tip. Some people get on really well with it, but I know a lot of our customers are going to prefer a slightly stiffer tip if you use longer surface lures. If I'm fishing a variety of lures and feel like I just want a little bit of extra length, though, then they are superb.

Sometimes I stop and think about them and almost how unique they are, and weird, for want of a better word. They're not weird at all in reality, but they're so different. Every time I fish with one I really, really enjoy it.

UK delivery

Free standard UK delivery on orders over £50. Orders under £50 are charged at checkout. Most orders are dispatched within 1–2 working days.

Returns

Unused tackle can be returned within 30 days of delivery, in its original condition. Get in touch before sending anything back and we’ll talk you through it.