Kilwell Jelly Tip 10-20kg rod and TiCA Gemini 300 reel |
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The
Kilwell-TiCA combination is a useful all-rounder with the potential to handle a
variety of fishing tasks. Spooled with 10-kg nylon, the test combo in the hands
of our esteemed editor took a number of snapper to around six kilos. I used the
rig to take a variety of bottom fish on a recent trip to Norfolk Island, as well
as a couple of kingfish on the troll.
The TiCA
Gemini is a handsome reel. Whenever and wherever I used it, it drew interest
from fellow anglers. The gold anodised finish looks classy and the general
standard of finish, machining and tolerances indicate a good-quality,
well-engineered reel.
Weighing
in at 520g (over one pound) without the line, it’s a robust unit. The weight
isn’t surprising considering the one-piece aluminium frame and machined alloy
spool. Internal components consist of a high-tensile brass main gear, stainless
steel pinion and four ball bearings, plus a one-way clutch bearing. There’s
infinite anti-reverse, centrifugal anti-backlash and an audible clicker on the
star drag. The level-wind seems strongly built and features an aluminium line
guide with an SIC eyelet to minimise friction. Freespool is activated by
depressing a button on the right front of the reel, and the clicker is engaged
by a sliding switch on the opposite side. A turn of the handle re-engages the
gears.
The reel
casts fairly well — certainly well enough to flick whole pilchard baits while
straylining — but the (relatively) heavy, machined alloy spool and level-wind
mechanism limit its usefulness as an out-and-out casting tool. On the other
hand, it’s possible to fire suitably weighted jigs and lures a fair old
distance, even with a short-ish rod like the Jelly Tip.
With a 4.7:1
retrieve ratio, it suits most fishing applications, though some anglers will
find it a little slow for high-speed lure fishing. For general boat fishing,
however, the ratio is about right. I found it plenty fast enough pumping
stubborn ‘trumpeter’ (actually long-nosed emperor) and the occasional rat king
from forty metres of water in Norfolk Island (the hardwood handle is pleasant to
use, too).
Drag
performance was good throughout the test. I liked the clicker on the star drag.
Even though it performs no real purpose, the clicker does give an indication of
how far the star wheel has been turned. Several fish pulled line against the
drag, despite some fairly serious drag settings in an attempt to keep fish out
of the coral and basalt that makes up much of the bottom in Norfolk. On the
troll a couple of reasonable kings (8-10kg) gave the outfit a bit of a workout,
while a larger fish really had me — and the gear — working for a few minutes
before the lure pulled free.
My only real
criticism is the clicker — it’s too light to leave the reel in freespool with
clicker on while straylining (over-runs are sure to result if you get a decent
strike) and too soft to hear above the engine while trolling. A heavier spring
might solve the problem.
Like so many
of Kilwell’s recent rod releases, the 10-20kg Jelly Tip is deceptively powerful,
while still maintaining good tip response and sensitivity. 10-kg line hardly
seemed to work the rod and I would be confident running 15kg through the
stainless steel hard guides.
The rod is
shorter than I like for strayline fishing (this is a personal thing — I like
long rods with soft tips for straylining), but it proved just the ticket for
fishing deepish water where setting hooks is an issue. I also appreciated the
rod’s power when trying to prevent kingfish finding sanctuary in the reef. Its
length made it quite suitable as a light-trolling rod, the powerful butt section
dealing to kingies in short order.
Rod fittings
and finish are all good quality, as we have come to expect from Kilwell’s
locally manufactured rods, and the Jelly Tip’s action and robust nature make it
a very versatile fishing tool….John
Eichelsheim.
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