I'm looking to replace the scopes I use for boat work. They have served me well and taken some stick but the lake is so weedy this year that I could do with a bit more grunt.

Money is fairly tight at the minute, so looking at the ESP Quickdraw 10ft 3.5lb.

I guess that they are relatively new, but do any users have an opinion good or bad yet?

Not a deal breaker, but do any of those with their ear to the ESP ground know if a cork handled version is in the pipeline?

In reply to Post #1
Have a look at the Insurgents, they're very good, seen them closely compared to scopes on here, I have the corks in 3.5, really nice too

Thanks for the reply. Not a fan of Sonik rods to be honest.

In reply to Post #3
Got 3.25lbs

V nice for money.

In reply to Post #3
Nothing wrong with sonik rods

SONIK INSURGENT 10′ 3.50LB BALANCED OUT WITH THE INSURGENT 5000 REEL PERFECT SET UP

In reply to Post #5
That may be, but I've used drennan rods for years and always been pretty happy for the money.

Certainly won't be putting a Sonik reel on any of my rods

In reply to Post #7
Not looked at the reels Tbh. Had rods from them in the past and they are a lot of rod for the money. Unfortunately they are victim of brand snobbery

In reply to Post #8
I had some of the original SK4's, which were a nice rod but the ring set was terrible and very prone to getting bent out of shape, and I really did try to take care of them. Also, the "guarantee" that came with them back then was pretty much worthless. It's enough to have made me look elsewhere since but what I do see on the market now looks decent and as you say, good value.

In reply to Post #9
I had the original sk3xtr and never had any issue with the rings at all. Not once did they get bent out of shape . I think those same rods are still in use today

In reply to Post #10
Are they single legged rings? That was the issue with the SK4 I think - avoided those types ever since.

In reply to Post #11
Yep single legged rings. I think a lot of damage happens in poor quality rod holdalls tbh

In reply to Post #8
If the so called snobbery is related to value then the Sonik rods are more expensive than the ESP equivalent?!

I'm sure you can appreciate wanting to use a brand that you have faith in and used for many years.

In reply to Post #13
I wasn't meaning you in particular, nor esp

I had the Sonik Extactors briefly but was very underwhelmed with them ... I cant really put my finger on it as i didnt use them ... but they felt very stiff and the blank looked cheap to me and tbh didnt feel any love for the retractable feature ..... Quickly changed to ESP Stalker Rods and instantly felt at home ... I love ESP rods

Well I took the plunge. Birds Tackle had 15% off on eBay last night so three for £240.