Shimano Terez

Pretty average – I had a Terez 20/40 OH matched with a Torium 16HG. While the rod had plenty of grunt I have to say it was never one of my favourites. The grips pick up dirt and are very hard to clean and the bindings didn't stay pristine for very long at all. I lost a bit of faith when I saw my mate with a lighter version snap while soft baiting. (no fish on) I'd considered getting rid of it until a couple of weeks ago in very shallow water a ray zigged when I thought it was going to zag. Tight drag, big bend, may have touched the boat and snap. I didn't bother taking it back due to age and the fact I may have let it touch the boat. Cheaper models will take more punishment. Like my Shimano gear so bought 10-15 Carbolite.

Not up to scratch – Bought the extra heavy spinning model 40-100lb for a trip to great barrier reef chasing GTs, matched the rod with a new Penn slammer 3 with 80lb fins braid. First thing that annoyed me was the crap reel seat that when fully unscrewed could barely fit the slammer reel. Second thing was the reel seat would not stay tight when using the road for casting and would consistently need tightening.

Finally hooked up to my first decent sized GT and mid fight.... snap ! .... rod broke about 100mm above top grip. Wasn't high sticking the rod or putting more pressure than it should be able to handle either, personally think it had a fault in the blank.

Fish was still landed thanks to a mate helping me out. And rod was store credited under warranty.

Reel Seat let go – Purchased a second hand Terez overhead earlier this year which seemed to be in excellent condition. I put a Tyrnos 30 on it and was half way through spooling it up when I noticed the reel was starting to twist a little bit on the rod. By the time I had finished the reel seat had fully let go and the reel would twist around completely. The rod is in for repair now and I can't complain as it was second hand, however I was wondering if this was a common problem with Terez's? It was not something I had experienced before and I was surprised that this happened to a supposedly 'high end rod'.

One thing really really let this rod down – I went to a BCF open night and where they had 20% off all fishing. Since buying a nice Stradic 5000FJ I was in the market for a better rod than what I have and looked at the Terez range, due to the factor that they were white and had good review's - if the reviewers were paid its unsure? The one particular rod the 'Terez Spin 7' Med-Hvy (Fast) TZC70MHPW))' which I had in my hand suited the 5000FJ Stradic perfectly and was literally sold on the guides, rod action and taper and fit and finish of the working end.

The biggest thing that I look at on any rod is the reel seat - if it doesnt fit or work well I move on! Most Shimano rods in their range have Fuji seats, this evident on the Raider, the Nano and other rods. I've seen that the BCF rebadged specials "Nano's" have painted fuji seats. However this Terez in particular had a reel seat that was poorer quality than that what would be found on a Shimano SSV (and not even the SSV V2)... I own the SSV V2 and it holds a Sustain 5000FG perfectly - a little less solidly than most fuji seats.

I was very disappointed with the seat and that I put the rod down in favour of sticking with the rod that I had which is a Shimano Bluewater Graphite, which funnily enough has a Fuji seat and Fuji Alconite guides as standard - but the length and taper of the rod is not suitable for my more finesse applications but will have to do.

I just couldn't believe that for what Shimano was offering up top was not matched down below where the business end really counts, I mean a flimsy graphite reel seat with a forward screw hood that flexed badly Fuji K Guides and fit & finish on upper parts of the rod. Reel seat was beyond poor measure for such a expensive rod. Bit like putting steel wheels on a Ferrari.