b"Tested Balzer Magna Nordic ComboBalzer is a German brand enteringany issues when I was playing the local market with reputablefish. It does have X-flock for design and engineering. the bottom grip and a silver metal cap on the very end.EFFORTLESS CASTINGThe rod has a generous 10 guides which is more than other rods for the same purpose (I count 7 on my old rock rod), the line is kept close to the blank which can reduce stress when under heavy load.These design differences - the lower set first guide and 10 guides, are to match the rods action which is extremely fast and parabolic. At first, I thought the rod was overrated for its stated lure/sinker weight of 180gm. I was fishing 20lb braid on the Nordic Balzer reel and my first expedition off the beach with a 3oz BOS sinker. I gave it a tentative flick because it felt somewhat soft, but it cast the gear a Balzer Magnadecent distance.Other casting rods have strong mid-sections that kick in, but this rod is designed Nordic Combodifferently and keeps bending to the lower section. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I found it could cast cut pilchard baits a country mile and I was for land-based quite impressed.On the next mission at Tawharanui Regional Park I got to tangle with some snapper. The fish were only fat legal pannies, however I was fishing very shallow country You may not have heard of Balzer before - it is a German brand thatand had to muscle them out is bringing its European fishing products into the local market.of the rough on numerous occasions. The rod performed BY SCOTT CUSHMAN very well and once you got used to how much it bent, it T hey are a long- makes it even more versatileto me in a few ways. Firstly,had plenty of power to strong-arm snapper through the weed. established companyfor walking through the roughyou will notice it is quite aI could have pushed it harder if in Germany, goingor remote locations to targetslim blank and its first guideI had been using stronger line.back to 1949. I wasdecent sized snapper andis placed close to the reelThe weight rating is 180gm, recently handed thetrevally, even small to mediumcompared to most other 10ftbut the rod doesnt have a Balzer Magna Nordicsized kingfish. Its made ofrods on the market. Secondly,recommended line rating. I NEO Pier Rod (and matching36-ton carbon and while it isit has no foam grips above orwould estimate it's a 6-12.5kg reel), to put it through its pacesa light rod it is not light weightbelow the reel seat which is a(15-25lb) line rated rod and and see what kind of beast itin the fishing department. Thefirst for any rod Ive handled.you could fish 30lb if you was for land-based missions. rod is bright orange, so youThe upside to this is no smellywanted to. I even brought A 10ft rod is a great lengthwon't accidentally leave a piecefish slime stuck on the grip,along a 100gm stick bait for fishing the east coastlying around on the rocks atthe possible downside maybeto try and found it cast it and some west coast ledges.the end of the day. slippery bait smeared handswell and worked the lure Packing down to 3 piecesThis rods design stood outslipping although I didnt havequite convincingly.88FISHING IN GODZONE SUMMER ISSUE #48"