By Kevin Benton

Recently I managed to sight fish a nice sized flounder out of Hartlepool Marina using a Jackall Eggcast Toughy. Standing at only 3ft 6inches with a casting range of 1-7grams and brightly coloured, at first glance it looks like a kid’s rod, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Despite the obvious lack of reach they’re a fantastically versatile rod and can be lots of fun, as I found out one day whilst fishing around Hartlepool marina. After a few flounder had ignored my lure I gave up, thinking they weren’t feeding. I moved to a different area and turned my attention to fishing close to the wall below for long spined scorpion fish. With the short length of the rod this was really easy and I quickly felt a bite from a small fish. Just as I was putting the fish back, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, through the very clear marina water a bigger fish moved. It was a flounder. 

I quickly shifted along the wall so I was closer to it. Dropping my scented lure slowly through the water the fish rose to meet it about 2ft from the bottom, it engulfed the Ecogear Aqua Shirasu and it was hooked. I was really surprised with how well this small rod handled the fight of a decent sized flounder. It cushioned the runs from the feisty fish really well and after a small fight it was under control. With the fish tired and ready to net the rods lack of length made it a little bit of a struggle, but that is the only negative I came across. 

Of course not all of the fish we catch require netting, especially while fishing in rockpools for the smaller species. This is where the Eggcast’s length is perfect. The length of an LRF rod is normally between 5 and 8ft which sometimes makes fishing in rockpools, especially smaller ones, difficult and awkward. Being able to stand right over the pools comfortably is a big advantage and can make sight fishing a lot easier. I’ve used it in my home town of Hartlepool recently with some success, catching long spined scorpion fish, common blennies and butterfish. 

The rod isn’t as sensitive as longer rods and casting isn’t its greatest attribute but it’s very strong given its size. It’s a one piece rod and for £69.99 the quality is fantastic. I was lucky enough to buy mine brand new from someone that no longer wanted it. They can sometimes be difficult to source but Todber Manor fisheries sell them online. Having caught a big flounder and some smaller species with it, I’m very keen to try and catch some other species like mackerel and bass.