Shimano Super Ultegra Match 390

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    • 02/11/2011 at 9:36 pm #49339

      TF_Abu 501
      Participant

        How do chaps. I’ve just bought this delightful rod and would like to know if anyone knows what it’s limits are? I intend to use it mainly on the rivers catching grayling and chub upto 4lb. But, with bigger fish a possibility would it be able to handle heavier lines and the odd rogue chub and barbel upto 6lb?

      • 02/11/2011 at 9:57 pm #150668

        TF_caster rob
        Participant

          Is it the FA or Response?

        • 02/11/2011 at 11:21 pm #150671

          TF_Abu 501
          Participant

            Is ‘Response’ the standard version? Only ‘Response’ or ‘FA’ can’t be seen on either the rod or the original cloth bag. The writing on the bag says, ‘SHIMANO SUPERULTEGRA MATCH’ and the box stating the rods ‘MODEL NO.’ has been stamped with ‘390’. If I had to guess I’d say it was the bog standard 390 version and not the FA.

            Edit: I’ve just done a bit of digging and noticed the Response may have been an earlier model with a blue blank. Mine’s the lovely burgundy SU Match 390 and hopefully there’s just the one model.

          • 03/11/2011 at 9:42 am #150681

            TF_JohnH

              Ihave the 14 foot fast action, the blue one. I would not fancy a 6lb barbel on the end!!
              The rod was bought for target species up to about 3lb chub on rivers.

            • 03/11/2011 at 6:02 pm #150714

              TF_caster rob
              Participant

                I’ve got the “blue” Ultegra 390 FA & Response rods.

                The FA is quite stiff and powerful in the middle and i’ve used it with 4lb line and had barbel over 7lb and chub over 5lb from the Wye on balsa floats and bread flake. It will handle these fine and is still quick and tippy enough for hitting dace bites.

                The Response will handle up to medium stick-float fishing and all-round waggler work on lines up to 3lb.

                The burgundy coloured Ultegra that Abu 501 has is, I believe, the successor to the blue model and though a nice rod, not as well-balanced IMO. This was a surprise as I’d used generations of Shimano float rods, including the earlier Twin-Power range, with each successive model being an improvement on the last.

                It was about this time that Shimano’s gear seemed to become more commercial orientated and I haven’t used any others since, apart from a barbel rod.

              • 03/11/2011 at 6:50 pm #150716

                TF_inky finger

                  I have to agree with caster rob the blue 390 response is far better than the next generation lighter and is better balanced. You may just be able to balance the second generation rod up if you put a big pit reel on the handle it was so tip heavy ! I was stunned at what they had done. I spent along time finding a suitable second similar rod for another setup. So for those looking for a light work float rod (0.16 – 0.6 dia) have a look at a drennan finesse it’s the dogs danglers. If you have a blue 390 in the garage the second hand price’s are terrifying, up there with original normark microlite 2000’s. etc.
                  Very excited about the ivan marks book ! if only i hadn’t lost/given away my old float collection.

                • 08/11/2011 at 3:17 am #150858

                  TF_Abu 501
                  Participant

                    Cheers chaps.

                    And there’s me thinking it was a top quality piece of kit.

                    inky finger wrote:
                    You may just be able to balance the second generation rod up if you put a big pit reel on the handle it was so tip heavy !

                    Good do. I knew my old and oft maligned 507 Mk2 would come in handy one day. I’ve had a play in the garden and the combo coupled with 5lb Ultima Flo Cast doesn’t feel half bad. I reckon it would take something pretty substantial to snap me off.

                    With the reel attached I can balance the rod on the tip of my finger at the base of the butt section where it meets the neoprene on the handle. It might not be perfect but it’ll do for me.

                  • 08/11/2011 at 6:32 pm #150891

                    TF_caster rob
                    Participant

                      @Abu 501 :”And there’s me thinking it was a top quality piece of kit.”

                      If you’re happy with it and it suits your style of angling then it will be a quality piece of kit.

                      The above are just personal opinions.

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