Penn Rampage II 20/30 Travel Rod

Aboard my charter boat AlyKat, based at Minehead in Somerset, I have a selection of Penn rods being used on a regular basis by both beginners and experienced anglers alike. One of the most popular is the Rampage II Boat.

It is an excellent choice for the general bottom fishing that is the mainstay of fishing around the Bristol Channel coastline. Described by Penn as a new generation of light but powerful rods, for use with braid or mono, the 24-ton carbon construction creates a thin diameter blank making it lighter and more ergonomic.

The Rampage II 20-30lb travel boat fits snugly into its 29 inch carry case.

Being made in four–pieces makes it very useful for stowing and transporting. As with any travel-type rod, the ferrules tend to give the rod a slightly stiffer action than a conventional two–piece version but this takes nothing away from the performance. The Rampage has a modern fast taper action with a supple tip to handle medium to heavy boat work with ease, giving the angler a feeling of being in control while retaining sensitive bite detection.

Of the rod’s fixtures, the aluminium screw-up fitting holds the reel firmlywhile the nine Fuji ‘O’ guides are smartly fitted with a classy finish. The EVA handle is strong and comes with a rubber butt cap for added comfort when hauling up large fish.

There are some cracking offers available and it is certainly a great all-rounder, as well as excellent value for money. Other models in the Rampage II Boat four-piece range include 12/20 and 30/50, while there are two-piece versions in 12lb, 20lb, 30lb and 50lb classes.