NFC 702 HM, the ultimate ML kayak rod!

A KAYAK ML ROD? TRY THE NFC 702HM EXPERIENCE

Presentation of the blank

Fishing for a few years in a kayak, I was looking for the perfect rod for scratching with LS and TP combos between 7 and 25 grams. It also needed to perform well for light vertical fishing with jigs and LS from 9 to 25 grams. These ranges account for 80% of my fishing, so I was looking for a resonant rod with a good reserve of ML power. A reference from North Fork Composites particularly jumped out at me: the NFC MB 702 HM.

A 7' blank (2.13m) with 14.65mm at the butt and 1.8mm at the tip, a fast but progressive action in pure NFC style. Once I'd made my choice and completed the Assembly, the first thing that struck me was how perfectly balanced the rod was. Fitted with Torzite guides and a short butt split grip, the rod is naturally balanced with a size 2500 reel. With the bare blank weighing just 44 grams, the final sensation of lightness is overwhelming. This comfort is a significant advantage for a Kayak rod, facilitating sessions lasting several hours, especially when seated! The rodbuilding allows you to mount your handle as you wish. For a Kayak rod, the short butt is de rigueur!

Bottom bouncing / Scratch fishing

This blank is right in the niche I wanted. It already loads very well from 5 grams of TP on 4-inch LS. The casts follow one another with precision, and in minimalist animation the contact with the lure is perfect. The same is true for 7 to 10 gram TP on 3 to 4 inch shads. Example of lures tested on scratch and on the fly. Shad impact 4 and 5 inches, Slit Shad 4', BM 90 and 120 ... In terms of sensitivity, we're talking top-of-the-range. The slightest algae stuck in front of the TP is felt. You know immediately whether your lure is fishing or not, there's no room for doubt.

VERTICAL FISHING

In Vertical, on jigs from 9 to.... 40grs, no problémo. Having also tested 7gr micro jigs, I was surprised by the very good contact with the lure.

The fine, sensitive tip of this NFC MB 702 makes it possible to play in these low weights even if this is not its core business (rather that of the EFX 703). Small, discreet taps from bottom fish (small Red bream / Porgy, ...) are straightforward and well relayed.

On LS, it easily takes 40-gram combos. A Blackminnow 120 with a TP of 25 goes very well. I also use the BM90 with 10 grams of TP, a real treat for overhanging kayak fishing in 10 meters of water.

Example of lures tested in Vertical: Tokon 9/20/30 g, Metalspot 7 g, BM 90 and 120, Fiiish powertail .

And surface fishing in all this?

Surface lures also ship at a good distance. Although this blank is more of a "soft lure", I have no trouble animating a Sammy or an Asturie 120. Is this the perfect Kayak rod for my program? I think so. Its versatility and lightness are an incredible asset in kayak. With this kayak rod, you'll get a kick out of fish up to 40 and if a big chub should strike your lure, you'll have everything you need to defend yourself! The very playful tip bends quickly, which will tire the fish out while giving you great sensations. But behind it, the power reserve is enormous! At a time when kayak fishing is tending more and more towards multi-species, this MB 702 HM is an excellent alternative for carrying just one rod on your kayaks!