If you’ve been following the Apia grapevine this week you’ll have read comprehensive reviews of each spinning model from the incredible, new Apia Foojin’RS range of rods. I know it’s been a difficult task for both Henry Gilbey and I to portray exactly how each of these quite unique rods feel to fish with. We’ve been saying it all week – and this is no sales pitch – but they just feel different to other rods. And it’s in a good way too.

However, in spite of our best efforts I know from experience that loads of people will still be unsure which rod to go for. Faced with five positively gleaming reviews for five unique but equally capable lure rods, you’re a bit spoiled for choice and this can make things really hard. But I guess – as lure anglers – we love to obsess, analyse and pick through the finer details before making the perfect purchase?! Far from wanting to spoil your fun, this article will hopefully save you some time and clear any brain fuzz.

These are of course only my personal feelings about each rod in the range – and Henry or any of the lucky – existing users may have their own. But I hope it helps.

Purchase any rod from the Foojin’RS range by clicking here

Apia Foojin’RS Springer 88ML (3-32g) – £379.99

Apia Foojin'RS Springer 88

As the lightest rod in the ‘RS range, your options are easier here. Capable with any lure in its 32g rating (the hidden power is deceiving) it’s a rod I would purchase if fishing a lot of calmer conditions on the coast or estuaries, with a mixture of lures – all soft, metal or diving lures. There are better rods with out there for a surface lure but it will fish them with ease. If you are fishing lures of typically less than 20g (though it will handle more) or just don’t want to go over 9’ in length, the Springer is the rod for you. The easy to use nature of the Springer is something else!

Read the full review (by Ben Field) HERE.

Apia Foojin’RS Vivogue 96ML+ (6-38g) – £389.99

The first of the tricky decisions. Likely the most unique bass rod you’ll have had the pleasure of fishing. The Vivogue has a lighter tip than the Lynx 93M (below) while sharing a decent amount of power in the butt. Slightly more progressive due to the lighter maximum casting weight and additional length. Seamlessly blends sensitivity with power – think “power finesse” – for those times when you like some power but don’t want to fish heavy. The perfect rod with so many lures, but especially brilliant with OSP DoLive Sticks, Gravity Sticks and all of those wonderful weedless soft plastics. In a way this rod is a combination of Springer and Lynx – the ML+ rating hints at that. You’d pick the Springer for calmer conditions concentrating on the light stuff, but the Vivogue steps in when you need more reach or lower end power. The additional grunt makes it a more capable rod on the open coast but it’ll make a robust and easy estuary rod too. Think “light lure, big fish” as well. Success with surface lures over 20g may depend on your retrieval technique but like all the ‘RS rods, will fish any lure type happily. I’d buy the Vivogue if I were fishing mostly under 25g (again, any lure type), while occasionally needing to go to 30 or 35g (easily does it – but I’d step to the Sky High 99M if regularly fishing heavier).

Read the full review (by Henry Gilbey) HERE.

Apia Foojin’RS Lynx 93M (6-42g) – £389.99

Apia Foojin'RS Lynx 93M Sun

The Lynx is comparable with the Vivogue and Sky High 99M. It may or may not be but the Lynx feels technically the fastest of the lot. I guess being packed in to a shorter package than the two other rods gives it a real feeling of being able to pack a punch. Stocky but quick. That power in the bottom part of the mid-section ensures it powers up really quickly which makes working a topwater lure so easy. Indeed, working any lure on this rod is so effortless. Though happy with lighter lures, I’d buy one if I were mostly fishing 15g+. The Springer and Vivogue step in for your lighter stuff.

Read the full review (by Ben Field) HERE.

Apia Foojin’RS Sky High 99M (8-42g) – £399.99

A real fly in the ointment. Probably my personal favourite for bass fishing here in north Cornwall. The ultimate plugging rod. Light and incredibly good with a smaller lure given the longer length. Though the tip is a mix of Lynx and Vivogue, the butt on the Sky High is actually slightly slimmer (Apia’s own stats on this aren’t correct) – providing a more parabolic action and maximum distance! It’s incredibly efficient, casting any lure further than any other rod in this class I’ve ever used! Beautiful to fish with and I even like it with a soft plastic. The ultimate longer, allrounder. Absolutely buy one over any of the range (or any other range) if you require maximum distance. It’s versatility means lure type isn’t important. Fish with metals or shads to 40g. Dropping to 18g the Sky High still outcasts every other rod in the range (tested). I’d buy the Sky High if I were mostly fishing diving plugs, metals, or swimming soft plastic shads. The Vivogue would be my choice for weedless/weightless plastics and any of those “power finesse” situations, whereas the Lynx would be chosen if topwaters were a priority.

Read the full review (by Henry Gilbey) HERE.

Apia Foojin’RS Desire 95MH (12-50g) – £399.99

Another rod to muddy your mind. The Desire is a step up in build from the rods previously mentioned. Equally capable with most lures across the weight ranges, it’s a rod that will fish every light bass lure you put on it, but also have the guts to go heavy. The build is more solid – with double leg, larger guides – but it’s no less easy to fish with. Immediately I thought of this rod for the people who fish large shads in rough conditions – lots of those around here. It will cast a 40g metal further than anything bar the Sky High – while still having some in reserve. 45g shads are not a problem on this rod. While I’d buy the Sky High for most “normal” rough conditions, the Desire goes a step beyond and will cope with any bass fishing situation you throw at it – light or heavy.

Read the full review (by Henry Gilbey) HERE.

Apia Foojin’RS Beluga 105MH (14-50g) – £409.99

Longest spinning rod in the ‘RS range. Similar to the Desire but actually a little more powerful. Again, it will fish a light lure, but in the case of the Beluga it’s just a bonus rather than priority. You’d not buy this one for anything but very rough conditions, heavier lures or maximum distance. Also (I’m sure) an incredible pollack rod for deep water jigging. The only casts I’ve made during testing that beat the Sky High for distance were with the Beluga – with heavier weights than the Sky High is capable of. I’d say capable of casting 5-10g more than the Desire.

While the below chart doesn’t show the whole story, I think it gives a rough idea of what weight each rod will cast and fish. The lighter green areas of possibility show where the lure type is most relevant.

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