When I purchased the Hart Bloody Epitaph 2 and Hart No3 reel, I had initially intended to review them together, but I was so impressed with each of them I thought that they both deserved independent reviews on their own.
The Epitaph is described by Hart as a “One piece supertechnical rod with highly sensitive top section and plenty of power reserve in the heel. Ideal for sensitive fishing styles both in salt and freshwater.”
In the UK, until recently, longer lure rods (rods over 10ft) were more common than shorter lure rods (under 8ft). Long lure rods have to be two-piece construction for obvious reasons, but as the Epitaph 2 (and indeed it’s sister rod the Epitaph 1) are under 7ft, there’s absolutely zero benefits to making this a two section rod. A rod of 7ft can be left rigged up, ready to go; it fits through the car easily, and because it is of a one-piece construction, it has one less ‘weak spot’ and therefore it is stronger. And on the subject of length, lure fishing is supposed to be a mobile, roving game where you travel light. At 2.10m the Epitaph 2 fits the bill perfectly.
The Epitaph is labeled as a “Supertechnical’ rod. This means that Hart have developed this rod to cover more than one technique. With its highly sensitive tip and powerful mid section, the Epitaph 2 has been designed for surface fishing with big poppers as well as fishing with weighted soft plastics up to one and a half ounces. And because of it’s powerful medium to fast action, it is also capable of Vertical Jigging with lures up to 80g, too.
I’ve been using the Epitaph 2 since February this year, and just like the Hart No3 reel, the first thing that I like about the Epitaph (and indeed all the Hart gear I’ve seen to date) is their quality to price ratio – top quality products that are not too painful on the pocket, yet it’s clear that no expense has been spared in construction. The Epitaph 2 has a top of the range, custom, Fuji gold label reel seat and Fuji SIC guides throughout and the finish of this rod has to be seen to be believed – again, no expense spared even in the smallest of details.
I have used the Epitaph 2 for all my freshwater and saltwater fishing with large lures for the last eight months with zero problems, but the best test I have put it through was on my recent trip to Ireland, when Baltimore Skipper, Nick Dent offered to take us out to the Fastnet light for a spot of light-tackle deep water jigging. Rigorously put through its paces on that trip it happily coped with weighted soft plastics from 25-60g in 80-140ft of water over an unforgiving reef! And landed ling to 20lb, cod and pollack well into double figures and coped with some serious snag-ups (which would have probably seen any two piece rod break) with ease! The Hart Bloody Epitaph 2 has clearly been designed to “kill it” with big poppers and heavy softbaits! For your interest, the name Epitaph means a funeral oration, like an inscription tombstone or plaque. This makes a lot of sense…
The Hart Bloody Epitaph 2 – R.I.P. any fish that comes before it!
My view: I loved the Epitaph 2 and was so impressed with it’s construction, build and finish that I’ve since got myself a Hart Bloody Finezza Hedge 7-28g (review coming soon!) to use with lighter lures, less than 14g. What impressed me even more is that the cost of both these rods – the Epitaph 2 and the Finezza together – are cheaper than some other lure rods on the market on their own!
Once again an awesome, value for money, bit of Kit from Hart!
The Hart Bloody Epitaph 2
- One Piece Supertechnical Rod
- Designed for large surface baits and weighted Soft Plastics
- Length 2.10m (6’ 8”)
- Casting weight 14-40g
- Heavy Medium/Fast action
- Suitable for Vertical Jigging with lures up to 80g
- Also available the Hart Bloody Epitaph 1 (2.00m 10-30g)
HART fishing is owned by Spanish tackle giants, Evia with distribution in the UK handled by top tackle company, TronixPro.
Cost £195.00
Available from TronixPro Stockists. For more information visit the TronixPro web site.
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