Brian Skoyles says...
At the time I was first shown the Basia, my reels of choice were the Infinity X BR, I had used them for a couple of years and they had never let me down. For real extreme fishing they would still be my number one choice, built to handle any angling situation you could throw at them. So if I’m honest when I first picked up the Basia I was immediately impressed with its lightness (it only weighs 17.8 oz), and at the same time concerned that it would not be up to the range of angling I wanted to use it for. It looked as if it would be brilliant for close in/medium range work, but would it handle the long range, big lead, big chuck situations?

Two years on, the answer is a big YES! I’ve really given my Basia’s a good workout. They have been used in a wide range of angling situations from a gentle underhand swing, to rowing baits out to extreme ranges. Because they are very light for big pit style reels they really suit me, I’m not by inclination a big hitter, a bit of a wimp really, so I can move the lighter reel through the air much easier. I thought it would take me a while to get used to not having the BR mechanism of the Infinity reel but that has not been the case, and I like the versatility of the Quick Drag system, combining free spool and clutch versatility easily.

I like fishing my rods low to the ground. Over sand or fine gravel this can cause reels a problem particularly after heavy rain, when you get a bounce up of fine sand/grit that can get into the clutch system. The Basia is no different in this respect, but it is so easy to just spin off the front drag knob, wipe any grit out, check the back of the drag knob, returning the clutch system to it’s usual silky smoothness. (see pics)

For precision casting the spool has a line clip (pic ... ultra safe line clip) that you can use with confidence, no danger of line damage, and if its long casting you want the line lay on the long spool is superb (pic ... line lay).

If you haven’t guessed it, I really like the Tournament Basia.

As an “old timer” … well that’s what the rest of my family call me! I can remember the era of ultra fast taper rods that you struggled to hold comfortably at the butt, because the diameter was so large. I’m not a rod designer, but based on many years experience, I know what I want a rod to do. Which is basically cast what I want to cast, to where it needs to go …. with a bit to spare. I think the bit to spare is important, as you can concentrate on accuracy, rather than the next hernia.

The Infinity Magnum combines the fast taper principle and modern material technology to take the rods design to a new level. I think the greatest compliment I can pay the Infinity magnum is that I would have a set, even if I had to pay for them... yes, they are that good!  To me they feel right. There is a balance of power in the butt section, combined with a responsive tip that that makes playing fish a pleasure, rather than a nerve racking experience. I am happy punching big leads and PVA bags hard, but I’m also comfortable playing big fish in the margins. I have had cats to 60lb plus and carp to 50lb plus on my 2.75 TC Magnums. They have coped easily, and the 2.75 TC is the least powerful in the range... that’ll do me. I like the understated cosmetics and fittings, overall the rod just looks and feels right. I cannot fault them.