ESP Paragon Carp Rod Review

This entry was posted on 2nd October, 2014

Reviewed by Carpology Magazine…

ESP Paragon Carp Rod Review

Over the decades there haven’t really been that many rods that could lay claim to true iconic greatness. The ESP Paragon, though, is one of them. In 2006 it blew everything in its price bracket into the weeds – it was good looking, extremely well made and it was both a brilliant casting and playing rod.

It’s taken a full seven years, but ESP has finally given the world a successor to that legendary rod and, once again, it’s sub-£100, but what’s even more remarkable than that price point is the 12ft 2.75lb TC model is only £10 more than it was back in 2006! The Paragon Plus rod range, as it’s officially known, goes on-sale in the UK this month and it hasn’t sullied the name of that sensational ancestor, the Paragon, one tiny bit.



Like the original 2006 model, there’s more to the Paragon than its stunning price and looks. Granted, you’d never tire of knowing a set of three top-end rods cost you as little as £210, but what’s even more impressive with this new range is the finish and feel.

For starters, the ‘Plus’ is built on a multi modulus carbon blank and comes finished in an attractive gloss finish. The colour scheme is low-key black throughout with a nice old school red tippet to the line clip whopping above the reel seat. Elsewhere on the rod, ESP have equipped it with an ergonomic reel set, full-length shrink rubber handle which has a charmingly flared casting grip and SiC guides throughout. There is of course the obligatory ESP moulded line clip on all models (apart from the Spod and Marker rods) and they come in the usual ESP test curves: 2.75, 3.00 and 3.25lb (all in 12ft), along with a 3.5lb Marker Rod and 4.5lb Spod Rod.

Another nice addition to this new collection are the guides. All the rods apart from the softish 2.75lb TC have 50mm ringing for reduced friction and improved distance casting.

In terms of beauty, they’ve won our hearts. They simply look incredible – in fact, they’re so eye-wateringly-pleasing we’re convinced someone in accounts at ESP has made a major balls-up with the retail price. But whilst they look great, how do they perform? ESP’s are renowned for making quite soft rods but do the Paragon Plus’s break that heritage? We’ve been using them for the past three weeks and here’s what we found…



How we found them…

ESP Paragon 2.75lb Carp Rod The 2.75lb TC model is the softest rod in the range, and as you’d expect from a light test curved (by today’s standards) rod it’s both well balanced for fish playing and feel. Compared to two other 2.75lb rods within the Plus’s price bracket, it seems as though the Paragon is slightly softer, so ESP have kept with their tradition. It’s the perfect rod, as ESP state, for short- to medium-range work – and we’d say there’s an enough power to cast a 2.5oz lead 80 to 90yds.

ESP Paragon 3lb Carp Rod Next up is the 3lb TC model which comes gunned with a 50mm butt ring which just completes the look. For the limited difference in performance between this model and the lighter 2.75lb, we’d recommend this, the 3lb option. It’s still feels great at close quarters but there’s definitely a tad more back-bone to the blank so you can cast slightly longer distances – i.e. up to and just over 100yds and you can also properly cast not ‘generally lob’ larger PVA bags and loaded Method feeders. And lets not forget that 50mm butt ring – that combined with the extra performance is well worth the extra £10 all day long!

ESP Paragon 3.25lb Carp Rod Finally, completing the range of three is the 3.25lb TC which is the collection’s out-and-out long-range casting rod. What’s slightly more important here is the rod’s ability to handle large leads (3.5oz and upwards), along with big PVA bags and Methods feeders. If you fish small venues where casts over 50yds are a rarity, then opt for either of the two lighter models, but should you think you’ll find yourself at a venue where a longer cast is required or you’ll be using a large bag or feeder, then go for this model. At £89.95, it’s not only a thing of beauty but combines casting and playing excellence.

As all-round carp rods – both visually and physically – they’re spectacularly good. And echoing the words of Jeremy Clarkson whilst he reviewed the Audi R8 V10, the Paragon Plus’s are like Scarlett Johansson’s lips or the roof of Paddington Station: absolutely faultless. My God they’re good (insert the editor licking of the blank…)!



Completing the family...

ESP Paragon Marker Rod 12’ 3½lb Oxford-based ESP have been pushing the rod-transmitting technology boundaries for over half-a-decade and this new Marker Rod is probably their best yet in our eyes. Made from a special carbon blank that is exceptionally rigid to magnify and transmit vibration from the lead all the way back to your hands, as well as offering exceptional long-range casting performance.

It comes complete with SiC guides with a 50mm ring set to optimise achievable casting distances plus a 1ft (30cm) depth marker and match ergonomic reel seat and full-length shrink rubber handle like the actual fishing rods.

ESP Paragon Spod Rod 12’ 4½lb There aren’t many ways to improve a classic like ESP Paragon Spod Rod, but it’s been done. The brand’s produced a rod that’s comfortable and well-balanced for long periods of use during the repetitive spodding process.

With its 4.5lb TC and progressive action, the tip is soft enough to be compressed with a medium-sized spod, resulting in excellent and consistent accuracy whilst the power-packed butt helps deliver excellent long distance casts. For optimum distance performance, spods of around 6-8oz are best whilst heavier loads can be delivered easily and accurately at short- to medium-range.

Once again, the Spod Rod comes complete with the same fixtures and fittings as the Marker and actual fishing rods.

Buy The ESP Paragon Carp Rods