Favorite Black Swan 852M 6-24g Review.

Favorite Black Swan 852M 6-24g Review.

The Black Swan and why I chose this rod for my estuary and future creature bait fishing sessions.

So I started to research into a rod that would be suitable; 8' to 8'6" was the kind of length I was looking for, and I wanted to be able to cast a lure up to 20g with a bit extra if needed. I found a few makes and models, then proceeded to ask in my Facebook Group here and some other groups I was in. I received a lot of replies with a few different makes and models, but a certain make kept being mentioned: The Favorite Black Swan.

Who are Favorite Fishing and what is the Black Swan? I used their descriptions from their website here to best explain. Favorite is an international manufacturer of fishing tackle with headquarters in Ukraine, the USA, and Japan, as well as manufacturing facilities in East Asia. Established in 2006 by professional anglers and sportsmen, the Black Swan is the lightest, finest, and most sensitive rod among the range of Favorite rods. The Black Swan, with its simplicity and functionality, features a black, matte design with a subtle logo and a straight handle that does not distract from the quality and experience of using the rod. At the same time, it distinguishes itself from all others on the market. The blanks are made according to a similar concept as in modern Japanese fishing rods for mackerel (aji) and squid (eji). Incredibly "dry" and flexible, they allow you to cast the bait accurately and very far – without giving the fish a chance to escape. Famous Ukrainian angler and world champion in shore spinning – Nazar Bozhenko took part in the development of Black Swan rods. All models have a clear specialization. The Black Swan series allows anyone who loves finesse fishing to create a perfect set.

With all these specifications, top recommendations, and a RRP of £269.99, this sounded like a hell of a rod for the price. There was only one way to find out: go and see one. I gave Dom a message from Lowen-Chy Angling in St Austell to see if he had one in stock. He had just sold one that day and said he was selling loads, another indicator that this rod was something special. He said he could get one for me, but they were very limited, so I took a chance and told him to grab one. A couple of days later it came, and I took a trip down to have a wiggle and buy it. You put one in your hand, and straight away you know it's something special. And back I came with it, and unpacked it. It comes in a nice black triangle tube for protection with the Black Swan and Favorite logo, and a nice grey felt feeling cloth bag with the Favorite logo.

When I picked up my Black Swan, I took my Shimano Stradic 4000XG reel to try it on. Although I could have fished with it, it just felt a little heavy with such a light rod at 97g. So, I got myself a Shimano Vanford FA 3000 HD reel at 180g, making a total weight of 277g plus braid. This was a light setup and perfectly balanced for me.

It was time to try this set up out, i had a couple of hours in the mid week so popped to a new venue just to try out, i managed a couple of very small schoolies and got use to the rod with its exceptional lightness to what i was use too. The following saturday came and was ready to have another go, the evening before i had a message from Matt at bassluresuk.com to come and join him for a session, a offer i couldn't refuse. I got there at first light, set up and waded into the water, Matt had already been fishing in the dark for an hour and his first words you have missed the fun. He had had a few on surface lures, expecting i had missed my chance i put on a Espetit 95mm White and Flash, and started fishing, 3 casts and bang a decent fish smashed my lure of the surface and the Black Swan arched over, i got this fish under control and brought close in and Matt netted if for me, this was a decent fish and on the measure a new PB of 62cm for me, the black Swan was christened in style.

Looking to the future, using this rod, it will come into play much more in late autumn and into winter when the baitfish have moved off, and the bass, which stay in the estuaries and some shore marks, turn their attention to crabs lying in the bladderwrack, waiting to ambush them. However, they are sometime fooled instead by our creature baits—something I haven't done a lot with and have much more to learn.

Conclusion...

So how good is the Black Swan? Well, it seems to be very popular with a lot of bass lure anglers. They are not easy to get hold of; when I got mine, it was difficult to find. When you look on the Favorite website here, there are twenty-four different models available in different lengths, actions, and casting weights. In the length I have, the 8'5", there are four models: the 852M (6-24g), the 852MH (10-36g), and the 852H (16-56g), which are the three most popular options. If you want a longer rod, they have the 9' and 9'8" versions in the same weight models. Of course, there are shorter models too. Favorite has catered to all types of angling with this rod, and one reason it is very popular is the RRP of £269.99, which means you are getting a serious piece of fishing rod for your money—a worthy investment for you. Check out their Black Swans on the Favorite website here. If you live in Cornwall, give Dom a call at Lowen-Chy and go in for a wiggle and a cuppa like I did.

On another note, if the Black Swan is a bit above your budget, take a look at the Favorite Totem range here. At a RRP of £169.99, they are £100 less than the Black Swan. I did have a wiggle with one Totem 852M 6-24g; it has a softer tip compared to the Black Swan, and several anglers are buying them as you are almost getting the same specification for £100. Was I tempted? No, as a very well-known angler who has tested both rods told me when I asked him, "The Black Swan, there is something special about this rod." Thanks, Henry.