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Predator rods · Spinning rods · Our take
Savage Gear Custom Predator Spinning Rod
Fast Shad and 110g models covered; product code 50166 refers to the 110g model.
A sharp, fast-action predator rod range with quality carbon, tidy fittings and models for everything from small shads to seriously hefty lures.
- 8ft 6in / 260cm Fast Shad model with a 3–16g casting range.
- 110g model is 8ft 6in, rated up to 110g and weighs 198g.
- Two-section fast-action construction with Japanese Toray carbon blank.
- CCS SiN or SiN shooting guides, SG Tournament/Fuji Gold Label reel seat and AAAA cork handle.
Make sure it’s the right one. The Custom Predator Spinning Rod is a range rather than one single rod. Lengths and casting weights vary by model, so check the lure rating before buying. The facts here include the 8ft 6in Fast Shad and 110g versions.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A well-specced predator range with clear model choices and strong practical appeal.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9.1/10
- Performance9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.8/10
- Ease of Use8.9/10
- Value for Money8.6/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Lure anglers targeting perch, zander and lighter predators. The Fast Shad 3–16g model gives you a focused setup for smaller softbaits, jigs and compact hardbaits.
- Pike anglers fishing bigger lures from banks, boats or canals. The 110g version brings the casting headroom for substantial lures while keeping the rod weight down to 198g.
Maybe skip if
- Anglers who fish only tiny streams and cramped swims. An 8ft 6in rod can be awkward when you’re tucked under trees or flicking into tiny gaps.
- Anyone wanting one rod for every lure size. The range is model-specific. A 3–16g rod and a rod rated to 110g won’t cover the same job.
The lowdown
Introducing the Savage Gear Custom Predator Spinning Rod
A sharp, fast-action predator rod range with quality carbon, tidy fittings and models for everything from small shads to seriously hefty lures.
- 8ft 6in / 260cm Fast Shad model with a 3–16g casting range.
- 110g model is 8ft 6in, rated up to 110g and weighs 198g.
- Two-section fast-action construction with Japanese Toray carbon blank.
- CCS SiN or SiN shooting guides, SG Tournament/Fuji Gold Label reel seat and AAAA cork handle.
Quick verdict
Verdict
This is a properly focused predator rod range, built around fast actions, responsive Japanese Toray carbon blanks and sensible two-section practicality. The 8ft 6in Fast Shad model covers lighter lure work, while the 110g version steps up for bigger pike baits and heavier presentations.
The 110g model looks especially handy if you want a fairly light, portable rod with enough backbone for chunky lures. It isn’t the answer for every predator job, but match the casting range to your fishing and it’s a cracking bit of kit.
A well-specced predator range with clear model choices and strong practical appeal.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9.1/10
- Performance
- 9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.8/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.9/10
- Value for Money
- 8.6/10
Toray carbon, quality guide and reel-seat options, AAAA cork and a supplied rod bag make for a strong package.
The fast action and model-specific casting ranges are well suited to crisp lure control and direct contact.
Better lure control and bite feedback can help you fish more accurately, especially with shads and hardbaits.
The two-section build, useful 8ft 6in length and 198g 110g model keep things manageable on the bank.
The component package and included bag look strong, although the right value depends on choosing the correct model for your lure work.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Savage Gear
Savage Gear Custom Predator Spinning Rod (this one)
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Savage Gear Custom Predator Spinning Rod
There’s no shortage of predator rods shouting about being fast, light and powerful. The Savage Gear Custom Predator Spinning Rod at least backs that chat up with a properly focused range, rather than trying to be all things to all anglers. You’ve got models for lighter shad work and heavier lure chucking, so the trick is picking the right one for your fishing.
The Fast Shad model is the nimble end of the family. At 8ft 6in, or 260cm, with a 3–16g casting range, it’s aimed at anglers fishing smaller softbaits, compact hardbaits, spinners and jigs. That’s a useful window for perch and zander work, plus lighter lure fishing when the predators are being a bit moody.
That length gives you decent control from the bank. You can steer a lure around weedbeds, drop-offs and the margins without needing a massive sweep of the arms. It should also help when you’re keeping a shad ticking just above the bottom, where a slack line can cost you a bite. Keep the rod high, stay in touch and you’re in the game.
At the other end is the 110g model, product code 50166. It’s also 8ft 6in, but it’s built for much heavier lure work, with a casting rating up to 110g. That puts it firmly into bigger pike baits, substantial soft plastics and chunky hardbaits territory. It’s the sort of rod you’d take when the lure box contains proper mouthfuls rather than tiny perch snacks.
The impressive bit is the stated 198g rod weight on that 110g model. Heavier lure fishing can soon turn into hard graft, especially when you’re covering water and making cast after cast. Keeping the rod light helps reduce that tired forearm feeling, so you can carry on searching likely spots instead of packing up when the action finally switches on.
Both models use a two-section, fast-action build around a Japanese Toray carbon blank. In plain English, that points towards a crisp, direct feel. Fast actions are handy when you’re giving a lure sharp lifts, feeling the bottom, or striking quickly into a pike that has followed right to your boots. There’s less of that soggy, delayed sensation you get from a really soft rod.
The fittings are nicely sorted too. The range uses CCS SiN or SiN shooting guides, along with an SG Tournament or Fuji Gold Label reel seat depending on the model. There’s an AAAA cork handle, which keeps the traditional hand feel, and a deluxe ready-to-fish rod bag comes in the deal. That’s dead handy if you’re jumping between swims or keeping the outfit protected in the car.
Transport is sensible on the 110g version. It breaks into two sections and packs down to 134cm, so it’s not a daft length to carry on public transport or sling in the boot. Just remember that the Fast Shad and 110g versions aren’t interchangeable jobs. Choose around the lures you actually throw most often, not the biggest bait sitting untouched in your box.
On the bank, the fast action should suit anglers who like to stay busy: fan-cast a swim, change retrieve, hop a shad, pause beside a reedbed, then move on. It’s a proper search-fishing tool rather than a soft, specialist deadbait rod. Pick the correct power, pair it with a suitable spinning reel and braid, and the Custom Predator range looks a bob-on route into more purposeful lure fishing.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Fast Shad length
- 8ft 6in / 260cm
- Fast Shad casting range
- 3–16g
- 110g model
- 8ft 6in; casting weight up to 110g
- 110g model weight
- 198g
- Construction
- Two-section, fast-action Japanese Toray carbon blank
- Components
- CCS SiN or SiN shooting guides, SG Tournament/Fuji Gold Label reel seat, AAAA cork handle; deluxe rod bag included
Specs checked with Savage Gear, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
The angle
The big appeal here is choice without losing the same predator-focused DNA. You can fish light shads and smaller hardbaits with the Fast Shad model, or move up to proper pike-sized lure work with the 110g version.
Fast actions suit anglers who like direct contact with the lure, crisp casting and a firm hit when a fish follows right to the boat or bank. That makes these rods a good fit for working jigs, shads, spinners and hardbaits where feel matters.
What you’re buying
A focused predator rod, not a vague all-rounder
The Custom Predator Spinning Rod range is built around fast actions and Japanese Toray carbon blanks. That combination should give you a direct connection to the lure, which is exactly what you want when hopping a shad over a hard bottom or controlling a hardbait through weed.
The Fast Shad model covers 3–16g, while the 110g model is designed for lures up to 110g. Both are 8ft 6in, but they’re very different tools. The lighter model is for more delicate predator work; the heavier one is for serious pike lure chucking.
Two sections make transport easier, with the 110g version packing down to 134cm. You also get CCS SiN or SiN shooting guides, an SG Tournament/Fuji Gold Label reel seat, AAAA cork and a deluxe rod bag.
Worth knowing. Don’t choose by length alone. The casting range matters far more. A light Fast Shad rod and an up-to-110g pike rod may share the same length, but they’re aimed at completely different lure boxes.
On the bank
Pick your model around your lure fishing
The Fast Shad is the one for anglers who enjoy lighter predator fishing. It suits small rivers, canals, reservoirs and stillwaters where perch and zander are the main targets, with enough length for bank control without becoming silly in a tight swim.
The 110g model is the more serious pike option. It gives you the headroom for big softbaits, glide-style lures and other heavier offerings, while the 198g rod weight keeps repeated casting from becoming a proper chore.
A fast action rewards positive lure work. Use short lifts, controlled pauses and firm contact with the bottom. When a fish hits, keep the line tight and use the rod’s crisp response rather than swinging wildly. Match it with a reel and braid that suit the lure weight and your leader setup.
Quick answers
The bits you’ll want cleared up
Not really, mate. The Fast Shad is a 3–16g rod, while the 110g model is for much heavier lures. Pick the one that matches most of your actual fishing. Overloading a light rod is asking for trouble, while using a heavy pike rod for tiny perch lures won’t feel much fun.
It’s a useful middle ground for bank and boat lure fishing. You get casting reach, line control and leverage around weed or margins, without stepping into an unwieldy long rod. In cramped little streams, though, something shorter may be less of a faff.
The Custom Predator Spinning Rod includes a deluxe ready-to-fish rod bag. That’s useful for keeping the sections together, protecting the blank between swims and avoiding a load of unnecessary clattering in the car.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Fast action gives crisp lure control and direct bite feedback.
- Useful model range, from 3–16g Fast Shad work to lures up to 110g.
- Quality-looking components, including Toray carbon and Fuji Gold Label reel-seat options.
- 110g model weighs just 198g and packs down to 134cm.
- Deluxe ready-to-fish rod bag is included.
Worth knowing
- You need to choose the model carefully; the Fast Shad and 110g versions are aimed at very different lure weights.
- A fast action can feel a bit unforgiving for anglers who prefer a softer, more forgiving blank.
- The 8ft 6in length may feel more rod than you need for tight little streams or cramped snaggy margins.
Want one?
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01Which Savage Gear Custom Predator model is best for lighter lure fishing?
Which Savage Gear Custom Predator model is best for lighter lure fishing?
The Fast Shad model is the obvious pick, with an 8ft 6in length and a 3–16g casting range. It suits smaller shads, jigs, spinners and compact hardbaits for perch, zander and lighter predator work.
02Is the 110g model suitable for pike fishing?
Is the 110g model suitable for pike fishing?
Yes, that’s where it makes most sense. With a casting rating up to 110g, it’s aimed at heavier pike lures and bigger softbaits. Match your reel, braid, leader and lure size sensibly rather than treating the rating as a target every cast.
03Is the Savage Gear Custom Predator Spinning Rod easy to transport?
Is the Savage Gear Custom Predator Spinning Rod easy to transport?
The 110g model is a two-section rod with a 134cm transport length, and it comes with a deluxe ready-to-fish rod bag. That makes it much less of a faff getting to the water or stowing it in the car.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: verdict. The strongest reasons to choose it are fast action gives crisp lure control and direct bite feedback. and useful model range, from 3–16g fast shad work to lures up to 110g.; the main trade-off is you need to choose the model carefully; the fast shad and 110g versions are aimed at very different lure weights..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Fast action gives crisp lure control and direct bite feedback.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Lure anglers targeting perch, zander and lighter predators: The Fast Shad 3–16g model gives you a focused setup for smaller softbaits, jigs and compact hardbaits.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “You need to choose the model carefully; the Fast Shad and 110g versions are aimed at very different lure weights.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Savage Gear Custom Predator Spinning Rod
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Owner reports
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