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Preston Innovations Supera X Distance Feeder rod review
Dan Webb discovers why he may begrudgingly have to retire his beloved Distance Master rods.
from Preston Innovations
RRP £269.99
by Dan Webb |
Updated on3rd December 2025 at 6.40am
Preston Supera X Distance Feeder Rod
Daiwa Tournament SLR
Guru N-Gauge Pro Distance Feeder Rod
Matrix Aquos Ultra-XD Distance Feeder Rod
Although I found it a little shocking when it happened, I should really have seen it coming.
First came the Preston Innovations Supera X, followed by the Supera X Superlight – so it should have been all too obvious that my beloved Preston Distance Master rods were soon to be replaced.
I know I’m not the only one either. My boss, Tackle Editor Mark Sawyer, is also a big fan of the Distance Master – a high-end distance feeder rod with a surprisingly soft action and a sensationally readable set of tips.
In fact, we love them both so much, we gave them an almost unheard-of retrospective second review in January of last year.
There is, of course, no point in looking back. The Supera X Distance rods are now here and, after having now seen them and used one of them, I have to admit they are a positive step forward.
We are now at a point in time where we are no longer trying to make rods that cast further. There is now a whole host of rods on the market capable of casting over 100m, which is more than enough. Yes, we could start importing some of the beefier European models and start making 100g Method feeders to gain distance, but until we stock Rutland Water with coarse fish, or choose a county to flood, we simply don’t have the waters big enough to require such a cast.
This is why distance rods are improving in other ways. They are becoming lighter, slimmer, better actioned and, perhaps equally importantly, more enjoyable to use.
This is exactly what I found with the Supera X Distance models. Still possessing the large guides required for hitting huge distances, they are thinner and lighter, and fitted to a more subtle-feeling blank, than the Distance Master. The tips are even better too, as Preston has managed to produce lighter 1oz and 1.5oz versions.
Let that sink in for a minute… 1oz and 1.5oz tips on rods designed for casting from 50m to 100m-plus! Producing tips that soft for a distance rod should result in their being smashed to bits on the cast but, by getting the taper and recovery just right, Preston has made it possible.
You will have to be careful with them, of course, but the experienced distance caster with a smooth yet powerful technique will be able to use these tips to great effect, especially when faced with shy-biting fish at long range.
Another thing that is changing with distance rods is that they are getting shorter. Many anglers find casting and compressing a lengthy rod difficult. In many previous ranges of rod, the 13ft model is the ‘bream rod’ – that first stepping stone into distance fishing, ideal for casts from around 55m to 70m.
In my opinion, that rod is the shorter 3.8m/12ft 6" model in the Supera X Distance range. Although rated at 80g, I think this is a little understated, as it felt more like a 100g blank to me.
Verdict
The rod I fished with on the day, however, was the 4.0m/13ft 2" model. Although light and manageable, my God can it cast! The carrier section and beautifully blended tips give the impression that this is a pussycat of a rod, but in reality, it’s a feral tiger just waiting to be goaded into an almighty cast! The power in the mid and lower sections is staggering. I fished at 60m with conventional feeder tactics, which I think is the minimum distance I would want to use this rod at.
I’m sure it would put a window or Method feeder over 100m without a problem. As for the 4.2m, 13ft 10" model, well, if you are buying one of these then you must be planning on priming a line on the dark side of the moon! I think I’d only recommend this rod to the angler who has made it their business to fish at the most serious of ranges.
Although placing a feeder in the correct place is the most important thing for a rod to do, the tips and fish-playing action take a close second. As already mentioned, the tips are forgiving and easily readable, and I was able to pick out the bites from the liners and actions of the waves with no issues.
The soft carrier section has enough action to play the fish, and the middle, although amazingly powerful, feels quite subtle – an illusion created by the stripped-back guides and thin blank.
So, would I buy one? This would be a definite ‘yes’, if it wasn’t due to the fact that I already have a collection of three Distance Masters.
I just need to make sure that I don’t ‘accidentally’ shut the van door on them as an excuse to upgrade!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS PRODUCT AND OTHERS FROM PRESTON INNOVATIONS HERE.
Tech Spec
- All rods utilise X Wrap blank technology, for lighter, slimmer blanks
- High quality thin and light American Tackle distance guides used throughout
- EVA/cork flat handles
- Fuji reel seats
- Supplied with three tips
- Available in 3.6m 80g (11ft 10"), 3.8m 80g (12ft 6"), 4m 100g (13ft 2") and 4.2m 120g (13ft 10") lengths
- Spare and additional 1oz, 1.5oz, 2oz, 3oz and 4oz tips available separately
Preston Supera X Distance Feeder Rod
Expert rating:
4.0
Price: from £269.99
Replacing the much-loved Distance Master, the Supera X Distance Feeder doesn’t just meet them, it quietly raises the bar. Designed for anglers who fish big waters and need total confidence when casting 60, 80, even 100 metres plus, these rods strike the perfect balance between brute power and fish-playing action. Available in lengths 3.6m (11ft 10"), 3.8m (12ft 6"). 4.0m (13ft 2") and 4.2m (13ft 10").
Constructed using X-Wrap blank, the Supera X Distance feels lighter, slimmer, and more responsive than any of its predecessors. The action is beautifully progressive: enough backbone in the mid and butt sections to send heavy feeders flying, yet soft enough in the tip and carrier to cushion hook pulls and detect shy bites at range.
Preston has gone the extra mile on the details too. The oversized American Tackle distance guides, Fuji reel seat, and a comfy EVA/cork flat handle make it feel every bit a premium tool. Most impressively, the new 1oz and 1.5oz tips give you sensitivity that few thought possible in an out and out distance rod - perfectly suited when delicate presentation matters as much as the distance does.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast taper tips offer sensitivity at distance
- Oversized guides aids distance casting
Cons
- Tippy action may not suit large commercial carp waters
Price: from £269.99
Our pick of the alternatives
Daiwa Tournament SLR
Price: $524.99
The Daiwa Tournament SLR has long been the yardstick for high-performance feeder rods, and this third-generation ‘CU’ model proves that even the best can be improved. Daiwa’s X45X Full Shield torque-busting technology and HVF Nanoplus carbon blank still deliver the crisp recovery and effortless distance that made the SLR famous, but now with subtle refinements that make a tangible difference on the bank.
The big upgrade comes in the form of American Tackle TiForged AIR anti-tangle guides. They’re lightweight, silky smooth, and help your line fly cleaner than ever, reducing the risk of wraparounds on those all-important long distance casts. The handle has had a thoughtful makeover too, a slimmer foregrip for better finger placement, the familiar Armlock for stability under load, and a new three-sided Handlock butt that sits naturally in the palm when winding up for a big chuck.
So, do I still think this is the best all-round feeder rod we have ever seen? Nope, it’s even more than that, it’s also a seriously good distance caster, fully deserving of the title. Never mind ‘Super Long Range’, SLR should stand for ‘Simply Lovely Rod’
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Packed with technical innovation and impeccably furnished
- The six-model SLR range covers plenty of tactical choices for a huge variety of venues
Cons
- Extremely pricey
Price: $524.99
Guru N-Gauge Pro Distance Feeder Rod
Price: $154.99
An evolution of the popular N-Gauge range, the N-Gauge Pro rods feature the latest carbon construction technology and improved key features that truly earn them their "Pro" designation. The distance model range offers four lengths.
I kicked off the test session with a small Method feeder, cast as far as the blank could hurl it alongside the island. The rod will deliver casts of 80 yards easily enough with a 30g weight, but I wouldn’t want to push it much further than that. With very few anglers on the lake, the carp seemed willing enough to have a munch, and I didn’t have to wait long for one to put a healthy-looking curve in the rod. But what a surprise that curve held in store.
Yes, it’s progressive, but then, once you start piling on the pressure, the blank morphs into a faultless through type of curvature that absorbs all lunges without being overly spiky or, even worse, floppy and soppy. A quick change to bomb and corn upped the ante a fair bit in terms of fish size, but the rod never once felt as if it might bottom out.
I reckon the Guru N-Gauge Pro Distance Feeder is a rare creature indeed. Every now and again you’ll find a very special rod that’s all but faultless in its design, specification and build. But does it have that ‘wow factor’? Well, this rod has it in spades.
The N-Gauge Pro rods are equipped with a high-quality cork Armlock handle and a bespoke Guru EVA rear grip, providing maximum support and comfort during casting. The anti-tangle stainless Sea-Guide frames, featuring super slim LS Zirconia ceramic rings, significantly reduce tangles and potential crack-offs during casting. This results in super smooth casting and fish-playing properties while ensuring maximum durability and longevity.
With four distance models in the range, from 11ft (90g) to 14ft (180g), there is a rod to suit most distance feeder enthusiasts. The 11ft and 12ft models come in a two-piece setup, ideal for commercial distance fishing, while the 13ft and 14ft three-piece models are capable of achieving greater distances. Each rod is supplied with 3 x 3.5mm carbon quivers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Progressive action offers a balance between fish playing action and accurate distance casting
- Premium looks at a competitive price point
Cons
- Longer lengths lose the progressive action
Price: $154.99
Matrix Aquos Ultra-XD Distance Feeder Rod
Price: $80.99
Designed for ultra-long range fishing the Matrix Aquos Ultra-XD Method Feeder Rod can handle heavy method feeders with ease. Available in various lengths, 3.7m (130g), 4.0m (160g) , and 4.2m (190g).
First thing I noted was the blank’s thickness. To get the correct action with a longer rod with a cheaper carbon, you normally have to thicken the butt right up. If anything, the section just above the handle seemed thinner than the middle of the rod!
An illusion created by the strip of arty-looking matt paintwork and graphics it might be, but the taper was far slower and the action far more ‘through’ than I was expecting. Great for playing fish, but what would it cast like? Although it’s not the crispest rod I’ve ever used, the rod did a great job of slinging out my Method feeder.
The softer action gave me confidence to go for it on the strike, knowing it had plenty of cushioning to prevent a breakage on the take. This facet proved most welcome, as fish number one was a carp! As were numbers two, three and four! There is no doubt Matrix is on to a winner with this rod. It ticks all the boxes for the natural water and commercial angler on a budget!
The rod features durable oversized guides to reduce friction on the reel line to achieve distance, and a comfortable cork and EVA composite handle to enable the rod to be levered quickly to achieve maximum distance. It is also supplied with 2 x 3.4mm carbon tips and spares available in various test curves (3oz, 4oz, 5oz, and 6oz).
The 3.7m 130g model is the standout of the range, Ideal for distance on commercial venues, an excellent starting point for anglers looking to add a distance casting tool to their armoury without overspending.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Impressive rods for the budget minded angler
- Suited to distance method feeder fishing on commercials
Cons
- Could be too powerful for some angler preferences
Price: $80.99
Author Dan Webb first became involved in angling journalism in 2015 and has worked as Tackle Tester at Angling Times since April 2021. He is a fanatical all-round match angler and former England Youth International.
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