Shimano Poison Adrena Review by FishingMad. In Australia, the Poison Adrena is one of Shimono’s flagship rods. I’ve used these rods extensively for some time now and do have mixed feelings about it. Let’s run through its specs, its highs, its lows, plenty of on-water action, its cost, and an overview. Please note there is a detailed 40-minute video review of the Shimano Poison Adrena rod in action in the FishingMad Members area in our “Tackle Talk section” Become a member to unlock.
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Shimano Poison Adrena specs
- 6 models in the series consisting of 3 Spin and 3 baitcasting. Covering UL, ML, and H.
- The rods feature Shimano’s Spiral X Core wrapping.
- Fuji K SIC guides.
- Full carbon hollow monocoque butt section
- Ci4+ reel seat
What we like about the Shimano Poison Adrena
Let me start by saying there is a lot that I like about the Poison Adrena Rod series. They’re very stylish, powerful, and perform well. This seems like a continued love affair that Shimano has for hollow butt section rods. It seems like every new rod series that Shimano releases in recent times incorporates this hollow but section. We have seen it with the Zodias, T-Curve Premiums, the Ex-Prides, and the Poison Adrenas.
The Poison Adrenas seem like the first hollow but section that they have really got right. The Zodias and T-Cure premium series sometimes feel and look like a hybrid with a mix of EVA, cork, and plastic which makes you almost confused when you hold it. Plus the finishings on those rods can come across at times clumsy and uncomfortable. However, The Poison Adrena has a full hollow butt section all the way to the reel seat, it looks stylish and feels good when fishing. It’s sensitive and you really do feel those bites and inquiries all the way through the rod blank.
The spiral X wrapping is excellent. It makes the rod feel rigid, strong, and solid. There is very little wiggle through the rod blank I have caught many fish way above its weight class, and it handled well. When battling big fish that go on large runs or even sideways runs the blank stays straight and stiff. The guides and size of the guides are excellent, we’re seeing a mass take-up of micro guides on the market ( don’t get me wrong I love micro guides ) however the guides feel like they match the rod perfectly.
The rod is very light and pairs perfectly with Shimono’s high-end 2500 spin reels like Stella, Twin Power, Sustain, and even Vanford. I typically used mine with a Stalla FK, Twin Power FD, and Metanium. The action on these rods is excellent. The rod tip is nice and stiff, and because of this, they handle soft plastics so well, and they’re not so bad with lures either. They have excellent casting for rods that are a tad shorter in length than what we are used to using. The bait cast options really have hit the mark in terms of size and weight class for our local bass and estuary perch fishing.
What’s confusing about the Shimano Poison Adrena
Shimano’s marketing on the Poison Adrena rods is really confusing for multiple reasons. It really does make you sit back and think Shimano either doesn’t understand or value the Australian market as much as they could. The sizes in the range align a lot more with overseas fishing markets instead of our local species. I feel this is further backed up by knowing that other Poison Adrena models like the Poison Adrena Glorious and the Poison Adrena Ultimate are available in other countries and not Australia.
These rods are marketed as estuary and freshwater rods however the PADRN267ML which I have used makes an outstanding kayak fishing rod for inshore waters targeting species like flathead, pinkie snapper, king George whiting, salmon, and trevally. Shimono’s marketing confusion goes on as these rods are marketed for estuary and freshwater fishing yet all the images shown on their website show the rod paired with one of Shimono’s pure saltwater reels in the twin power XD. Which was built with saltwater proofing technology.
The rods are marketed for lure application however with the stiff rod tip, they make excellent soft plastic rods. It’s all a bit confusing, and I can’t help but feel that if these rods were marketed differently the take-up and potential audience would be much greater. Again, I can’t stress enough the 26ML rod is an outstanding rod for kayak fishing in inshore waters but this is completely overlooked in Shimano’s Marketing.
Focusing more on the hardware components of the rod the hollow but sections provide increased sensitivity and look stylish however they are not very durable. In my extensive time using the Zodias, T-Curve Prem, and Poison Adrena I quickly start to notice scratches and missing paint marks just from placing the rods in rod holders. They also are not so comfortable in the hand especially when battling a decent size fish. When you compare these with the cheaper Ex-Pride rods or the more expensive NRX+ rods which feel so much more comfortable in the hand. Particularly your top forehand as the carbon feeling can feel cold, hard, and uncomfortable. This is better than the T-Curve Premium which felt very uncomfortable on the join section.
The rods are also missing a very basic hook keeper. Most brands these days that sell rods over $500 include an incorporated rod keeper of some sort and that is an oversight. The rods also feel a tad heavier than other brands with the same weight class. Now that’s not necessarily a bad thing. An example of this is the 2-4 kilo rod feels a lot more like a 2-5 kilo rod and so on.
Shimano Poision Adrena Cost
These rods’ current RRP value is $625 however many retailers are selling them online for $479. At the cost of $625 there are competing with some stiff competition. Daiwa Steez, Daiwa Battlers, Millerods, Samurai rods just to name a few. I think there is good value there if you can buy the rod on special.
Shimano poison Adrena Overview
I need to stress that I really do like these rods. They are stylish, have great components, and perform well. Most issues I have with these rods have nothing to do with the hardware components, makeup, looks, or action of the rod. But more than Shimano has confusing marketing and the sizes and weight classes don’t necessarily match our local waters and species. It really feels like there missing some basic sizes for a spin rod the most obvious would be a 2-4 kilo rod around 7 feet long which is a basic staple for so many of our local species regardless of the type of system you’re fishing.
I will really rate the PADRN267ML and for now will continue to use it as my got to spin rod when fishing in inshore waters when targeting pinkie, snapper, flathead, and whiting. Also, when fishing in estuaries targeting big flathead, trevally, and tailor. Also, in freshwater targeting redfin and trout. The baitcast options have been excellent in local waters targeting bass and estuary perch. I think there are some minor tweaks that would take these rod series to the next level. Increase models in the spin series to cover more of our local species. Improved marketing, basic hookkeeper, and priced between the mid and high end would see this rod excel locally.
Pros
- Spiral-X Wrapping
- Full carbon hollow monocoque butt section
- Look stylish
- Great performance
- Fuji K SIC guides
- Ci4+ reel seat
Cons
- Confusing Marketing
- Expensive.
- No hook keeper
- Can be uncomfortable in the hand
- Can scratch easily
Thanks for reading this Shimano Poison Adrena Review. You can see us on the water using the Shimano Poison Adrena Review on the FishingMad Videos. You can see more details about this rod from Shimanos website. if you have any questions don’t hesitate to email us at enquiries@fishingmad.com.au
