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Rod Review


 

It's Legit - ARK Fishing International's Glide Bait Stick

 

Date: 12/30/24
Tackle Type: Rod
Manufacturer: ARK Fishing Intl.
Reviewer: Cal




 

 

Total Score: 8.25 - EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD

Introduction:
From its first introduction to Pro to Limited to the latest Tour edition, Invoker has been the virtual backbone with which ARK Fishing International has pinned their place in the industry. Amongst their non-signature series of rods, Invoker sits beneath Reinforcer and Essence, and above Lancer and Catalyzer. It is the core of their offering, the most dreaded seat on an airplane, and the neglected child all in one. Does it deserve to be revered, renounced, or forgotten? Let's take a look at a new stick in this latest refresh and see if we can find out.

 

ARK Fishing 24 Invoker Tour IVT710GS Specifications

Material 40ton Graphite Blank
Length 7'-10"
Line Wt. 12-25lb
Lure Wt. Up to 4oz
Pieces One
Guides 8+tip (Fuji K - SS/O Ring)
Rear Handle Length 15.75
Power Rating Heavy
Taper Moderate Fast
Rod Weight 5.2 oz
Origin Made in China
MSRP $159.99


2024 sees a refreshed Invoker series for Ark Fishing International, the Tour

Impressions: The Tour edition represents the fourth in ARK Fishing International's Invoker introductions. With the exception of Limited, which was a genuine special edition, the manufacturer adds a suffix to the series' name in an effort to distinguish it from previous versions. Invoker Tour is built upon a similar 40 ton graphite blank infused with carbon nanotubes. As with previous editions, from about the thread wrap on the guide side of the rod's logo up towards the tip, the blank is wrapped with some type of animal print-like material for reinforcement and added durability from scratches, dings, and other mishaps that can befall a bare blank.

 


New to the series is a stick for glide baits!

 

For our round of tests, I acquired the IVT710GS, a seven foot, ten inch (7'-10"), heavy powered stick designed for glide baits and rated up to four ounces (4oz) in lure weight. Guides are upgrade to Fuji brand K-Series (tangle free), stainless steel frames with O Ring (aluminum oxide) inserts. The reel seat is even more minimal than before and the reel seat hood a bit more refined. In true swimbait rod fashion, the IVT710GS comes with an extra long, fifteen and three quarter inch (15.75") handle made of EVA foam. On this particular model, the rear handle is full, not split.


The IVT710GS comes with an extra long rear handle

Real World Tests: For the IVT710GS's real world tests, I paired it with my trusty Shimano Scorpion MGL HG already spooled with Seaguar Threadlock hollow braid, but I installed a fresh leader of 30lb Sunline Saltimate Nylon Leader to be safe.


The reel seat is proprietary

Casting: If there's one characteristic of a fishing rod that defines it as a stick for big baits versus, say, a flipping stick, its' the length of that rear handle. On a flipping or pitching stick you want that handle short - somewhere between nine to eleven inches is ideal. That way, the butt end doesn't get hung up in your side, underarm, forearm or some other body part as you pendulum your bait to its target.


The hood is tastefully decorative

Conversely, on a stick made for casting big baits, you want that rear handle long to facilitate two handed casts giving you ample leverage to launch your baits to parts unknown. This is especially "rewarding" when your line snaps mid cast and you've no hope of reaching that splash point with your trolling motor on turbo before your bait sinks to oblivion, but I'm getting off point here.


There's an open ended hook keeper right above the reel seat

ARK's new IVT710GS (and the IVT710SB for that matter) comes with a nice, long fifteen and three quarter inch (15.75") handle providing ample leverage to sling your big baits. Rated at up to four ounce (4oz) max lure weight (eight for the IVT710SB), the stick is perfectly capable within this range. The blank loads and launches reliably, and more important, predictably - in short, it is legit.


The top two thirds of the rod is wrapped in this protective print

Sensitivity: The IVT710GS is offered as a glide bait stick. Glide baits are essentially oversized crosses between a jerkbait and crankbait. They're big, hardbodied, treble hooked baits. As such, they don't really require a stick with a high degree of sensitivity to fish. Hits are unmistakable - it is why glide baits are so popular. Having said that, the IVT710GS gives you good feel for your lure as you are working it so you can tell if it is swimming right or fouled on a weed.

Next Section: Legit Power at a Reasonable Prioce?

 

   

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