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Rod Review

 

Best Value Alert : Ark Rods Invoker IVK610MLXS (continued)

 

Power: The IVK610MLXS has a very nice power curve with some nice give in the tip allowing your catch to run a little bit, and "shutting off" pretty far up the blank helping you tire out your catch. I put that term in quotes because as with other sticks that share the IVK610MLXS's rating, it never really shuts off - it is mostly a finesse stick afterall.


Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our
ARK Rods Invoker IVK610MLXS against our baseline finesse spinning sticks.

Design & Ergonomics: The build on our test subject was relatively clean and I like the styling of the reel seat and handle design. I remember when I first encountered a spinning rod with the reel seat locking mechanism located towards the back of the reel towards the butt end instead of above the reel towards the foregrip and thought how innovative that design was. Now a good majority spinning rods are built this way though it doesn't necessarily ensure the nut doesn't come loose. Fortunately for the IVK610MLXS, I didn't experience any issues with the reel seat.


Checking out the rod's taper.

Lab Results for ARK Rods Invoker IVK610MLXS

Model
Avg RoD (2-32 oz)
Taper
Measured Weight (oz)
Balance Point (inches)
Balancing Torque (ftlbs)
ARK Rods Invoker IVK610MLXS
2.72
X-Fast
3.7
7.5
0.15
DSR820S GLX
3.02
Fast
3.9
8
0.15
SMR822-SP GLX
2.75
Fast
3.7
7.5
0.15


A look at the painted blank.

Overall, the rod's styling is very modern with actually very minimal eva foam just at the foregrip and but end. You're mostly holding graphite while fishing with this rod and that's ok. It has a very good feel to it in hand especially once you mount a reel in the seat.


These no-name guides performed fine.

Price & Applications: Priced at $149.99, the entire Invoker series from Ark Rods is very aggressive in price point. The IVK610MLXS itself is an excellent choice for finesse applications especially if you're on a budget and might even leave you wondering why would you ever spend more.


Closed loop hook keeper doesn't help with drop shot weights.


The back end of the rod's handle design.

Ratings:

ARK Rods Invoker IVK610MLXS Ratings (?/10)

Construction/Quality Good, clean build 8.5
Performance Casts well and has good sensitivity 9
Price Considering performance, tough to beat at this price 9
Features Generic, but seemingly good quality guides and comfortable, attractive reel seat 8
Design (Ergonomics) Nice, clean, contemporary design. Very light and well balanced too for a spinning rod. 8.5
Application Excellent choice in a finesse stick 9

Total Score

8.67
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable!
For More Details of the updated rating system visit our explanation here

 

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus

Minus
+ Tough to beat at this price point - Some may not go for the generic components
+ Good sensitivity - Hook keeper doesn't aid in stowing drop shot weights
+ Attractive styling  


If you've been sleeping on Ark Rods, it's time to wake up because if the Invoker series is any indication, this company means business.

Conclusion: We can see why Ark Rods has really burst onto the scene with such popularity. The Invoker series is an intermediate price point for their product line yet in the grand scheme of things, it's right at the most competitive level. With the IVK610MLSX, Ark proves that all you really have to do is make a good blank, build it out with competent, unassuming guides, a decent looking reel seat, and with a style that has just enough flare in it to catch someone's eye, and you will have a product that's worthy of some attention. If you've been sleeping on Ark Rods, it's time to wake up because if the Invoker series is any indication, this company means business.

 

Looking for an ARK Rods Invoker IVK610MLXS?

Try TackleWarehouse


 

   

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