Concepts

Conceiving ideas, following through with the concept and design process, and ultimately seeing these innovations come to fruition and for sale on the UK’s most popular bass lure fishing online stores is something that really excites me. And as crazy as it sounds, I am always trying to ‘think like bass’ in regards to what it is that induces a take or what ‘they’ may perceive my lure to be, or indeed, what the bass lure angler wants and needs…

IMA Chappy MC1

IMA Chappy 80 + 100 MC1 – You can read how my collaboration with IMA (via Tacklewave Ltd) came to be, in addition to the my reasoning for a transparent/translucent version of what was already a brilliant bass lure via my blog post here:

Signature and MWS (Surf) Needlefish

TC Lures Marc Cowling Signature Needlefish + Magnetic Weight Shifting (MWS) ‘Surf’ version – When I took my original needlefish design to Tom Cooper of TC Lures I was totally blown away with what he produced and (hand) built. Moreover, what he later achieved in not only creating the MWS system (to facilitate an additional 20-25% more casting distance), but also ensuring that it nestled inside the original body shape took this concept to a whole new level of bass attractiveness and precision. To discover why this type of lure is so effective, what they represent, and how, when and where to utilise them you can follow the links to the posts I have written  here and here:

ZIPP WAKE

TC Lures Marc Cowling ZIPP WAKE – Appearances can be deceptive… Despite the ZIPP WAKE looking identical (albeit with an internal flash pate on some models) to the TC Lures/Marc Cowling Needlefish, Tom Cooper’s clever design and manufacturing process captured precisely what I wanted from a body shape that we knew would be lethal, as a buoyant, surface sliding lure.

Major Craft Seabass Custom

‘Marc Cowling Edition’

Coming very soon…. Following on from the original 2021 Major Craft Seabass Custom, and of course the 2023 Cork Edition (both of which were limited editions) when I was asked if I would like collaborate with Major Craft UK (via Tacklewave Ltd) with a view to designing my ‘perfect’ bass lure fishing rod, how could I possibly resist!

Retaining the DNA of the previous models in terms of the awesome power and impressive lightness of the blank courtesy of the high modulus Mitsubishi carbon. As well as being adorned with the same smoke grey Fuji Torzite guides and VSS reel seat, from my perspective, it was attaining additional sensitivity in the tip section whilst maintaining the strength through the backbone of the blank that was my priority.

In contrast to the models that preceded it, the Marc Cowling Edition will not be limited in the numbers that will be produced, and it will only be available in an 8ft 8in version. Furthermore, rather than being a Medium or (M) model, this variant will be Medium-Light (ML) – something that in my view represents the true essence of the quintessential, all-round bass lure rod.

Rated as a 6-32g in regard to casting weight range (CWR), in conjunction with a blank that is finer in diameter in the final 8″ toward the tip and finitely more supple in the final third in general (hence the ML Power Rating) and you will be able to ascertain that there is more ‘feel’ overall with this model, in comparison the 88M. Moreover, you will notice from the photographs that there are some distinctive alterations to the aesthetics – such as:

  • Understated white whipping.
  • An extended cork section on the butt section.
  • For comfort, a combination of duplon and cork on the handle above the reel.
  • The addition of alignment dots on the spigot/join.
  • Oh and my signature!

I do have a complete prototype (which is the rod in the images) and it is my understanding that the Major Craft Seabass Custom Marc Cowling Edition will be arriving in the UK sometime in June 24. I believe that this rod will retail at £479.99 and it can be pre-ordered from select Tacklewave Ltd / Major Craft UK & Ireland stockists now!

To conclude, I am fortunate to test many items of equipment (including rods of course) sent to me from various companies, as well being in a position to ‘play’ with the broad spectrum of rods that my South Devon Bass Guide Ltd clients bring along that range from the cheapest, to the most expensive. Rods are personal things no doubt, and I do lean towards something that can do everything in one package for me over owning multiple rods for all occasions and conditions.

But with my background, I believe I am ideally positioned to be able to appreciate what constitutes as a very, very nice rod in which to cast and retrieve lures for bass, along a section of coastline that is all-encompassing in relation to the diversity of the venues. Moreover, I can, hand on heart, say that this rod is all I’ve ever wanted!