I recently had the chance to test out the new Mojo Muscle X surf rod, and I have to say—it was a pleasant surprise. Just wanted to share some of my impressions.

First, casting. I'm someone who casts quite aggressively, and I actually found myself casting harder with the Muscle X than I do with the my own rod (a e-glass material rod).

 The overall stiffness of the blank gives you confidence—it doesn't feel like it’s going to snap even when you really load it up. I usually leave about 1.5m of line out, wait until the sinker starts swinging like a pendulum, and then whip it overhead with a strong pull on the lower grip using my bottom hand to generate more power. The handle on the Muscle X is slightly longer than the mine , and the reel seat is positioned a bit higher up, making it easier to grip and generate force. The product manager at Mojo told us that the length was extended to 90cm to better suit the fishing habits of New Zealand anglers — such as their height, strength, and other physical characteristics.

As for sensitivity—it’s impressive. A few days ago I was running a live bait setup using mackerel on a sliding rig, and I could clearly feel every twitch from the baitfish through the tip of the rod. Even small movements translated clearly to my hand. That’s something I really didn’t expect, and it holds up well against some of the mid-to-high-end rods I’ve used before.

What really stood out to me, though, was the strength. One time my sinker got snagged on the bottom—I was using 10kg mono—and I figured I’d use the opportunity to see how much pressure the rod could take. I put pretty much my whole body weight into it, and the rod held up just fine. No cracking sounds, no explosion, and I even managed to get the sinker back. I honestly wouldn’t dare try that with my other rod.

In terms of build quality, this rod is made using Korean craftsmanship. The finish is clean, no sloppy epoxy work or uneven wraps. The blank features X-wrap reinforcement and is full carbon—no fiberglass filler.

It doesn’t use FUJI guides or reel seats, probably for cost reasons, but it’s fitted with a Low Rider guide system, and honestly, I found the guide placement even more precise in terms of casting control. 

The rod feels surprisingly light in the hand. I weighed it—just around 500g. It's well-balanced too—not tip-heavy.  I’m not someone who goes all out on brute force, so I actually found the Muscle X more suited to my fishing style.

The Muscle X uses a hollow tip made by rolling carbon fiber, which is stronger compared to a solid tip. This gives me more confidence when casting with greater force. However, the Mojo product team believes that when there is current, the fishing line will be pulled tight, causing the hollow tip to bend noticeably. In their view, the bite signal provided by a hollow tip is not necessarily better than that of a solid one. They argue that the main advantage of a solid tip is its resistance to accidental damage, although this doesn't directly enhance performance.

Some background: the Muscle X is a new model from Mojo, a surfcasting rod brand from New Zealand. It’s a team of passionate anglers who spent two full years observing, designing, testing,  improving rods and publishing.

The result is a rod that’s very practical,not just built for looks or spec sheets, but clearly designed with real fishing in mind. Pricing hasn’t been officially released, but it’ll be around the $200. 

I’m really glad I had the chance to help them test this product. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I do have some experience, and I know what feels right. To me, the Muscle X feels like a well-rounded performer,something you can cast hard, lean into, feel proud to carry, and trust on the water.