Product Review: TD Black

By Abz Meshlawi

One thing I've always appreciated when building fishing setups is versatility. Most anglers don't want a dozen different outfits sitting in the garage collecting dust. We want gear that performs, feels good in the hand and can adapt to different styles of fishing without feeling out of place. 

That's one of the reasons I've become such a fan of the TD Black range. 

Whether I'm fishing light estuary systems, targeting bream or stepping up to chase larger species like Mulloway, there's a rod and reel combination within the TD Black lineup that fits the job perfectly. 

The Rods

What stands out to me most is just how broad the TD Black rod range is. On the lighter end, you've got incredibly sensitive rods that make finesse fishing a pleasure. When you're throwing small hardbodies, lightly weighted soft plastics or surface lures, having a rod that communicates every vibration and subtle bite makes a huge difference. You feel more connected to the lure and ultimately more connected to the fish.

As you move through the range, the power increases without losing that crisp responsive feel. That's important because many anglers, myself included, don't spend every session chasing the same species. One weekend might be spent targeting bream in shallow estuaries, while the next could involve larger flathead, mulloway or even kingfish around heavier structure. 

The TD Black series gives anglers the ability to match their setup to their fishing style without having to jump between completely different product families. 

The Reels

The reels follow that same approach.

I've always liked reels that feel light and refined while still having enough strength in reserve when a quality fish turns up unexpectedly. The latest TD Black MQ reels strike that balance exceptionally well. They feel smooth on the retrieve, responsive when working lures and powerful enough to handle fish that push your gear harder than expected. The larger gear design and rigid body construction provide confidence when fighting fish around structure, while the lightweight feel keeps fatigue to a minimum during long casting sessions.

For lure anglers, that balance is incredibly important. We spend thousands of casts over the course of a season. A setup that feels comfortable and responsive after the first cast should feel the same after a thousand casts.

Another thing I appreciate about the TD Black range is that it was developed with Australian fishing in mind. Our fisheries are incredibly diverse. In a single year, an angler could be chasing trout in freshwater streams, bream in estuaries, snapper offshore and mulloway from the rocks. Having a range that caters to such a wide variety of scenarios makes choosing the right setup far simpler.

At the end of the day, fishing gear should inspire confidence. When I pick up a rod and reel, I want to know it's capable of handling whatever situation unfolds in front of me. That's exactly what I feel with the TD Black range.

From finesse presentations right through to heavier applications, it's a lineup that offers something for virtually every lure angler. No matter what species I'm targeting or where I'm fishing, there's a TD Black setup that feels right at home.