CTX SPM Rods

To hit the kind of distances normally associated with extreme-range carp rods, you need more than just power—you need the right carbon, the right structure, and a blank that stays stable when it’s being pushed hard. CTX SPM rods are built with exactly that in mind, using the same quality materials and the same distinctive CTX look so they sit perfectly alongside the main carp rod range.

A complex, multi-stage manufacturing process blends Japanese 40t and 30t carbon with a resin content kept below 25%, creating a crisp, fast-recovering foundation without unnecessary weight. Layers are wrapped alternately at 0° and 90° to increase stability and strength, then reinforced with 3mm bi-axis carbon tape at 45°, forming the signature X structure that produces blanks which are exceptionally strong, ultra-light and impressively slim.

Because marker floats and spods create extra drag, these rods are built with more backbone to keep everything under control—yet they retain responsive tips that load quickly for smooth compression, accurate casting and positive feature-finding. That fast-loading tip action makes them ideal for smaller spods and Spombs™ at shorter ranges, while the reserve power in the mid and butt sections gives you the authority to cast larger spods and Spombs™ when you need to reach further.

To match your preferred carp-rod length, CTX SPMs are available in 12’ and 13’, keeping your spod/marker rod the same length as the carp rods you’re consistently casting. That continuity helps maintain a natural casting rhythm, and ultimately delivers better accuracy through repetition—especially on long sessions when you’re feeding regularly or mapping features methodically. Even so, the 13’ will typically cast a little further in most people’s hands, provided you can correctly compress the blank, because the increased length creates a higher casting arc and greater potential tip speed.

New to the range are 10’ and 11’ CTX SPMs, designed with lighter test curves to better suit the use of smaller spods and Spombs™, and to pair perfectly with shorter carp rods for compact transport. They also excel when accuracy is the priority, delivering a more precise, controllable cast at shorter distances. Built to the same construction and with the same Japanese 40t/30t carbons, these shorter SPMs feature 40mm butt guides stepping down to 12mm tips, keeping line flow smooth and efficient in a more compact format. They are fitted with a Fuji DPS M18 reel seat, which is better suited to the use of smaller reels, while still accommodating big pit reels, should that be your preference. The shorter SPMs are also well suited to underarm casting to close-in features, or for use on the river as a baiting rod with droppers, particularly when you want to stay mobile—the compact length is simply more convenient when negotiating bankside vegetation and tight swims.

Every model is fitted with 12” and 24” depth marks for consistent plumbing and repeatable marker work, and finished with stainless steel collars and butt caps, ‘S’-Lite guides, and either Fuji DNPS-M20 (12’/13’) or Fuji DPS M18 (10’/11’) reel seats. As with all Free Spirit rods, CTX SPM models are built on the spine, helping them cast more accurately and deliver long-term reliability over heavy use.