Ark Fishing Viper Series VIC70MHXC Fishing Rod Review #arkfishingviper #arkfishingviperod #arkviperrodreview

Rod Review

ARK Fishing Updates the Viper Series Rods to Classic Status

Date:	5/5/22
Tackle Type:	Rod
Manufacturer:	ARK Fishing
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.67 - GOOD

Introduction: With everything that is new with ARK Fishing International each year, it's easy to overlook some of the brands that got them where they are today. Actually, a few of the series that debuted with the manufacturer back in 2017 have been replaced, but one that was the foundation of their emergence has endured. For 2022, Viper receives an updated blank while maintaining its classic cosmetics. Here's a look at the one stick to handle it all model within that series, the VIC70MHXC.

Ark Fishing Viper VIC70MHXC Specifications
Material	HM Graphite
Length	7'-0"
Line Wt.	10-20lb
Lure Wt.	1/4-1oz
Pieces	One
Guides	9+tip (SS/Zirconium)
Rear Handle Length	10.5"
Power Rating	Medium Heavy
Taper	Xtra-Fast
Rod Weight	4.8
Origin	Made in China
MSRP	$109.99

Introducing ARK Fishing refreshed VIC70MHXC

Impressions: ARK Fishing's Viper Classic VIC70MHXC is a seven foot (7'-0") stick wrapped with guides made from stainless steel frames and Zirconium inserts. It has the same split rear, EVA foam grip as past iterations along with the bright green highlight rings and wraps. What's supposedly different about this stick is the blank. Updated with an unspecified blend of graphite (other than to say high modulus), the entire build tipped our scales at a modest four point eight ounces (4.8oz).

Changes to a more angular design with the grips

In hand, the VIC70MHXC feels pretty status quo with surprising balance. Though rated with an extra-fast taper, I didn't get that impression flexing its tip against the floor. However, quite often what a stick reveals away from the water is different once you string it up and make a few casts.

Fuji's ACS Reel seat

Real World Tests: So, as is our tradition, that's exactly what I did. That is, after pairing it with a late model prototype ARK Fishing casting reel spooled with some 20lb SpiderWire Ultracast X8 and a leader of 1.0lb Sunline Maroboshi FC Leader (connected via an Albright Knot). With the increased popularity of using braid as a filler for your casting reel and relying upon a leader of either fluorocarbon or nylon monofilament, more and more leader material options are coming to market each passing year. Sunline's Maroboshi FC leader intrigued me because of its camo coloring. Whether the coloration makes any difference or not doesn't matter too much to me. I just like the way it looks on the reel.

Things got started quickly with the VIC70MHC

Casting: Coming to me early in the season, there was only one method I could think of to efficiently uncover what this refreshed Viper stick was all about. That method was to tie on a jig. Lately, that choice in jig has been Berkley's PowerBait infused Football Head Jig tipped with a MaxScent Chigger Craw. This specific jig has had a hand in a lot of rod reviews during the early part of 2022. The bait combo tipped our scale back at the lab at just under one full ounce (0.9oz to be exact), so is right at the recommended upper limit for this stick.

Stainless Steel framed guides with Zirconium inserts

The VIC70MHXC handled casting duties with this nearly one ounce jig combo quite adeptly. I was skeptical could handle the weight, but was pleasantly surprised how easily I could cast and pitch the combo with no indication of the tip being overloaded. Roll casts were particularly fun with this stick. It loads nicely and releases that energy in predictable fashion with none of that excess reverberation you sometimes get with rods at this price point.

The updated reel seat hood design is sleeker and slightly angular

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