Sensitivity: While the VIC70MHXC surprised me with its easy casting ability, when it came time to fish the jig either hopping or dragging it along the bottom, sensitivity was decidedly average. Here, the tip loads slowly and while you can feel the hits, it's not always that crisp "tick" you get with rods wrapped with higher end blanks. In other words, the VIC70MHXC punches within its weight class - sensitivity is what I'd expect at this price point.

Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our Ark Fishing VIC70MHXC against the historical averages of similarly powered rods we've tested over the past twenty years

Power: Once you sense that take and swing, the VIC70MHXC has a smooth power curve, but remember that impression I had of it not quite being an extra-fast taper? Under the weight of a hard pulling fish, the VIC70MHXC actually bends through more of the blank than I expected. However, it does so in a good way that actually increases your chances of landing a fish rather than being too aggressive and pulling the hook(s) out of the fish's mouth.

Checking out that tip

I will say it feels more like a fast taper stick to me than an true extra-fast. Looking at the stick's deflection curve in Figure 1, above, you can see it's actually quite powerful as that load increases, so the VIC70MHXC somehow exerts more pressure on the fish than a typical medium-heavy. That's the kind of curve I'd expect to see from an extra-fast tapered rod, so on paper, it charts like one, but in hand, out on the water, I got a different impression. It's probably just me.

Subtle use of compressed cork at the transition between materials

Design & Ergonomics: Cosmetic differences between this generation of Viper and the previous one are very subtle. Graphics remain the same as does the finish on the blank. The only real differences I could find were in the shape of the grip pieces. The reel seat locking mechanism disguised as a foregrip is shorter and more squared off. The portion of the grip behind the reel seat has a straight taper down towards the blank rather than a fluted end, and the butt cap is more angular as well. ARK also updates Viper's hook hangar from a close loop design to one that is open ended.

A new, open ended hook keeper

The VIC70MHXC's weight is right in line with our historical average tipping out scales at only 0.2 ounces above the average. Balance, however, is better than average so ARK has done a nice job with this build delivering something that is not a burden to fish - unlike many other rods that are on the more affordable side of the equation.

Clean detailing continues all the way to the butt end of the rod

Price & Applications: ARK Fishing refreshes their Viper lineup resulting in a price bump from the series's original introduction at $99.99 to $109.99. In the grand scheme of things, given the cost increases all around, this is a pretty minimal bump. The VIC70MHXC is a very worthy Search for One candidate but if its specifications do not intrigue you there are other models including six more casting and three spinning.

ARK Fishing's new Viper is pretty much what I'd expect from a series with the term "classic" attached

Conclusion: Overall, ARK Fishing's VIC70MHXC is a solid performing stick. My only reservation has more to do with Viper's sibling series than it does anything about Viper. Price points between ARK Fishing's rod lineups is really close and while each series has their own character and design, it can get confusing what the actual benefits one series has over the other. On its own, Viper is a good value with subtle changes to the handle design for this update, a refreshed blank, better balance than the previous generation, and the continued solid level of components. It's all pretty much what I'd expect from a series with the term "classic" attached.

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