Universal Predator
The Universal Predator rods are purpose-built for anglers who chase aggressive, hard-hitting predatory fish with large flies—blending power, precision, and durability into an ultra-lightweight package, designed to make fly fishing for apex predators more effective and effortless. Crafted from a strategic mix of carbon fibers and S-Glass, the emerald glass-colored blanks offer exceptional strength without unnecessary weight. Predator fishing demands hours of repetitive casting, and these rods deliver the comfort and efficiency needed to stay in the game longer. Their powerful yet responsive build allows you to launch massive flies with ease and absorb the impact of boatside hookups.
When a predator crushes your fly, often moving toward you with a vice-like grip, setting the hook and maintaining tension can be a challenge. And that’s where rod action matters most. The Universal Predator rods feature a carefully refined action needed to effectively apply and maintain pressure during the fight, a critical design characteristic refined over two seasons of rigorous field testing in demanding fishing conditions.
Predatory fish frequently follow and strike your fly right near the boat, requiring a rod that can handle high-stakes, close-range hooksets. The added length of 9’4” keeps flies deeper during retrieval and improves boatside maneuvers when fish are tracking your fly. The low-modulus fibers and S-Glass reinforcement in the bottom sections provide the blank strength to absorb the brutal impact of big fish crushing the fly with only a short length of line outside your rod tip.
Stealthy olive-colored wraps and black, heavy-duty snake guides eliminate glare and distraction for a wary fish that is focused on your fly. Thin and stiff rod tips keep your fly in motion and minimize resistance when forced through the water during boatside presentations. Universal Predator rods are built for serious anglers who know that every detail matters.
Appointments
- Iridescent dark emerald-green blank finish
- Flor-grade Full Wells grips with a durable black EVA foam fighting butt for enhanced comfort and control for enhanced comfort and control
- Sturdy dual-locking matte black anodized aluminum reel seat for a secure and reliable hold
- Titanium-framed SeaGuide premium stripping guides with SiC inserts and steep angles for smooth line flow
- Oversized matte gunsmoke anodized snake guides and tip-top for maximum durability and performance
- Premium cloth rod socks in a color matching the rod blanks, featuring embroidered Velcro straps and Diamondback patch logo
- Cordura-covered, lightweight, sealed PVC rod tubes with metal end cap and hand-labeled tube cap
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Designed by Joe Goodspeed, Diamondback Rod Designer
Universal Predator
Pinpoint Precision, Dominant Control
Effortlessly deliver massive flies, keeping them deeper during retrieval and improving boatside maneuvers.
Maximum Hook-Setting Power
Take advantage of high-torque hooksets to secure your next fight with close-range predators.
Advanced Carbon Fiber & S-Glass Composite
Engineered with a strategic blend of low and high-modulus carbon fibers and S-Glass reinforcement, ensuring exceptional durability and shock absorption.
Customer Reviews
Until I had the Predator 500 and 400 in my hand I had no idea how effortlessly I could throw a big pike fly 90’. I find these rods very well balanced , beefy through the butt and mid and stop section that’s soft enough to make fighting fish a lot of fun! It’s nice when I stumble upon something that reignites my passion for fly fishing.
I have been playing with 2 handed overhead casting for pike for about 7 years now. In that time, I have been looking for a good 2 handed option to recommend to my guests. This rod fits the bill nicely. Light and fast enough to fish one-handed, yet it has the power and flex to be effective throwing a 15” musky fly in the 2 handed style. Diamondback has really nailed it with this one.
I have been fishing both the 400 and 500 grain models since their release and can honestly say, these rods are actually something game changing in every way. They are light in weight, very light and they have the highest quality components I have ever had on a Predator fly rod. The first time you see the fly line shoot through the unique and perfectly spaced guide train, you will know you are fishing something, different. These new stripping guides that Joe uses are just the right height off the blank and just the right size to minimize running line tangles. Every aspect of these rods is fine tuned for everything Musky and Pike fishing and then some. The cork on these rods is as nice "or better" than any rods costing twice as much and the fact it is real cork, just makes for a better experience for me, lighter in weight and because it's of the highest quality it is dense enough to stand up to the rigors of Musky and Pike fishing without being damaged. All in all, these are a crazy good product and frankly, probably the best rods ever designed for this application, definitely my favorite. The grain window on each rod is large, you can easily fish line +/- 50 or more grains, the grips are perfectly designed as to work equally well with single hand or double hand applications. If you want a real fly rod, to fish for real Muskies and Pike, this is it...
