Century Eliminator X Series- Fantastic First impressions!

Simon Lancastle has kindly got involved this month and created this blog post focusing on the all new Century Eliminator X series of shore fishing rods….

Century has just launched the highly anticipated Century Eliminator X Series sea rods, and as a proud Team Century member, I had the opportunity to pre-order and test them ahead of release.

The early feedback from testers has been overwhelmingly positive, with standout praise for their easy casting and ultra-slim, lightweight blanks. In fact, the Eliminator X100 is believed to have set a new UK casting distance record during testing—reaching an impressive 323 yards.

Veals kindly asked if I’d share my early impressions after putting the X80 and X90 models through their paces. Here’s my honest overview from my first few sessions, plus some comparisons with other Century rods in my arsenal.

Specifications at a Glance

Century Eliminator X80

• Length: 13ft 6in
• Weight: 740g (including reel seat)
• Diameter at logo: 19.7mm
• Casting range: 4–7oz plus bait

Century Eliminator X90

• Length: 14ft 6in
• Weight: 840g (including reel seat)
• Diameter at logo: 21.4mm
• Casting range: 4–7oz plus bait

First Impressions: Lightweight, Balanced, and Refined

Both the X80 and X90 feel lighter in the hand than their listed weights suggest. This is largely thanks to their light tip sections and well-balanced design.

The slimness of the butt sections is particularly striking, especially for rods with this level of casting power. One major design evolution is the Overlap Joint, which replaces the traditional spigot with a steeper mating angle—eliminating tight or dirty spigots and contributing to the rod’s sleek profile.

Comparisons with Other Century Rods

Having used a variety of Century models over the years, I found the brand’s performance chart to be quite accurate when comparing the new “X” range:

Century Eliminator X80

• Tip: Stiffer than the Supermatch Graphex, but softer than the Carbon Fireblade.
• Butt: Slightly softer than the Supermatch, but stiffer than the Fireblade.
• Weight (in hand): Comparable to the Supermatch Graphex and noticeably lighter than the 13ft Carbon Fireblade.

Century Eliminator X90

• Tip: A touch stiffer than the Kompressor SS.
• Butt: Offers some flex but remains responsive.
• Feel: Considerably lighter in the hand compared to the Kompressor SS.

On the Beach: Casting and Bite Detection

From the first cast, I was genuinely impressed by how the X Series rods perform. Both the X80 and X90 are incredibly crisp, with fast recovery and exceptional casting ease.

Casting 175g to 200g leads with big baits in strong winds felt effortless, and the leads flew out with minimal force. The blanks hold substantial power while still offering finesse.

Century Eliminator X90

Despite its 14ft 6in length, it doesn’t feel like a heavy rod. The lightweight tip makes it easy to cast heavy setups, and strangely, even makes the leads feel lighter during the cast.

Century Eliminator X80

Offers fantastic bite detection, especially on cleaner ground. It has a crisp tip that clearly shows small rattles—better, in my opinion, than the 13ft Carbon Fireblade.

Bite Detection Summary

• X80: Excellent for cleaner marks and picking up delicate bites.
• X90: Built for rougher ground and heavier baits. Bite indication isn’t as prominent in windy conditions but for a rod of this calibre remains more than adequate.

Summary: An Exceptional Pair of Rods

Overall, I’m thoroughly impressed. While I’m part of Team Century, I can honestly say these rods have exceeded expectations.

The Eliminator X80 and X90 bring something genuinely special to the surfcasting scene—offering power, finesse, and precision in a lightweight, British-built package.

Potential Downsides?

The only drawback that comes to mind is the price. However, considering the level of performance, build quality, and the extensive years of testing (including use by top UK casters), it’s a justifiable investment.

Update: Performance in the Bristol Channel

Following questions about the X80’s suitability for the Bristol Channel, I dedicated several sessions to testing it across a range of marks:

Locations: Porlock Weir, a reef mark, a Minehead mark, and a mixed ground/muddy beach.
Conditions: Tidal runs with varying wind, from calm to 15mph onshore.
Tackle: Leads from 150g–175g, paired with Fathom 15 reels.

Results

The X80 performed exceptionally well over roughly 10 hours of fishing. No lost gear or dropped fish, and I landed:

• 11 Thornback Rays
• 1 Smalleye Ray
• 2 Smoothhound
• 1 Dover Sole
• 6–7 Dogfish

This confirms the X80 is more than capable for most cleaner to mixed marks in the Bristol Channel.

Final Thoughts on the Century Eliminator X80

If you’re fishing in strong tidal flow or heavy weed where you’re regularly dragging 7–8oz leads, the X90 or even a T900 would provide the extra power and capability.

But for a light, responsive, and fun casting rod, the X80 is superbly enjoyable.

Simon.