What's you rod of choice for all round UK fishing..
In reply to Post #1
You are going to get a load of useless replies to this question mate.
“Harrison, enough said”
“Century”
All round rod that i have used, harrison torrix 3.25. But i cant comment on any of the other brands on that list as ive only used harrisons for the last 15 years.
You are going to get a load of useless replies to this question mate.
“Harrison, enough said”
“Century”
All round rod that i have used, harrison torrix 3.25. But i cant comment on any of the other brands on that list as ive only used harrisons for the last 15 years.
In reply to Post #1
Hand build: Harrison.
Non hand buiild: Free spirit.
Hand build: Harrison.
Non hand buiild: Free spirit.
Love my custom built Harrison Torrix 3.25lb.
In reply to Post #3
Thought those were all hand built
Thought those were all hand built
In reply to Post #5
Not everyone wants to go for a Harrison hand built rod, Fs have some great non hand builded blanks (with a custom build option)
Not everyone wants to go for a Harrison hand built rod, Fs have some great non hand builded blanks (with a custom build option)
Best rods I've ever owned have been Harrison and Century.
Free spirit are over priced imho. I've had lots of rods over the years.
So many great rods out there now,.... You really don't need to spend silly money on rods these days.
Free spirit are over priced imho. I've had lots of rods over the years.
So many great rods out there now,.... You really don't need to spend silly money on rods these days.
In reply to Post #6
Id love to see one of these rod building machines in action
Id love to see one of these rod building machines in action
In reply to Post #9
I imagine every blank is manufactured that way, by every company. And every rod will have to be built by hand as i cant see a machine whipping rings on and putting reel seats onto blanks and whatever handle is fitted. I may be wrong, ut imagine it would need to be a pretty impressive machine
I imagine every blank is manufactured that way, by every company. And every rod will have to be built by hand as i cant see a machine whipping rings on and putting reel seats onto blanks and whatever handle is fitted. I may be wrong, ut imagine it would need to be a pretty impressive machine
In reply to Post #8
Me to !!All rods are built on a wrapping machine the opterative simply guides the whipping thread 😂
Me to !!All rods are built on a wrapping machine the opterative simply guides the whipping thread 😂
Hand built is indeed actually wrong as machines are always used, but not al blanks are made in mass production, I think this is mainly the reference to hand build (non Chinees mass production)
In reply to Post #11
Some custom builders (at least one I know) still whip rings by hand.
Some custom builders (at least one I know) still whip rings by hand.
In reply to Post #1
Rod choice is personal and objective, personally Harrison are king of the rods. Free Spirit are good too, not really got on well with Century's myself.
Try to test a few out yourself 👍
Rod choice is personal and objective, personally Harrison are king of the rods. Free Spirit are good too, not really got on well with Century's myself.
Try to test a few out yourself 👍
In reply to Post #12
I build rods and have always whipped my guides by hand ! The only machine i use or have ever used is a dryer which turns the rods to dry the epoxy varnish on the whipping.
I build rods and have always whipped my guides by hand ! The only machine i use or have ever used is a dryer which turns the rods to dry the epoxy varnish on the whipping.
In reply to Post #15
Arent the “machines” used in rod blank production, and rod building more tools than machines?
Like when whipping on rod rings there is so sort of tool used to help with turning the blank?
Arent the “machines” used in rod blank production, and rod building more tools than machines?
Like when whipping on rod rings there is so sort of tool used to help with turning the blank?
In reply to Post #1
That is a question you will never get a difinitive answer to ! I have watched the blanks being made (harrison) that i build on and trust the blanks im supplied and what i use myself and for the rods i build they are the best .I still rate the ballista blank in 12ft 3lb the best blank there is.Its proven time and time again if you break a section you can get a replacement, . But there really is no such thing as an all round rod which is why there are so many variations.
That is a question you will never get a difinitive answer to ! I have watched the blanks being made (harrison) that i build on and trust the blanks im supplied and what i use myself and for the rods i build they are the best .I still rate the ballista blank in 12ft 3lb the best blank there is.Its proven time and time again if you break a section you can get a replacement, . But there really is no such thing as an all round rod which is why there are so many variations.
In reply to Post #16
Pretty big machines used in rod blank production with lots of tooling.
Lol
Pretty big machines used in rod blank production with lots of tooling.
Lol
In reply to Post #1
Currently on set of daiwa basia x45 3.25tc rods with cork handles.
Well balanced, casts very well and unlike some daiwa rods before plays well
I was going to go down the free spirit route when i was in the market but with a long wait list for spec i wanted and having basiair reëls went with daiwa and have no complaints
Currently on set of daiwa basia x45 3.25tc rods with cork handles.
Well balanced, casts very well and unlike some daiwa rods before plays well
I was going to go down the free spirit route when i was in the market but with a long wait list for spec i wanted and having basiair reëls went with daiwa and have no complaints
Not a huge fan of the freespirits I've owned, love my centurys, have handled a few harrisons in the shop which felt lovely blanks too.
It's all very subjective - any harrison, century or top end freespirit will be high quality and nice to use.
It's all very subjective - any harrison, century or top end freespirit will be high quality and nice to use.
In reply to Post #1
Ive never owned free spirit but that is through choice having seen a few slightly suspect looking builds (guides not perfectly straight and some odd reel seats on some cheaper ones that no reel seemed to fit)
As an all round rod, i went from century ncs in 3.5tc to harrison torrix 3.25 and have been very impressed with both. I only changed from century to harrison after about 10 years because its what i do..no other reason
Ive never owned free spirit but that is through choice having seen a few slightly suspect looking builds (guides not perfectly straight and some odd reel seats on some cheaper ones that no reel seemed to fit)
As an all round rod, i went from century ncs in 3.5tc to harrison torrix 3.25 and have been very impressed with both. I only changed from century to harrison after about 10 years because its what i do..no other reason
In reply to Post #1
For me century or Harrison. Have had more or less all of them aswell, hated free spirit, but have plenty of friends that love them. I'd go try some out, few firms offer this, or at least see them in the flesh and make a decision off your own back.
For me century or Harrison. Have had more or less all of them aswell, hated free spirit, but have plenty of friends that love them. I'd go try some out, few firms offer this, or at least see them in the flesh and make a decision off your own back.
In reply to Post #1
Harrison for me.
Harrison for me.
Harrison 
All of these companies produce good blanks. I don't think I'd ever choose a blank because it's from a specific firm.
I have had long term use from all of these and can honestly say that I have never disliked any. Harrison do a huge range that will cover every eventuality and people like the fact that they are British built. People will bad mouth free spirit for being cheaply built blanks from the Far East, but having used ES's and Hi-S quite extensively, this narrow minded opinion is ridiculous. They are lovely rods! Some of the nicest rods that I have used in recent years are Century's C2's. They are expensive, but in my opinion, worth every penny.
Like I said, all firms produce quality blanks (let's not forget ESP/drennan, Sonik and Nash etc). In this day and age, a company won't last 2 minutes if they didn't keep up with their competitors.
Back to the OP's question though. For all round uk fishing I can highly recommend Harrison Aviator Flex rods 👌
I have had long term use from all of these and can honestly say that I have never disliked any. Harrison do a huge range that will cover every eventuality and people like the fact that they are British built. People will bad mouth free spirit for being cheaply built blanks from the Far East, but having used ES's and Hi-S quite extensively, this narrow minded opinion is ridiculous. They are lovely rods! Some of the nicest rods that I have used in recent years are Century's C2's. They are expensive, but in my opinion, worth every penny.
Like I said, all firms produce quality blanks (let's not forget ESP/drennan, Sonik and Nash etc). In this day and age, a company won't last 2 minutes if they didn't keep up with their competitors.
Back to the OP's question though. For all round uk fishing I can highly recommend Harrison Aviator Flex rods 👌
In reply to Post #25
Thing is everyone's all round rod will be different depending on what they are fishing for and from ie some are chasing big fish from huge water's, others rivers, others small rarely caught from tiny ponds, rivers, canals. Add in personal preference, some like a firm progressive blank others want one that will bend till the tip ring almost touches the butt cap. The rod ideally would suit the venue you fish and the size of fish you target.
Thing is everyone's all round rod will be different depending on what they are fishing for and from ie some are chasing big fish from huge water's, others rivers, others small rarely caught from tiny ponds, rivers, canals. Add in personal preference, some like a firm progressive blank others want one that will bend till the tip ring almost touches the butt cap. The rod ideally would suit the venue you fish and the size of fish you target.
In reply to Post #26
Agreed it was just for opinions / experiences.
One thing to note that Daiwa and Shimano never got a look in.. Didn't expect shimano but thought the Infinitys or even longbows might have got a mention.
I've always like Century to be fair.. Thinking about changing to Infinitys purely for the black look.
Agreed it was just for opinions / experiences.
One thing to note that Daiwa and Shimano never got a look in.. Didn't expect shimano but thought the Infinitys or even longbows might have got a mention.
I've always like Century to be fair.. Thinking about changing to Infinitys purely for the black look.
In reply to Post #27
Infinity's are great rods from a casting point of veiw especially in the higher tc's and have a perfectly acceptable playing action with larger fish, again all about matching tackle to venue and fish size.
Infinity's are great rods from a casting point of veiw especially in the higher tc's and have a perfectly acceptable playing action with larger fish, again all about matching tackle to venue and fish size.
In reply to Post #1
Slightly left field, but I recently bought some Free Spirit Hi S 13' 2.75 Heavy Water Barbel specials. They are absolutely unreal rods. They feel soft in the tip and less than 2.75, until you load them up - I was casting 8oz of lead plus a pva bag on the Tidal Trent last weekend and the power goes right down the blank, yet the softness in the tip means they're great for bite registration and playing fish. I had Barbel to over 10lb on a swollen river and they were just fantastic to play hard fighting fish on. The extra length makes all the difference to the action.
They're so good I've sold my S Lite ‘ives and will using them for Carping too. I've owned loads of rods over the years and as an all round UK rod for big fish these are the best I've owned by a mile. I reckon they could punch a 3 or 4oz lead an awful long way in the right hands too.
Slightly left field, but I recently bought some Free Spirit Hi S 13' 2.75 Heavy Water Barbel specials. They are absolutely unreal rods. They feel soft in the tip and less than 2.75, until you load them up - I was casting 8oz of lead plus a pva bag on the Tidal Trent last weekend and the power goes right down the blank, yet the softness in the tip means they're great for bite registration and playing fish. I had Barbel to over 10lb on a swollen river and they were just fantastic to play hard fighting fish on. The extra length makes all the difference to the action.
They're so good I've sold my S Lite ‘ives and will using them for Carping too. I've owned loads of rods over the years and as an all round UK rod for big fish these are the best I've owned by a mile. I reckon they could punch a 3 or 4oz lead an awful long way in the right hands too.
In reply to Post #27
I have a set of Torrix 3.25tc and infinitys 3.25tc I have to say in terms of casting in my hands there is nothing in it. Infinitys are a lighter blank, feel better balanced as the tip is lighter. Torrix are a slimer blank feel slightly more crisp in terms of playing a fish but it's down to personal choice. A big caster might be able to get a few extra yards more with eirther. I personally like the infinitys.
I have a set of Torrix 3.25tc and infinitys 3.25tc I have to say in terms of casting in my hands there is nothing in it. Infinitys are a lighter blank, feel better balanced as the tip is lighter. Torrix are a slimer blank feel slightly more crisp in terms of playing a fish but it's down to personal choice. A big caster might be able to get a few extra yards more with eirther. I personally like the infinitys.
In reply to Post #29
Seen these type of Barbel rods on the custom builders websites, I would assume they are built and rung specifically for this type of work so would be a sacrifice in terms of distance casting?
Again to open the OP up for more questions (sorry OP) - Aviator plus or treb lite?
Seen these type of Barbel rods on the custom builders websites, I would assume they are built and rung specifically for this type of work so would be a sacrifice in terms of distance casting?
Again to open the OP up for more questions (sorry OP) - Aviator plus or treb lite?
In reply to Post #30
I used some 2.75 infinities recently, a much nicer rod than I was expecting.not the broom handle casting sticks many describe them as. I prefer the Harrison chimera but I could happily live with the infinities
I used some 2.75 infinities recently, a much nicer rod than I was expecting.not the broom handle casting sticks many describe them as. I prefer the Harrison chimera but I could happily live with the infinities
In reply to Post #32
The 3.25 chimera? Personally think that was a nicer blank than the same tc torrix.
The 3.25 chimera? Personally think that was a nicer blank than the same tc torrix.
In reply to Post #33
I meant the 2.75, but I agree the 3.25 chimera was a nicer rod, I actually prefer the cerbera to both though. The rod builder chimera variants were nicer too being a bit lighter.
I managed to drop a site transformer on my 2.5 chimeras, I'm not sure what to replace them with yet, possibly the 2.25 torrix but I might look at the century range. With the chimeras they were a pleasure to use with 1-1.5 oz leads close in, but could get 100 yards with a bigger lead, with a brilliant playing action for soaking up lunges. On paper the accurix would be the one but I chose the chimera over them last time around
I meant the 2.75, but I agree the 3.25 chimera was a nicer rod, I actually prefer the cerbera to both though. The rod builder chimera variants were nicer too being a bit lighter.
I managed to drop a site transformer on my 2.5 chimeras, I'm not sure what to replace them with yet, possibly the 2.25 torrix but I might look at the century range. With the chimeras they were a pleasure to use with 1-1.5 oz leads close in, but could get 100 yards with a bigger lead, with a brilliant playing action for soaking up lunges. On paper the accurix would be the one but I chose the chimera over them last time around
In reply to Post #31
You can have them built however you want I guess. Mine are 30mm butt rings as I didn't want to unbalance them, but you can get standard builds with 40mm too.
You can have them built however you want I guess. Mine are 30mm butt rings as I didn't want to unbalance them, but you can get standard builds with 40mm too.
In reply to Post #1
Free Spirit ES (12ft 2 3/4) - just about does everything you want. Best all round carp rod on the market IMO. You can use it safely in the margins, stick a lead over 100 yards and it is great with zigs and light lines (just add the 2ft extension). Also, it is very well made and if you're a tart like me, can be custom built. I've got full duplon on mine. Unless you need to fish at distance a lot, then it's got it covered. I use Free Spirit Hi S ER's for long range work or big bags. The ES I think is probaly the best rod they make in so many ways.
Free Spirit ES (12ft 2 3/4) - just about does everything you want. Best all round carp rod on the market IMO. You can use it safely in the margins, stick a lead over 100 yards and it is great with zigs and light lines (just add the 2ft extension). Also, it is very well made and if you're a tart like me, can be custom built. I've got full duplon on mine. Unless you need to fish at distance a lot, then it's got it covered. I use Free Spirit Hi S ER's for long range work or big bags. The ES I think is probaly the best rod they make in so many ways.
Harrison for me
In reply to Post #34
Just get more chimera's, Chris orme still does them and rates the 3lbtc as the best all round.
Just get more chimera's, Chris orme still does them and rates the 3lbtc as the best all round.
In reply to Post #38
Really? I keep reading that they won't make any more.
They say they'll replace broken sections, 5 out of 6 sections might be taking the p tho
I'm quite intrigued by the kev baines baby sniper rods tbh, although I'd use my usual rod builder for something similar, with a touch of aesthetic flair thrown in
I still have my 3.25 cerberas so I'm in no rush,
Really? I keep reading that they won't make any more.
They say they'll replace broken sections, 5 out of 6 sections might be taking the p tho
I'm quite intrigued by the kev baines baby sniper rods tbh, although I'd use my usual rod builder for something similar, with a touch of aesthetic flair thrown in
I still have my 3.25 cerberas so I'm in no rush,
In reply to Post #38
Chimera blanks are no longer in production apart from specialist rods up to 2.25 tc if i remember rightly.
Chimera blanks are no longer in production apart from specialist rods up to 2.25 tc if i remember rightly.
In reply to Post #40
From his website but not contacted him so maybe out of date.
Harrison Chimera
Not a tournament rod, but a fishing rod first. Designed for long range casting with conventional casting styles. Combines high modulus UD carbon with two types of fabric, 1K and 3K plain weave. This strong structure gives a fantastic power to weight ratio for firing out great distances. Lighter tip weight means higher tip speed and longer casts . Finished in clear two pack finish . These blanks will be bought on looks alone.
Available in:
12ft 2.50lb
12ft 2.75lb
12ft 3.00lb
12ft 3.25lb
12ft 3.50lb
13ft 2.75lb
13ft 3.00lb
13ft 3.25lb
13ft 3.5lb
Chimera 12ft 2.5lb:
If you fish small venues and want a light rod with fish playing power this is the one.
Chimera 12ft 2.75lb:
A main stream versatile rod with tough construction and great looks. Superb power to weight ratio and able to handle leads up to 3oz plus.
Chimera 12ft 3.0lb:
My best selling rod, this is a true all rounder capable of throwing great distances with a wide range of terminal tackle in the average anglers hands, yet still retaining a forgiving tip for fishing the margins.
Chimera 12ft 3.25lb:
Bridging the gap between the raw power of the 3.5lb rod and the all round versatility of the 3.0lb rod. Will produce great distances in the average angler's hands, being less critical on timing and casting technique than the 3.5lb.
Chimera 12ft 3.5lb:
An ultimate distance rod. Very powerful, needs a good technique and big leads to load up. Not for small venues, but will get to those far off fish.
From his website but not contacted him so maybe out of date.
Harrison Chimera
Not a tournament rod, but a fishing rod first. Designed for long range casting with conventional casting styles. Combines high modulus UD carbon with two types of fabric, 1K and 3K plain weave. This strong structure gives a fantastic power to weight ratio for firing out great distances. Lighter tip weight means higher tip speed and longer casts . Finished in clear two pack finish . These blanks will be bought on looks alone.
Available in:
12ft 2.50lb
12ft 2.75lb
12ft 3.00lb
12ft 3.25lb
12ft 3.50lb
13ft 2.75lb
13ft 3.00lb
13ft 3.25lb
13ft 3.5lb
Chimera 12ft 2.5lb:
If you fish small venues and want a light rod with fish playing power this is the one.
Chimera 12ft 2.75lb:
A main stream versatile rod with tough construction and great looks. Superb power to weight ratio and able to handle leads up to 3oz plus.
Chimera 12ft 3.0lb:
My best selling rod, this is a true all rounder capable of throwing great distances with a wide range of terminal tackle in the average anglers hands, yet still retaining a forgiving tip for fishing the margins.
Chimera 12ft 3.25lb:
Bridging the gap between the raw power of the 3.5lb rod and the all round versatility of the 3.0lb rod. Will produce great distances in the average angler's hands, being less critical on timing and casting technique than the 3.5lb.
Chimera 12ft 3.5lb:
An ultimate distance rod. Very powerful, needs a good technique and big leads to load up. Not for small venues, but will get to those far off fish.
In reply to Post #38
For what that's worth.
For what that's worth.
In reply to Post #41
By about 6 years i would say
By about 6 years i would say
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