Theres not many reviews of these about. Just wondering if anyone had them? Looking at the 12' 3lb version. Are they a fast actioned rod or more of a through action? Still not sure about the alps seats. Its a toss up between these or some custom 3lb hi s. Ive had the hi s before and loved them but condidering something different. Also whats the factory build century rod like as i know the factory build hi s are a bit hit and miss. With the huge increase in hi s prices since i last had them the two rods are now roughly the same price.
Cheers.
Cheers.
In reply to Post #1
Depending on the build you go for, custom rods are generally jot much more than off the shelf, you could probably spec the century blanks with fuji seats and kigan guides and come in with a very similar price as off the shelf builds with the alps.
Cant help on the rods though as havent used either, only thoughts on the graphene rods is the davt they are still only using the graphene in one range of rods. If it was that beneficial, surely it would be used more across the range
Depending on the build you go for, custom rods are generally jot much more than off the shelf, you could probably spec the century blanks with fuji seats and kigan guides and come in with a very similar price as off the shelf builds with the alps.
Cant help on the rods though as havent used either, only thoughts on the graphene rods is the davt they are still only using the graphene in one range of rods. If it was that beneficial, surely it would be used more across the range
In reply to Post #1
Exactly the same rods I bought. For close work.
They are tremendous for close fishing - they will manage 80 yards - but that is about it.
Fighting fish is a pure pleasure.
They are really not casting rods.
I am quite happy with the factory build. The Alps reel seats are fine as far as I am concerned.
I have a set of adv 3.25 for mid range (which dont get used so much) and Harrison 13' 3.5 for long range.
If you want a rod that will put a smile on your face when you are fighting fish then the graphenes are the ones.
Exactly the same rods I bought. For close work.
They are tremendous for close fishing - they will manage 80 yards - but that is about it.
Fighting fish is a pure pleasure.
They are really not casting rods.
I am quite happy with the factory build. The Alps reel seats are fine as far as I am concerned.
I have a set of adv 3.25 for mid range (which dont get used so much) and Harrison 13' 3.5 for long range.
If you want a rod that will put a smile on your face when you are fighting fish then the graphenes are the ones.
Cheers lads, i wont be fishing at more than 80 yards Tony.
In reply to Post #4
As close range rods they are as good as it gets.
My best and favourite rods are my Harrison Aviator Plus rods in 13' and 3.5lbs.
If I had to choose one set of rods for all my carp fishing it would be them.
They cast crazy distances and yet being 13' long they have loads of give and dont bump fish off at the net.
Trying to rein them in for a short cast is the only problem I have with them.
At Horseshoe lake I always took both sets of rods - then used what rods the swim dictated.
At Linear I took all three sets!
As close range rods they are as good as it gets.
My best and favourite rods are my Harrison Aviator Plus rods in 13' and 3.5lbs.
If I had to choose one set of rods for all my carp fishing it would be them.
They cast crazy distances and yet being 13' long they have loads of give and dont bump fish off at the net.
Trying to rein them in for a short cast is the only problem I have with them.
At Horseshoe lake I always took both sets of rods - then used what rods the swim dictated.
At Linear I took all three sets!
In reply to Post #5
Try the 3.5tc graphenes, don't let tc put you off, the 3.25tc NG was always thought a good playing rod.
Try the 3.5tc graphenes, don't let tc put you off, the 3.25tc NG was always thought a good playing rod.
In reply to Post #6
Edited:
The 3.5 13ft graphene is a match for their C2-D. (Centurys words)
So if you want an equivalent to a 3.5lb rod you should be looking at a 3 1/4 graphene.
Edited:
The 3.5 13ft graphene is a match for their C2-D. (Centurys words)
So if you want an equivalent to a 3.5lb rod you should be looking at a 3 1/4 graphene.
Cheers everyone. The century factory is only about 15 miles from me in washington unless its moved since i was last there 20 years ago so might see if i can go and have a look.
In reply to Post #2
Marketing technique/Milking the cow perhaps? Offer it as their top rod that incorporates graphene to give it a superior status then release a fuller range that appeals to more opeople who are so happy they can now get the rod they want that uses graphene!?
Marketing technique/Milking the cow perhaps? Offer it as their top rod that incorporates graphene to give it a superior status then release a fuller range that appeals to more opeople who are so happy they can now get the rod they want that uses graphene!?
In reply to Post #1
I can't believe that £500 rods are almost normal now. Especially a hiS which was nowhere near that and hasn't changed one bit. I'd need all the graphene dust they can squeeze into the resin, madeupitanium guides and unicorn horn butt caps for that price!
Technically you can probably build 2 sets of 3 rods for £1500 that would cover anything and outperform any £500 off the shelf rod. You can opt out of the ridiculous reel seats too
I can't believe that £500 rods are almost normal now. Especially a hiS which was nowhere near that and hasn't changed one bit. I'd need all the graphene dust they can squeeze into the resin, madeupitanium guides and unicorn horn butt caps for that price!
Technically you can probably build 2 sets of 3 rods for £1500 that would cover anything and outperform any £500 off the shelf rod. You can opt out of the ridiculous reel seats too
In reply to Post #10
I was quite shocked at how much the hi s had went up in price. Before i packed in carp fishing a few years ago i only paid £315 for my 12' 3.25 hi s rods. Mind you there cheap as chips compared to the £1000 10' fly rod i saw in john norris game shop a couple of weeks ago and that had bits of wire for rings.
I was quite shocked at how much the hi s had went up in price. Before i packed in carp fishing a few years ago i only paid £315 for my 12' 3.25 hi s rods. Mind you there cheap as chips compared to the £1000 10' fly rod i saw in john norris game shop a couple of weeks ago and that had bits of wire for rings.
In reply to Post #10
“madeupitanium guides“ 😂
“madeupitanium guides“ 😂
In reply to Post #11
Are the hi s and other top end free spirit rods all produced in the far east aswell? Bit of a piss take if they are, dont get me wrong, theres nothing wrong with the carbon out there is its done properly, but to charge top end prices for rods produced at far east prices is proper having peoples pants down
Are the hi s and other top end free spirit rods all produced in the far east aswell? Bit of a piss take if they are, dont get me wrong, theres nothing wrong with the carbon out there is its done properly, but to charge top end prices for rods produced at far east prices is proper having peoples pants down
In reply to Post #11
Double post
Double post
In reply to Post #8
Hi stu, also have a look at the century fbs 3.5lbtc if going to the factory...i have a custom set in 12ft...fantastic players rods yet retain good power when battling big fish... Casting wise good to about 110 /120 should you need to fish further out...
Have them in a black gloss finish with dark green whipping...very nicely done and understated look
Hi stu, also have a look at the century fbs 3.5lbtc if going to the factory...i have a custom set in 12ft...fantastic players rods yet retain good power when battling big fish... Casting wise good to about 110 /120 should you need to fish further out...
Have them in a black gloss finish with dark green whipping...very nicely done and understated look
In reply to Post #10
If idiots did,nt buy them then they would,nt be that price.
If idiots did,nt buy them then they would,nt be that price.
In reply to Post #15
I used to have a set of the 2.5lb brown colourmatic fbs that changed from brown to green in the light many moons ago mate. Lovely rods.
I used to have a set of the 2.5lb brown colourmatic fbs that changed from brown to green in the light many moons ago mate. Lovely rods.
In reply to Post #7
Not true, this is from their website.
12′ 3.50lb – All rounder. We have to be honest the fish playing ability will drop vs the above lower test curve models but it makes up for that loss with giving you a true all rounder with that sweet spot combination of casting distances when needed and fish playing. True carp rod for 90% of scenarios. The casting power is similar to ADV 12' 3.50lb.
12′ 3.75lb – a long distance casting rod but at 12′ and using similar principle to the C2-D action. Easier to use and more compressible in the butt than the 12' FMA/SP models during cast but has powerful tip to go with the butt and so offers an even power delivery throughout blank.
13′ 3.50lb – This fits in as another all rounder and very popular for European venues where need extra rod length as useful for rocky lake shores etc and anglers wants a similar power vs playability designed blank like the Stealth 12' 3.50lb but at the anglers preference 13' length. This Stealth 13′ 3.50lb would not be classed in our long range rod series which we still recommend the C2-D 13' 3.75lb.
Not true, this is from their website.
12′ 3.50lb – All rounder. We have to be honest the fish playing ability will drop vs the above lower test curve models but it makes up for that loss with giving you a true all rounder with that sweet spot combination of casting distances when needed and fish playing. True carp rod for 90% of scenarios. The casting power is similar to ADV 12' 3.50lb.
12′ 3.75lb – a long distance casting rod but at 12′ and using similar principle to the C2-D action. Easier to use and more compressible in the butt than the 12' FMA/SP models during cast but has powerful tip to go with the butt and so offers an even power delivery throughout blank.
13′ 3.50lb – This fits in as another all rounder and very popular for European venues where need extra rod length as useful for rocky lake shores etc and anglers wants a similar power vs playability designed blank like the Stealth 12' 3.50lb but at the anglers preference 13' length. This Stealth 13′ 3.50lb would not be classed in our long range rod series which we still recommend the C2-D 13' 3.75lb.
Must admit i do find it unpalatable that a Free Spirit Rod made in the Far East with much lower costs for labour etc. Can cost the same or more than a rod made in the UK.
Free Spirits profit margins must be huge. Although I doubt the tackle shops see any of that!
Free Spirits profit margins must be huge. Although I doubt the tackle shops see any of that!
In reply to Post #18
Apologies - in their early videos they said the 13' 3.5 stealth graphene was similar to the C2-D
Apologies - in their early videos they said the 13' 3.5 stealth graphene was similar to the C2-D
Who builds the century rods? Are they built at the factory in washington?
In reply to Post #19
Hi's and s range blanks were made in Japan and hi's built in the UK, don't know if this is still true.
Hi's and s range blanks were made in Japan and hi's built in the UK, don't know if this is still true.
In reply to Post #11
Remember you saying your 12ft6inch 3.25tc hi's were the best free spirit rods you ever had.
Personal opinion as always with rods but for me the basia x45 win over hi's unless you want extreme distance of the I've or 200/220.
Remember you saying your 12ft6inch 3.25tc hi's were the best free spirit rods you ever had.
Personal opinion as always with rods but for me the basia x45 win over hi's unless you want extreme distance of the I've or 200/220.
In reply to Post #21
Yes Stuart
Yes Stuart
In reply to Post #23
The hi s 12'6 3.25 were excellent rods and still my favourite carp rods ive owned just fancied something different. I currently use a set of daiwa basia barbel x45 rods for my barbel fishing and agree the blank is superb and better than the hi s barbel rods they replaced. I dont like the build on the basia carp rods though so never owned the carp rod range. Im not sure if any rod builders can get the basia blanks.
The hi s 12'6 3.25 were excellent rods and still my favourite carp rods ive owned just fancied something different. I currently use a set of daiwa basia barbel x45 rods for my barbel fishing and agree the blank is superb and better than the hi s barbel rods they replaced. I dont like the build on the basia carp rods though so never owned the carp rod range. Im not sure if any rod builders can get the basia blanks.
In reply to Post #24
Cheers Tony 👍🏻
Cheers Tony 👍🏻
It suprises me that seemingly so few people use the century stealth range. I thought they would be more popular with all of the fan fare of graphene in the press.
Maybe they have simply priced themselves out somewhat?
Maybe they have simply priced themselves out somewhat?
In reply to Post #27
I think the price is more or less on par with the more popular hi s and torrix/aviator rods these days. They just dont seem as popular for some reason.
I think the price is more or less on par with the more popular hi s and torrix/aviator rods these days. They just dont seem as popular for some reason.
A brand new pair of 2.5 graphenes just popped on ebay for £500 so bought them as thats a proper bargain at that price. I wont be fishing at more than 80 yards so should be fine and i would much rather have a rod that nice to play fish on over a stiffer rod.
In reply to Post #29
Well done a good buy
Well done a good buy
In reply to Post #30
Cheers Tony. Best bargain ive had in years mate. Cant wait to pit a bend in them 👍🏻
Cheers Tony. Best bargain ive had in years mate. Cant wait to pit a bend in them 👍🏻
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