Hi,
I'm looking at getting a set of either Hi-S I've 13' or 12' I've ER's. Wondered on the views of anyone who owns or has owned these. Most of my prior fishing has been on smaller waters at ranges up to 70/80yds but need some versatile rods for short to longish range (up to 130/150yd) that can handle both including bag work but are still enjoyable to play fish on. These will be the only set of new rods I will get for the next few years so they need to be right.
Johnson Ross seem to compare both of these on their site but I've never owned a 13' carp rod before and whilst I would expect that this could give me some extra distance I'm worried these would be impractical, having fished mainly with 12' rods before. Had a play around with the Hi-S's before but need to wait for tackle shops to reopen before doing the same with these?
Thanks in advance!
I'm looking at getting a set of either Hi-S I've 13' or 12' I've ER's. Wondered on the views of anyone who owns or has owned these. Most of my prior fishing has been on smaller waters at ranges up to 70/80yds but need some versatile rods for short to longish range (up to 130/150yd) that can handle both including bag work but are still enjoyable to play fish on. These will be the only set of new rods I will get for the next few years so they need to be right.
Johnson Ross seem to compare both of these on their site but I've never owned a 13' carp rod before and whilst I would expect that this could give me some extra distance I'm worried these would be impractical, having fished mainly with 12' rods before. Had a play around with the Hi-S's before but need to wait for tackle shops to reopen before doing the same with these?
Thanks in advance!
In reply to Post #1
I can only comment on the 12ft ER - as I have three of those. A little more forgiving than the ive's , which require more effort to get the most out of them. That's why I sold my 12ft Hi S'ives and got the ER's. In my opinion it is one of the best distance rods on the market. I just love mine. OK to play fish on, but don't expect them to be amazing in that department, as they are designed for casting. You can use down to 60/70 yards with no problems and they'll hit extreme ranges if you're a good caster. I use them for all my distance work - I have 12ft ES for close to mid range. As to 13ft rods? I can't get on with them and found I cast better with a 12ft. Others can get on with them and gain extra distance. I had 13ft Eclipses many moons ago - nice rods, but hey, not for me.
I can only comment on the 12ft ER - as I have three of those. A little more forgiving than the ive's , which require more effort to get the most out of them. That's why I sold my 12ft Hi S'ives and got the ER's. In my opinion it is one of the best distance rods on the market. I just love mine. OK to play fish on, but don't expect them to be amazing in that department, as they are designed for casting. You can use down to 60/70 yards with no problems and they'll hit extreme ranges if you're a good caster. I use them for all my distance work - I have 12ft ES for close to mid range. As to 13ft rods? I can't get on with them and found I cast better with a 12ft. Others can get on with them and gain extra distance. I had 13ft Eclipses many moons ago - nice rods, but hey, not for me.
In reply to Post #2
Thank you! Do you think I could get away with using them for v close work 0-20yds should the need arise?
Thank you! Do you think I could get away with using them for v close work 0-20yds should the need arise?
In reply to Post #3
The Ive is fine close in to about 120/130 yds out.
Best rod i've used to handle all but mega range.
The Ive is fine close in to about 120/130 yds out.
Best rod i've used to handle all but mega range.
In reply to Post #2
Seconded about the ER's,I use mine at all distances from margin work to over 100 yards no problem but don't expect a through action rod with these
Seconded about the ER's,I use mine at all distances from margin work to over 100 yards no problem but don't expect a through action rod with these
In reply to Post #3
You can use them occasionally at shorter distances or margin work and I've done just that, but they're much better suited to distance fishing. If you want more of an all round round, I'd go for a regular 12ft 3.5 Hi S, which is more forgiving and can still hit decent range when needed. I really only use my ER's for distance work and keep my 12ft ES for margin to mid range, say 60-70 yards. The ES is way better to play fish on , but the ER isn't a total poker it has to be said.
You can use them occasionally at shorter distances or margin work and I've done just that, but they're much better suited to distance fishing. If you want more of an all round round, I'd go for a regular 12ft 3.5 Hi S, which is more forgiving and can still hit decent range when needed. I really only use my ER's for distance work and keep my 12ft ES for margin to mid range, say 60-70 yards. The ES is way better to play fish on , but the ER isn't a total poker it has to be said.
In reply to Post #6
if it doesn't have to be a Free Spirit Rod, id strongly recommend having a look at the 13ft Aviator Plus from Harrison.
This is as close to an all rounder that I have found.
if it doesn't have to be a Free Spirit Rod, id strongly recommend having a look at the 13ft Aviator Plus from Harrison.
This is as close to an all rounder that I have found.
In reply to Post #7
Thanks; I've been recommended the Hi-S range over Harrison as friends of mine who have used them long term and say that there is virtually no softening of the blank over time ie: retains original t.c (I know
this in in Free Spirit's marketing as well 😉
If it wasn't for that I would prob have Harrison's on my shortlist!
Thanks; I've been recommended the Hi-S range over Harrison as friends of mine who have used them long term and say that there is virtually no softening of the blank over time ie: retains original t.c (I know
this in in Free Spirit's marketing as well 😉
If it wasn't for that I would prob have Harrison's on my shortlist!
I have a set of Harrison Balisters in 13' 3 1/2 TC which are twenty five years old (that is scary) used for spodding marking fishing and out perform my Torrix 3.25 all day long no softening has occurred.
In reply to Post #1
It's such as personal thing and i was in the same dilemma a few years ago. I found the 12ft ER's to be a little unbalanced unless it was fully loaded up and didn't really get on with them for short/mid range at all. Changed them for the 13ft Ive's and can honestly say that they're the best all round distance rod (?!!) I've certainly ever used...they are for me bang on. That extra ft makes the world of difference to the feel of the rod.
12ft 3.5 Hi S won't give you the 150 you want but are lovely rods up to 130 imho for an ordinary caster, but not for bag work at that range.
The other one I'd throw in there would be the S Lite IVE if you wanted more of a compound taper.
It's such as personal thing and i was in the same dilemma a few years ago. I found the 12ft ER's to be a little unbalanced unless it was fully loaded up and didn't really get on with them for short/mid range at all. Changed them for the 13ft Ive's and can honestly say that they're the best all round distance rod (?!!) I've certainly ever used...they are for me bang on. That extra ft makes the world of difference to the feel of the rod.
12ft 3.5 Hi S won't give you the 150 you want but are lovely rods up to 130 imho for an ordinary caster, but not for bag work at that range.
The other one I'd throw in there would be the S Lite IVE if you wanted more of a compound taper.
In reply to Post #10
Thank you and you're comfortable using these at shorter range as well, where the need arises?
Thank you and you're comfortable using these at shorter range as well, where the need arises?
In reply to Post #9
Interesting that an older rod has retained it's t.c but one with more modern technology hasn't. Free Spirit claim the lower resin content (4% vs maybe 15/20% in other blanks) minimises softening but I'm not schooled enough in this matter to know whether this is correct, but I'm sure some of the forum users are?
Interesting that an older rod has retained it's t.c but one with more modern technology hasn't. Free Spirit claim the lower resin content (4% vs maybe 15/20% in other blanks) minimises softening but I'm not schooled enough in this matter to know whether this is correct, but I'm sure some of the forum users are?
In reply to Post #11
Yes no problem...quite often have one in the edge
Yes no problem...quite often have one in the edge
In reply to Post #13
Hi s Ives 13ft are superb rods. I sold my 13ft aviators and got a set and much prefer the his ives to my Harrison's. . Lighter crisper, superb casters and they bend well with a fish on.
Hi s Ives 13ft are superb rods. I sold my 13ft aviators and got a set and much prefer the his ives to my Harrison's. . Lighter crisper, superb casters and they bend well with a fish on.
In reply to Post #14
I have ERs and they are a great rod but not and out and out chucking tool. Lovely action but I wish I'd gone for the 13s only because I'm fishing at longer ranges occasionally . Fishing ERs comfortable to 120 yards and the tips great for feeling a drop. I'm no chucker really tho. They are fine for fishing short range. Aviators are nice tho but hi s hold there money better over time I'd say. Thinking of the e class 13fts su for chucking if anyone has any experience of them?
I have ERs and they are a great rod but not and out and out chucking tool. Lovely action but I wish I'd gone for the 13s only because I'm fishing at longer ranges occasionally . Fishing ERs comfortable to 120 yards and the tips great for feeling a drop. I'm no chucker really tho. They are fine for fishing short range. Aviators are nice tho but hi s hold there money better over time I'd say. Thinking of the e class 13fts su for chucking if anyone has any experience of them?
Thanks for your comments everyone, I found all of them very informative and will no doubt help steer me to the right choice for me 👍
In reply to Post #9
They make bloody good pike rods too.
They make bloody good pike rods too.
Bump, any more veiws on the er vs 13ft I've. What range can be obtained with single hook bait and no leader?
In reply to Post #16
If it's of any interest free spirit have a large stand and free casting tuition, at the Essex carp show, march 26-27. You would be able to try out the models and chat with all the consultants and get a great deal if purchasing at the show
If it's of any interest free spirit have a large stand and free casting tuition, at the Essex carp show, march 26-27. You would be able to try out the models and chat with all the consultants and get a great deal if purchasing at the show
Had top section snap half way down on one of my 12ft ER's while playing a fish,it's being sorted by a rod builder I'm expecting a bill of over £200 
In reply to Post #20
What's the realistic fishi g range of the er with single hook bait fishing straight through no shock leader. Watched an old video with shaun Harrison claiming he did 190 yards with a three ounce lead and fifteen pound line straight through which I struggle to believe.
What's the realistic fishi g range of the er with single hook bait fishing straight through no shock leader. Watched an old video with shaun Harrison claiming he did 190 yards with a three ounce lead and fifteen pound line straight through which I struggle to believe.
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