I'm thinking of getting a set.of 13ft Trebuchets made up. Have any of you on here any experience with them, even better, if you've gone from Lites to the full fat version what is the difference weight wise, casting distance, fish playability?
Many thanks 👍
Many thanks 👍
In reply to Post #1
First time i have heard them called that.
First time i have heard them called that.
In reply to Post #1
i love mine, never had or tried the lites. usually blast 4ozs with them, i dont find them that hard to compress or worry about hook pulls, i think that their reputation puts people off, much better than the FMJs that I have had (in both 12 and 13ft).
i love mine, never had or tried the lites. usually blast 4ozs with them, i dont find them that hard to compress or worry about hook pulls, i think that their reputation puts people off, much better than the FMJs that I have had (in both 12 and 13ft).
In reply to Post #2
Full.fat and Semi skimmed 👍
Full.fat and Semi skimmed 👍
In reply to Post #3
Thank you for the reply 👍
It's reassuring to know they're good to play fish on. I didn't think they'd broomsticks, just a slightly beefed up version of the Lites. Got to choose a rod builder now 😁
Thank you for the reply 👍
It's reassuring to know they're good to play fish on. I didn't think they'd broomsticks, just a slightly beefed up version of the Lites. Got to choose a rod builder now 😁
In reply to Post #5
Would of thought Kev Clayton is a good shout especially as he's the ex Harrison rod builder and of course there's others
Would of thought Kev Clayton is a good shout especially as he's the ex Harrison rod builder and of course there's others
In reply to Post #1
Ive never tried the 13ft full treb blank but the 12ft is rubbish imo. Really stiff, really heavy with no real tip to speak of.
Im a fairly decent caster and i found the 12ft treb a real ball buster
I found them to be a lot stiffer than the lites when i had a go with one. If you're able to cast 200yds then go with them, but i could cast over 30 yds further with the 13ft lites than i could with the 12ft full fat. The lites are also ok to play fish on for a casting rods. I wouldn't really want to play a fish on the 12ft full-fat, especially as i use zigs a lot
Ive never tried the 13ft full treb blank but the 12ft is rubbish imo. Really stiff, really heavy with no real tip to speak of.
Im a fairly decent caster and i found the 12ft treb a real ball buster
I found them to be a lot stiffer than the lites when i had a go with one. If you're able to cast 200yds then go with them, but i could cast over 30 yds further with the 13ft lites than i could with the 12ft full fat. The lites are also ok to play fish on for a casting rods. I wouldn't really want to play a fish on the 12ft full-fat, especially as i use zigs a lot
In reply to Post #7
I'm betting the 13ft would be the one .
I'm betting the 13ft would be the one .
In reply to Post #8
in my experience 13ft are a little softer, mine are 13ft. the 12ft FMJ was a different animal to the 13ft version.
in my experience 13ft are a little softer, mine are 13ft. the 12ft FMJ was a different animal to the 13ft version.
13' all the way pure mechanics. The original Harrison distance rods where the balister 3.75 13' I think mine are 3.5lb version and they are decent (probably better than my Torrix 3.25 12'), is say that as they are heavier and a thicker blank and 25 yo.
In reply to Post #7
Yes,the 12s are ball busters🤣
Had s set couple years back!now using aviators 12.6 plus.......proper rods lmo 👍😎
Yes,the 12s are ball busters🤣
Had s set couple years back!now using aviators 12.6 plus.......proper rods lmo 👍😎
In reply to Post #5
The original Trebs were out quite a while before the Lites made an appearance😎
The original Trebs were out quite a while before the Lites made an appearance😎
In reply to Post #12
And the lites came about as the full fats are to much for most anglers even in 13ft flavour to get the best out of as it is really designed for tournament casting.
And the lites came about as the full fats are to much for most anglers even in 13ft flavour to get the best out of as it is really designed for tournament casting.
Where are you based? If I was going to spend £400 on a tool like a Trebuchet I would want to have at least a few chucks with one. In my opinion these are a tool to do a job rather than a fishing rod so best to be sure for yourself that it's what you need.
In reply to Post #14
You got one I can have a go on then?
You got one I can have a go on then?
In reply to Post #15
No, but I have a couple of Century beach casting rods if you want a comparable blank
I meant where are you based so that you could visit a rod builder and get some advice.
No, but I have a couple of Century beach casting rods if you want a comparable blank
I meant where are you based so that you could visit a rod builder and get some advice.
In reply to Post #16
Someone that I know who bent my Lites reckoned they were outrageous broomsticks and should be banned (lovely rods) christ knows what he would say about the big guns. Anyways, unless a specific rod builder fishes long range (you know any) what are they going to do other than offer an uninformed opinion?
If this rod was as bad as you're making out, why is it sold by the manufacturer as a carp rod and not a beachcaster, maybe have a word with them and put them straight?
Someone that I know who bent my Lites reckoned they were outrageous broomsticks and should be banned (lovely rods) christ knows what he would say about the big guns. Anyways, unless a specific rod builder fishes long range (you know any) what are they going to do other than offer an uninformed opinion?
If this rod was as bad as you're making out, why is it sold by the manufacturer as a carp rod and not a beachcaster, maybe have a word with them and put them straight?
In reply to Post #17
It's marketed as rod for when out and out distance outweighs all other considerations.
It's a broomstick than can be used as a fishing rod
Beach casters have softer tips for indication
Some rod builders keep demo rods for customers to try out, its getting less common now though
It's marketed as rod for when out and out distance outweighs all other considerations.
It's a broomstick than can be used as a fishing rod
Beach casters have softer tips for indication
Some rod builders keep demo rods for customers to try out, its getting less common now though
In reply to Post #18
And from kev Clayton's site
"Absolutely awesome is the only way to describe these, in tests they put leads in excess of 200yds, however unlike some other extreme rods Harrison have retained an action that is fine for playing fish close in."
Make of that what you will.
Anyway guys, please stick to the original post. Please only post if you've used these rods, I'm not interested in your opinion of what you think these rods are all about, cheers 👍
And from kev Clayton's site
"Absolutely awesome is the only way to describe these, in tests they put leads in excess of 200yds, however unlike some other extreme rods Harrison have retained an action that is fine for playing fish close in."
Make of that what you will.
Anyway guys, please stick to the original post. Please only post if you've used these rods, I'm not interested in your opinion of what you think these rods are all about, cheers 👍
In reply to Post #19
I've had the displeasure of playing a few fish on these. I think the difference is people's interpretation of ok to play fish, which doesn't mean it's enjoyable either.. just ok
They're completely compromised in favour of distance IMO, which is fine if that's what you want and can (or need to) wind them up properly.
They're tools for a job and as with most things there will always be somebody who can outperform you with inferior tools
I've had the displeasure of playing a few fish on these. I think the difference is people's interpretation of ok to play fish, which doesn't mean it's enjoyable either.. just ok
They're completely compromised in favour of distance IMO, which is fine if that's what you want and can (or need to) wind them up properly.
They're tools for a job and as with most things there will always be somebody who can outperform you with inferior tools
In reply to Post #19
This is not a remotely accurate description
They are very very stiff with no real tip to speak of. If i wanted to cast a loooong way but had no interest is actually catching, they'd be great. To me they are a casting rod, not a fishing rod (although i didn't catch when i used them!). The lites are a lot more useable
This is not a remotely accurate description
They are very very stiff with no real tip to speak of. If i wanted to cast a loooong way but had no interest is actually catching, they'd be great. To me they are a casting rod, not a fishing rod (although i didn't catch when i used them!). The lites are a lot more useable
In reply to Post #20
I've only had a dozen casts with them and didn't get on at all. I was casting to a mark at around 160 yds and hitting it comfortably with a 12ft fox horizon xt, but was well short with the 12ft treb, where it has so little flex your technique has to be near perfect to really use it
Rods I've used more that hit big distances have been horrendous to use below about 80yds, and these are a lot softer than the trebs
I've only had a dozen casts with them and didn't get on at all. I was casting to a mark at around 160 yds and hitting it comfortably with a 12ft fox horizon xt, but was well short with the 12ft treb, where it has so little flex your technique has to be near perfect to really use it
Rods I've used more that hit big distances have been horrendous to use below about 80yds, and these are a lot softer than the trebs
In reply to Post #20
Which one were they Noj, 12 or 13ft.
Interesting read, thanks 👍
Which one were they Noj, 12 or 13ft.
Interesting read, thanks 👍
Oh noz, I'm all confoosed, you lots got me leaning towards 13ft Semi skimmed...
In reply to Post #24
Agree with post 20.It depends what you want from a rod.
I love my trebs but i wouldn't have them if I had to use just one set of rods tbh if that makes sense.
Agree with post 20.It depends what you want from a rod.
I love my trebs but i wouldn't have them if I had to use just one set of rods tbh if that makes sense.
In reply to Post #24
In my humble opinion and thats all it is , They are absolutely horrendous ! The only rod i have used and do use in this bracket that has decent fish playing qualities is the ballista 13ft 4lb which i use for pike on the big scottish lochs, you can use these from 20yds to as far as you can cast and suffer no hook pulls and they bend into fish nicely. The trebs make nice things to grow runner beans up.
I have,nt used the bigger aviators enough myself but they get rave reviews from lads i have built them for.
In my humble opinion and thats all it is , They are absolutely horrendous ! The only rod i have used and do use in this bracket that has decent fish playing qualities is the ballista 13ft 4lb which i use for pike on the big scottish lochs, you can use these from 20yds to as far as you can cast and suffer no hook pulls and they bend into fish nicely. The trebs make nice things to grow runner beans up.
I have,nt used the bigger aviators enough myself but they get rave reviews from lads i have built them for.
In reply to Post #24
You've already got the 13ft treb lites as you have said before. Over the last couple of years I've cast a few of the distance rods on the market as I've always been a fan of the infinity's for distance and wondered if there was anything I would prefer. Fact is there is a point that once reached you hit the law of deminishing returns, by this I mean there are some rods that can cast a baited rig to say 160 yards and still have an acceptable fish playing action but cannot be described as a players rod and going beyond this range requires an increase in power which kills any playing enjoyment and becomes far more critical of timing. At this level you really need to try before you buy and Tel20 would have been the man for this, maybe he still has a treb you could use on a tuition.
You've already got the 13ft treb lites as you have said before. Over the last couple of years I've cast a few of the distance rods on the market as I've always been a fan of the infinity's for distance and wondered if there was anything I would prefer. Fact is there is a point that once reached you hit the law of deminishing returns, by this I mean there are some rods that can cast a baited rig to say 160 yards and still have an acceptable fish playing action but cannot be described as a players rod and going beyond this range requires an increase in power which kills any playing enjoyment and becomes far more critical of timing. At this level you really need to try before you buy and Tel20 would have been the man for this, maybe he still has a treb you could use on a tuition.
In reply to Post #27
I've got 12ft Lites, not the 13ft numbers.
The reason for new rods is down to the overfit on one of the rods (you've seen the pics) being very worn, can only put that down to the previous owner who had them, possibly they had the fittings built up before I bought them.
As for playing fish, to be brutally honest, I'm just interested in catching rather than the fight. I'm not brutal with fish, quite the opposite, even still, I'd much rather land them than worry that somehow I've missed out on having a rod hooped over double admiring the bend in my rod. I'm fishing a relatively large/ low stocked water, so I don't want to lose anything I get a take from. Because the place is becoming more popular over time, fishing where others (or so I've seen) can't cast to is an edge for me. I'm not saying I'm some super duper ultra mega long range caster, far from it, all the same, every little extra bit helps.
The timing factor with the Trebuchets could be a problem, my timing can be a touch wiffy at times, added to that the swims on my place are horrible, like sloping banks down to the waters edge, tight swims, the decent open swims are very popular, so me rocking up on a weekend, chances are I get a s-hit swim...the ones I've been heavily baiting.
It's just a choice I've made for this year, that being fishing where others can't get to, or so I'm hoping. It is a rod I've made for my own back. The next place that I'm going to is even bigger with who knows what is in there, could be next to f..k all for all I know if the otters have gotten busy from what I'm hearing.
I've got 12ft Lites, not the 13ft numbers.
The reason for new rods is down to the overfit on one of the rods (you've seen the pics) being very worn, can only put that down to the previous owner who had them, possibly they had the fittings built up before I bought them.
As for playing fish, to be brutally honest, I'm just interested in catching rather than the fight. I'm not brutal with fish, quite the opposite, even still, I'd much rather land them than worry that somehow I've missed out on having a rod hooped over double admiring the bend in my rod. I'm fishing a relatively large/ low stocked water, so I don't want to lose anything I get a take from. Because the place is becoming more popular over time, fishing where others (or so I've seen) can't cast to is an edge for me. I'm not saying I'm some super duper ultra mega long range caster, far from it, all the same, every little extra bit helps.
The timing factor with the Trebuchets could be a problem, my timing can be a touch wiffy at times, added to that the swims on my place are horrible, like sloping banks down to the waters edge, tight swims, the decent open swims are very popular, so me rocking up on a weekend, chances are I get a s-hit swim...the ones I've been heavily baiting.
It's just a choice I've made for this year, that being fishing where others can't get to, or so I'm hoping. It is a rod I've made for my own back. The next place that I'm going to is even bigger with who knows what is in there, could be next to f..k all for all I know if the otters have gotten busy from what I'm hearing.
In reply to Post #27
Out of the extreme distance rods you've used, which would you say are the most versatile/user friendly?
Even on huge waters I wouldn't always want/need to be casting huge distances, and as I said, the rods I've tried have been horrendous to use at closer range.
My fox xt spod for instance, is pretty accurate for me over 80 yds but below that I'll be dropping short or hitting the clip at warp speed 20ft above the water. With few casts in between. At that range/casting speed it's very difficult to consistently time it and tiny differences in speed make huge differences in distance
I even had to add 2 ozs of lead to the front of a dot spod to bring the usable range a bit closer
Out of the extreme distance rods you've used, which would you say are the most versatile/user friendly?
Even on huge waters I wouldn't always want/need to be casting huge distances, and as I said, the rods I've tried have been horrendous to use at closer range.
My fox xt spod for instance, is pretty accurate for me over 80 yds but below that I'll be dropping short or hitting the clip at warp speed 20ft above the water. With few casts in between. At that range/casting speed it's very difficult to consistently time it and tiny differences in speed make huge differences in distance
I even had to add 2 ozs of lead to the front of a dot spod to bring the usable range a bit closer
In reply to Post #28
I was looking at new rods in Dec but didn't know what to go for. I went to a local rod builder, who made some suggestions based on what I was looking for. I already had treb lites and trebs in 13ft in mind anyway. I had taken a couple of my reels with me, he lent me a handful of rods including both the trebs and treb lites, I took the rods to a lake about 10 minutes away and had a play for a few hours. I took my marker sticks so I could get a feel for the rods and get and confirm which I could cast further.
I ordered the Treb lites in 13ft.
Give some local rod builders a call and see if they could do something like this for you - then you can order from them or elsewhere.
I was looking at new rods in Dec but didn't know what to go for. I went to a local rod builder, who made some suggestions based on what I was looking for. I already had treb lites and trebs in 13ft in mind anyway. I had taken a couple of my reels with me, he lent me a handful of rods including both the trebs and treb lites, I took the rods to a lake about 10 minutes away and had a play for a few hours. I took my marker sticks so I could get a feel for the rods and get and confirm which I could cast further.
I ordered the Treb lites in 13ft.
Give some local rod builders a call and see if they could do something like this for you - then you can order from them or elsewhere.
In reply to Post #29
I've only been casting these rods not fishing, mostly over a large pit, my favourite had always been the infinity's and I did try the 13ft 4.25tc but if in the market for distance rods it would be 13ft aviator plus for its ease of use and acceptable close in ability followed by the 13ft treb lites which I could probably cast a bit further but not as good close in. The surprise rod for me was the century fma2 which has a very powerful butt and relatively soft tip but I used to beach fish a lot casting pendulum and off the ground which this rod would be very good at.
The op has said about sloping banks so maybe off the ground casting may be an option with the 13ft full fat treb.
Should say when casting off the ground I was using a large tarp to cast off.
I've only been casting these rods not fishing, mostly over a large pit, my favourite had always been the infinity's and I did try the 13ft 4.25tc but if in the market for distance rods it would be 13ft aviator plus for its ease of use and acceptable close in ability followed by the 13ft treb lites which I could probably cast a bit further but not as good close in. The surprise rod for me was the century fma2 which has a very powerful butt and relatively soft tip but I used to beach fish a lot casting pendulum and off the ground which this rod would be very good at.
The op has said about sloping banks so maybe off the ground casting may be an option with the 13ft full fat treb.
Should say when casting off the ground I was using a large tarp to cast off.
In reply to Post #31
I bought a set of FMJ's about 20 years ago for Rockford. Bloody horrible things. Weighed an absolute ton.
Unless you can compress these types of rods properly, they are a waste of time. Replaced them with 3.5 Chimera's and immediately found them far better for the 120 plus stuff.
I bought a set of FMJ's about 20 years ago for Rockford. Bloody horrible things. Weighed an absolute ton.
Unless you can compress these types of rods properly, they are a waste of time. Replaced them with 3.5 Chimera's and immediately found them far better for the 120 plus stuff.
In reply to Post #31
I think the biggest surprise for me was the 13ft nrxd, a mate was talking about joining mercers which is pretty much unfishable close in as you have a forest underwater all round now and I saw a set on ebay with a typo, bought them for £380
Was tempted to keep them myself after a cast or 20
I should have really, he joined a little estate lake instead and sold them
Ive seen a few explosions casting off the ground, is that poor timing, blanks that can't take it or a combination of both?
I think the biggest surprise for me was the 13ft nrxd, a mate was talking about joining mercers which is pretty much unfishable close in as you have a forest underwater all round now and I saw a set on ebay with a typo, bought them for £380
Was tempted to keep them myself after a cast or 20
I should have really, he joined a little estate lake instead and sold them
Ive seen a few explosions casting off the ground, is that poor timing, blanks that can't take it or a combination of both?
In reply to Post #32
FMJ's are nasty in 12ft, better in 13ft but still heavy hard to use. When I used to go to the tournaments in the 80's and 90's as a spectator Neil MacKellow was the world distance casting champion and he gave me a lot of tips and advice when he used to visit our club on casting demo's and he also posted on here a few times under the user name BlackBeard. Also fished with the Irish casting champion Andrew Gormley when I lived in southern Ireland. Can remember watching Danny Moescops blowing century Rods to pieces and becoming world champion using century Rods which made me try the ignitor but after that snapping at the spigot cutting my face and shoulder I soon went back to my beloved zziplex. They always say technique is everything but fact is the world champions have always been big powerful guys.
FMJ's are nasty in 12ft, better in 13ft but still heavy hard to use. When I used to go to the tournaments in the 80's and 90's as a spectator Neil MacKellow was the world distance casting champion and he gave me a lot of tips and advice when he used to visit our club on casting demo's and he also posted on here a few times under the user name BlackBeard. Also fished with the Irish casting champion Andrew Gormley when I lived in southern Ireland. Can remember watching Danny Moescops blowing century Rods to pieces and becoming world champion using century Rods which made me try the ignitor but after that snapping at the spigot cutting my face and shoulder I soon went back to my beloved zziplex. They always say technique is everything but fact is the world champions have always been big powerful guys.
In reply to Post #33
Was out this morning with my new spod rod as I'm around 10yds short of where I want to be. I've been watching YouTube vids of different methods of casting from the ground. Gave it a good go today and was constantly hampered with frap ups. It's definitely down to poor technique. If you've enough room and can turn your rod and hips together, I can see this as a good method, sadly.the swim I'm baiting hasn't the room to fully utilize that style of cast.
I can see how easy it would be to blow a rod up.
Was out this morning with my new spod rod as I'm around 10yds short of where I want to be. I've been watching YouTube vids of different methods of casting from the ground. Gave it a good go today and was constantly hampered with frap ups. It's definitely down to poor technique. If you've enough room and can turn your rod and hips together, I can see this as a good method, sadly.the swim I'm baiting hasn't the room to fully utilize that style of cast.
I can see how easy it would be to blow a rod up.
In reply to Post #35
It's been a few years since I've fished at lloooong range but with the fox xt I was maxing out at 140-150 using a standard overhead cast, but got closer to 170 when a bloke showed me a different technique.
He started the cast with the rod just in front of vertical, then swung it back, stepped forward and hit it in one smooth motion
I found it easier and much more natural once you've got the timing right. I think it just allows a slower start and faster finish in a longer arc so it's easier to time, although I still lost contact with the full fat treb using it though
I think with the otg cast, you can hit it too early and overload the middle of the rod before the load can spread to the butt, I had a video of me trying it with the fox spod rod and the rod took on a pretty alarming shape! It was like it was folding in half, was too scared to try it again after that
It's been a few years since I've fished at lloooong range but with the fox xt I was maxing out at 140-150 using a standard overhead cast, but got closer to 170 when a bloke showed me a different technique.
He started the cast with the rod just in front of vertical, then swung it back, stepped forward and hit it in one smooth motion
I found it easier and much more natural once you've got the timing right. I think it just allows a slower start and faster finish in a longer arc so it's easier to time, although I still lost contact with the full fat treb using it though
I think with the otg cast, you can hit it too early and overload the middle of the rod before the load can spread to the butt, I had a video of me trying it with the fox spod rod and the rod took on a pretty alarming shape! It was like it was folding in half, was too scared to try it again after that
In reply to Post #36
Sounds exactly like my normal cast which I can generate a lot of power from. Looks and feels kinda awkward at first - the side you hold your reel is the side that the leg is forwards, leaning back on the other leg, step forwards and bang. You can get some hip action going with that cast 👍
Unfortunately I've not the room for that cast, have to cast with the apposing leg to the hand you hold your reel with and lean back with the other leg. I'm getting 160 consistently, it's not where I want to be. Just added an ounce lead to a midi Spomb, I think that'll make the difference, I'll find out during the week 🧐
Sounds exactly like my normal cast which I can generate a lot of power from. Looks and feels kinda awkward at first - the side you hold your reel is the side that the leg is forwards, leaning back on the other leg, step forwards and bang. You can get some hip action going with that cast 👍
Unfortunately I've not the room for that cast, have to cast with the apposing leg to the hand you hold your reel with and lean back with the other leg. I'm getting 160 consistently, it's not where I want to be. Just added an ounce lead to a midi Spomb, I think that'll make the difference, I'll find out during the week 🧐
In reply to Post #37
I'm left leg forward on that cast, it's basically an overhead thump with a rolling start but works for me
I'm left leg forward on that cast, it's basically an overhead thump with a rolling start but works for me
In reply to Post #37
if you want to speak with a builder/designer who knows his onions on distance stuff then Nick Buss is your man.
if you want to speak with a builder/designer who knows his onions on distance stuff then Nick Buss is your man.
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