I currently have a set of free spirit Xs and am Looking to upgrade . I'll be fishing the margins up to about 100yards . I'm thinking of maybe the 12'6 3.25lb or the 12' 3 1/2 . Could I have people opinions please on these two models or maybe another if more suitable . Most of my fishing is done in the 50 / 70yards range but I'd like to still have a nice playing action , thanks .
In reply to Post #1
50/70 yrds I'd personally go with the 12ft 3lbs
50/70 yrds I'd personally go with the 12ft 3lbs
In reply to Post #1
Would you not want to future proof your rods? In the future you may want the little extra backbone? I have three sets of free spirit rods and consider my 3.5tc 12.6 hi's rods as the best all rounder and are perfect players rods. The cope well from the margins to over 100 yards and handle small/medium solid bags well and can honestly say I don't fear hook pulls close in.
Whichever rods you choose enjoy them 👍🏻
Michael
Would you not want to future proof your rods? In the future you may want the little extra backbone? I have three sets of free spirit rods and consider my 3.5tc 12.6 hi's rods as the best all rounder and are perfect players rods. The cope well from the margins to over 100 yards and handle small/medium solid bags well and can honestly say I don't fear hook pulls close in.
Whichever rods you choose enjoy them 👍🏻
Michael
In reply to Post #1
Hi - I bought a set of the Free spirit 3lb test HIs 12 foot rods as I do most of my fishing up to 70 yards but wanted a bit more back bone and be able to reach the 100 yards when I occasionally needed it. Its always going to be a compromise to a degree but these Hi s rods are absolutely lovely. You can easily use a 3oz lead on them and get to 100 yards if required and they are a joy to use for my general fishing. If you tend to fish long range mostly however I would recommend going for the 12.5 or 13 foot rods and a higher test curve. Not sure if this helps you, it really depends on what you need most !
Hi - I bought a set of the Free spirit 3lb test HIs 12 foot rods as I do most of my fishing up to 70 yards but wanted a bit more back bone and be able to reach the 100 yards when I occasionally needed it. Its always going to be a compromise to a degree but these Hi s rods are absolutely lovely. You can easily use a 3oz lead on them and get to 100 yards if required and they are a joy to use for my general fishing. If you tend to fish long range mostly however I would recommend going for the 12.5 or 13 foot rods and a higher test curve. Not sure if this helps you, it really depends on what you need most !
In reply to Post #4
Thanks for the replies . None of the waters I fish require fishing over a hundred yards but I get your point . I think I need something with a little more backbone if required ( which is not very often ) but don't want to compromise the enjoyment of 95% of the fishing I do now and for the foreseeable future . My xs's are lovely rods for playing fish on and for most of my fishing . I would like a little more for those odd occasions I have to go a little longer . Having never used the hi s rods I was a little worried they would be a little too much for the closer in fishing in the 12' 3.5 Tc. I'd heard that the 12'6 3.25 is a good all rounder. It would be good if someone could give me a comparison between the Xs and some of the hi s rods . Many thanks.
Thanks for the replies . None of the waters I fish require fishing over a hundred yards but I get your point . I think I need something with a little more backbone if required ( which is not very often ) but don't want to compromise the enjoyment of 95% of the fishing I do now and for the foreseeable future . My xs's are lovely rods for playing fish on and for most of my fishing . I would like a little more for those odd occasions I have to go a little longer . Having never used the hi s rods I was a little worried they would be a little too much for the closer in fishing in the 12' 3.5 Tc. I'd heard that the 12'6 3.25 is a good all rounder. It would be good if someone could give me a comparison between the Xs and some of the hi s rods . Many thanks.
In reply to Post #5
I've had the 12' 3.5tc Hi's for many years now and even though I took a while away from carp fishing I can honestly say they are the dogs danglers mate. I used to have the esp tracers in 3.25 before that any yes they played a fish softer but I could never get the distance when I needed it. The tips on the Hi's are not broom handles though and you soon get used to playing the fish slightly different and its still a pleasure playing them so for me they are the all around rod and yes 90% of my fishing is done at close range.
I've had the 12' 3.5tc Hi's for many years now and even though I took a while away from carp fishing I can honestly say they are the dogs danglers mate. I used to have the esp tracers in 3.25 before that any yes they played a fish softer but I could never get the distance when I needed it. The tips on the Hi's are not broom handles though and you soon get used to playing the fish slightly different and its still a pleasure playing them so for me they are the all around rod and yes 90% of my fishing is done at close range.
In reply to Post #1
I have the 12'6” 3.25. And am very pleased with them, I've had them 6 or 7 years and have landed some pretty big carp and cats and can't fault them.
I have had a Chuck with the 3.5 but not played a fish on one, I really don't think you'd go wrong with either the 3.25 or 3.5, unless you started to fish longer range regularly then the 3.5 would be the ones to go for.
I use them as mid my range rods so mostly 70 - 100, even with solid bags, at those ranges they are nice to play fish on. Not as forgiving as my 2.75 Accurix, but plenty soft enough in the tip section.
I have the 12'6” 3.25. And am very pleased with them, I've had them 6 or 7 years and have landed some pretty big carp and cats and can't fault them.
I have had a Chuck with the 3.5 but not played a fish on one, I really don't think you'd go wrong with either the 3.25 or 3.5, unless you started to fish longer range regularly then the 3.5 would be the ones to go for.
I use them as mid my range rods so mostly 70 - 100, even with solid bags, at those ranges they are nice to play fish on. Not as forgiving as my 2.75 Accurix, but plenty soft enough in the tip section.
In reply to Post #7
Thanks for that . Seems like either will probably be suitable . I've always wondered whether you notice that much of a difference with 12'6 over a 12 footer , thanks .
Thanks for that . Seems like either will probably be suitable . I've always wondered whether you notice that much of a difference with 12'6 over a 12 footer , thanks .
In reply to Post #8
Can't say I really notice the difference, my Accurix are 12 footers and I have some 13 footers for distance,
They feel the same as the Hi-S as the reel fitting is 6” further up the blank, which helps with log range casting.
Can't say I really notice the difference, my Accurix are 12 footers and I have some 13 footers for distance,
They feel the same as the Hi-S as the reel fitting is 6” further up the blank, which helps with log range casting.
In reply to Post #8
Set of mint 12ft 6inch 3.5tc on fb selling page for £800.
Set of mint 12ft 6inch 3.5tc on fb selling page for £800.
In reply to Post #5
Well l'm no expert on rods but a lot of my fishing is at the same sort of range you mentioned 50/70 yds mainly 1st free spirit rods l used was the ESs which are lovely rods but like you fancied a change like you do and went for hi-s 3lb which again really lovely rods but playing fish was better on the ESs and now got the XS like yourself and can't fault these for playing fish and the distance l fish at, probably not much help to you mate,
Well l'm no expert on rods but a lot of my fishing is at the same sort of range you mentioned 50/70 yds mainly 1st free spirit rods l used was the ESs which are lovely rods but like you fancied a change like you do and went for hi-s 3lb which again really lovely rods but playing fish was better on the ESs and now got the XS like yourself and can't fault these for playing fish and the distance l fish at, probably not much help to you mate,
In reply to Post #11
Thanks . Love my xs's but just struggle a little at 80+ yards especially if conditions are not favourable. I was conscious that for 95% of my fishing I didn't want to lose what I already have and like . But wondered whether there was an alternative in the hi s range that would give me the best of both worlds , thanks .
Thanks . Love my xs's but just struggle a little at 80+ yards especially if conditions are not favourable. I was conscious that for 95% of my fishing I didn't want to lose what I already have and like . But wondered whether there was an alternative in the hi s range that would give me the best of both worlds , thanks .
Two rods at 3lb tc one at 3.5lb tc
The 12'6 3.25 hi s are probably the best alround rod ive owned, they are excellent rods. Will cast a good distance but still really nice to play fish on.
In reply to Post #1
I've fished using the xs rods for the last 20yrs+.
Fishing some larger waters, i needed something with a bit more back bone, distance, small bags etc. but wanted to still have a good playing action rod.
Spoke to Southcoast Rods, did some of my own research and was always recommended the 12ft Hi s ive er rods.
Good all round rod, margins, 100yrds, nice tip playing action.
There now my take anywhere rod regardless of the size of any water im going to fish.
Feel comfortable with them & confident, as i did the xs rods.
I've fished using the xs rods for the last 20yrs+.
Fishing some larger waters, i needed something with a bit more back bone, distance, small bags etc. but wanted to still have a good playing action rod.
Spoke to Southcoast Rods, did some of my own research and was always recommended the 12ft Hi s ive er rods.
Good all round rod, margins, 100yrds, nice tip playing action.
There now my take anywhere rod regardless of the size of any water im going to fish.
Feel comfortable with them & confident, as i did the xs rods.
In reply to Post #1
I did the exact same upgrade from the XS 12ft 3.25lb 40mm recently.
I wasnt sure that for the £££ it would cost that it would be worth doing and I spent ages in The Tackle Box looking at the Hi-S options. I got excellent advice from them and cannot thank them enough for the time they spent helping me.
The Hi-S 12ft 3.5lb 50mm is very similar in action to the XS, maybe a bit faster recovery but not much.
However, the lightness and feel is just amazing, they are so thin in comparison to the XS that you think you can whip the rod through quicker on the cast.
Im not saying the thinner rod has less weight/drag to make MUCH difference moving throught the air but thats how it seems in your mind so thats all that matters IMO, and you obviously have the extra test curve.
(the action has more of an effect on casting distance than the test curve though)
The Hi-S ive 12ft 50mm is defo faster action and will cast further but you lose some of the nice playing abilities you would get from the more progressive rods mentioned above.
However, to get the most from this rod you really need a shockleader and they are banned most places I fish.
Be honest, are you regularly casting over 25 wraps?
The answer for me was no, so I got the Hi-S 12ft 3.5lb.
They are a slightly beefed up, slightly better casting version of the XS and I am delighted with how much feel I get from them.
I did the exact same upgrade from the XS 12ft 3.25lb 40mm recently.
I wasnt sure that for the £££ it would cost that it would be worth doing and I spent ages in The Tackle Box looking at the Hi-S options. I got excellent advice from them and cannot thank them enough for the time they spent helping me.
The Hi-S 12ft 3.5lb 50mm is very similar in action to the XS, maybe a bit faster recovery but not much.
However, the lightness and feel is just amazing, they are so thin in comparison to the XS that you think you can whip the rod through quicker on the cast.
Im not saying the thinner rod has less weight/drag to make MUCH difference moving throught the air but thats how it seems in your mind so thats all that matters IMO, and you obviously have the extra test curve.
(the action has more of an effect on casting distance than the test curve though)
The Hi-S ive 12ft 50mm is defo faster action and will cast further but you lose some of the nice playing abilities you would get from the more progressive rods mentioned above.
However, to get the most from this rod you really need a shockleader and they are banned most places I fish.
Be honest, are you regularly casting over 25 wraps?
The answer for me was no, so I got the Hi-S 12ft 3.5lb.
They are a slightly beefed up, slightly better casting version of the XS and I am delighted with how much feel I get from them.
In reply to Post #14
had lots of spirit rods
loved the ES for short range stuff but at 2.75 not great for bag work, had the xs felt like a broom stick
tried the hi s 3 and 3.5 but settled on 12"6 3.25 wouldn't change for any other of the HI s it does everything from margins to 130
had lots of spirit rods
loved the ES for short range stuff but at 2.75 not great for bag work, had the xs felt like a broom stick
tried the hi s 3 and 3.5 but settled on 12"6 3.25 wouldn't change for any other of the HI s it does everything from margins to 130
In reply to Post #17
Thanks everyone. I think I'm leaning towards the 12'6 3.25 . I'd like to pick up a used set but not too many about . Failing this maybe a set of new factory build as these would probably work out cheaper than custom build , thanks
Thanks everyone. I think I'm leaning towards the 12'6 3.25 . I'd like to pick up a used set but not too many about . Failing this maybe a set of new factory build as these would probably work out cheaper than custom build , thanks
In reply to Post #18
You would be surprised at how much customs cost. There more or less the same price as factory rods for a similar build spec. I would always go custom with a set of hi s. The only downside is the wait to get them built.
You would be surprised at how much customs cost. There more or less the same price as factory rods for a similar build spec. I would always go custom with a set of hi s. The only downside is the wait to get them built.
In reply to Post #19
Both Johnson Ross and The Tackle Shop do carry stocks of custom built Hi S rods. A few years back, I got three ES with full duplon from JR's, zero wait, just walked in and out of the shop.
Probably in the minority here, but for 90% of my carp fishing, I use two different sets of rods. One rod wouldn't cut it, as I fish quite diverse waters. I also use Hi S 10ft 2 3/4 for small waters and stalking.
People mention the Hi S 3.5, which is great rod and I had mine a while, but would rarely use them for margin or even mid range. OK, they'll manage it, but a less powerful rod is way better and much nicer to use. Hence, I use the ES 2 3/4 for margin to say 60-70 yards and I now have Hi S 3.5 ER's for bag work and distance fishing. To balance, I use a Castizm QD on the ES and now have Shimano 14000 cC4+ XTC's on the distance rods... horses for courses
Both Johnson Ross and The Tackle Shop do carry stocks of custom built Hi S rods. A few years back, I got three ES with full duplon from JR's, zero wait, just walked in and out of the shop.
Probably in the minority here, but for 90% of my carp fishing, I use two different sets of rods. One rod wouldn't cut it, as I fish quite diverse waters. I also use Hi S 10ft 2 3/4 for small waters and stalking.
People mention the Hi S 3.5, which is great rod and I had mine a while, but would rarely use them for margin or even mid range. OK, they'll manage it, but a less powerful rod is way better and much nicer to use. Hence, I use the ES 2 3/4 for margin to say 60-70 yards and I now have Hi S 3.5 ER's for bag work and distance fishing. To balance, I use a Castizm QD on the ES and now have Shimano 14000 cC4+ XTC's on the distance rods... horses for courses
When I invested in free spirit rods ten years ago I went the custom build route with Mark Tunley as the factory builds were shocking in those days.
In reply to Post #19
A mate of mine got 3 custom fs rods built by a well respected rod builder and saved around 100 quid per rod off the usual shop 525 price.
This rod builder has a workshop, admin staff and overheads so the shops much be making a very tidy profit.
A mate of mine got 3 custom fs rods built by a well respected rod builder and saved around 100 quid per rod off the usual shop 525 price.
This rod builder has a workshop, admin staff and overheads so the shops much be making a very tidy profit.
In reply to Post #22
That doesn't make any sense. The shop doesn't build the rod, they buy it in factory built, so it depends what price they pay the manufacturer for a finished rod. I'm also pretty sure that most shops that stock FS rods have higher overheads than a rod building workshop.
That doesn't make any sense. The shop doesn't build the rod, they buy it in factory built, so it depends what price they pay the manufacturer for a finished rod. I'm also pretty sure that most shops that stock FS rods have higher overheads than a rod building workshop.
In reply to Post #21
Yeah I was amazed how much difference there was between "factory" built rods - same specs but different batches
Some of the reel seat positions and ring spacing can be way out
As usual The Tackle Box went beyond the call of duty and sorted me out with a banging set as close to matching as humanly possible
If you are spendng this much £££ you really need to go and physically check them out imo
Yeah I was amazed how much difference there was between "factory" built rods - same specs but different batches
Some of the reel seat positions and ring spacing can be way out
As usual The Tackle Box went beyond the call of duty and sorted me out with a banging set as close to matching as humanly possible
If you are spendng this much £££ you really need to go and physically check them out imo
In reply to Post #24
I'm pretty sure the factory builds aint built in any factory. The factory makes the blanks and send them to certain rod builders. I believe Roger Hurst is their primary manufacturer in the UK at the moment. He's highly respected and I'd be amazed if he was letting shoddy work go. No idea who was doing it 10 years ago though.
I'm pretty sure the factory builds aint built in any factory. The factory makes the blanks and send them to certain rod builders. I believe Roger Hurst is their primary manufacturer in the UK at the moment. He's highly respected and I'd be amazed if he was letting shoddy work go. No idea who was doing it 10 years ago though.
It was Roger who built my mates at the good price. Work was excellent.
Ten years ago the builders were paid 18 quid per rod hence the crap quality as the builder would be doing 6 rods or so a day to make a living.
Ten years ago the builders were paid 18 quid per rod hence the crap quality as the builder would be doing 6 rods or so a day to make a living.
In reply to Post #26
Would be interesting to know what price the blanks come into the country at for a 525 quid rod.
In reply to Post #25
They did mention that in the shop. Different rod builders and batches/deliveries just come out with a very marginally different end products.
They must have gone through a dozen or more rods until they were happy they had a matching set of 3 to sell me, even swapping tip and butt sections around.
Limited supplies of everything earlier this year not helping either with less than their usual number of rods in stock to compare and select from.
But they sorted it, and I am well happy with my Hi-S.
They did mention that in the shop. Different rod builders and batches/deliveries just come out with a very marginally different end products.
They must have gone through a dozen or more rods until they were happy they had a matching set of 3 to sell me, even swapping tip and butt sections around.
Limited supplies of everything earlier this year not helping either with less than their usual number of rods in stock to compare and select from.
But they sorted it, and I am well happy with my Hi-S.
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