Looking at getting my 16 year old a set of rods/reels for his birthday. Looking at the Shimano Tribal TX2's in 3 1/4lb and looking for a set of reels to go with them. Would ideally like to pay about £60 to £70 per reel but willing to go to a max of £100.
Also can someone just confirm that the Tribal TX2 and the Intensity TX2 are one in the same.
Also can someone just confirm that the Tribal TX2 and the Intensity TX2 are one in the same.
In reply to Post #1
Penn Affinity 7000 - you'll struggle to find a better reel for the money - second hand expect to pay £200ish for three.
Penn Affinity 7000 - you'll struggle to find a better reel for the money - second hand expect to pay £200ish for three.
In reply to Post #1
The Intensity rods in all of the TX range are the stiff long range casting rods. I would advise standard TX2 in 3lb TC or less for a new starter.
Okuma reels get rave reviews on here in that price range.
The Intensity rods in all of the TX range are the stiff long range casting rods. I would advise standard TX2 in 3lb TC or less for a new starter.
Okuma reels get rave reviews on here in that price range.
In reply to Post #2
I have this exact combo, TX2 3.25lb with Penn Affinity 7000. Balances lovely and I use as my all around setup. I struggled to find any reason not to go for the Penns. They're fantastic, have been using them for the last 2 years and I'm pretty harsh on my gear but they're like new still. I have the Affinity 2 version but there is a newer Affinity 3 and a Custom Carbon out now which have a few nice touches. Only issue with the Affinity 2 is they never came with spare spools and I have been unable to find anywhere that stocks them which is a little annoying so something to look out for if buying second hand
I have this exact combo, TX2 3.25lb with Penn Affinity 7000. Balances lovely and I use as my all around setup. I struggled to find any reason not to go for the Penns. They're fantastic, have been using them for the last 2 years and I'm pretty harsh on my gear but they're like new still. I have the Affinity 2 version but there is a newer Affinity 3 and a Custom Carbon out now which have a few nice touches. Only issue with the Affinity 2 is they never came with spare spools and I have been unable to find anywhere that stocks them which is a little annoying so something to look out for if buying second hand
In reply to Post #4
Thanks mate. Do you have the Tribal TX2 or the Intensity TX2?
I do like the look of the Penn Affinity reels and heard nothing but great stuff about them. I was hoping not to spend that much on him but looks like I may have to now.🤣
Thanks mate. Do you have the Tribal TX2 or the Intensity TX2?
I do like the look of the Penn Affinity reels and heard nothing but great stuff about them. I was hoping not to spend that much on him but looks like I may have to now.🤣
In reply to Post #5
Have a look at the Okuma T Rex or the 6000 inceptions both excellent reels
Have a look at the Okuma T Rex or the 6000 inceptions both excellent reels
You can get the Okuma - CC 7000 for £35 each at Total Fishing Tackle, which is great value.
In reply to Post #5
The intensity is an all out casting rod. Not a nice rod to use, but if you need ridiculous range then needs must...
I wouldn't have thought it would be a good choice.
The intensity is an all out casting rod. Not a nice rod to use, but if you need ridiculous range then needs must...
I wouldn't have thought it would be a good choice.
In reply to Post #5
Mine is the normal Tribal TX2. My understanding was the Intensity only came in a 3.5lb version in either 12ft of 13ft and was designed for out and out distance casting
Mine is the normal Tribal TX2. My understanding was the Intensity only came in a 3.5lb version in either 12ft of 13ft and was designed for out and out distance casting
In reply to Post #1
For a 16 year old, I'd be looking at no more than 2.75lb tc, ideally less (2.5, 2.25 or even 2lb tc). When my lad was about 15, I got him some custom built 2.5lb tc, providing he is careful with them, they should last him a lifetime. They are his day to day rod. I'd set your budget for the rods and get some within that budget, you should definitely look at the second hand market.
Regarding reels, as said, the Okuma's are very good VFM, but if you could stretch to Penn's then they should last ages.
In reply to Post #4
Lloyd, have you tried Quentin Millman for Penn spare spools, that's where I got mine from.
For a 16 year old, I'd be looking at no more than 2.75lb tc, ideally less (2.5, 2.25 or even 2lb tc). When my lad was about 15, I got him some custom built 2.5lb tc, providing he is careful with them, they should last him a lifetime. They are his day to day rod. I'd set your budget for the rods and get some within that budget, you should definitely look at the second hand market.
Regarding reels, as said, the Okuma's are very good VFM, but if you could stretch to Penn's then they should last ages.
In reply to Post #4
Lloyd, have you tried Quentin Millman for Penn spare spools, that's where I got mine from.
In reply to Post #10
Cheers Dave will give them a call in the morning
Cheers Dave will give them a call in the morning
Thanks guys for the advice so far. Currently taking a look at the Okuma's and they look quite impressive. Liking the 8K and the T-Rex 7000.
Any other rod recommendations other than the TX2's.
Any other rod recommendations other than the TX2's.
In reply to Post #12
Shimano Tribal rods are pretty good value for money; a 3lb t/c would still be fairly forgiving under the tip. Alternatives at the price are Daiwa Emcast's, Fox EOS or something by Wychwood - of those I'd favour the Daiwa but it's close between them and the Shimano.
Shimano Tribal rods are pretty good value for money; a 3lb t/c would still be fairly forgiving under the tip. Alternatives at the price are Daiwa Emcast's, Fox EOS or something by Wychwood - of those I'd favour the Daiwa but it's close between them and the Shimano.
I don't much about them but if they're anything like the INC6000 then these could be a bit of a steal at £30 a pop
Custom CB60 Reels
Custom CB60 Reels
In reply to Post #13
Just had an email saying AD have 25% off Daiwa Emcast rods if anyone interested, ends midnight tonight.
Just had an email saying AD have 25% off Daiwa Emcast rods if anyone interested, ends midnight tonight.
In reply to Post #15
I did see that but wasn't keen on the red butt cap and trim on the handle. I think my son has set his sights on the TX2's aswell. Bloody good deal though.
I did see that but wasn't keen on the red butt cap and trim on the handle. I think my son has set his sights on the TX2's aswell. Bloody good deal though.
In reply to Post #12
If they still do them check out the Okuma LSK reels, I have a set and they have been absolutely faultless and really nice to use.
If they still do them check out the Okuma LSK reels, I have a set and they have been absolutely faultless and really nice to use.
Just wondering if the Shimano Aerlex 10000's would be a decent reel for my son starting out as a first setup with the Tribal TX2's or whether I should stick to getting the T Rex 7000's. Are the Aerlex any good for beginners.
In reply to Post #18
I've started back out with 3lb TX2 and got a second hand deal on some Diawa Black Widow 5000A BR's.
Great combo although sometimes I wish I had gone for the TX2 in 2.75.
The Diana's would e good on 10ft also I would think.
Had some cheap end Diawa 4050 Regals many moons ago so can't argue about the quality of the bottom end reels and the Black Widows are very good for the price range.
I've started back out with 3lb TX2 and got a second hand deal on some Diawa Black Widow 5000A BR's.
Great combo although sometimes I wish I had gone for the TX2 in 2.75.
The Diana's would e good on 10ft also I would think.
Had some cheap end Diawa 4050 Regals many moons ago so can't argue about the quality of the bottom end reels and the Black Widows are very good for the price range.
In reply to Post #18
Apologies. TX2 and TX2 intensity are not the same. The intensity is a stepped up version of the TX2.
Not sure I saw a response to your original posting on the question.
Apologies. TX2 and TX2 intensity are not the same. The intensity is a stepped up version of the TX2.
Not sure I saw a response to your original posting on the question.
In reply to Post #20
Cheers mate. Not looking at the intensity version, just the normal TX2's in either 3lb or 3.25lb tc. Also seen the Daiwa Crosscast 35 QD on AD. Wondering if they are any good as Go Outdoors would hopefully price match and then knock 10% off so £54 each.
Cheers mate. Not looking at the intensity version, just the normal TX2's in either 3lb or 3.25lb tc. Also seen the Daiwa Crosscast 35 QD on AD. Wondering if they are any good as Go Outdoors would hopefully price match and then knock 10% off so £54 each.
Mitchell full runners mx6 7000's are a cracking reel for the price, they've got a built in baitrunner and a good size braid ready spool. my mate has them and having had a few chucks with them yesterday I'm allread looking on ebay for a set, there is currently a set of 3 near new for sale on ebay for less than £200, I'm really considering buying a set and selling my shimanos l. These Mitchell's are really solid build
When you consider you're paying £200+ for a shimano it's mad, the baitrunner on these is mint and they look nice. Mitchell have been making reels for years they must know what makes a good reel
When you consider you're paying £200+ for a shimano it's mad, the baitrunner on these is mint and they look nice. Mitchell have been making reels for years they must know what makes a good reel
In reply to Post #22
Have Mitchell ever made a decent reel? Maybe the Mitchell Match was the best they came out with, all that was before and since has been junk.
Have Mitchell ever made a decent reel? Maybe the Mitchell Match was the best they came out with, all that was before and since has been junk.
In reply to Post #23
Would you recommend any of the following within my budget for my son on the Shimano TX2's 3 1/4 lb:
Daiwa Crosscast 5000C QD (Found fir £65)
Shimano Aerlex 10000 XTB (Found for £65)
Okuma T-Rex 7000 (Found for £75 with free line)
Would you recommend any of the following within my budget for my son on the Shimano TX2's 3 1/4 lb:
Daiwa Crosscast 5000C QD (Found fir £65)
Shimano Aerlex 10000 XTB (Found for £65)
Okuma T-Rex 7000 (Found for £75 with free line)
In reply to Post #24
Wouldn't have a glue mate. IP 100 is your man on the price point you're looking at. I know IP raves about the Penn reels 👍
Wouldn't have a glue mate. IP 100 is your man on the price point you're looking at. I know IP raves about the Penn reels 👍
In reply to Post #25
Unfortunately the Penn reels are probably going to be out of my budget as they are over £100 each snd I've still got to get him a bivvy/brolly and either a pod/banksticks.
Unfortunately the Penn reels are probably going to be out of my budget as they are over £100 each snd I've still got to get him a bivvy/brolly and either a pod/banksticks.
In reply to Post #26
There's a set of 3 x Penn affinity 7000 long cast reels in Huntingdon on Facebook Marketplace for £220.....
There's also 2 x Penn affinity 7000 in Haverhill for £120........
There's a set of 3 x Penn affinity 7000 long cast reels in Huntingdon on Facebook Marketplace for £220.....
There's also 2 x Penn affinity 7000 in Haverhill for £120........
In reply to Post #26
Don't ignore second hand. There's bargains to be had if you are patient.
Fred's post below is a decent price you might even knock him down
Don't ignore second hand. There's bargains to be had if you are patient.
Fred's post below is a decent price you might even knock him down
Having been in a similar situation with my son..on two occasions..
He started aged five by the time he was 10 he'd got a better carp n course set up than most men however he lost complete interest and sold it all .
Then he started up again aged around 20 yrs old,but this time ,I didn't buy a thing,and I made sure he didn't start off on high test curve rods and unnecessary over sized reels. That was the only caveat, I wanted to make sure any ,carp big or small put a nice adrenaline filled curve in them ..
My advice,for what it's worth buy second hand,stay right away for overrunning him with high tc rods,your lad might enjoy it more,..and if he doesn't like it,you haven't completely wasted yours or whoevers money...
He started aged five by the time he was 10 he'd got a better carp n course set up than most men however he lost complete interest and sold it all .
Then he started up again aged around 20 yrs old,but this time ,I didn't buy a thing,and I made sure he didn't start off on high test curve rods and unnecessary over sized reels. That was the only caveat, I wanted to make sure any ,carp big or small put a nice adrenaline filled curve in them ..
My advice,for what it's worth buy second hand,stay right away for overrunning him with high tc rods,your lad might enjoy it more,..and if he doesn't like it,you haven't completely wasted yours or whoevers money...
In reply to Post #29
I appreciate the advice mate. Only reason I was looking at the 3 or 3 1/4 lb is so he could comfortably get out a PVA bag as that's what he does mostly. The TX2's are what he's been looking at and from the reviews I've seen on them, they look like good choice. He's certainly not interested in having top enx stuff as he's a well grounded lad (unlike me).
The Penn LC 7000's do look a decent choice, again from all the good reviews. The attraction of the Okuma T-Rex 7000's is that Okuma offer a 5 year warranty on all their reels. I think that Penn and Okuma offer better value for money in comparison to Daiwa and Shimano when matching a reel of the same price range.
I appreciate the advice mate. Only reason I was looking at the 3 or 3 1/4 lb is so he could comfortably get out a PVA bag as that's what he does mostly. The TX2's are what he's been looking at and from the reviews I've seen on them, they look like good choice. He's certainly not interested in having top enx stuff as he's a well grounded lad (unlike me).
The Penn LC 7000's do look a decent choice, again from all the good reviews. The attraction of the Okuma T-Rex 7000's is that Okuma offer a 5 year warranty on all their reels. I think that Penn and Okuma offer better value for money in comparison to Daiwa and Shimano when matching a reel of the same price range.
In reply to Post #29
Surely the style of fishing, and the venues he will fish are also important considerations when deciding on TC.
He wouldnt do much good fishing solid bags on brasenose 2 with 2lb tc rods for example , yet it is still a 'beginner' type of water.
Surely the style of fishing, and the venues he will fish are also important considerations when deciding on TC.
He wouldnt do much good fishing solid bags on brasenose 2 with 2lb tc rods for example , yet it is still a 'beginner' type of water.
In reply to Post #31
The main water we'll be fishing together is a 30 area gravel pit. There's a number of islands, gravel bars and snaggy areas to fish to and it can get weedy too. I used to fish it with 3lb chimeras years ago and I'm waiting for a set of Torrix 3 1/4lb to be built.
We also have a smaller 3 acre venue we can fish. Was thinking 3 or 3 1/4 for him so he's not under gunned. He's done plenty of general course fishing and although only 17 next month, he's a sensible lad, almost as big as me now at 6ft 3 tall, the bugger. 🤣
The 30 acre pit has carp to mid 40's and the 3 acre has carp to upper 30's.
The main water we'll be fishing together is a 30 area gravel pit. There's a number of islands, gravel bars and snaggy areas to fish to and it can get weedy too. I used to fish it with 3lb chimeras years ago and I'm waiting for a set of Torrix 3 1/4lb to be built.
We also have a smaller 3 acre venue we can fish. Was thinking 3 or 3 1/4 for him so he's not under gunned. He's done plenty of general course fishing and although only 17 next month, he's a sensible lad, almost as big as me now at 6ft 3 tall, the bugger. 🤣
The 30 acre pit has carp to mid 40's and the 3 acre has carp to upper 30's.
In reply to Post #30
Re 5 year warranty on Okuma, not sure about this anymore, I've just bought my 12 y.o. an Okuma reel from a dealer on ebay, there was no mention of the warranty so I asked. Their reply is below, though ironically, I saw an American guy on youtube a couple of days before this reviewing Okuma reels, and the Americans get a 10 year warranty!!
"Okuma have recently changed their UK distributor so we are currently unsure if they will now be offering this within the UK.
We have asked our rep to look into this as there in no mention of it in the trade catalogue, but as yet have not had an answer sorry."
Re 5 year warranty on Okuma, not sure about this anymore, I've just bought my 12 y.o. an Okuma reel from a dealer on ebay, there was no mention of the warranty so I asked. Their reply is below, though ironically, I saw an American guy on youtube a couple of days before this reviewing Okuma reels, and the Americans get a 10 year warranty!!
"Okuma have recently changed their UK distributor so we are currently unsure if they will now be offering this within the UK.
We have asked our rep to look into this as there in no mention of it in the trade catalogue, but as yet have not had an answer sorry."
In reply to Post #33
Cheers mate. I've just emailed Okuma Europe to get clarification on this. I'll let you know what their response is. AD will do the T-Rex at £75 (price matching).
Cheers mate. I've just emailed Okuma Europe to get clarification on this. I'll let you know what their response is. AD will do the T-Rex at £75 (price matching).
In reply to Post #31
Absolutely, totally right..
He (my son ) fishes tiny farm ponds ,right up to 81 acre ressis with 30 year old Armalites,mk1s he does very well,but he easily hits 80 to 90 yards ,
I can remember a time when 2.75 tc was considered harsh,..
However,he's just bought some 3.1/4..tc Cfx,off of here for a big French adventure with our friend...
I guess I'm a bit different to others as I dislike high tc broom handles,but each to their own...I think I'm showing my age..lol
Absolutely, totally right..
He (my son ) fishes tiny farm ponds ,right up to 81 acre ressis with 30 year old Armalites,mk1s he does very well,but he easily hits 80 to 90 yards ,
I can remember a time when 2.75 tc was considered harsh,..
However,he's just bought some 3.1/4..tc Cfx,off of here for a big French adventure with our friend...
I guess I'm a bit different to others as I dislike high tc broom handles,but each to their own...I think I'm showing my age..lol
In reply to Post #1
I'd highly recommend Mitchell Avocast BE reels 7k and 8k are all bar a few minor details the same as Penn affinity 7k and 8k's.
I swap spools between them and have had the Mitchells for several years now and had no real issues. You can pick them up for £60 ish now that some stocks are available.
I'd highly recommend Mitchell Avocast BE reels 7k and 8k are all bar a few minor details the same as Penn affinity 7k and 8k's.
I swap spools between them and have had the Mitchells for several years now and had no real issues. You can pick them up for £60 ish now that some stocks are available.
In reply to Post #36
They might look similar, but not the same reels. The Penns have a titanium main shaft for starters.
They might look similar, but not the same reels. The Penns have a titanium main shaft for starters.
In reply to Post #37
You're right, not the same as the Penns but nevertheless, good value decent quality reels. I have a set of the QD and a set of the FS, and my eldest has a set of the FS. All good and trouble free.
My 2 sets I got 3 for the price of 2, so a set of 3 x big pits for under £120.
You're right, not the same as the Penns but nevertheless, good value decent quality reels. I have a set of the QD and a set of the FS, and my eldest has a set of the FS. All good and trouble free.
My 2 sets I got 3 for the price of 2, so a set of 3 x big pits for under £120.
In reply to Post #34
Gary, did you ever get a response from Okuma on the warranty issue?
Gary, did you ever get a response from Okuma on the warranty issue?
In reply to Post #1
TX2s in 3.25 are pretty powerful rods - I use them for beachcaster floater fishing with 4oz plus leads and a dirty great pike bung - for your lad and general carping I'd def go lighter at 2.75 in TX2 / TX1A
TX2s in 3.25 are pretty powerful rods - I use them for beachcaster floater fishing with 4oz plus leads and a dirty great pike bung - for your lad and general carping I'd def go lighter at 2.75 in TX2 / TX1A
In reply to Post #39
Completely forgot about that mate. No, I never got a response back from them.
Completely forgot about that mate. No, I never got a response back from them.
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