I'm looking for a set of rods of around 2.5lb tc for a water with some carp to upper doubles but also has a low stock of big slabs. Ideally something like the Terry Hearn Mk1s in 2lb 9oz but it seems getting these lighter test curves are rare these days. Free Spirit Hi-S are way outta my price range.

Any recommendations based on use?
Cheers.

In reply to Post #1
I use 2.5lb TC Baby Ballistas for just about all of my fishing, lovely rods IMO.

In reply to Post #2
Bloody nice rods you have there too andy

In reply to Post #1
Have a look at the ESP Mk2 Floater rods, 12 foot 2.5lb TC, these have a lovely playing action.

In reply to Post #1
2.5lb harrison ballistas all day

In reply to Post #1
2.5lb harrison ballistas all day

In reply to Post #6
They're just gorgeous blanks. Rarely use anything else in this country now. Out of interest, can you still get them? I looked briefly & couldn't find anyone selling them? Mine are now 25 years old I think and if I can't get new ones I'll be looking at a rebuild.

In reply to Post #7
Yes still for sale, example here listed under ballista blanks

http://custombuiltrods.co.uk/build-blank.php?id_manufacturer=1&id_blank=6

For all my carp angling ...I use a set of free-spirit CTX in 2.5tc..

I find them lovely rods ,it's all I have and use..

In reply to Post #8
Thanks for that. Can't see the 12' 2.5 tc ballista blanks though. I obviously need to look around a bit more.

In reply to Post #10
Actually well spotted, I thought you guys were still on about the baby ballista which are on there in 2.5lb

But........ Both of these list the 12ft 2.5lb

https://www.customrods.co.uk/carp.htm

http://www.calvinhancockcustomrods.com/harrison-ballista-carp-blank.html

In reply to Post #11
Saving me loads of goofgling hassle! Thanks for the help 👍

In reply to Post #12
Mark Tunley be worth a visit to veiw a few blanks, accurix in 2.5tc is a buitifull blank.

In reply to Post #13
Baby Ballista blanks still available, my mate still gets requests to build them, lovely rods

In reply to Post #1
I've just picked up three sonik recon 8ft, 2.5 test for £50 each.

I haven't used them yet but first impressions are good. I like how they fold down and how compact these rods are. Worth a look if nothing else. I got them from go outdoors.

In reply to Post #14
Yep, Mark does them in 2.5tc and 3lb but they are both 11ft, for the op needs if it were me it would be either the 2.5tc baby or the 12ft 2.5tc accurix.

In reply to Post #10
12 ft 2.5t.c ballistas are discontinued.12ft 2.75 t.c are the lowest available now .Baby ballistas in 2.5tc and 3lb t.c still available and still as good and in my opinion better than anything else available at the length.Accurix 2.5 is a dream to fish with also.

In reply to Post #17
Your baby 2.5tc with 30mm advanced pattern and full cork were superb rods for the price you had on here for.

In reply to Post #13
Tunley made me a 2.5lbs tc Torrix rod in chestnut brown with a cork handle. Superb rod.

In reply to Post #18
Yeah out of all the rods i build i have a soft spot for the babys i honestly dont think anything comes near them as a close /mid distance rod .

In reply to Post #20
For me if I were in need it would be a very tough choice between those and accurix in 2.5tc, the accurix would probably win for the extra length and being a tart slightly nicer looking blank.

In reply to Post #1
What is your budget Twitchy ?

In reply to Post #1
Baby Ballista and Acurix, both excellent blanks in 2.5lb

In reply to Post #22
Cheers for all the replies. Was hoping to keep it below 200 per rod.

A few years ago now and back to fishing a few smaller waters around a couple of acres in size I wanted a rod to enjoy fishing for them, searching ebay I found two of Jeff's Baby Ballistas in 11' 3lb test superb rods and took me back 25+ years to my 12' 2.5 ballista's my only ever proper set of custom built rods I have owned, watching the fish hoop the rods over and literally tire them out with the compression every time they lunge getting the full feeling of playing them rather than skull dragging them in on something way over gunned, I have some old shop built 12' 3lb Chimera's another lovely rod for playing them on they are getting a bit tatty now though and could do with a re-build the varnish on the whippings have gone cloudy bit of varnish flaking the odd line scores etc..

You cannot beat a Harrison rod in my opinion.

In reply to Post #25
Hello Ian so glad you like the rods . You are really in touch with the fish on a baby ballista and its a great experience . 👍

In reply to Post #24
I bought some free spirit e class golds not so long back in 2.5tc there were on offer think I paid £109 each got 3 -lovely rods. The ctx range will be a good shout.

In reply to Post #26
Hi Jeff, are you still building on Ballista blanks?

Thanks

In reply to Post #1
11ft baby ballista 2.5lb are lovely

i picked 2x up for around 200.

im not sure on the build so getting a 3rd might be a little tricky (cork handle fuji reel seat and 30mm rings single leg)

In reply to Post #28
Yes 👍

I use a set of the original wychwood SPD's in 2.5 for everything. Great blanks but hard to find now.

In reply to Post #31
Sure that's the blank yateley angling used to custom build, was quite sought after rod.

In reply to Post #32
It is i have a rather large collection of them 👍 I always thought the 3lb version to be the best.

In reply to Post #32
Tbh I bought them off a mate after he had them rebuilt with full cork, minimas etc. They have a twill carbon finish.

In reply to Post #32
Yes ... they were called Whychwood SPD Maximisers i think .... There was also Equinox and Pandemoniums under the SPD label .... All lovely rods.

I found the MK1 Terry Hearns 2.9lb quite a heavy blank so ended up stepping up to ESP 2.75lb Tectrix rods which are much nicer imo

In reply to Post #35
The original Wychwood SPD Maximisers are great blanks. I bought the last 6 blanks (3 in 2.5lb and 3 in 2.75lb) that guides and blanks had in stock several years ago. They were recommended to me by Tom at Cotswold rods. Cotswold rods used to build on them as did several of the other top rod builders inc Yateley as already mentioned. I built my own inc 2 with cut down butts to make them 9ft as stalkers. I alternate between the 2.5's and 2.75's and use them for pretty much all my UK fishing.
If the OP can get some s/h in good nick they'd be a great shout.

Another nice rod was the ESP tracer. I had some in 2.5 and always regret selling them!

In reply to Post #35
whychwood had some lovely looking stuff back in the day.

its a shame the mass market dont need a need for lower TC rods.

last few years the only rods i have used have been the 11ft B Balista and 11ft Mk1 powermesh in 2.25

In reply to Post #37
Wychwood did have some fantastic tackle i must of built over 100 sets on maximiser blanks never heard a bad word said about them .I used a set for years myself.I used the pandemonium in france and spain again lovely things.The luggage was excellent and bivvies , the reels however were awful.

In reply to Post #24
Sent you a PM Twitchy

In reply to Post #38
I've the maximisers spd in 2.5, I brought them after asking advice on here, £80 for the pair, and they are immaculate.
If I had the chance I'd probably buy the 3lb as well.
Vv nice rods,great action.

In reply to Post #1
Cotswold rods TS 12ft 2.5 are spot on, and sensibly priced.love mine for small water angling.

In reply to Post #38
agree ... Its a shame Wychwood chose the mid range market ... I think they had the potential to go premium and rival Aqua etc