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Kev Baines Snipers (59 posts / 5,361 views)
fzrip
Posts: 205
Post #1 4 Sep 2023 16:57
0
What is it that makes these rods so legendary?
They've got such a great reputation...
OatcakeFred OatcakeFred
Posts: 1,466
Post #2 4 Sep 2023 17:35
1
In reply to Post #1
A great blank built by a rod builder who knows his onions.
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #3 4 Sep 2023 18:12
0
In reply to Post #2
mark1009
Posts: 4,738
Post #4 4 Sep 2023 18:44
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In reply to Post #3
I've often wondered why nearly all carp rods have 6 rings. What would be the effect of adding 1 or more to the set. Now we have such lightweight rings available, the extra weight of another ring just before the tip would be negligible.
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #5 4 Sep 2023 18:49
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In reply to Post #4
Kev told me to put 9 or 10 guides on (baby snipers blank ) i built on but try tell people that i have 8 on mine plus tip starting with 25ml butt guide awesome rods.
Hudson Hudson
Posts: 1,456
Post #6 4 Sep 2023 19:34
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In reply to Post #5
What does it actually achieve and what are the negatives?
OatcakeFred OatcakeFred
Posts: 1,466
Post #7 4 Sep 2023 19:45
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In reply to Post #4
Said it before on this forum, but my 12ft Mk1 Armalites 2lb test curve which Kevin rebuilt in 2017 have 9 guides - 2 on the butt section and 7 on the tip section. They are excellent rods.

I always remember as a kid growing up in the 70's, all fishing books said the blank should have lots of guides so that the line follows the arc of the rod when playing a fish. This always seemed a reasonable theory to me, yet carp rods seem to be the exception.

Never really understood the fashion of massive 50mm butt rings and 6 guides/blank. Think they look ridiculous and don't offer any advantage over a rod build like my Armalites. I'm sure some people will have a view on casting ability with a 50mm/6 guide rod, but in the right hands, my rods are capable of distance work.
mark1009
Posts: 4,738
Post #8 4 Sep 2023 19:57
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In reply to Post #7
Yes that is was trying to get at. How many rings are on a 13ft match rod. I can't see why more rings aren't the norm especially since the newer lighter rings are available. If I get some new rods custom made I think I will go for more rings.
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #9 4 Sep 2023 20:19
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In reply to Post #6
I have said it on here for years and people are probably fed up with me talking about it but absolutely no need for large guides on a carp fishing rod !
The positives with smaller/more guides
Baby snipers
They cast like a dream with lighter line compared to a 6 or 7 guide rod
They will exert a hell of a lot of applied pressure dont forget this is a 2.25 tc blank
They handle much heavier leads i have used 6 oz on the 2.25 on rivers
So much more accurate casting
Much less chance of breaking or bending guides in transit

The big snipers are a blank that if you have 6 guides on i guarantee 90%of people cant compress. Put more and smaller guides on and you wont believe how it responds.
The only negative i can find is when /if you need to use heavy /thick line you wont get the distance.


scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #10 5 Sep 2023 13:09
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Out of interest, what blank are they built on?

Thinking about upgrading my barbel rods
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #11 5 Sep 2023 14:28
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In reply to Post #10
Baby snipers 12 ft 2.25 tc torrix
Big snipers torrix t.e
fzrip
Posts: 205
Post #12 5 Sep 2023 15:16
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In reply to Post #9
So, there's nothing they can't handle other than long range... Those blanks must be totally reliable.
lilharbs lilharbs
Posts: 1,630
Post #13 5 Sep 2023 15:23
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I wanted a set of these but Kev retired a few months before I got the chance, then I missed out on 2 x 2nd hand sets of the Baby's on different occasions- once even agreeing the price and then the buyer pulled out ☹️

Jeff could you replicate the build yourself of the Babys?

PM if you like
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #14 5 Sep 2023 15:33
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In reply to Post #12
Which are you talking about
fzrip
Posts: 205
Post #15 5 Sep 2023 16:10
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In reply to Post #14
I assume leader and light mainline, no bait/rig. Am I wrong that they're not suited for real world range fishing? I'm intrigued again.
fzrip
Posts: 205
Post #16 5 Sep 2023 16:11
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In reply to Post #11
12' 2.25 snipers I'm referring to
fzrip
Posts: 205
Post #17 5 Sep 2023 16:12
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In reply to Post #11
I thought baby snipers were 11', snipers were 12' and then the big sniper/internationals?
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #18 5 Sep 2023 16:13
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In reply to Post #16
They are the baby snipers, you would need the big snipers for longer range , few sets come up on tackle trader etc
spool spool
Posts: 166
Post #19 5 Sep 2023 17:37
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In reply to Post #10
I have both the Baby Snipers and the Big Sniperrs.

Kev used to build on Sportex CKS blanks 2 lb t/c and 2 1/2 tc,
eventually he couldn't source those blanks anymore.

He liased with Steve Harrison and wanted something between
Two sportex blanks, hence the Baby Sniper came about. There
we're a few Protypes built, until it was to Kevs liking.

Just for info thee sandard Torrix 2 1/4 tc blank isn't the same
has the Baby Sniper blank.

Another one to look out for from Kev is the 'Internatonal' .

scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #20 5 Sep 2023 18:14
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In reply to Post #19
Thanks Jeff, for the feedback below

That's interesting mate and I don't know they were a torrix, I have had these as carp rods and found them “tippy”

Can people still get the Harrison blank then if you say they are not a standard torrix, or is it the ringing that makes them behave different, I know this can have a big influence?
fzrip
Posts: 205
Post #21 5 Sep 2023 18:28
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In reply to Post #19
All great info. Thanks for sharing.
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #22 5 Sep 2023 18:28
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In reply to Post #20
Hello mate No one can get the 'sniper 'blanks as they were kevs blanks the same as no one can get dave lumbs p1s,p2s etc as they are his ' named blanks' but if you know you know.
Mistymere
Posts: 100
Post #23 5 Sep 2023 20:06
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I have got a set of x3 big snipers and x3 baby snipers, unbelievable rods, sad day when Kev retired, his nets are also the best ever the 1st reverse taper, Kev was well ahead of his time, I've seen him do writing on a rod (looked perfect to me), rubbed it off and started again ,he did it 3 times until it was perfect, don't forget the kjb rod pod in the 90s Kevin John baines
spool spool
Posts: 166
Post #24 5 Sep 2023 20:17
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In reply to Post #20
For me it was Kevs knowledge of a fishing rods Physics.

Also with all his rods he continued to develop / tweak them.

All of his builds used components to reduce weight on the blank.

Heard recently that someone had their Baby snipers rebuilt with
50mm ringing and they were for sale somewhere, can only
Imagine the end result...
Stokebloke Stokebloke
Posts: 597
Post #25 5 Sep 2023 20:21
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In reply to Post #19
I have 4 x13' Internationals. He once told me they were built for chucking light leads long range on silty waters, which is why I snapped them up as that was exactly what I was after . Brilliant rods and they can do virtually anything.
The CKS was/is superb, still have a set. Very sad day when Kev retired.
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #26 5 Sep 2023 20:22
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In reply to Post #24
I wish Kev had seen them they would have been snapped over his knee !
Mistymere
Posts: 100
Post #27 5 Sep 2023 20:34
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In reply to Post #26
Mistymere
Posts: 100
Post #28 5 Sep 2023 20:39
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In reply to Post #24
Spot on pal, his understanding of blanks and rings and getting to best out of the blank was all he was interested in not only would he explain it to you he would prove it to you, lol I had a few days in the field behind him casting with him, good times, he rated his internationals highly, he also told me he had never had a set of rods he made sent back I honestly believe him
spool spool
Posts: 166
Post #29 5 Sep 2023 20:40
0
In reply to Post #25
I had a set of the 2lb and 2 1/2 sportex CkS, Kev sold them for
me.

But I have four of the Sportex CKS 11ft 1 1/2 t/c, which he
rebuilt with K series guides. These are like rocking horse
droppings to get hold of.

I have quite a few of his rods,



fzrip
Posts: 205
Post #30 5 Sep 2023 22:15
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In reply to Post #29
I didn't know he did a landing net, neither did I know he was behind KJB pods.
2ambream
Posts: 130
Post #31 6 Sep 2023 07:24
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In reply to Post #19
I thought Kevin had retired?

I have the international rods made by Anglers workshop, 12.6ft 3.5t.c, they are fantastic rods, I've used them on every type of water imaginable, from large waters at home and in France and small waters and everything in between. I had them built in 2013 and they get used heavily as I go weekly. The rods have taken some stick during this time and only now I'm ready for a rebuild as the gloss on the whippings are starting to go misty when it rains.

I'd like to get them done by Kevin & Vanessa but as I thought they were retired I'm looking at a rebuild by cotswold.

Kevin told me when I had them built the particular blank used for the internationals is over 20 years old, so you can add another ten years onto that now. He also went onto say he's never had one back as a result of a fault in the international blank.

I have a lot of smaller rings on these rods as is mentioned on this thread and I can chuck, but I can do 150+ with these rods with minimal effort. I very rarely need to cast any further than this anyway.

Fantastic purchase
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #32 6 Sep 2023 09:10
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In reply to Post #31
Well retired
2ambream
Posts: 130
Post #33 6 Sep 2023 13:14
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In reply to Post #32
I thought so. Well I'll be asking cotswold to put the same size eyes in the same places. The only difference to the rebuild will be if there are any lighter eyes than the ones I've got on now, nothing wrong with them but I'm not up to date on more recent guides weight to size etc
dave777 dave777
Posts: 938
Post #34 6 Sep 2023 13:19
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I've got some of the Baby Snipers.

They are amazing rods and I think completely unique. I love playing fish on them and it's so easy to stop fish. I don't use mine for range work but hit 100+ easily with them on the field next to his workshop. One thing I noticed with them is how accurate casting with them is.
The build quality is perfect, the Italic writing is spot on too!

Listening to explain rod physics was really interesting, the guy was really knowledgeable. Part of his demo was attaching a 1lb weight to the end of an old 13ft range rod and watching the look of horror on my face as the tip crashed into the floor 😂. Next up was me pulling 8lb of pressure one handed with the Sniper blank.

Kev described Baby Snipers to me as a 2.25lb that folds but the rest of the rod is 3lb.

I thought Kev and his wife were nice people and I hope they're enjoying their retirement.
fzrip
Posts: 205
Post #35 6 Sep 2023 18:13
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In reply to Post #34
Reading this I can't understand why I've not been using mine...
I'm going to give them a go this week.
Mistymere
Posts: 100
Post #36 7 Sep 2023 08:11
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I was there in the workshop once and he was in the middle of rebuilding some century rods, he had stripped one down and had the big guides off the century rod in a little tub, he laughed when he showed me as he put this little tub on the weighing scales, I can't remember now how heavy the eyes were now but it was a good few ounces he explained to me that these heavy guides on the blank are already pulling the blank forward and how your losing the blank's capability before you even start, thats before you have even got a rig/lead on ect, the rod is already arcing over and the blank twists on the cast, I loved listening to Kev in the workshop it was more like a science lesson and Vanessa always made a good cup of tea
Mistymere
Posts: 100
Post #37 7 Sep 2023 08:23
0
Just to add, I bought a pair of mint dymag rods second hand, I took them up to Kev as I didn't like the bigger guides after using the snipers for years, he rebuilt them for me as I wanted them in between a my baby and big snipers, proper custom job and the end result we were both really pleased with, mint rods
Stokebloke Stokebloke
Posts: 597
Post #38 7 Sep 2023 10:54
0
In reply to Post #36
Yep, I had the same science lesson off him about the guides weight affecting the performance of the blank. He then proved it as he so often does. He got me to hold a blank with no guides on. Held the very top of the blank as I bent it. It felt relatively stiff for a 2lb TC blank. He then slid one single guide on the tip and told me to bend it again. The blank went soft and I was gobsmacked.I asked him how this was so and he just said " It's magic." 😆
Always found his 'lessons' fascinating and could listen to him for hours as I sometimes did . Was always funny though looking over his shoulder to see his Mrs rolling her eyes. 😆
finbob finbob
Posts: 3,466
Post #39 8 Sep 2023 06:52
0
In reply to Post #38
Had him do some lure rods for me -sportex blanks in the old shop with the counter in Hanley. Never got away in under 2-3hrs!
OatcakeFred OatcakeFred
Posts: 1,466
Post #40 8 Sep 2023 09:33
1
In reply to Post #39
I once popped in his Hanley shop for some odds n sods, parked up outside and told the wife (then girlfriend) that I'd be 5 minutes. And 4 hours later.........
junglist junglist
Posts: 861
Post #41 9 Sep 2023 07:59
1
If he Science works ( and I'm not suggesting it doesnt) why aren't any other rod builders / suppliers picking up on this and offering a similar service?
lilharbs lilharbs
Posts: 1,630
Post #42 9 Sep 2023 11:27
0
I would assume they would not be that appealing to most people, Ross that look different to “the norm” and aren't a heavier TC. It is also likely down to not everyone knowing the finer sciences of the knowledge to enable this type of hybrid build.
fzrip
Posts: 205
Post #43 10 Sep 2023 22:09
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I blew the dust off my Snipers and caught a couple with them the other day, fantastic rods. No idea why I stopped using them..?
SHimmer45 SHimmer45
Posts: 664
Post #44 11 Sep 2023 13:03
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In reply to Post #41
recent years the lower TC rods are seen as barbel rods etc and lower TC rods while you can still get them you have to source them from a more premium brand.

Heavy TC been promoted as being the best all round option if you fish alot of different waters so on smaller ones you "dont pull as hard" aka Danny F korda
Mistymere
Posts: 100
Post #45 26 Sep 2023 13:20
1
For anyone that is interested, I've been in contact with Jeff Rawstone rods and given him the EXACT measurements of my Kev Baynes baby snipers including measurements between each guides and fixtures and fittings, I thought it a shame with Kev's retirement that some lads who wanted a set of snipers missed out, jeff has sent me some pictures of the 1st set he's just built and from the photos they look fantastic, for anyone that is interested get in contact with Jeff for more details, cheers
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #46 26 Sep 2023 14:45
2
In reply to Post #45
Cheers , The rods i have built are slightly different in that i have added more guides but i have used the same fuji dnps reel seats and fuji rubber butt to keep the weight down they really are very light compared to standard builds. Infact they are not alot different to the pike bait rods that Kev showed ne to build but obviously a different blank and lower tc to those.
essesxandy essesxandy
Posts: 3,199
Post #47 27 Sep 2023 06:45
0
In reply to Post #46
Hi Jeff, just to be clear, is the Torrix blank you're using exactly the same that Kevin built on? I'm one of the people who were interested in the Snipers but Kevin retired before I could buy some.
SHimmer45 SHimmer45
Posts: 664
Post #48 27 Sep 2023 09:10
0
In reply to Post #46
how would a sniper compare to a Baby Ballista 11ft 2.5
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #49 27 Sep 2023 10:09
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In reply to Post #47
The blank that kevin built his baby sniper on had the torrix weave pattern on both sections . Standard blank has it only on butt section. To avoid any confusion the rods i have built are not baby snipers as that was kevins name for his rods. They were built on torrix 2.25 blanks in a similar style to use the blank to its full potential extremely light small guides etc. I have for a while done similar builds on other blanks mainly for personal use . A couple of other rod builders have been building the same way for over 20 years. There would never be a big market for the rods as todays market wants large guides blingy reel seats etc. For anyone wanting kevins original baby snipers keep your eyes on the used market tackle trader etc they do come up for sale .
essesxandy essesxandy
Posts: 3,199
Post #50 27 Sep 2023 13:43
0
In reply to Post #49
Thanks for the clarity Jeff.
Kevins Baby Snipers were able to cast way higher weights than their TC would have suggested, is that the case with the standard Torrix blank built as you do?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm sure you know why lol.
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #51 27 Sep 2023 16:09
0
In reply to Post #50
6 oz is the heaviest ive used but 4 oz is ideal
essesxandy essesxandy
Posts: 3,199
Post #52 27 Sep 2023 19:54
0
In reply to Post #51
Cheers Jeff
Waterfairy84
Posts: 22
Post #53 1 Oct 2023 13:35
0
Would it be possible to share the ringing pattern of these rods on here as its something I'm definitely interested in.
I understand these rods have a great reputation and would love to leave the fashion of huge 50mm butt rings behind if going with more and smaller rings genuinely improves the action and performance of the rod blank without compromising too much in casting ability.
Any help is much appreciated.
Baitman Baitman
Posts: 5,238
Post #54 1 Oct 2023 14:55
0
In reply to Post #51
6 oz is the heaviest ive used but 4 oz is ideal

Are you talking about lobbing a pva bag for carp, or feeder for barbel...
Surely this isn't a full blooded distance cast you're talking about
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #55 1 Oct 2023 15:56
1
In reply to Post #54
The chimera 12ft 2.4 oz will cast 6oz and heavier and i mean cast .( Look on Dave lumbs website dlst ) (cs12 su i think he calls it)As i said the torrix 2.25 will distance cast up to 4oz comfortably when rung correctly. You wont get the same distance as a rod with bigger rings but there wont be a lot in it on this blank but it will be far more accurate with smaller guides.
The reason Kev built the big sniper was for distance work (12ft 6 torrix t.e blank) but rung with more and smaller guides that make it more user friendly .
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #56 1 Oct 2023 16:12
0
In reply to Post #53
I dont ring mine the same as Kev did his standard sniper i use 1 or 2 more guides on a torrix 2.25 blank. I actually recieved a set of 3 of kevs baby snipers this week off a forum member in part ex for some baby ballistas just need handles sorting which i will do but they have sold already
Waterfairy84
Posts: 22
Post #57 1 Oct 2023 17:24
0
In reply to Post #56
Can I ask the size of the rings you use out of interest Jeff and weather you notice any reduction in casting distance at all on the 2.25lb torrix?
Also on a more powerful rod, say a 13ft 4lb ballista for example, would ringing it with 30mm butt guide and smaller guides in general (kev baines style), would this hinder a powerful rods use or would it improve it.
Goose Goose
Posts: 12,901
Post #58 1 Oct 2023 23:15
0
My baby snipers are the only carp rods I kept when I gave up session fishing for carp but I wouldn't class them as just carp rods. They are awesome all round rods for carp and barbel fishing. In my hands they perform best with 10 lb line and 2,5 Oz led and work well from under the tip to 120 ish and can handle heavy weed. Personally I think 4 Oz is pushing it further than I would like with a full on cast but I'll happily lob up to eight Oz feeders on the river for barbel. They are also great distance tench and bream rods.
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #59 2 Oct 2023 07:19
0
In reply to Post #58
Regarding the lead weight i suppose it depends how you cast , but your summary is an accurate one
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