I'm looking to get a set of custom builds and have always fancied a set of 11ft, I'll be using them for the majority of my uk fishing.
I'm trying to decide whether to go for the torrix or aviators in 11ft and can't decide whether to go for 2.75lb or 3.25lb tc
I'd like them to be able to put a 3-3.5oz lead out to around 80 yards if needed but a lot of my fishing I put rigs out with the bait boat so playing action is more important for me.
Baby ballista 11ft 3lb is also an option. Any advice or any feedback from owners welcome, cheers.
I'm trying to decide whether to go for the torrix or aviators in 11ft and can't decide whether to go for 2.75lb or 3.25lb tc
I'd like them to be able to put a 3-3.5oz lead out to around 80 yards if needed but a lot of my fishing I put rigs out with the bait boat so playing action is more important for me.
Baby ballista 11ft 3lb is also an option. Any advice or any feedback from owners welcome, cheers.
I had 11 foot 2,5lb baby ballistas and personally don't think you need to go any heavier than that. They have the best playing action if any rod you will ever use. I only sold them as the lake i brought them for was permanently closed and now my new venue is 18 acres and i need to be able to cast further. The chap i sold them too had had fish to over 50 lb on them he loves them. I don't think you need to go any heavier than 2.5.
In reply to Post #2
Thanks, I've only ever heard good things about the ballista's My only worry for 2.5 would be casting leads or small bags out hence why I'm thinking 2.75 min
Thanks, I've only ever heard good things about the ballista's My only worry for 2.5 would be casting leads or small bags out hence why I'm thinking 2.75 min
In reply to Post #1
Baby ballista also come in 3.5 t.c but for what you want 3lb is all you require
Baby ballista also come in 3.5 t.c but for what you want 3lb is all you require
In reply to Post #4
Thanks, do you think they'd be a better choice than the aviator or torrix 2.75?
Thanks, do you think they'd be a better choice than the aviator or torrix 2.75?
In reply to Post #5
They are much cheaper and ideal for what you want them for i still build alot of them and only ever have positive feedback regarding them.
They are much cheaper and ideal for what you want them for i still build alot of them and only ever have positive feedback regarding them.
In reply to Post #1
Elltell has 3 baby ballistas for sale in the classifieds
Was fancying them myself but said no
Elltell has 3 baby ballistas for sale in the classifieds
Was fancying them myself but said no
In reply to Post #7
I built them Chris
I built them Chris
In reply to Post #8
Top man Jeff, nice
I can't have anymore rods, I had a clear out and said never again, until next time
Top man Jeff, nice
I can't have anymore rods, I had a clear out and said never again, until next time
In reply to Post #9
Was actually thinking about buying them back
Was actually thinking about buying them back
In reply to Post #10
If they were 12 foot they would have been sold
If they were 12 foot they would have been sold
I can't view classifieds lol, any info on the aviator/torrix in 11ft 2.75?
In reply to Post #10
Lol,
I've got a ticket for a water I wasn't expecting to come up so won't be fishing tge small water for at least a couple of years now.
Love the rods, but they're going to gather dust for at least the next couple of years.
Tel
👍
Lol,
I've got a ticket for a water I wasn't expecting to come up so won't be fishing tge small water for at least a couple of years now.
Love the rods, but they're going to gather dust for at least the next couple of years.
Tel
👍
In reply to Post #10
Hi Jeff,
Between the other set of rods you made for me and my set of Dymag rods I'm fixed for the bigger water.
Tel
👍
Hi Jeff,
Between the other set of rods you made for me and my set of Dymag rods I'm fixed for the bigger water.
Tel
👍
In reply to Post #14
In reply to Post #1
I've got some 11 foot 3 1/4lb TC torrix and I really rate them.
I use them in the edge with the same confidence that I would use my 10 foot 2 3/4 torrix stalker.
Having said that, the aviators do look tempting...
I've got some 11 foot 3 1/4lb TC torrix and I really rate them.
I use them in the edge with the same confidence that I would use my 10 foot 2 3/4 torrix stalker.
Having said that, the aviators do look tempting...
In reply to Post #1
I've got a set of 2.5lb TC Baby Ballistas and would feel confident of putting a 3oz over 80yds with then. Absolute delight to play fish on.
I've got a set of 2.5lb TC Baby Ballistas and would feel confident of putting a 3oz over 80yds with then. Absolute delight to play fish on.
In reply to Post #1
Non-Harrison wildcard - I would recommend a look at the Free Spirit TS - 11ft 2.75 blank.
Absolutely my favourite carp rods to use, I often fish a small solid bag with a 2.5oz lead inside and I think 80yds is pretty achievable with these, and I suck at casting.
My main rods are XS (12ft 3.25lb), which are well regarded as a 'players rod', but the TS feel even better with a fish on.
I've never tried a Torrix in 11ft 2.75lb, but I would definitely be able to say that the Free Spirit XS is more 'player' than the Torrix in the same 12ft 3.25lb, which I have also used long term.
Hope this helps!
Non-Harrison wildcard - I would recommend a look at the Free Spirit TS - 11ft 2.75 blank.
Absolutely my favourite carp rods to use, I often fish a small solid bag with a 2.5oz lead inside and I think 80yds is pretty achievable with these, and I suck at casting.
My main rods are XS (12ft 3.25lb), which are well regarded as a 'players rod', but the TS feel even better with a fish on.
I've never tried a Torrix in 11ft 2.75lb, but I would definitely be able to say that the Free Spirit XS is more 'player' than the Torrix in the same 12ft 3.25lb, which I have also used long term.
Hope this helps!
In reply to Post #18
12ft 3.25 torrix are not a 'players' rod nor have they ever been regarded as one . The 10ft and 11ft are totally different. Saying that i would still rather use the bb over them.
12ft 3.25 torrix are not a 'players' rod nor have they ever been regarded as one . The 10ft and 11ft are totally different. Saying that i would still rather use the bb over them.
In reply to Post #19
That's interesting, just wondering why you'd prefer them over the torrix/aviator, I still can't make my mind up lol. It's between the bb 3lb , torrix, aviator in 2.75 or 3.25, I have a set of free spirit ctx in 12ft 3.25 for larger waters/ french trips but seem too stiff for uk catching 20's
That's interesting, just wondering why you'd prefer them over the torrix/aviator, I still can't make my mind up lol. It's between the bb 3lb , torrix, aviator in 2.75 or 3.25, I have a set of free spirit ctx in 12ft 3.25 for larger waters/ french trips but seem too stiff for uk catching 20's
In reply to Post #20
You wont get a better rod for playing fish on than a harrison bb unless you can find some original 12 ft wychwood maximiser spds which are fantastic . The aviator is totally different capable of casting much further the torrix is a more tippy rod unless rung with more smaller guides. I build and sell all three and that is my opinion others may/will disagree. Only downside of the bb is you will have to get them custom built as harrison dont produce the rod anymore.
You wont get a better rod for playing fish on than a harrison bb unless you can find some original 12 ft wychwood maximiser spds which are fantastic . The aviator is totally different capable of casting much further the torrix is a more tippy rod unless rung with more smaller guides. I build and sell all three and that is my opinion others may/will disagree. Only downside of the bb is you will have to get them custom built as harrison dont produce the rod anymore.
In reply to Post #21
thanks I appreciate your advice mate, Do you think the bb 11ft in 3lb would cast 3-3.5oz leads ok or small bags? And is there much difference in the playing action vs the aviator?
thanks I appreciate your advice mate, Do you think the bb 11ft in 3lb would cast 3-3.5oz leads ok or small bags? And is there much difference in the playing action vs the aviator?
In reply to Post #22
Yes it would and as i say you cant compare the playing action totally different if you get them dont going ruining the blank with anything bigger than 30ml guide set.
Yes it would and as i say you cant compare the playing action totally different if you get them dont going ruining the blank with anything bigger than 30ml guide set.
In reply to Post #19
Completely agree about the 12ft 3.25 Torrix, hence swapping to the Free spirit XS
I know you are a rod builder Jeff, so you're probably the most experienced voice in this thread...do you ever build on free spirit blanks and what do you think of them?
Completely agree about the 12ft 3.25 Torrix, hence swapping to the Free spirit XS
I know you are a rod builder Jeff, so you're probably the most experienced voice in this thread...do you ever build on free spirit blanks and what do you think of them?
In reply to Post #24
Hello mate no i dont i only build on Harrisons and that is because i have an excellent relationship with them .When i started building they let me visit and i spent a full day watching blanks being made from scratch to letting me sit behind the builders seeing how they did it. Steve let me ask anything i wanted and answered everything the blanks are quality made in liverpool and never differ ie diameters are always the same lengths the same ,action etc and on the rare occasion i have had a problem the rectify it immediately. You would be surprised how many factory built rods are different in the same t.c . Regarding free spirit i have rebuilt a few (when i did rufurbs) and the blanks looked fine but i dont know much about them.
Hello mate no i dont i only build on Harrisons and that is because i have an excellent relationship with them .When i started building they let me visit and i spent a full day watching blanks being made from scratch to letting me sit behind the builders seeing how they did it. Steve let me ask anything i wanted and answered everything the blanks are quality made in liverpool and never differ ie diameters are always the same lengths the same ,action etc and on the rare occasion i have had a problem the rectify it immediately. You would be surprised how many factory built rods are different in the same t.c . Regarding free spirit i have rebuilt a few (when i did rufurbs) and the blanks looked fine but i dont know much about them.
In reply to Post #25
Appreciate your answer Jeff.
I have some lighter Harrisons in my river kit which I love. Everyone raved about the Torrix so much I stupidly bought them without trying, and absolutely couldn't get on with them. I should have tried some other harrison blanks first, but you live and learn.
Appreciate your answer Jeff.
I have some lighter Harrisons in my river kit which I love. Everyone raved about the Torrix so much I stupidly bought them without trying, and absolutely couldn't get on with them. I should have tried some other harrison blanks first, but you live and learn.
In reply to Post #26
Yeah the 12 ft torrix 3.25 are harrisons biggest seller i never liked them way too tippy for me but when they came out everyone raved over them and thousands sold.
Yeah the 12 ft torrix 3.25 are harrisons biggest seller i never liked them way too tippy for me but when they came out everyone raved over them and thousands sold.
In reply to Post #27
What's your opinion of the aviators 11ft 2.75 or 3.25 Jeff? Strange how they dont offer a 3lb imo
What's your opinion of the aviators 11ft 2.75 or 3.25 Jeff? Strange how they dont offer a 3lb imo
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