Hey guys,
Being located in the US, I'm used to much shorter fishing rods. A year ago I invested in new European-Style gear/tactics/hook-bait/etc... ( starting with a 9ft Sonik Ext.) targeting upper-double carp in small (sometimes weedy) lakes and ponds.
I'm now looking to upgrade my rods to 12ft 3lb version.
Would appreciate thoughts on a mid-priced (around or under $150) 12ft 3lb rod with good fish-playing action and a bit of backbone for weeds.
Thanks
Being located in the US, I'm used to much shorter fishing rods. A year ago I invested in new European-Style gear/tactics/hook-bait/etc... ( starting with a 9ft Sonik Ext.) targeting upper-double carp in small (sometimes weedy) lakes and ponds.
I'm now looking to upgrade my rods to 12ft 3lb version.
Would appreciate thoughts on a mid-priced (around or under $150) 12ft 3lb rod with good fish-playing action and a bit of backbone for weeds.
Thanks
In reply to Post #1
First question I'd ask is what do you have readily available as some recommendations could be hard to source and/or difficult to procure.
First question I'd ask is what do you have readily available as some recommendations could be hard to source and/or difficult to procure.
In reply to Post #2
Free Spirit CTX rods are great at around that price and available at bigcarptackle.com, who are Oklahoma based.
As an ex pat living in Louisiana, I can assure you that they are great to deal with and carry just about any item you could need for your Carping adventures.
Free Spirit CTX rods are great at around that price and available at bigcarptackle.com, who are Oklahoma based.
As an ex pat living in Louisiana, I can assure you that they are great to deal with and carry just about any item you could need for your Carping adventures.
In reply to Post #3
One thing I would add, 3lb rods are terrific all rounders, but if you intend throwing pack bait regularly, you might want to consider a higher test curve, 3.5lb for example, as to not overload the rods..
That said, 2.75 or 3lb rids would be more enjoyable to play those upper doubles on,.
Best scenario, two sets of rods !
I know several guys who bought the very affordable Sonik rods for throwing pack and are quite happy with them.
One thing I would add, 3lb rods are terrific all rounders, but if you intend throwing pack bait regularly, you might want to consider a higher test curve, 3.5lb for example, as to not overload the rods..
That said, 2.75 or 3lb rids would be more enjoyable to play those upper doubles on,.
Best scenario, two sets of rods !
I know several guys who bought the very affordable Sonik rods for throwing pack and are quite happy with them.
In reply to Post #2
I've done a ton of research, but I'm still having a problem making a final decision because I like to touch/feel a rod before I purchase to make sure it's right for my needs. Unfortunately, I can't do this because the US doesn't have any "true" carp stores near me.
To answer your question, my top (12ft 3lb) rod choices (around or under $150) are:
1. Diawa Black Widow
2. NASH Scope Abbreviated (not the Black Ops version)
3. NASH Dwarf
4. Shimano TX-2
5. Kaizen Green
*I'm also not a fan of stiff rods (fish-playing action is a high priority for me)!
My current setup is the Sonik 9ft 2.75lb Extractors. I've had them over a year now and, although they're OK, they fall short (pun intended) where distance is concerned (casting a 2.5 oz lead is difficult over 60 yards). They're also very limited when casting solid bags. *Keep in mind I do realize that the 2.75 t/c is a factor, and, my casting ability (aka, lack of experience) could definitely be the fatal flaw here. But, I know from years of experience Fly-Fishing, that "quality" equipment, although not always expensive, can play a huge role in upping your game!
Lastly: I normally fish in small shallow lakes (or weed-filled ponds) under 10 acres and the carp I've caught avg. in the mid to upper-double range (my PB is 18.5lbs and my PB Goal is 20lbs or more).
In a nutshell, I'm looking for a rod that's fun to play fish on, has a bit of backbone for weeds and will comfortably cast a 2-3oz lead (or solid PVA bag) up to 80 yards without issue.
Hopefully, that's helpful.
Thanks for your reply and sorry for the long response!
Joe
I've done a ton of research, but I'm still having a problem making a final decision because I like to touch/feel a rod before I purchase to make sure it's right for my needs. Unfortunately, I can't do this because the US doesn't have any "true" carp stores near me.
To answer your question, my top (12ft 3lb) rod choices (around or under $150) are:
1. Diawa Black Widow
2. NASH Scope Abbreviated (not the Black Ops version)
3. NASH Dwarf
4. Shimano TX-2
5. Kaizen Green
*I'm also not a fan of stiff rods (fish-playing action is a high priority for me)!
My current setup is the Sonik 9ft 2.75lb Extractors. I've had them over a year now and, although they're OK, they fall short (pun intended) where distance is concerned (casting a 2.5 oz lead is difficult over 60 yards). They're also very limited when casting solid bags. *Keep in mind I do realize that the 2.75 t/c is a factor, and, my casting ability (aka, lack of experience) could definitely be the fatal flaw here. But, I know from years of experience Fly-Fishing, that "quality" equipment, although not always expensive, can play a huge role in upping your game!
Lastly: I normally fish in small shallow lakes (or weed-filled ponds) under 10 acres and the carp I've caught avg. in the mid to upper-double range (my PB is 18.5lbs and my PB Goal is 20lbs or more).
In a nutshell, I'm looking for a rod that's fun to play fish on, has a bit of backbone for weeds and will comfortably cast a 2-3oz lead (or solid PVA bag) up to 80 yards without issue.
Hopefully, that's helpful.
Thanks for your reply and sorry for the long response!
Joe
In reply to Post #3
Thanks. I've used BCT for 80% of my purchases (gear and hook-bait). Lately however Ive noticed they've been “Out of Stock” for a lot of what I'm looking for - including rods n reels.
Thanks. I've used BCT for 80% of my purchases (gear and hook-bait). Lately however Ive noticed they've been “Out of Stock” for a lot of what I'm looking for - including rods n reels.
In reply to Post #5
This is purely personal but I'd forget the Scope, Dwarf and Kaizen.
This is purely personal but I'd forget the Scope, Dwarf and Kaizen.
In reply to Post #6
Still some good choices in stock at BCT. DAIWA Crossacast are a nice rod. Also Fox HorizonX3, right at your budget.
I would still take the Free Spirit CTX over those though, which they also have.
I would steer clear of the Black Widow, they are cheap for a reason and prone to breakage.
Nash Scopes and Dwarf rods are shorter retractable rods, like your Xtractors, btw.
I will add that BCT have a very good special/discount price on the Sonik Dominator RS rods
I bought a couple of 3.5 tc for pack bait and they seem like a lot of rod for the money.
They are very powerful, so I would think the 3lb or even 2.75 would be better suited for your fishing, especially playing action.
Good luck and enjoy whatever you choose.
Oh yeah, johnson ross tackle in the U.K. have a great selection too, as well as reasonable and fast shipping to the U.S.
Great folks to deal with.
I would steer clear of carpangler.com, as he adds quite a considerable " premium " to his pricing compared to most vendors.
Still some good choices in stock at BCT. DAIWA Crossacast are a nice rod. Also Fox HorizonX3, right at your budget.
I would still take the Free Spirit CTX over those though, which they also have.
I would steer clear of the Black Widow, they are cheap for a reason and prone to breakage.
Nash Scopes and Dwarf rods are shorter retractable rods, like your Xtractors, btw.
I will add that BCT have a very good special/discount price on the Sonik Dominator RS rods
I bought a couple of 3.5 tc for pack bait and they seem like a lot of rod for the money.
They are very powerful, so I would think the 3lb or even 2.75 would be better suited for your fishing, especially playing action.
Good luck and enjoy whatever you choose.
Oh yeah, johnson ross tackle in the U.K. have a great selection too, as well as reasonable and fast shipping to the U.S.
Great folks to deal with.
I would steer clear of carpangler.com, as he adds quite a considerable " premium " to his pricing compared to most vendors.
If you already have 9' 2.75lb rods then I would pass on the Scope and Dwarf rods as they will not be offering you much that is new except a shorter pack down length.
Any of the 12 foot rods will be great for upper doubles at 60 yards. If you want to use packbait then as others have said a 3.5lb to may be more suitable, but if you aren't using it often then a lower to will be much nicer to fish with.
Fox x3, Free Spirit CTX, Korda will all be good. If I were buying the CTX I would ask the shop to check that every ring is properly signed and all the whippigs are good before the send it as FS have great blanks but seem to build them in a very sloppy way for their off the shelf range. I'd probably pick the Fox as they have made reliable lower end rods since their Warrior range over 20 years ago.
Another thing to consider is what reels you are using. If you are using thick mono line (20lb test, 0.40mm) and are using smaller spooled reels that may be what is limiting your casting rather than your rod. If you are using floating braid then it's probably not the reel that is the limiting factor.
Any of the 12 foot rods will be great for upper doubles at 60 yards. If you want to use packbait then as others have said a 3.5lb to may be more suitable, but if you aren't using it often then a lower to will be much nicer to fish with.
Fox x3, Free Spirit CTX, Korda will all be good. If I were buying the CTX I would ask the shop to check that every ring is properly signed and all the whippigs are good before the send it as FS have great blanks but seem to build them in a very sloppy way for their off the shelf range. I'd probably pick the Fox as they have made reliable lower end rods since their Warrior range over 20 years ago.
Another thing to consider is what reels you are using. If you are using thick mono line (20lb test, 0.40mm) and are using smaller spooled reels that may be what is limiting your casting rather than your rod. If you are using floating braid then it's probably not the reel that is the limiting factor.
In reply to Post #6
Thanks, I'm actually looking for personal opinions. Can you tell me why you think the three rods you mentioned would not work for me?
Thanks, I'm actually looking for personal opinions. Can you tell me why you think the three rods you mentioned would not work for me?
In reply to Post #4
Thanks! The idea of having a backup set (or single rod) is a great idea! I plan on keeping my 9ft Soniks for that reason.
Thanks! The idea of having a backup set (or single rod) is a great idea! I plan on keeping my 9ft Soniks for that reason.
In reply to Post #10
If you mean my post #7, you already have short rods and kaizen have had mixed reviews on fittings. Don't American Tackle sell over there ? Their blanks and fittings are available to rod builders here.
If you mean my post #7, you already have short rods and kaizen have had mixed reviews on fittings. Don't American Tackle sell over there ? Their blanks and fittings are available to rod builders here.
In reply to Post #7
I might be wrong, but I looked at the Daiwa Crosscast, and could only find “telescopic” Crosscast. Do you know if they come in a 2pc or an extractor version (like my Soniks)?
If they do, I think I might go for those. Just don't like telescopic rods.
I might be wrong, but I looked at the Daiwa Crosscast, and could only find “telescopic” Crosscast. Do you know if they come in a 2pc or an extractor version (like my Soniks)?
If they do, I think I might go for those. Just don't like telescopic rods.
In reply to Post #13
https://www.tackleuk.co.uk/Shop/RodsCarpRods/Daiwa-Crosscast-Carp-Rods-2-1.htm
https://www.tackleuk.co.uk/Shop/RodsCarpRods/Daiwa-Crosscast-Carp-Rods-2-1.htm
In reply to Post #13
BCT have twelve foot two piece Crosscasts
BCT have twelve foot two piece Crosscasts
In reply to Post #8
Thanks so much! I never realized the pound-test of my line vs. the size of my reel might impact my casting distance (guess I still have a lot to learn!). I'm currently using Sonik VaderX 5000 (Free Spool) reels paired with their 9ft 2.75t/c Xtractor rods. I use 15lb braid on one rod and 20lb Mono on the other. The rod with mono has a horrible casting distance.
The reels I'm considering for my new 12ft 3lb rods are:
- Daiwa 20 Crosscast 35 SCW
- Daiwa 20 GS BR LT 5000-c
- Daiwa Emblem 45 SCW QD
Not sure about line yet, but your reply has me thinking...
Any thoughts?
Thanks again!
Thanks so much! I never realized the pound-test of my line vs. the size of my reel might impact my casting distance (guess I still have a lot to learn!). I'm currently using Sonik VaderX 5000 (Free Spool) reels paired with their 9ft 2.75t/c Xtractor rods. I use 15lb braid on one rod and 20lb Mono on the other. The rod with mono has a horrible casting distance.
The reels I'm considering for my new 12ft 3lb rods are:
- Daiwa 20 Crosscast 35 SCW
- Daiwa 20 GS BR LT 5000-c
- Daiwa Emblem 45 SCW QD
Not sure about line yet, but your reply has me thinking...
Any thoughts?
Thanks again!
In reply to Post #13
great thanks
great thanks
In reply to Post #15
Just saw them! thanks
Just saw them! thanks
In reply to Post #16
15lb braid and 20lb mono are very different lines that will cast very differently.
Generally, thinner, less dense, more flexible lines cast more easily and further. Less stretchy lines tend to break at lower levels of sudden force than stretchier lines. Brains stretches a lot less than mono.
If you aren't suffering from breakages using 15lb braid then put that one both reels. It should cast well and your existing spool size will be fine so don't worry about changing the reels.
If you are losing fish to snags or line breaks then you may need stronger braid (30lb or 50lb) or strong mono such as the 20lb mono.
20lb mono will not cast well from a small spool, so the 1st or 3rd reel on your list below will help.
15lb braid and 20lb mono are very different lines that will cast very differently.
Generally, thinner, less dense, more flexible lines cast more easily and further. Less stretchy lines tend to break at lower levels of sudden force than stretchier lines. Brains stretches a lot less than mono.
If you aren't suffering from breakages using 15lb braid then put that one both reels. It should cast well and your existing spool size will be fine so don't worry about changing the reels.
If you are losing fish to snags or line breaks then you may need stronger braid (30lb or 50lb) or strong mono such as the 20lb mono.
20lb mono will not cast well from a small spool, so the 1st or 3rd reel on your list below will help.
In reply to Post #19
Thanks for the advice!
I think I'm going to go braid on both rods, but I don't know much about the quality of the fishing-line brands. Do you have a suggestion on what brand/type braid to use if I'm using the Daiwa Crosscast 35 SCW reel?
Also, I'd like to lower the pound/test of the line if possible. Any thoughts if the avg. carp I catch are mid to upper double (hoping for a 20+ some day!)? I learned to fight big fish on light line back when I was into fly-fishing years ago, I caught plenty of Salmon, big Browns and even a monster Steelhead using rediculously light tippet. This was necessary because those fish were very line-shy.
Thanks for the advice!
I think I'm going to go braid on both rods, but I don't know much about the quality of the fishing-line brands. Do you have a suggestion on what brand/type braid to use if I'm using the Daiwa Crosscast 35 SCW reel?
Also, I'd like to lower the pound/test of the line if possible. Any thoughts if the avg. carp I catch are mid to upper double (hoping for a 20+ some day!)? I learned to fight big fish on light line back when I was into fly-fishing years ago, I caught plenty of Salmon, big Browns and even a monster Steelhead using rediculously light tippet. This was necessary because those fish were very line-shy.
In reply to Post #15
Just received my Daiwa (12ft. 3.0) Crosscast XT rod and Daiwa 20 Crosscast 35 SCW reel. It's my first attempt at using a 12 foot rod🤞🤞🤞
Thanks for the suggestion and insight👍
Just received my Daiwa (12ft. 3.0) Crosscast XT rod and Daiwa 20 Crosscast 35 SCW reel. It's my first attempt at using a 12 foot rod🤞🤞🤞
Thanks for the suggestion and insight👍
In reply to Post #20
I think I mentioned in another of your threads but I would recommend starting with 30lb PowerPro Moss Green braid. Best all-around braid on the market IMO. & available in Walmart at reasonable price. buy 150m spools wind onto mono backing.
I think I mentioned in another of your threads but I would recommend starting with 30lb PowerPro Moss Green braid. Best all-around braid on the market IMO. & available in Walmart at reasonable price. buy 150m spools wind onto mono backing.
In reply to Post #22
Thanks. After spending way too much time trying to choose a line (🙄
, I went with 15lb Nash Armourline Super Strong - Translucent Green Line for all of two of my three rods.
Tried it out yesterday, and it worked great on my 12ft. rod, but after I landed a feisty 3.5lb (yes, I actually said "three and a half pound" Common(😎🤣 , the line on my 6ft rod became incredibly twisty/curly. Not sure if I did something wrong while spooling up the reel (first time I tried that), but I didn't have any problems with the line on my other reel. It also might have happened because the "feisty" carp I caught ran me up and down the pond! Still not sure???
Thanks. After spending way too much time trying to choose a line (🙄
, I went with 15lb Nash Armourline Super Strong - Translucent Green Line for all of two of my three rods. Tried it out yesterday, and it worked great on my 12ft. rod, but after I landed a feisty 3.5lb (yes, I actually said "three and a half pound" Common(😎🤣
, the line on my 6ft rod became incredibly twisty/curly. Not sure if I did something wrong while spooling up the reel (first time I tried that), but I didn't have any problems with the line on my other reel. It also might have happened because the "feisty" carp I caught ran me up and down the pond! Still not sure???
In reply to Post #23
A 3.5lb carp shouldn't be able to run you up and down the pond unless you're using spaghetti for a rod.
You probably loaded it wrong.
A 3.5lb carp shouldn't be able to run you up and down the pond unless you're using spaghetti for a rod.
You probably loaded it wrong.
In reply to Post #24
Maybe he just wanted to enjoy the fight a spirited little Carp can put up, rather then just haul it in and chuck it back with a look of disgust becuase it wasn't any bigger
Todays 3.5lber, who knows what in 10 years.
Maybe he just wanted to enjoy the fight a spirited little Carp can put up, rather then just haul it in and chuck it back with a look of disgust becuase it wasn't any bigger
Todays 3.5lber, who knows what in 10 years.
In reply to Post #24
The rod I was using was my Nash 6ft'r, and yesterday was literally my first time using it. Having zero experience with Nash rods (of any length) I was extra careful while playing "that" particular fish. Not only was it the first bite I had on that rod, but I also absolutely no idea how much "give" the rod had or how much it could handle without a break-off or a hook-pull, and lastly, in the moment I really thought I hooked into a much larger fish (a one-toner from the off!)!!!
In the end, I was ecstatic! I got to use my new rod and I went home with a picture of an absolutely, beautiful (albeit small🤣 Common Carp! (*I would have added the pic to this post, but I have no idea how to do it!)
The rod I was using was my Nash 6ft'r, and yesterday was literally my first time using it. Having zero experience with Nash rods (of any length) I was extra careful while playing "that" particular fish. Not only was it the first bite I had on that rod, but I also absolutely no idea how much "give" the rod had or how much it could handle without a break-off or a hook-pull, and lastly, in the moment I really thought I hooked into a much larger fish (a one-toner from the off!)!!!
In the end, I was ecstatic! I got to use my new rod and I went home with a picture of an absolutely, beautiful (albeit small🤣
Common Carp! (*I would have added the pic to this post, but I have no idea how to do it!)
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