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Getting back in the game- New Rods Needed (23 posts / 3,141 views)
fishingidiot
Posts: 145
Post #1 29 Aug 2025 22:50
0
So not ‘Carp Fished' for over 10 years, I sold my rods had century ng's 3.25lb never really liked them always thought they were too stiff, had a lovely set of armalites 2.75 ( the green ones) sold them on also..
Probably looking at 3.25tc 12' circa £200 a rod, particularly like the look of the cf-x range at the tackle box?? How do the newer rods shape up these days, any recomendations welcome, cheers
karmh karmh
Posts: 1,177
Post #2 29 Aug 2025 23:08
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In reply to Post #1
Terry hearns can't go wrong.
Breammagnet Breammagnet
Posts: 654
Post #3 31 Aug 2025 20:52
0
In reply to Post #1
2nd hand armalites
The-Heff The-Heff
Posts: 3,404
Post #4 1 Sep 2025 05:46
0
In reply to Post #1
12ft 3lb daiwa longbows on offer at total fishing tackle for £149 a rod
Belch Belch
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 4,660
Post #6 1 Sep 2025 10:30
0
In reply to Post #1
Nice set of pre-loved 3x Harrison Accurix 12' 2.75 full corks on Tackle Tavern atm

Accurix 2.75

or these

SLite 3.5
bentipping bentipping
Posts: 383
Post #7 1 Sep 2025 12:49
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In reply to Post #1
I have the Free Spirit CTX in 12' 3.25lb and love them. Action of rod makes casting accurately really easy, they bend right through the rod when playing fish.
Personally struggle beyond 20 wraps with a solid bag, can do 23-25 with lead only. But I think that's reasonable for test curve etc.
Normally a deal on for set of 3 to get for well less than your budget.
Chuffy Chuffy
Posts: 6,794
Post #8 1 Sep 2025 14:33
0
In reply to Post #1
I have a set of the CF-X 12' 3.25s, lovely rods for the money 👌
fishingidiot
Posts: 145
Post #9 3 Sep 2025 13:21
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In reply to Post #8
Thanks folks, there's so much stuff on the market, you can get paralysis through analysis.. I may go budget ie tx2, but it might be the last purchase I make, cos Im thinking of reducing my hours at work, so want to get it right. Cheers
Rebullio Rebullio
Posts: 152
Post #10 3 Sep 2025 16:15
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In reply to Post #9
tx2's were pretty stiff as they were marketed as a budget casting rod, not sure if the newer version (tx2A) are the same, I had some in 10ft and sold them on for the cfx which are a nicer rod alround imo
zinno
Posts: 1,381
Post #11 3 Sep 2025 16:29
0
Rly if you want new rods check the Free spirit helicals, the are better then the Ctx, Tx-2, i have no exp with the Cf-X but TB told me the sit between the Ctx and the old Fs E-class
kizzi
Posts: 2,526
Post #12 3 Sep 2025 19:24
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In reply to Post #1
If you thought that NGs were too stiff then you want to be careful about buying most 12 foot 3.25lb rods today.

CF-X rods are great but may still be faster actioned than you want. I'd suggest that you see if you can find mint condition Armalites second hand, or even go to a shop with a large range of barbel rods to try.

I have a feeling that he has stopped rod building, but Bob Morris in Dartford used to always build Armalites at prices well below what anyone else charged so maybe worth seeing if he is still in the trade.
maplecream
Posts: 723
Post #13 4 Sep 2025 06:49
0
In reply to Post #12
I agree, I've never heard the NGs described as too stiff, far from it.
Maybe a lower TC would be a good starting point.
Squimp
Posts: 158
Post #14 4 Sep 2025 11:02
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In reply to Post #1
If you thought NG's were stiff then you are going to struggle with most higher test curve modern blanks.

Harrison Acurix or Free Spirit ES/XS actually bend. Some of the cheaper Free Spirits might be worth a look too.

My recommendation would be to find some old Harrisons - Chimera 2.75 or 3lb would be good. They sell cheap but are quite hard to find.

Or find some Kev Baines Snipers - brilliant, versatile rods but again hard to find (and they won't be cheap).
Sgfc Sgfc
Posts: 4,340
aka The Combover Kid
aka The Combover Kid Post #15 4 Sep 2025 11:17
0
In reply to Post #1
I think your best bet is to go to the tackle shops and have a feel of different rods and test curves.

From personal experience, I loved my original 3.5 NGs (not the NG+ version) and found them not stiff at all. I only swapped to Harrison Acurix 3lb as I wanted more "action" in the blank - over your budget, I know but still a wonderful blank.
fishingidiot
Posts: 145
Post #16 4 Sep 2025 14:20
2
In reply to Post #15
Stuck with mail order as always, unfortunately, tackle shops by me just don't stock anything.
fishingidiot
Posts: 145
Post #17 4 Sep 2025 14:20
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In reply to Post #2
Which ones do you have, 12' classics?
Darkieallard
Posts: 4,935
Post #18 4 Sep 2025 17:24
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In reply to Post #17
Ive got the 12ft distance ESP Hearns, very under rated rods

I still use my 2.6oz Mk1's for tench fishing
karmh karmh
Posts: 1,177
Post #19 4 Sep 2025 17:38
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In reply to Post #17
Yes mate 12ft 3.25 classic. They're lovely rods.
BoilieGun BoilieGun
Posts: 306
Post #20 4 Sep 2025 22:17
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In reply to Post #4
Daiwa longbows 12ft 3lb

Seem like a bargain on total fishing

Anyone have any knowledge of these ? Any good?
colors colors
Posts: 1,069
Post #21 8 Sep 2025 20:41
2
In reply to Post #1
If you can stretch your budget another 50 quid per rod then I would be looking at kev Clayton custom rods. He does a range called Xc'd for about £250 a rod i think.

I've had two sets of rods off kev and in my personal opinion he's the best rod builder in the country. Cannot recommend his work highly enough, I'll be ordering a set of 13footers shortly I won't go anywhere else now
braders1978 braders1978
Posts: 18,195
Post #22 11 Sep 2025 12:24
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In reply to Post #21
Totally agree 👍
oldfletch
Posts: 1,489
Post #23 11 Sep 2025 16:17
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In reply to Post #22
Kev built my torrix rods great Comms and very friendly guy .
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,047
Post #24 11 Sep 2025 18:35
0
In reply to Post #22
+1, built my Torrix too
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