I'm in the market for a couple of 12ft 2.75lb or 3lb tc. Not sure on how much use they will get after the winter so don't want to spend loads. Up to £100 a rod

From what's around I've narrowed it down to:

New
Daiwa Powermesh (future fishing) 3.25tc bang on budget
Korda kaizen 3tc a bit over budget
Shimano tx2a a bit more over budget

Second hand
Tx4 3tc
NG's 2.75tc (not autoclave)
Looks like the odd pair of Torrix and ballistas come up
Daiwa Longbow or infinity

Any thoughts on these or others to look at, I do prefer a lighter blank, otherwise I've got no brand allegiance other than trying to get most of my money back in the spring when they've done their job so they can't be smashed up.

Cheers

In reply to Post #1
I'd go for the NGs out of those listed - will be a far superior quality blank to the others. Plus if you don't like them then you'll be able to sell on for what you bought them for.

Be careful with old non autoclave NGs. A lot that come up on eBay are ancient and battered. I would want to see them in person before I bought them.

In reply to Post #3
I did wonder based on such an old blank.

I've added Infinity or Longbow to the SH list. There seems to be lots of DF and x45 versions come up around my budget.

In reply to Post #4
All that era built with 50mm rings I think? If I had £300 I would be looking at ESP. Vertex, Tectrix, Snipers.

In reply to Post #5
Just 2 rods will be needed and not too fussed if they're 40's or 50's even though 50's will probably help if I do try and blat one as far as I can.

Good call about the esp options. Snipers were decent

In reply to Post #3
On the older ngs they used some rubbish epoxy on the whipping, they all went cloudy when there was any rain forecast, but quite a handy feature before we all had the interweb on our phones

In reply to Post #7
Ahha yes I remember the whiteness was very useful when you needed to prove to the wife that you had been out fishing in the rain and not down the pub

In reply to Post #5
The mk 1 snipers were very good not so the mk 2 . The vertex are excellent rods that come up on ebay also spd maximisers.

In reply to Post #9
Thanks Jeff yes I'd forgotten about SPDs too. Will have to take a look.

I'm guessing that true to ESP form the Sniper mk2's will say so somewhere on the blank?

I've been surprised that floater/surface rods have a 2.75tc these days - when did that happen!!

In reply to Post #10
I have a set of vertex rods I maybe selling.

In reply to Post #1
I picked up second hand FS e class gold for the budget you mentioned.
I highly recommend these if you find a set

These are in my local
Look in really good nick

https://www.cashconverters.co.uk/shop/outdoor--sports/outdoor-recreation/fishing/fishing-gear/058000018267

Have a look for some of the earlier tfg rods, really top quality.
I have a set of three tfg x-plus 12ft 2.75lb and they are a dream, pencil thin, proper fishing rods.





and say hello to my little friend

In reply to Post #14
Ahhh and the urban myth that they were built on Free Spirit blanks 😂😂.

I had some x3's. Quite tippy but.foe the money great rods 👍

In reply to Post #1
I've just bought 3 mint pretty much brand new Harrison torrix off eBay built by Tony Kay for less than £300. Bargains are to be had if you look and be a little bit lucky 👍

In reply to Post #1
Not used any other rods in your list but I've been using the FF Powermesh for a few years now and I've loved them. I think Bristol Angling have them now after Future Fishing unfortunately closed. Doubt you'll be disappointed if you decide on them.

I've just got a set of 12'6" Aviators and can't make my mind up whether to keep the powermesh or not.

Daz

Thanks everyone, been like a trip down memory lane has this thread 🙂.

instead of working for my boss yesterday, I spent most of it trawling the web for deals and offers, I think this is what I'm down to in order.

3 X sh longbow x45 3lb - 180 collected
3 x sh sniper MK1 2.75 - 170 collected
2 x sh 2.75tc infinity df - £200 shipped
2 X new FF Powermesh 3lb - 200 shipped

There were others but after looking, £200 is more than enough to get sorted so I capped my budget there and also distance to collect has been a consideration capping estimated fuel cost at £20

What do you think, any last minute additions?

In reply to Post #16
+1 on this. I've seen a few set of Harrisons or equivalent rods going for really good prices recently. There's a set of ballista slims in Chatham going for £120 on FB market

In reply to Post #19
Ballista slims, great rods.
The build is a bit old style and rings need reshipping, but a massive bargain.

LINKY POO™ https://www.facebook.com/share/1B4oqLauXF/

Thanks, not on Facebook, so that's all lost on me.

I found 2 x 3lb Sniper Mk1's that I collect on Monday.

Cost of the two rods is £ 74 + £25 travel which is more than ideal for what they will be used for