I currently have a set of free spirit Xs and am Looking to upgrade . I'll be fishing the margins up to about 100yards . I'm thinking of maybe the 12'6 3.25lb or the 12' 3 1/2 . Could I have people opinions please on these two models or maybe another if more suitable . Most of my fishing is done in the 50 / 70yards range but I'd like to still have a nice playing action , thanks .
In reply to Post #1
50/70 yrds I'd personally go with the 12ft 3lbs
50/70 yrds I'd personally go with the 12ft 3lbs
In reply to Post #1
Would you not want to future proof your rods? In the future you may want the little extra backbone? I have three sets of free spirit rods and consider my 3.5tc 12.6 hi's rods as the best all rounder and are perfect players rods. The cope well from the margins to over 100 yards and handle small/medium solid bags well and can honestly say I don't fear hook pulls close in.
Whichever rods you choose enjoy them 👍🏻
Michael
Would you not want to future proof your rods? In the future you may want the little extra backbone? I have three sets of free spirit rods and consider my 3.5tc 12.6 hi's rods as the best all rounder and are perfect players rods. The cope well from the margins to over 100 yards and handle small/medium solid bags well and can honestly say I don't fear hook pulls close in.
Whichever rods you choose enjoy them 👍🏻
Michael
In reply to Post #1
Hi - I bought a set of the Free spirit 3lb test HIs 12 foot rods as I do most of my fishing up to 70 yards but wanted a bit more back bone and be able to reach the 100 yards when I occasionally needed it. Its always going to be a compromise to a degree but these Hi s rods are absolutely lovely. You can easily use a 3oz lead on them and get to 100 yards if required and they are a joy to use for my general fishing. If you tend to fish long range mostly however I would recommend going for the 12.5 or 13 foot rods and a higher test curve. Not sure if this helps you, it really depends on what you need most !
Hi - I bought a set of the Free spirit 3lb test HIs 12 foot rods as I do most of my fishing up to 70 yards but wanted a bit more back bone and be able to reach the 100 yards when I occasionally needed it. Its always going to be a compromise to a degree but these Hi s rods are absolutely lovely. You can easily use a 3oz lead on them and get to 100 yards if required and they are a joy to use for my general fishing. If you tend to fish long range mostly however I would recommend going for the 12.5 or 13 foot rods and a higher test curve. Not sure if this helps you, it really depends on what you need most !
In reply to Post #4
Thanks for the replies . None of the waters I fish require fishing over a hundred yards but I get your point . I think I need something with a little more backbone if required ( which is not very often ) but don't want to compromise the enjoyment of 95% of the fishing I do now and for the foreseeable future . My xs's are lovely rods for playing fish on and for most of my fishing . I would like a little more for those odd occasions I have to go a little longer . Having never used the hi s rods I was a little worried they would be a little too much for the closer in fishing in the 12' 3.5 Tc. I'd heard that the 12'6 3.25 is a good all rounder. It would be good if someone could give me a comparison between the Xs and some of the hi s rods . Many thanks.
Thanks for the replies . None of the waters I fish require fishing over a hundred yards but I get your point . I think I need something with a little more backbone if required ( which is not very often ) but don't want to compromise the enjoyment of 95% of the fishing I do now and for the foreseeable future . My xs's are lovely rods for playing fish on and for most of my fishing . I would like a little more for those odd occasions I have to go a little longer . Having never used the hi s rods I was a little worried they would be a little too much for the closer in fishing in the 12' 3.5 Tc. I'd heard that the 12'6 3.25 is a good all rounder. It would be good if someone could give me a comparison between the Xs and some of the hi s rods . Many thanks.
In reply to Post #5
I've had the 12' 3.5tc Hi's for many years now and even though I took a while away from carp fishing I can honestly say they are the dogs danglers mate. I used to have the esp tracers in 3.25 before that any yes they played a fish softer but I could never get the distance when I needed it. The tips on the Hi's are not broom handles though and you soon get used to playing the fish slightly different and its still a pleasure playing them so for me they are the all around rod and yes 90% of my fishing is done at close range.
I've had the 12' 3.5tc Hi's for many years now and even though I took a while away from carp fishing I can honestly say they are the dogs danglers mate. I used to have the esp tracers in 3.25 before that any yes they played a fish softer but I could never get the distance when I needed it. The tips on the Hi's are not broom handles though and you soon get used to playing the fish slightly different and its still a pleasure playing them so for me they are the all around rod and yes 90% of my fishing is done at close range.
In reply to Post #1
I have the 12'6” 3.25. And am very pleased with them, I've had them 6 or 7 years and have landed some pretty big carp and cats and can't fault them.
I have had a Chuck with the 3.5 but not played a fish on one, I really don't think you'd go wrong with either the 3.25 or 3.5, unless you started to fish longer range regularly then the 3.5 would be the ones to go for.
I use them as mid my range rods so mostly 70 - 100, even with solid bags, at those ranges they are nice to play fish on. Not as forgiving as my 2.75 Accurix, but plenty soft enough in the tip section.
I have the 12'6” 3.25. And am very pleased with them, I've had them 6 or 7 years and have landed some pretty big carp and cats and can't fault them.
I have had a Chuck with the 3.5 but not played a fish on one, I really don't think you'd go wrong with either the 3.25 or 3.5, unless you started to fish longer range regularly then the 3.5 would be the ones to go for.
I use them as mid my range rods so mostly 70 - 100, even with solid bags, at those ranges they are nice to play fish on. Not as forgiving as my 2.75 Accurix, but plenty soft enough in the tip section.
In reply to Post #7
Thanks for that . Seems like either will probably be suitable . I've always wondered whether you notice that much of a difference with 12'6 over a 12 footer , thanks .
Thanks for that . Seems like either will probably be suitable . I've always wondered whether you notice that much of a difference with 12'6 over a 12 footer , thanks .
In reply to Post #8
Can't say I really notice the difference, my Accurix are 12 footers and I have some 13 footers for distance,
They feel the same as the Hi-S as the reel fitting is 6” further up the blank, which helps with log range casting.
Can't say I really notice the difference, my Accurix are 12 footers and I have some 13 footers for distance,
They feel the same as the Hi-S as the reel fitting is 6” further up the blank, which helps with log range casting.
In reply to Post #8
Set of mint 12ft 6inch 3.5tc on fb selling page for £800.
Set of mint 12ft 6inch 3.5tc on fb selling page for £800.
In reply to Post #5
Well l'm no expert on rods but a lot of my fishing is at the same sort of range you mentioned 50/70 yds mainly 1st free spirit rods l used was the ESs which are lovely rods but like you fancied a change like you do and went for hi-s 3lb which again really lovely rods but playing fish was better on the ESs and now got the XS like yourself and can't fault these for playing fish and the distance l fish at, probably not much help to you mate,
Well l'm no expert on rods but a lot of my fishing is at the same sort of range you mentioned 50/70 yds mainly 1st free spirit rods l used was the ESs which are lovely rods but like you fancied a change like you do and went for hi-s 3lb which again really lovely rods but playing fish was better on the ESs and now got the XS like yourself and can't fault these for playing fish and the distance l fish at, probably not much help to you mate,
In reply to Post #11
Thanks . Love my xs's but just struggle a little at 80+ yards especially if conditions are not favourable. I was conscious that for 95% of my fishing I didn't want to lose what I already have and like . But wondered whether there was an alternative in the hi s range that would give me the best of both worlds , thanks .
Thanks . Love my xs's but just struggle a little at 80+ yards especially if conditions are not favourable. I was conscious that for 95% of my fishing I didn't want to lose what I already have and like . But wondered whether there was an alternative in the hi s range that would give me the best of both worlds , thanks .
Two rods at 3lb tc one at 3.5lb tc
The 12'6 3.25 hi s are probably the best alround rod ive owned, they are excellent rods. Will cast a good distance but still really nice to play fish on.
In reply to Post #1
I've fished using the xs rods for the last 20yrs+.
Fishing some larger waters, i needed something with a bit more back bone, distance, small bags etc. but wanted to still have a good playing action rod.
Spoke to Southcoast Rods, did some of my own research and was always recommended the 12ft Hi s ive er rods.
Good all round rod, margins, 100yrds, nice tip playing action.
There now my take anywhere rod regardless of the size of any water im going to fish.
Feel comfortable with them & confident, as i did the xs rods.
I've fished using the xs rods for the last 20yrs+.
Fishing some larger waters, i needed something with a bit more back bone, distance, small bags etc. but wanted to still have a good playing action rod.
Spoke to Southcoast Rods, did some of my own research and was always recommended the 12ft Hi s ive er rods.
Good all round rod, margins, 100yrds, nice tip playing action.
There now my take anywhere rod regardless of the size of any water im going to fish.
Feel comfortable with them & confident, as i did the xs rods.