Want to treat myself to a new set of rods. What Harrison blanks would people recommend. The 3 x options I am currently looking at are Torrix, Aviator and maybe Ballista. Would also look at century blanks if recommended
My current rods are Daiwa Basia with x45 blanks. Looking for a blank with similar characteristics but just own personal touches on top.
Also could someone recommend a good company to go through to get these made. I have looked online at CJS custom rods and Lee Preston Rods but no idea if they do decent work
My current rods are Daiwa Basia with x45 blanks. Looking for a blank with similar characteristics but just own personal touches on top.
Also could someone recommend a good company to go through to get these made. I have looked online at CJS custom rods and Lee Preston Rods but no idea if they do decent work
In reply to Post #1
What characteristics would they be? As the 3 blanks you've listed are all quite different
What characteristics would they be? As the 3 blanks you've listed are all quite different
In reply to Post #2
Hi there looking for something that can be cast at 130-140y with relative accuracy as per my basia rods and not too stiff at the tip to play a mid size fish.
I dont know harrison blanks which is why I asked what would suit me best and in line with the x45 blank. Would also look at century blanks if recommended and if so what model. I have always had daiwa blanks so new to the custom rods market. Obviously dont want to downgrade on what I have now
Hi there looking for something that can be cast at 130-140y with relative accuracy as per my basia rods and not too stiff at the tip to play a mid size fish.
I dont know harrison blanks which is why I asked what would suit me best and in line with the x45 blank. Would also look at century blanks if recommended and if so what model. I have always had daiwa blanks so new to the custom rods market. Obviously dont want to downgrade on what I have now
In reply to Post #1
In Suffolk you have JR Custom Rods, John Rozier based in Needham Market.
I recall he builds on Harrison blanks.
https://jr-custom-rods.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
In Suffolk you have JR Custom Rods, John Rozier based in Needham Market.
I recall he builds on Harrison blanks.
https://jr-custom-rods.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
In reply to Post #1
I think in all honesty given the 140 yards you can rule out normal Ballista. I would say you can hit that distance with the longer higher tc versions but those rods were never very popular in the U.K though they sold very well in Europe. I wouldn't personally let it put you off as the playing action might surprise a lot of people. You may find it hard to get a opinion on those rods because they weren't as popular here.
I own 13' Torrix and I'm out of touch with other modern blanks. I like my rods but to me they feel a little heavy. I haven't weighed them in comparison to my 12'6 Ballista ER"s so I may be wrong, its my perception for the moment.
This is a personal opinion. The Aviators I played with at Harrison felt lovely. There was something I couldn't put my finger on with the flex but it left a niggle in my brain which was later confirmed. The tip section is fab, the butt section is fab, but to me they don't feel like they belonged together. I understand what Harrison were trying to do and have done with that rod, it is a lovely rod and most people probably wouldn't notice what I did, I'm just mentioning it in case you might.
The old advice of feel the blank before buying springs to mind.
Rod builders, Kev Clayton, a really nice guy and great work, Mark Tunley same again. A good rod builder will listen to you, will probably do what you want but WILL tell you if they think what you want will compromise the blank
I think in all honesty given the 140 yards you can rule out normal Ballista. I would say you can hit that distance with the longer higher tc versions but those rods were never very popular in the U.K though they sold very well in Europe. I wouldn't personally let it put you off as the playing action might surprise a lot of people. You may find it hard to get a opinion on those rods because they weren't as popular here.
I own 13' Torrix and I'm out of touch with other modern blanks. I like my rods but to me they feel a little heavy. I haven't weighed them in comparison to my 12'6 Ballista ER"s so I may be wrong, its my perception for the moment.
This is a personal opinion. The Aviators I played with at Harrison felt lovely. There was something I couldn't put my finger on with the flex but it left a niggle in my brain which was later confirmed. The tip section is fab, the butt section is fab, but to me they don't feel like they belonged together. I understand what Harrison were trying to do and have done with that rod, it is a lovely rod and most people probably wouldn't notice what I did, I'm just mentioning it in case you might.
The old advice of feel the blank before buying springs to mind.
Rod builders, Kev Clayton, a really nice guy and great work, Mark Tunley same again. A good rod builder will listen to you, will probably do what you want but WILL tell you if they think what you want will compromise the blank
In reply to Post #1
Jeffire on here builds custom rods
I haven't bought any but a few have and they say good things
Jeffire on here builds custom rods
I haven't bought any but a few have and they say good things
In reply to Post #1
As below I'd recommend long term forum member Jeffire, I've had a couple of sets of carp rods made by him and a beautiful travel rod for fly fishing.
Great communication, advice, build quality and price.
Pm me if you want any additional info, as far as I know he only uses Harrison blanks.
Cheers
Tel
👍👍
As below I'd recommend long term forum member Jeffire, I've had a couple of sets of carp rods made by him and a beautiful travel rod for fly fishing.
Great communication, advice, build quality and price.
Pm me if you want any additional info, as far as I know he only uses Harrison blanks.
Cheers
Tel
👍👍
In reply to Post #3
You can pretty much rule out the ballista for that kind of range , they are a fantastic short to medium range playing blank. Can't comment on the torrix because I've never owned or used them, but I do currently have the aviator flex which would be perfect for the work that you want them for. The way a blank is built can have a massive effect on how it behaves too so bear that in mind. As someone mentioned ,jeffire on here is a rod builder, he's definitely worth dropping a pm. I had mine built by Chris orme who I had no issues with at all but I know some people have had quite major problems with regards timescales. I saw a set of rods built by a fairly new builder called Chris Palmer recently too and they were very nicely done. Or key Clayton always gets good feedback
As for century stuff, can't really comment as I've not used anything from them for many years now, they are very expensive when compared to Harrison these days though
You can pretty much rule out the ballista for that kind of range , they are a fantastic short to medium range playing blank. Can't comment on the torrix because I've never owned or used them, but I do currently have the aviator flex which would be perfect for the work that you want them for. The way a blank is built can have a massive effect on how it behaves too so bear that in mind. As someone mentioned ,jeffire on here is a rod builder, he's definitely worth dropping a pm. I had mine built by Chris orme who I had no issues with at all but I know some people have had quite major problems with regards timescales. I saw a set of rods built by a fairly new builder called Chris Palmer recently too and they were very nicely done. Or key Clayton always gets good feedback
As for century stuff, can't really comment as I've not used anything from them for many years now, they are very expensive when compared to Harrison these days though
In reply to Post #8
Cheers pal actually veering towards the Avator plus 12ft 3.6tc looking at them. Would double up as my bigger water rods and can then still utilize my basia 3.25tc for mid to smaller lakes.
The flex I suppose could overtake as a single rod setup and replace my basia's too. How do you find playing fish on that rod?
Also looking at the century stealth graphene blanks which from reading online is fantastic. But dont know if the price increase would equate to same performance increase
Cheers pal actually veering towards the Avator plus 12ft 3.6tc looking at them. Would double up as my bigger water rods and can then still utilize my basia 3.25tc for mid to smaller lakes.
The flex I suppose could overtake as a single rod setup and replace my basia's too. How do you find playing fish on that rod?
Also looking at the century stealth graphene blanks which from reading online is fantastic. But dont know if the price increase would equate to same performance increase
In reply to Post #9
They are a dream to play fish on mate. I've used them under the tips and up to well over 150 yards. Had great fun playing scrappy little doubles but had the backbone to land a catfish of over 120lb . I don't believe it's possible to have a true "all-rounder" rod, but these come as close as I could imagine them to.
They are a dream to play fish on mate. I've used them under the tips and up to well over 150 yards. Had great fun playing scrappy little doubles but had the backbone to land a catfish of over 120lb . I don't believe it's possible to have a true "all-rounder" rod, but these come as close as I could imagine them to.
In reply to Post #10
I would go for a free spirit Hi S Ive or Harrison Trebuchet light. I would want a rod that is capable and has reserve not overgunning something.
Calvin Hancock is well respected -certainly round my way.
I would go for a free spirit Hi S Ive or Harrison Trebuchet light. I would want a rod that is capable and has reserve not overgunning something.
Calvin Hancock is well respected -certainly round my way.
In reply to Post #1
I build custom rods through the winters. I'd recommend getting to a shop or rod builder and actually having a look at some in the flesh, even better trying some out if you can.
Personally I really like the 12.6 aviators, and I think they often get overlooked. I've built myself a set of 4 and matching spod last year with a few bigger waters in mind where casts around 140/150 yards may be needed. These replaces my r1 extremes which were a Harrison blank, 12.6 3.75 which were too pokey and more of a sole distance rod. So far they've been faultless. Nice thin tip maintains a nice fish playing characteristic and they are powerful enough in the butt to get leads out there when needed. Have caught fish under the tip using braid and 1oz leads this year, aswell as a couple at 120 yards and in both situations I never felt like I was left wanting of anything. Although with regards to fish playing, I'm not overly romantic about it all, I fish super low stock weedy snaggy gravel pits on very limited time. just looking for the end result of a fish in the net rather than a hook pull.
Ultimately all blank manufacturers have various ranges and tc to suit a vast array of needs, ability's etc so it is very personal.
I build custom rods through the winters. I'd recommend getting to a shop or rod builder and actually having a look at some in the flesh, even better trying some out if you can.
Personally I really like the 12.6 aviators, and I think they often get overlooked. I've built myself a set of 4 and matching spod last year with a few bigger waters in mind where casts around 140/150 yards may be needed. These replaces my r1 extremes which were a Harrison blank, 12.6 3.75 which were too pokey and more of a sole distance rod. So far they've been faultless. Nice thin tip maintains a nice fish playing characteristic and they are powerful enough in the butt to get leads out there when needed. Have caught fish under the tip using braid and 1oz leads this year, aswell as a couple at 120 yards and in both situations I never felt like I was left wanting of anything. Although with regards to fish playing, I'm not overly romantic about it all, I fish super low stock weedy snaggy gravel pits on very limited time. just looking for the end result of a fish in the net rather than a hook pull.
Ultimately all blank manufacturers have various ranges and tc to suit a vast array of needs, ability's etc so it is very personal.
In reply to Post #10
I have the aviator flex too and think they're great, as you say good fun with small fish under the tips as well as bigger fish at distance.
Mine built by Mark Tunley, fantastic work to exactly how I asked them to be (albeit that's very plain and understated lol, no bling)
Ps the above is not saying they are the right rod for the OP, just agreeing with ip10 lol
I have the aviator flex too and think they're great, as you say good fun with small fish under the tips as well as bigger fish at distance.
Mine built by Mark Tunley, fantastic work to exactly how I asked them to be (albeit that's very plain and understated lol, no bling)
Ps the above is not saying they are the right rod for the OP, just agreeing with ip10 lol
In reply to Post #12
Out of interest, do you know what the closest off the peg Harrison blank is to the 12/3.25 R1 from Cotswold?
Out of interest, do you know what the closest off the peg Harrison blank is to the 12/3.25 R1 from Cotswold?
In reply to Post #1
If you are looking for similar characteristics- why not go for a complete rebuild on these pukka blanks. I love custom rods as rarely find anything off the shelf that isn't a bit of a compromise and doesn't play into my tartyness addiction. I had some 10ft torrix built by Chris Orme and the guy is brilliant. Many other good rod builders about but I've never seen a bad looking rod that he's made.
If you are looking for similar characteristics- why not go for a complete rebuild on these pukka blanks. I love custom rods as rarely find anything off the shelf that isn't a bit of a compromise and doesn't play into my tartyness addiction. I had some 10ft torrix built by Chris Orme and the guy is brilliant. Many other good rod builders about but I've never seen a bad looking rod that he's made.