As per title, I am wanting a set of lower tc " players " rods, as most of my local fishing is short range stuff and relatively snag free.
I love my Free Spirit ES rods, but do feel a bit overgunned at times.
I am aware of rods like the 12ft 2.25 KS and Armalites, but wondering if there are any more wallet friendly alternatives out there ?
My old NW Sealey 2.25's would be perfect , if only I still had them.
I think if the Chub Smallwater rods were still around, I would be getting a set of those.
So, any suggestions would be most welcome !
There does seem a dearth of lower tc carp rods available these days.
Second hand really isn't an option either, as I live in the U.S.
I love my Free Spirit ES rods, but do feel a bit overgunned at times.
I am aware of rods like the 12ft 2.25 KS and Armalites, but wondering if there are any more wallet friendly alternatives out there ?
My old NW Sealey 2.25's would be perfect , if only I still had them.
I think if the Chub Smallwater rods were still around, I would be getting a set of those.
So, any suggestions would be most welcome !
There does seem a dearth of lower tc carp rods available these days.
Second hand really isn't an option either, as I live in the U.S.
In reply to Post #1
If you have any access to them Harrison Baby Ballistas or Acurix would be something to look at
If you have any access to them Harrison Baby Ballistas or Acurix would be something to look at
In reply to Post #1
Barbel Rods would suit your needs, I've a set of Korum 12ft 21/2tc ones I've found myself using quite a lot for Carp fishing as well.
~ I also still use a set of 12ft 2 3/4tc North Western Carbon's as my main Carp Rods
Barbel Rods would suit your needs, I've a set of Korum 12ft 21/2tc ones I've found myself using quite a lot for Carp fishing as well.
~ I also still use a set of 12ft 2 3/4tc North Western Carbon's as my main Carp Rods
I was going to say original Terry hearn 2.9s but then saw your in the USA.
In reply to Post #1
Shame your USA based.
can you get harrison rods out there?
as they do lower TC in various blanks (torrix multi carp ballista)
i personally use 2.5lb Baby Ballista's & 2.25LB mk1 powermesh (which i caught my biggest fish from a snaggy water no problems).
As others have said Barbel rods are the lower TC end now.
Shame your USA based.
can you get harrison rods out there?
as they do lower TC in various blanks (torrix multi carp ballista)
i personally use 2.5lb Baby Ballista's & 2.25LB mk1 powermesh (which i caught my biggest fish from a snaggy water no problems).
As others have said Barbel rods are the lower TC end now.
American Tackle do a 12ft 2.5lb blank in their Atrex range. I haven't seen the action though. They have tons of non carp blanks, might be work giving them a call (maybe naive to think you could speak to somebody there, but you never know).
I would,nt describe Harrison as wallet friendly as the post states but everyone on here knows i would rate them the best which is why i build on them . Depends what you want to pay but You can get lots of rods in america which will do the job and cost you a fraction of the price.
In reply to Post #1
May not be of any use but years before the 10ft rod craze began I wanted some 10 foot soft rods and spoke to Steve Harrison, at the time nobody did 10ft blanks, but he said buy the top two sections of a 15ft salmon rod, they are about 1-75tc and I still have them. If you speak with a US game blank company (game as in fish not as in a right laugh :0) they may be able to sort you out some blanks...
May not be of any use but years before the 10ft rod craze began I wanted some 10 foot soft rods and spoke to Steve Harrison, at the time nobody did 10ft blanks, but he said buy the top two sections of a 15ft salmon rod, they are about 1-75tc and I still have them. If you speak with a US game blank company (game as in fish not as in a right laugh :0) they may be able to sort you out some blanks...
In reply to Post #8
I appreciate the feedback, fellas. I can order just about anything new, usually dealing with Johnson Ross, from whom I've had nothing but good experiences.
Yeah, baby Ballistas did come to mind, but not sure I can justify the price of custom builds, or high end off the shelf, for fishing my local park lake.
Maybe Barbel rods might be the way to go.
So, any suggestions for an 11 or 12 ft Barbel rod , with through action and no high vis tip ?
I appreciate the feedback, fellas. I can order just about anything new, usually dealing with Johnson Ross, from whom I've had nothing but good experiences.
Yeah, baby Ballistas did come to mind, but not sure I can justify the price of custom builds, or high end off the shelf, for fishing my local park lake.
Maybe Barbel rods might be the way to go.
So, any suggestions for an 11 or 12 ft Barbel rod , with through action and no high vis tip ?
In reply to Post #9
Actually, Korum is a good shout. I borrowed a mate's avon style Korum on a visit and thought itvwas a cracking rod for a very reasonable price.
I'm wondering now about Darent Valley rods from T.Box, now that my memory is stirring.
Actually, Korum is a good shout. I borrowed a mate's avon style Korum on a visit and thought itvwas a cracking rod for a very reasonable price.
I'm wondering now about Darent Valley rods from T.Box, now that my memory is stirring.
In reply to Post #10
Tackle Box Darent Valley 11ft 9ins 2.25lb Specialist Rod.
It's a cheap Rod at £65 and the cosmetics match the price, but its a darn good Fishing rod with a good through action.
I own one myself and I compared it with the higher Free Spirit offerings, and I bought this Rod because it was more through action, relatively speaking:-
It's not like Avon style, but as good a thru action\progressive Barbel Rod I've found out there these days.
Most out there are too tippy. They're not casting rods damnit!
TackleBox Darent Valley 2.25 11ft 9 in
Only thing I would say is the quality control on that range. I've seen a few that ain't straight
Ask them to check it if you decided to risk it.
Tackle Box Darent Valley 11ft 9ins 2.25lb Specialist Rod.
It's a cheap Rod at £65 and the cosmetics match the price, but its a darn good Fishing rod with a good through action.
I own one myself and I compared it with the higher Free Spirit offerings, and I bought this Rod because it was more through action, relatively speaking:-
It's not like Avon style, but as good a thru action\progressive Barbel Rod I've found out there these days.
Most out there are too tippy. They're not casting rods damnit!
TackleBox Darent Valley 2.25 11ft 9 in
Only thing I would say is the quality control on that range. I've seen a few that ain't straight
Ask them to check it if you decided to risk it.
In reply to Post #9
The Korum Big Water Rods would suit your needs perfectly, they all do have high vis Tips thou.
But to be honest - after using them quite a bit now, I wish my normal Carp Rods had high vis Tips too.
It's amazing how many of those little knocks you notice with the white Tips, you would never notice them in low light conditions with plain carbon tips.
~ AD have been wiped out of them, but there's a few on eBay for around £50 each.
The Korum Big Water Rods would suit your needs perfectly, they all do have high vis Tips thou.
But to be honest - after using them quite a bit now, I wish my normal Carp Rods had high vis Tips too.
It's amazing how many of those little knocks you notice with the white Tips, you would never notice them in low light conditions with plain carbon tips.
~ AD have been wiped out of them, but there's a few on eBay for around £50 each.
Not what your asking and you may already have done, but in case not, have you tried asking the likes of Luke Nichols over there? Some on here may not know him, but he's from the youtube channel Outdoor Boys, Catfish and Carp and can also be found here@Cats and Carp
He may well know of stockists of U.K named rods over there.
I don't know what price you're looking at but Johnson Ross had/have Accurix on offer, I was watching them, 2.5lb £258. The Fox Specialist Horizon Twin Tip around £110 is a nice rod. I've no experience of Korum but they have a good reputation.
Outdoor boys channel click here
Catfish and Carp click here
He may well know of stockists of U.K named rods over there.
I don't know what price you're looking at but Johnson Ross had/have Accurix on offer, I was watching them, 2.5lb £258. The Fox Specialist Horizon Twin Tip around £110 is a nice rod. I've no experience of Korum but they have a good reputation.
Outdoor boys channel click here
Catfish and Carp click here
In reply to Post #12
But to be honest - after using them quite a bit now, I wish my normal Carp Rods had high vis Tips too.
Have you tried Mighty Bright Tape Keith? Even comes in black which illuminates under torch light and you'd be hard pushed to notice it if varnished onto the rod, easy enough to do.
But to be honest - after using them quite a bit now, I wish my normal Carp Rods had high vis Tips too.
Have you tried Mighty Bright Tape Keith? Even comes in black which illuminates under torch light and you'd be hard pushed to notice it if varnished onto the rod, easy enough to do.
In reply to Post #11
I use this rod for floater fishing. Agree, nice action on the blank. Handle and seat feel naff but reflected in the low price.
I use this rod for floater fishing. Agree, nice action on the blank. Handle and seat feel naff but reflected in the low price.