I've decided 3lb tc and around that is going to be too much for the places I'm fishing.
Reality is that I won't cast more than 60 yards most of the time, with a bit of hit and hold fishing close to pads/islands/snags once in a while so they will need to absorb lunges in that kind of situation.
The two lakes where I may need to cast further and into weed, I have some Terry Hearn MKII's which will do the job just fine.
So I'm looking at dropping to a 2.5tc or (maybe) 2.75tc for my forever rods.
Acurix 2.5 or 2.75
CTX 2.5
Ballista 2.75 12ft (wish they did a 12ft 2.5)
Free Spirit Barbel rods in 2.5 or 2.75
Flex - maybe too stiff though
I've not wiggled any of these yet, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of choice down at this tc so any feedback on use or any others worth adding to the list?
Doesn't look like there are any decent builders down my way any more so will be a bit of a trek to check these out
Any others worth looking at?
Cheers
Reality is that I won't cast more than 60 yards most of the time, with a bit of hit and hold fishing close to pads/islands/snags once in a while so they will need to absorb lunges in that kind of situation.
The two lakes where I may need to cast further and into weed, I have some Terry Hearn MKII's which will do the job just fine.
So I'm looking at dropping to a 2.5tc or (maybe) 2.75tc for my forever rods.
Acurix 2.5 or 2.75
CTX 2.5
Ballista 2.75 12ft (wish they did a 12ft 2.5)
Free Spirit Barbel rods in 2.5 or 2.75
Flex - maybe too stiff though
I've not wiggled any of these yet, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of choice down at this tc so any feedback on use or any others worth adding to the list?
Doesn't look like there are any decent builders down my way any more so will be a bit of a trek to check these out
Any others worth looking at?
Cheers
In reply to Post #1
A decent 2.25tc should be fine.
A decent 2.25tc should be fine.
In reply to Post #1
Century Armalite mk3 2.75 . . . considering a set myself! Stock build is nice!
Failing that Torrix 2.25 is a lovely blank - these are my go-to barbel all rounders and I bought them stock build from Walkers of Trowell (RIP)
Century Armalite mk3 2.75 . . . considering a set myself! Stock build is nice!
Failing that Torrix 2.25 is a lovely blank - these are my go-to barbel all rounders and I bought them stock build from Walkers of Trowell (RIP)
If they have to be new, look at Torrix 2.25.
If old rods might work for you then Chimera 2.5's are lovely. But very hard to find.
If old rods might work for you then Chimera 2.5's are lovely. But very hard to find.
In reply to Post #1
They do a baby ballista in 2.5lb
They do a baby ballista in 2.5lb
In reply to Post #1
The acurix are lovely rods.
The acurix are lovely rods.
In reply to Post #3
Cheers for the replies
I'm not a fan of cork handles bud, sure they'll be lovely if you do get some though.
12 ft rods only so the ballista slims aren't for me
Thought torrix's in lower test curves would still be tippy maybe I should have another look
Chimeras did see some 2.75's on the bay, but think I want this purchase to be new once I'm decided
Did wonder about 2.25's but thought they maybe a little too light
Cheers for the replies
I'm not a fan of cork handles bud, sure they'll be lovely if you do get some though.
12 ft rods only so the ballista slims aren't for me
Thought torrix's in lower test curves would still be tippy maybe I should have another look
Chimeras did see some 2.75's on the bay, but think I want this purchase to be new once I'm decided
Did wonder about 2.25's but thought they maybe a little too light
In reply to Post #7
Thought torrix's in lower test curves would still be tippy maybe I should have another look
Nope, I have 2lb 12', lovely playing action. If it were just about playing action in slightly higher TC and casting not a issue it'd be Acurix for me or 2.75 Ballistas .
Thought torrix's in lower test curves would still be tippy maybe I should have another look
Nope, I have 2lb 12', lovely playing action. If it were just about playing action in slightly higher TC and casting not a issue it'd be Acurix for me or 2.75 Ballistas .
In reply to Post #8
Thanks, this won't be a casting rod.
50-60 yard overhead casts at most.
It will be to absorb lunges close in and deal with fish near to something I need to get them away from. Fish size, I'll be lucky to connect with a mid twenty let alone a thirty 👍
Thanks, this won't be a casting rod.
50-60 yard overhead casts at most.
It will be to absorb lunges close in and deal with fish near to something I need to get them away from. Fish size, I'll be lucky to connect with a mid twenty let alone a thirty 👍
Jeffire on here built me a set of Torrix 2.25lb on the Harrison custom blank that the Baby Sniper rods were designed and built on by Kev Baynes (now retired). Stunning rods built how I requested and to what suited the blank to get the best from it for it's intended purpose, excellent quality and so good for playing fish on.
They cast like a 3lb+ rod, but play like the 2.25 they are - nothing but quality.
Would recommend speaking to Jeff, top man.
They cast like a 3lb+ rod, but play like the 2.25 they are - nothing but quality.
Would recommend speaking to Jeff, top man.
Maybe consider the freespirit es rods in the s range. They are a 12 foot 2 3/4 test curve but a real soft through action rod have a set myself.
In reply to Post #11
ES were on the list as well as HiS 2.5's but I've struck them off due to the cost versus Harrison and Harrison have better options for me to choose from. Same with Century.
So with your help, I think I'm down to three
Chimera no. 3 hadn't considered this before, but they could be just the job
Acurix 2.5
Torrix 2.25
Think it maybe time to talk to a builder and try to find somewhere for a wiggle.
ES were on the list as well as HiS 2.5's but I've struck them off due to the cost versus Harrison and Harrison have better options for me to choose from. Same with Century.
So with your help, I think I'm down to three
Chimera no. 3 hadn't considered this before, but they could be just the job
Acurix 2.5
Torrix 2.25
Think it maybe time to talk to a builder and try to find somewhere for a wiggle.
In reply to Post #12
2.75 Ballista's would do what you want mate slim, light & bend right through.
Great old style players rod that's still around which says something.
2.75 Ballista's would do what you want mate slim, light & bend right through.
Great old style players rod that's still around which says something.
In reply to Post #12
Use your old school Shimano's!
Use your old school Shimano's!
In reply to Post #10
. . . which is why Torrix 2.25 make such a good all round barbel rod; decent tip registration but lots of back bone (for casting weight) and a progressive bend from mid to through action dependent on the pressure required. Check with Jeffire because a barbel ringing pattern will be different from a carp variant and may affect end performance / your requirements
Q - If only casting short distances have you considered 10' rods? Pretty much all I use these days on my current waters
. . . which is why Torrix 2.25 make such a good all round barbel rod; decent tip registration but lots of back bone (for casting weight) and a progressive bend from mid to through action dependent on the pressure required. Check with Jeffire because a barbel ringing pattern will be different from a carp variant and may affect end performance / your requirements
Q - If only casting short distances have you considered 10' rods? Pretty much all I use these days on my current waters