Hi guys,

I'm finally in the market for new rods. My last purchase was in 2010/11 and although my 2.75lb Fox Warriors have served me well and caught me a hell of a lot of fish, times have changed. And so have my fishing habits.

Due to work commitments, I'm currently managing about 3/4 long (3 days+) sessions a year, and one week in France. I'm fishing much larger waters these days and need a bit more in a rod than my trusty Fox's are able to give me. I've recently picked up 3x Daiwa Emblems after trying them out on a trip.

I've not recently short listed anything, rod-wise, yet which is why I'm here - to ask the experts 😉 But I do like the look of the Free Spirit E-Class offerings... I'd probably go for the 12ft, 3.25lb variants. With the ever present discount, I'm looking at under 200 notes per rod - I guess that's my budget actually, £200 per rod.

Thoughts?

In reply to Post #1
Take a look at the trakker propel. Within your budget if you shop around. A lot of rod for the money.

In reply to Post #1
Kaizen greens

Kaizen Green's as well. I wouldn't touch the Trakker rods with a bargepole.

I’d agree with the steer away from Trakker rods a friend of mine was on his 3rd replacement before binning off the idea!

As it sounds like you keep your mind odd a long while, are you wedded to the idea of new rods? The issue in the price point you have is that a £200 rod quickly becomes an £80 rod once a new range is brought out these day, shattering confidence that it was ever worth the original price tag. I think on this only Korda or Free Spirit would be a safe ish bet.

For me I’d be looking second hand especially in todays market, you will easily pick up a set of Harrison Torrix or even HI-s for that budget, where you have a rod that doesn’t degrade with age and someone else has lost the money from purchase.

£600 second hand is a very healthy budget to get top end rods.

In reply to Post #5
Used rods the way to go with your budget, plenty of Century/Harrison's available for that money.
Quality British made blanks for the price of carp taxed imports.

Have used the E Class in 3.25 for 7/8 seasons across some very weedy venues and would really recommend them. For the build quality and for playing fish on, they're excellent. I rarely fish beyond 100 yards but up to that distance I've found them to have more than enough in the tank. I will consider getting the same when my current set get retired 👍

If you can stretch to £250 then Century's Excalibur XT might be a good option. It's still UK made like their more expensive rods.

In reply to Post #1
Nice set of 4x 12' Torrix 3.25 Mark Tunley builds on Tackle Tavern atm for £600 . . .or 3x 12'6" Torrix TE Specials for the same dollar

In reply to Post #1
I would look at the Free Spirit Helical Carp Rod range.
Great rod options length/tc for the money.

In reply to Post #5
I’m surprised you say that about the trakker propels as I’ve abused mine more than any other rod I’ve owned before and they’ve been great. I have the 12ft 3.5lb A’s and been using thick mono and big leads. I’ve even used the spare for spombing.

Agree with previous post second Harrison or Century rods the way to go.

If you’re after new rather than secondhand, the Tacklebox CFX Black’s in 3.25lb are a great option within budget!

The greens in 3.5 or aircurves in 3.25.
I have the aircurves, my friend the greens, the greens are outstanding for the £, the aircurves are great for anything other than extreme range. imo.

In reply to Post #15
I keep looking at the aircurves in 3.25. Will they cast a 3.5 oz solid bag ? I fish up to 100 yards tops really.