Fwiw, never had the pleasure of aircurves, but found hi-s to be very heavy in hand.
A lot of people still think that the fishing market is like other markets and more buck buys you a better rod
More fool them..
my best rods are the ones I am used to and which suit very particular situations, the price doesn't even come into it
If I want a big casting rod I will go for a balanced setup - and tune the rod perfectly via a good rod builder
The brand or make doesn't even come into it
Some of you are far too fond of a cleverly written magazine advert
My best casting rods are old (but well looked after)
The blanks are a timeless classic and I can tweak them up where needed
The other beauty of them is that I don't need to lose sleep worrying about chipping the £700 varnish on their precious souls, because they cost me around £600 for a set of three (which isn't much, relatively)
Point is they are just tools, and if you get too tarty with tackle you are in it for the wrong reasons and setting yourself up for jacking it all in
More fool them..
my best rods are the ones I am used to and which suit very particular situations, the price doesn't even come into it
If I want a big casting rod I will go for a balanced setup - and tune the rod perfectly via a good rod builder
The brand or make doesn't even come into it
Some of you are far too fond of a cleverly written magazine advert
My best casting rods are old (but well looked after)
The blanks are a timeless classic and I can tweak them up where needed
The other beauty of them is that I don't need to lose sleep worrying about chipping the £700 varnish on their precious souls, because they cost me around £600 for a set of three (which isn't much, relatively)
Point is they are just tools, and if you get too tarty with tackle you are in it for the wrong reasons and setting yourself up for jacking it all in
In reply to Post #77
While some of that is true mate I live by an adage my nan always drummed into us. You only get what you pay for.
While some of that is true mate I live by an adage my nan always drummed into us. You only get what you pay for.
In reply to Post #78
As I pointed out, that is a nonsense saying
There are a LOT of overpriced rods about, if you don't know that then you need to get out more
As I pointed out, that is a nonsense saying
There are a LOT of overpriced rods about, if you don't know that then you need to get out more
In reply to Post #78
I think that saying was true back in the 50s & 60s and people still use it I don't think it works now
I think that saying was true back in the 50s & 60s and people still use it I don't think it works now
In reply to Post #79
If that's your choice I would go hi-s over greys. Only ever had 1 set of greys rods and the finish was awful on them. Plus the hi-s have been around for about 15 years now so if you have a problem you can get a spare top section. Greys seem to change their rod range every 3 or so years. Plus I've heard the lifetime warranty isn't worth the card it's printed on due to them changing models.
If that's your choice I would go hi-s over greys. Only ever had 1 set of greys rods and the finish was awful on them. Plus the hi-s have been around for about 15 years now so if you have a problem you can get a spare top section. Greys seem to change their rod range every 3 or so years. Plus I've heard the lifetime warranty isn't worth the card it's printed on due to them changing models.
In reply to Post #81
I've used the warranty. I blew up on of my top sections on a cast. Looking back I think I probably damaged the rod loading it into my van, so the breakage was my fault. Called them, paid £15, got a new tip section sent out. Absolutely no issues claiming.
I've used the warranty. I blew up on of my top sections on a cast. Looking back I think I probably damaged the rod loading it into my van, so the breakage was my fault. Called them, paid £15, got a new tip section sent out. Absolutely no issues claiming.
In reply to Post #82
First hand experience is always worth listening to.
Way better than a "I've heard" comment that normally means someone that dont like it is spreading crap
First hand experience is always worth listening to.
Way better than a "I've heard" comment that normally means someone that dont like it is spreading crap
I love my hi-s freespirit rods.
I think they have a lovely action, do exactly what I need and do not feel heavy.
Not used they air curves.
Problem is rods are like reels. You may love the look but when you use them, they just don't feel right. I got ride of some SS2600's recently. I so wanted to like them but every time I did I felt they just didn't perform.
IMHO you need to try casting with both really.
I think they have a lovely action, do exactly what I need and do not feel heavy.
Not used they air curves.
Problem is rods are like reels. You may love the look but when you use them, they just don't feel right. I got ride of some SS2600's recently. I so wanted to like them but every time I did I felt they just didn't perform.
IMHO you need to try casting with both really.
In reply to Post #81
Agreed - only purchased one Greys product which had a major fault and the 'service' was *****. No more Greys for me !
Agreed - only purchased one Greys product which had a major fault and the 'service' was *****. No more Greys for me !
In reply to Post #85
Hi everyone
Hoping for some advice and recommendations on the following topic:
I currently own 2 grey aircurve 3 TC rods and love them however I am wanting to go to a 3 rod set up and recently been fishing a bigger lake (25 acres) alongside smaller lakes . The rods are paired up with black edition tournaments 5000t and I'm hitting roughly 100 yard with 15 lb straight through on the bigger lake. Before I purchase another aircurve rod I have been considering upping my tc to say 3.25/3.5 but with never fishing with these stiffer rods it's hard to know . I want an all rounder rod to fish the smaller lakes but be able to cast 130-150 yard on the bigger lakes when required but still be a joy to play fish .
The 2 rods I have been looking at are coincidently greys air curves or free s-lites and I am just wondering if anyone can advise or recommend a rod please (doesn't have to be these models) roughly willing to pay £250/rod ? Also will changing my reels to say a 6000t spool make any difference to casting distances ?
Sorry for waffling
Kind regards
Adam
Hi everyone
Hoping for some advice and recommendations on the following topic:
I currently own 2 grey aircurve 3 TC rods and love them however I am wanting to go to a 3 rod set up and recently been fishing a bigger lake (25 acres) alongside smaller lakes . The rods are paired up with black edition tournaments 5000t and I'm hitting roughly 100 yard with 15 lb straight through on the bigger lake. Before I purchase another aircurve rod I have been considering upping my tc to say 3.25/3.5 but with never fishing with these stiffer rods it's hard to know . I want an all rounder rod to fish the smaller lakes but be able to cast 130-150 yard on the bigger lakes when required but still be a joy to play fish .
The 2 rods I have been looking at are coincidently greys air curves or free s-lites and I am just wondering if anyone can advise or recommend a rod please (doesn't have to be these models) roughly willing to pay £250/rod ? Also will changing my reels to say a 6000t spool make any difference to casting distances ?
Sorry for waffling
Kind regards
Adam
In reply to Post #86
I have the 3.25 TC Aircurves and they are a great all round rod and I highly recommend. However, I am not sure how much changing the rod to this will impact your casting distance if that is your main requirement (which sounds like it is). I'm sure you can get a bit of extra distance out of your current set up with a casting lesson
I have the 3.25 TC Aircurves and they are a great all round rod and I highly recommend. However, I am not sure how much changing the rod to this will impact your casting distance if that is your main requirement (which sounds like it is). I'm sure you can get a bit of extra distance out of your current set up with a casting lesson
In reply to Post #86
I would get a third air curve as said casting lesson maybe change line with shock leaders people have said on here the aircuve is a top rod great all rounder
I would get a third air curve as said casting lesson maybe change line with shock leaders people have said on here the aircuve is a top rod great all rounder
In reply to Post #88
I've had a few greys rods and can't fault them.
Got some S lites last year and due to them being so sloppy (3.5lb versions!) and unable to punch bags out I now use Shimano Tx2 intensity rods which are superb.
Last weekend I had a try out of 12ft Hi s rods with techniums and tbh their the same as the S lites, severely lacking any backbone.... Fine for smaller venues and good soft playing action though.
I've had a few greys rods and can't fault them.
Got some S lites last year and due to them being so sloppy (3.5lb versions!) and unable to punch bags out I now use Shimano Tx2 intensity rods which are superb.
Last weekend I had a try out of 12ft Hi s rods with techniums and tbh their the same as the S lites, severely lacking any backbone.... Fine for smaller venues and good soft playing action though.
In reply to Post #89
Thankyou for the swift replies, yes appreciate my casting technique might not be 100% and have looked at going down to 8/10 lb line with a leader , but as most places leaders are banned and the lakes do have snags. I think if i improve my technique I could be looking at 10-20 yard better with my current set up?
I know greys say the 3lb TC can achieve 140 yards, just wondering if anyone with a 3lb tc 3-3.5 oz lead has achieved this.
I didn't know that about the free spirits, i've only heard good things about them tbh and know terry Edmond holds them in high regard. I think i would be still looking to sell my current aircurves and upping to 3.25 tc minimum (is it more hassle than its worth?) , what kind of range are people achieving.
Apologies for the questions I just dont want to spend a decent sum of money/buy & selling and not be happy, looking at them in the shop is one thing but actually using them is another personally.
Thanks again.
Thankyou for the swift replies, yes appreciate my casting technique might not be 100% and have looked at going down to 8/10 lb line with a leader , but as most places leaders are banned and the lakes do have snags. I think if i improve my technique I could be looking at 10-20 yard better with my current set up?
I know greys say the 3lb TC can achieve 140 yards, just wondering if anyone with a 3lb tc 3-3.5 oz lead has achieved this.
I didn't know that about the free spirits, i've only heard good things about them tbh and know terry Edmond holds them in high regard. I think i would be still looking to sell my current aircurves and upping to 3.25 tc minimum (is it more hassle than its worth?) , what kind of range are people achieving.
Apologies for the questions I just dont want to spend a decent sum of money/buy & selling and not be happy, looking at them in the shop is one thing but actually using them is another personally.
Thanks again.