God, feel like a bloody stalker 
Have you considered a Stalking rod? I've had the Greys 9' 2.75lb for years, it's got a lovely through action and as you're fishing close range the length doesn't really matter. Can pick them up for around £80
Don't really see the need for the tag 'stalking' anymore with the modern trend to shorter rods.
Have you considered a Stalking rod? I've had the Greys 9' 2.75lb for years, it's got a lovely through action and as you're fishing close range the length doesn't really matter. Can pick them up for around £80
Don't really see the need for the tag 'stalking' anymore with the modern trend to shorter rods.
I use 3 x 3lb 12' Greys pike rods for dead baiting. Designed for casting soft baits a long distance. They have a "Through Action" and and brilliant for playing fish, they bend to the butt and very forgiving as a fish dives deep under the tip and you would not think they are 3lb Test curves as they are that "whippy".
You just hold on and let the rod do all the work, when the fish dives deep, no need to give line usually, the rod bends double and when the fish eases off, the rod just straightens slowly and brings the fish to the surface without any input from yourself. You can hold the fish like that under the rod top till it tires from trying to dive deep and just net it.
Other anglers comment on how good they look when I play a fish unlike their fast tapers which seem to be the run of the mill these days. Another bonus, the action is that soft, its very rare to get a hook pull which makes them ideal for fishing close in.
I bought two for deadbaiting, liked them that much after just one session and decided to buy a third for carping which replaced my new set of 3lb TC carp rods that I had bought the week before and only used twice and hated them as they was fast taper and like fishing with a telegraph pole and about only the top 2' bent when playing a fish, horrible action.
Another bonus I forgot about, they look like "proper " carp rods from the 60's I used to use up to the 80's, about 12 eyes and a 25 or 30 mm butt eye if I recall and the line follows the curvature of the rod when it bends and you do not get that "jagging" feeling you get with rods with only about 5 eyes. And another bonus with the ringing, it does not make them tip heavy like the fast taper "beach casters" so you can hold them for a long time as they are easy to balance with a small bit of lead in the butt if your reels too light.
But, looking at the Greys catalog, they don't make them anymore and what they do is a completely different design with 5 rod eyes. But there could be similar makes from other manufacturers.
You just hold on and let the rod do all the work, when the fish dives deep, no need to give line usually, the rod bends double and when the fish eases off, the rod just straightens slowly and brings the fish to the surface without any input from yourself. You can hold the fish like that under the rod top till it tires from trying to dive deep and just net it.
Other anglers comment on how good they look when I play a fish unlike their fast tapers which seem to be the run of the mill these days. Another bonus, the action is that soft, its very rare to get a hook pull which makes them ideal for fishing close in.
I bought two for deadbaiting, liked them that much after just one session and decided to buy a third for carping which replaced my new set of 3lb TC carp rods that I had bought the week before and only used twice and hated them as they was fast taper and like fishing with a telegraph pole and about only the top 2' bent when playing a fish, horrible action.
Another bonus I forgot about, they look like "proper " carp rods from the 60's I used to use up to the 80's, about 12 eyes and a 25 or 30 mm butt eye if I recall and the line follows the curvature of the rod when it bends and you do not get that "jagging" feeling you get with rods with only about 5 eyes. And another bonus with the ringing, it does not make them tip heavy like the fast taper "beach casters" so you can hold them for a long time as they are easy to balance with a small bit of lead in the butt if your reels too light.
But, looking at the Greys catalog, they don't make them anymore and what they do is a completely different design with 5 rod eyes. But there could be similar makes from other manufacturers.
In reply to Post #17
I know the Rod you're talking about, and I nearly bought one for close to mid range with heavier leads \ pva bags.
Picked one up - lovely action.
I know the Rod you're talking about, and I nearly bought one for close to mid range with heavier leads \ pva bags.
Picked one up - lovely action.
In reply to Post #1
Beware Korum Barbel rods as they are well understated in terms of tc IMO - 2lb is more like 2.5lb etc; saying that other than the real seat which is a bit lacklustre they are fantastic VFM
Shimano presumably have good distribution in the US - how about their Purist BX1 in 2.25lb ?
Beware Korum Barbel rods as they are well understated in terms of tc IMO - 2lb is more like 2.5lb etc; saying that other than the real seat which is a bit lacklustre they are fantastic VFM
Shimano presumably have good distribution in the US - how about their Purist BX1 in 2.25lb ?
In reply to Post #19
I will check into that Shimano, but I'm pretty sure their North American Division want nothing to do with Euro style ( Carp ) tackle.
Beginning to think I might save up some pennies and have either some 2.5 Baby Ballistas , or 12ft Multicarp 2.25's made up.
Baby B's can be had via Johnson Ross custom builds ie. Vic Gibson, but I don't think he builds on the Multicarp blanks.
Still got a couple of mates who know Tony Parker quite well, so I might have them sound him out re: Harrison Multicarp.
Thanks again for all the responses.
The more I think about it, the more I realise that the rods would be used for most of my lical fishing, so I really ought to treat myself to something a bit special.
I can always tell the Missus they were about sixty Sovs a piece.......
I will check into that Shimano, but I'm pretty sure their North American Division want nothing to do with Euro style ( Carp ) tackle.
Beginning to think I might save up some pennies and have either some 2.5 Baby Ballistas , or 12ft Multicarp 2.25's made up.
Baby B's can be had via Johnson Ross custom builds ie. Vic Gibson, but I don't think he builds on the Multicarp blanks.
Still got a couple of mates who know Tony Parker quite well, so I might have them sound him out re: Harrison Multicarp.
Thanks again for all the responses.
The more I think about it, the more I realise that the rods would be used for most of my lical fishing, so I really ought to treat myself to something a bit special.
I can always tell the Missus they were about sixty Sovs a piece.......