In reply to Post #11
I've got a set of 11ft 2.25 too, and adore them. Paired with a set of 4500 biomasters.
For anything up to 80 yards it's my go to set up
I've got a set of 11ft 2.25 too, and adore them. Paired with a set of 4500 biomasters.
For anything up to 80 yards it's my go to set up
I use a set of 12ft North Western “Carbons” all the time (Made in the early 80's), 2 are 2.75tc and the 3rd is a 2.25tc.
I love using them and the accuracy I doubt I could get with anything else I can remember using – put it this way last weekend I was cursing like hell as I was putting a Dart on the far banking at around 60 yards, wanted it on the bank next to the swim border marker post, hit the post twice on the trot!
I love using them and the accuracy I doubt I could get with anything else I can remember using – put it this way last weekend I was cursing like hell as I was putting a Dart on the far banking at around 60 yards, wanted it on the bank next to the swim border marker post, hit the post twice on the trot!
In reply to Post #14
The mk 1 ballistas softened over time . The current ballistas 20 plus years dont soften at all due to resin/ carbon used. The epoxy that is used these days to cover whippings is also less prone to yellowing unless seymo epoxy is used.
I'm going to dig my receipt out, see how old they are
Reply to Ged@15. my ring whippings went the same in I think 2017, I think the 40 deg French heat finally got to them. I had them re whipped, they look fab but on 1st use I heard some cracking :-(. Probably a Q for Jeff, does the new stuff go white like the old. Iirc it's UV set now, sound familiar or am I imagining it, it was 6 or so years ago.
The mk 1 ballistas softened over time . The current ballistas 20 plus years dont soften at all due to resin/ carbon used. The epoxy that is used these days to cover whippings is also less prone to yellowing unless seymo epoxy is used.
I'm going to dig my receipt out, see how old they are
Reply to Ged@15. my ring whippings went the same in I think 2017, I think the 40 deg French heat finally got to them. I had them re whipped, they look fab but on 1st use I heard some cracking :-(. Probably a Q for Jeff, does the new stuff go white like the old. Iirc it's UV set now, sound familiar or am I imagining it, it was 6 or so years ago.
Ok I'm holding you all responsible for feeding Ryan's terrible addiction for buying rods. The man is totally off his nut on this 'drug'.
I have a pair of sportex 2.5lb 12ft with 6 rings on with a 30mm butt ring single legs on tip section, abbreviated handles with duplon, made at Y A C. Thinking of getting them refurbished, when funds available
In reply to Post #20
EDIT, Oops, responce to post 19 not 20!
EDIT, Oops, responce to post 19 not 20!
In reply to Post #1
Nice rods ,late 80's retailed around the £80 mark if i remember correctly .They where made in Scotland and used the the same mandrel as the Whiskers .
Buying old rods can be addictive !!
Nice rods ,late 80's retailed around the £80 mark if i remember correctly .They where made in Scotland and used the the same mandrel as the Whiskers .
Buying old rods can be addictive !!
Still using Daiwa Infinity X from 1998, have six of them but not used the 3.5 set for a good while now. Paired with Tournies from the same year. Why spend big money replacing what already works?
In reply to Post #15
I built my ballistas winter 95, and used then for everything. Had then rebuilt two years ago when the Whippings went white by Chris Palmer (pottys quality leads), they're like new again, albeit pretty soft, perfect for close range fishing
I built my ballistas winter 95, and used then for everything. Had then rebuilt two years ago when the Whippings went white by Chris Palmer (pottys quality leads), they're like new again, albeit pretty soft, perfect for close range fishing
In reply to Post #24
I'm not sure about old ballistas going soft.
I had some ancient 2lb multi carp rods that were very well used and I managed to break a tip.
It broke when lobbing out a 4oz feeder, and the hook caught on some brambles and the tip smashed
I got two new tips from Harrisons as I didn't to want to get just one and have them unequal.
I rigorously compared both new section with the old and there was absolutely no difference.
I still swapped both over, just to be a tart.
I think that we get used to faster actioned modern rods and when we then use an old ballista it just feels softer. Maybe they always were
I'm not sure about old ballistas going soft.
I had some ancient 2lb multi carp rods that were very well used and I managed to break a tip.
It broke when lobbing out a 4oz feeder, and the hook caught on some brambles and the tip smashed
I got two new tips from Harrisons as I didn't to want to get just one and have them unequal.
I rigorously compared both new section with the old and there was absolutely no difference.
I still swapped both over, just to be a tart.
I think that we get used to faster actioned modern rods and when we then use an old ballista it just feels softer. Maybe they always were
In reply to Post #1
I've still got a set of 3x Greys F2 Mk1s in 12' / 3lb TC that are gathering dust . . .hand built by Greys of Alnwick in the days when they were just getting into the Carp market. Lovely through action built on numbered Century blanks and with a similar build to original Hutch Dream makers (silver ball butt cap) - full carbon weave and blue finish; abbreviated . . .caught my French PB and a 70+ cat on these . . .
Also got a pair of Greys Power Play in 12' 2.5 that I'm reticent to get rid of (think these were the very first carp rods developed by Greys of Alnwick post fly only rods) Originally a set of 3x but I smashed the tip on one - then had abbreviated handles updated to full cork by Bob at Fosters - lovely surface / small water rods that bend to the butt . . .
I've still got a set of 3x Greys F2 Mk1s in 12' / 3lb TC that are gathering dust . . .hand built by Greys of Alnwick in the days when they were just getting into the Carp market. Lovely through action built on numbered Century blanks and with a similar build to original Hutch Dream makers (silver ball butt cap) - full carbon weave and blue finish; abbreviated . . .caught my French PB and a 70+ cat on these . . .
Also got a pair of Greys Power Play in 12' 2.5 that I'm reticent to get rid of (think these were the very first carp rods developed by Greys of Alnwick post fly only rods) Originally a set of 3x but I smashed the tip on one - then had abbreviated handles updated to full cork by Bob at Fosters - lovely surface / small water rods that bend to the butt . . .
I've still got a set of 3 Kevin Maddocks Exocet II rods, 13ft 3.5tc with the old shimano LC's on.
I use one as a 4th rod sometimes
I use one as a 4th rod sometimes
Dunno if they are classed as vintage, but ive got a set of 2 original shimano diaflah in 2.5tc ( the ones with the purple whipping and not the bug version).
I used to absolutely love the playing action on these rods, although i havent used them in over 15 years...
I was looking to get them refurbed for ascetic purposes only, but the costs is quite high and finding a rod builder willing to undertake the works is not an easy task
I used to absolutely love the playing action on these rods, although i havent used them in over 15 years...
I was looking to get them refurbed for ascetic purposes only, but the costs is quite high and finding a rod builder willing to undertake the works is not an easy task
In reply to Post #27
I have 4 Kevin Maddocks Challengers, 12' 2.75lb t/c
They were the blingy gold ones, but I had them rebuilt by Cotswold Rods quite a few years ago so they are just the original blank now (smoothed down to grey as the varnish had all ghosted) and new rings / cork handles.
I do still have 2 brand new Maddocks Challenger 2 rods, 12' 2.25lb t/c
They were bought for Barbel, but I've never been!
...and an 11ft Shimano Twin Power 1.75lb t/c that I used to use for stalking / floater fishing.
I have 4 Kevin Maddocks Challengers, 12' 2.75lb t/c
They were the blingy gold ones, but I had them rebuilt by Cotswold Rods quite a few years ago so they are just the original blank now (smoothed down to grey as the varnish had all ghosted) and new rings / cork handles.
I do still have 2 brand new Maddocks Challenger 2 rods, 12' 2.25lb t/c
They were bought for Barbel, but I've never been!
...and an 11ft Shimano Twin Power 1.75lb t/c that I used to use for stalking / floater fishing.
2) Shimano Baitrunner Specimen / 12ft / 2.5lb
Picked up a couple of these - possibly from a person on here, selling via FB. Hard work searching for info on the internet, for obvious reasons. It's beautifully finished and noticeably light, and thin. Not used yet. Anyone know anything?
Picked up a couple of these - possibly from a person on here, selling via FB. Hard work searching for info on the internet, for obvious reasons. It's beautifully finished and noticeably light, and thin. Not used yet. Anyone know anything?