In reply to Post #30
Are you suggesting the Hi S Ive is anything like a rod that plays well?

In reply to Post #29
Yes mate, I use 9ft rods in 3.5lb su. Own a set of 12 foot rods but hardly ever use them. I prefer not casting further than 50m or so. Anything further I'd boat out simply because I am paranoid my rig is not sitting right. I absolutely love playing fish on a smaller rod it's less bulky and easy to maneuver at night or during the day in a boat... as for 13ft rods I soley believe they are build for pure casting as the added length will give you that arc and propel the lead further than a rod of 9ft. My opinion would be if you play fish on a 13ft rod and one feels that you might bump the fish just add a extra few meters of mono leader if you not going to cast to the horizon. So just look for a rod that bends in the but aswell. Most of the 13ft rods if seen "and it's a personal thing" is they have a stiff blank down under and a medium to hard tip which I don't like... the scopes tend to bend enough when I apply pressure to the fish...

Don't know if this makes sense but personally I'd get/use a rod to suit the purpose of my fishing. 13ft rods I believe is a casting tool. At 200 yards I'd definitely get my donking kit out to go and investigate the bottom... I'd never trust such a large rod even with braid on my reels to tell me what's on the bottom... n3vermind casting to fish at that length... lol sorry I must be high jacking the thread.... Nothing like picking another anglers brain and having a good read on opinions... keep well mate 🍵

Might be a bit daft but I find I need 3 sets of rods to cover all the distances and scenarios I encounter carp fishing. I would never expect my 13 ft distance rods to be players rods. By the time you have brought a carp in from 140 yards plus you don't have a lot of playing the fish at your feet to do anyway?

Same here - I used to take C2-D, ADV1 and 3lb Graphene.
Now I take just 13' 3.5 Aviators and if I think I'm going to be fishing close in I put the graphenes in the car as well.
Anybody who thinks that the Aviators don't cover casting and playing - give them a try.
If an old git can get 143yds out of them think how far you'll manage!

In reply to Post #34
As there are 3 models of the aviator which model are people referring to

The aviator TE
The aviator plus
Or aviator flex

In reply to Post #35
I think most are referring to the 13ft Aviator plus. I had a go with one and was pleasantly surprised.

In reply to Post #35
From memory the list you have here is stiffest top to softest bottom, the TE is up there with the Trebuchet is stiffness and functionality.
Harrison's website, and that of some of their recommended rod builders list the rods in order of stiffness.

In reply to Post #35
13' 3.5lb Aviator plus

In reply to Post #37
The Aviator TE is the stiffest carp rod they have produced, I cast one on a lesson and it's akin to a spod rod.

I also had a set of full fat trebuchet 13ft and surprisingly they did bend with a fish on. They were heavy and clearly a tool for the purpose of fishing at maximum distance but had an epic battle at close range with a good fish hooked at range and they coped really well (on a braided shockleader too.)

To answer the original question it's worth thinking about how far you need to go realistically. If you need to be at absolute max range 150+ regularly to be in with a chance of a take then I think you'll have to sacrifice playing.

If your talking 120-140 then the Aviator plus and Torrix TE will do that and they both bend nicely with a fish on.

In reply to Post #1
Went for century fbs 12 in 3,5 lbs, cast 120 m and still playing fish😊

In reply to Post #1
Aviator Plus