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Free Spirit S Lite Rods. (26 posts / 9,472 views)
ray5ew ray5ew
Posts: 84
Post #1 5 Jan 2020 06:00
0
Hi, I am looking at buying a set of Free Spirit S Lite Rods, they do not have a website at present. Can anyone please give a review of them if possible ? Cheers.
captainqpr captainqpr
Posts: 2,695
Post #2 6 Jan 2020 17:57
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In reply to Post #1
I've got a set of 13ft 3.5's and really like them , i was given a set to test out against the Harrison Aviator's and much to my suprise i prefered the s-lites. Nice casting rods with a decent playing action considering how pokey they are. needs a 3.5 or 4oz lead to load them up properly , could undoubtedly cast a bigger lead but i've never felt the need. Mine are the Tackle Box custom build which tho not everyones cup of tea , i like. Very good rods for the money..
ray5ew ray5ew
Posts: 84
Post #3 7 Jan 2020 08:54
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In reply to Post #2
Thanks a lot for your reply mate 👍
AndyCarper82 AndyCarper82
Posts: 2,541
Post #4 11 Mar 2020 06:20
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In reply to Post #1
Hi

I've had a set of 12ft 3.5 for a year now.standard build. Had fish to 52lb and used them a lot.
Positive
Good playing action
Reasonable casting ability
Brand
Looks

Negative
Reel seats twisting, only a few degrees but annoying
Fragile rings - I'm gentle with my rods but have several rings twisted slightly

I'll get them rebuilt in a couple of years as they are a great rod but use my shimano tx2 intensity rods for most of my fishing going forward.
Goldeneye Goldeneye
Posts: 1,252
Post #5 11 Mar 2020 13:25
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In reply to Post #4
Johnson Ross Free spirit site
Monkeypox
Posts: 440
Post #6 12 Mar 2020 08:37
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In reply to Post #5
I have just bought a set of 4 of the s life 10 ft 3,25 lbs , I'll post again after I have used them.
glw1978
Posts: 925
Post #7 12 Mar 2020 14:37
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In reply to Post #6
I've had a set of 3.25lb and they have been great I'm very happy with them.
Schoers94
Posts: 12
Post #8 23 May 2021 22:17
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In reply to Post #7
Hi all

Thinking about getting a set of 12 ft 3.25 tc s lites and wondering if people would recommend them ? Can you cast them say 120-140 yard with a 4 oz lead ? Looking at greys air curves as an alternative ?

Cheers
Richpp1989 Richpp1989
Posts: 2,078
Post #9 24 May 2021 09:45
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In reply to Post #8
I've recently bought these exact rods, haven't needed to cast them that fair but I have cast up to 100yards no problem, I reckon at a push you should 120 out of them depending on how could a caster you are then you might 140 bud

Lovely rods and very very easy to cast they absolutely fly when you cast out
mali mali
Posts: 364
Post #10 24 May 2021 18:34
0
In reply to Post #8
Id say 4oz is a tad much for the 3.25lb s lite.

I found 3.5oz the sweetspot on the 3.5lb tc... 4oz felt like it was breaking its back a little.

4oz on the s lite ives will hit the range your looking for everytime.

Schoers94
Posts: 12
Post #11 25 May 2021 22:06
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In reply to Post #10
Thankyou for the replies I have been having a look round on your recommendations but can't seem to find anywhere in North England (Yorkshire) that stock them as would like to have look at them before purchasing and compare them with the air curves !
mali mali
Posts: 364
Post #12 26 May 2021 14:55
0
In reply to Post #11
Absolutely. Build quality can be hit or miss, I ordered online and the butt rings were out from each rod by 10mm. I drove 4hrs to get them sorted as I needed them quick. The shop had 6 in stock and everyone one of them didn't line up with each other.
The_Saint The_Saint
Posts: 2,072
Post #13 26 May 2021 15:19
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In reply to Post #12
what i can't understand is why you would pay top money for a rod with shoddy piece work finishing?
captainqpr captainqpr
Posts: 2,695
Post #14 26 May 2021 15:28
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In reply to Post #13
They're not all badly built , thats the problem. Mine are perfect but i picked them up from the TB in person so they checked them prior to me buying. Considering the prices for Hi-S rods these are a bargain , at least they were when i got mine. I'm not sure i'd buy a set on spec without seeing them first tho.
mali mali
Posts: 364
Post #15 26 May 2021 16:49
0
In reply to Post #13
Thats the problem with mail order I suppose. Hence why I travelled to get them sorted. It was a batch of a certain test curve that had the problem, the others were absolutely fine. I walked away with the problem rectified. But I'd certainly think twice about ordering free spirit online from now on.

My past experiences with other brands have been similar, ive ordered daiwa rods with different length handles and had to return them and get every single one in shop stock to get a matching set. Same experience of greys in the past too. With one blank slightly longer than the other knocking every guide out of alignment with the matching rod sat next to it.... does it affect performance? Nope! But drove me absolutely nuts everytime and couldn't settle until I got them changed.

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