Hi All,
Getting back into carping after a 20 year break and need some advice regarding what set up to get, I have been doing plenty of research but am struggling to make any decisions! I intend to fish mostly small waters and prefer to stalk and remain as mobile as possible (I also have limited storage space at home). I will only fish two rods max and have so far narrowed it down to either the 3 piece Harrison stalker (2.75 t.c) 0r the DYMAG stalkers (would probably get one of each test curve of these), I have also considered the Scopes but cant seem to find an honest review anywhere, would appreciate opinions on these rods from people that have used them. As for reels I already have a 4000 size baitrunner so may get another one of these unless there are any other options that would be better? landing net I was thinking either the JohnsonRoss two piece or maybe the Sonik recon one which packs down really small (can't really justify the price of the DYMAG net or the Scope net). I am not really going to be doing full night sessions anytime soon so was thinking of standalone bite alarms rather than ones with a receiver as may not need these for much of the fishing I will be doing anyway, again recommendations greatly received. Would also appreciate any advice on what rig bits, line etc I should be getting to start with! Apologies for the epic post but the more I look into it the more confused I am getting!
Regards
J
Getting back into carping after a 20 year break and need some advice regarding what set up to get, I have been doing plenty of research but am struggling to make any decisions! I intend to fish mostly small waters and prefer to stalk and remain as mobile as possible (I also have limited storage space at home). I will only fish two rods max and have so far narrowed it down to either the 3 piece Harrison stalker (2.75 t.c) 0r the DYMAG stalkers (would probably get one of each test curve of these), I have also considered the Scopes but cant seem to find an honest review anywhere, would appreciate opinions on these rods from people that have used them. As for reels I already have a 4000 size baitrunner so may get another one of these unless there are any other options that would be better? landing net I was thinking either the JohnsonRoss two piece or maybe the Sonik recon one which packs down really small (can't really justify the price of the DYMAG net or the Scope net). I am not really going to be doing full night sessions anytime soon so was thinking of standalone bite alarms rather than ones with a receiver as may not need these for much of the fishing I will be doing anyway, again recommendations greatly received. Would also appreciate any advice on what rig bits, line etc I should be getting to start with! Apologies for the epic post but the more I look into it the more confused I am getting!
Regards
J
In reply to Post #1
I don't know much about short rods but you seem to have that covered anyway. As for reels/buzzers I'd look at the okuma inception 6000. Lovely little reel. My mate had some on a set of scopes. Buzzer wize you could do a lot worse than the new Fox mini micron. Small, compact and loud. £30 each also helps. Sonik do a net that packs down to 30inches, the extractor recon. Single sticks and a small tackle bag and a bait bucket is all you really need. We are all guilty of carrying too much gear.
I don't know much about short rods but you seem to have that covered anyway. As for reels/buzzers I'd look at the okuma inception 6000. Lovely little reel. My mate had some on a set of scopes. Buzzer wize you could do a lot worse than the new Fox mini micron. Small, compact and loud. £30 each also helps. Sonik do a net that packs down to 30inches, the extractor recon. Single sticks and a small tackle bag and a bait bucket is all you really need. We are all guilty of carrying too much gear.
In reply to Post #1
Forget scopes or anything Nash overpriced junk there are a lot of far better tackle out there Cotswold pace compacts great reviews or the Harrison you mentioned but I had them when first came out lot of messing about with three piece sold them there is the fox explorer or sonik xtractor 4000 is a bit small imo daiwa emcast is good or emblem 25a if u want to go cheaper then the daiwa ninja lt is good or if u don't mind paying the daiwa castzem if you want a rucksack I've had them all the most comfortable is the esp camo just a basic sack but good landing net u need a two piece handle if stalking you don't need to pay dymag prices there's loads out there
Forget scopes or anything Nash overpriced junk there are a lot of far better tackle out there Cotswold pace compacts great reviews or the Harrison you mentioned but I had them when first came out lot of messing about with three piece sold them there is the fox explorer or sonik xtractor 4000 is a bit small imo daiwa emcast is good or emblem 25a if u want to go cheaper then the daiwa ninja lt is good or if u don't mind paying the daiwa castzem if you want a rucksack I've had them all the most comfortable is the esp camo just a basic sack but good landing net u need a two piece handle if stalking you don't need to pay dymag prices there's loads out there
In reply to Post #3
Had all of the rods you've mentioned in the original post and they are all beautiful bits of kit but because i like to leave everything set up ready to go i found the harrisons and dymags a bit of a faff due to them being 3 piece. Its all relative though as in real terms its seconds to sort the sections out but when there's a proper one tearing up an edge spot it feels like a lifetime haha! I had some scopes which were very nice but i just didn't get the feel for them and i snapped a tip on a cast which rocked my confidence in them so i "down graded" to some pace compacts and couldn't be happier. They are certainly right up there with the scopes in terms of capability but a little bit more budget friendly, the build looks great too. I honestly don't think you will go wrong with any of the gear you've mentioned and there's no doubt the harrison and dymag rods will outlive all of the telescopic type rods and they are gorgeous bits of kit especially the dymag but the convenience of a 2 piece pack down swings it for me.
Had all of the rods you've mentioned in the original post and they are all beautiful bits of kit but because i like to leave everything set up ready to go i found the harrisons and dymags a bit of a faff due to them being 3 piece. Its all relative though as in real terms its seconds to sort the sections out but when there's a proper one tearing up an edge spot it feels like a lifetime haha! I had some scopes which were very nice but i just didn't get the feel for them and i snapped a tip on a cast which rocked my confidence in them so i "down graded" to some pace compacts and couldn't be happier. They are certainly right up there with the scopes in terms of capability but a little bit more budget friendly, the build looks great too. I honestly don't think you will go wrong with any of the gear you've mentioned and there's no doubt the harrison and dymag rods will outlive all of the telescopic type rods and they are gorgeous bits of kit especially the dymag but the convenience of a 2 piece pack down swings it for me.
In reply to Post #2
I'm looking at that net myself just need to find one in my local shops first
I'm looking at that net myself just need to find one in my local shops first
In reply to Post #4
I wouldn't say you down graded to pace tbh I think you are looking at the price difference it's that scopes are overpriced and pace are at the right price glad you like them you did the right move
I wouldn't say you down graded to pace tbh I think you are looking at the price difference it's that scopes are overpriced and pace are at the right price glad you like them you did the right move
First time out with the new pace compacts in 10ft 3lb for me this weekend, they are very nice rods. I have them in a fox r series 12ft 3 piece 3 rod bag which is 135cm in length. As someone else said, rods with more than two pieces are a pain to keep packing down when rigged up, not impossible - just a faff.
I got a sabre carbon 2 piece net which fits in the pocket on the rod bag perfectly, seems good for the money and has a decent quality soft green mesh.
I got a sabre carbon 2 piece net which fits in the pocket on the rod bag perfectly, seems good for the money and has a decent quality soft green mesh.
In reply to Post #3
There Dwarfs are OK. Once you have
Had the tip section inexplicably snap.
Fine after that. Bit shorter and beefier 😂
There Dwarfs are OK. Once you have
Had the tip section inexplicably snap.
Fine after that. Bit shorter and beefier 😂
If the budget stretches to it what about the century CQ set up - comes with the net and bag made to measure. Have only ever seen good reviews on them.
In reply to Post #7
Nice buzz bar set up. Are they the Korda black Singlez?
Nice buzz bar set up. Are they the Korda black Singlez?
In reply to Post #10
Those are jag black sticks with 5" and 6" two rod bars
Those are jag black sticks with 5" and 6" two rod bars
Thanks for all the replies gents, much appreciated. I was not aware of the cotswold compact rods and will take a closer look at them, although I would prefer a 9ft rod. The century CQ had caught my eye but I was a bit put off by the test curve of 3.5 lb which seems a bit much for the type of fishing I will be doing most of the time (dropping in under the tip, freelining, floating crust etc) although it may be useful in some situations with heavier leads, really snaggy swims or at longer range. Dare I say I may end up with non -matching rods! (which actually doesn't bother me) As for budget I will fork out for quality knowing that I won't be replacing them any time soon assuming they are up to the job of course.
Some interesting food for thought on the, alarms, reels and landing nets.
Could do with some decent abrasion resistant line that sinks quickly. Was thinking of the GardnerGR60 based on what I've read but not used it myself, always used to use maxima back in the day.
Hook recommendations would be appreciated as well, I do not remember there being quite so much choice in the 90s!
Thanks
J
Some interesting food for thought on the, alarms, reels and landing nets.
Could do with some decent abrasion resistant line that sinks quickly. Was thinking of the GardnerGR60 based on what I've read but not used it myself, always used to use maxima back in the day.
Hook recommendations would be appreciated as well, I do not remember there being quite so much choice in the 90s!
Thanks
J
In reply to Post #1
I've recently swapped to 10ft 3.25tc sonik xtractors and have had a fair few fish on them. Only up to 18lb but they've handled them like a champ, I've had to give a few of them quite a lot of stick as I'm fishing tight to snags but again, no issues. They are a bit on the pokey side but that's expected with a short stiff rod.
I have them paired with okuma 6000 inc reels loaded with cm90 12lb, I swapped the xtractor reels for these (the xtractor reels are £25 reel marked up to £50+). The xtractors did the job but the okumas are so much more reel for the money. Highly recommend them. I've never had a fishing line more supple than cm90 and it sinks well too.
I'm hopefully joining a 24 acre club water in the area soon and I'm honestly not sure if I'll go back to my 12ft rods after using this newer setup. The 2 rods, retaining sling, dwarf telescopic net, throwing stick and storm poles all fit in my TA quiver and comes out at just a metre in length. I sold my barrow so walking about with this setup is a lot less heft than my old one.
I've recently swapped to 10ft 3.25tc sonik xtractors and have had a fair few fish on them. Only up to 18lb but they've handled them like a champ, I've had to give a few of them quite a lot of stick as I'm fishing tight to snags but again, no issues. They are a bit on the pokey side but that's expected with a short stiff rod.
I have them paired with okuma 6000 inc reels loaded with cm90 12lb, I swapped the xtractor reels for these (the xtractor reels are £25 reel marked up to £50+). The xtractors did the job but the okumas are so much more reel for the money. Highly recommend them. I've never had a fishing line more supple than cm90 and it sinks well too.
I'm hopefully joining a 24 acre club water in the area soon and I'm honestly not sure if I'll go back to my 12ft rods after using this newer setup. The 2 rods, retaining sling, dwarf telescopic net, throwing stick and storm poles all fit in my TA quiver and comes out at just a metre in length. I sold my barrow so walking about with this setup is a lot less heft than my old one.
In reply to Post #13
Thanks for the suggestions I will checkout the soniks, the line and the okuma reels. Certainly got some more research to do
Cheers
J
Thanks for the suggestions I will checkout the soniks, the line and the okuma reels. Certainly got some more research to do
Cheers
J
Also worth considering what you want from the rods. You can save a hell of a lot of weight and space by tying your 12ft rods to a landing net handle, using old shoe laces. And only taking stuff you need in a small rucksack. Personally dont get this 9/10ft rod craze.