Looking at some new 12ft rods after buying some Free Spirit CTX 10ft rods and there's so many options.
Price is clearly a factor as it appears the most expensive are circa £500 per rod which I'm not prepared to pay for a single rod. That just seems insane to pay £1500 for a set. Is it correct in suggesting the main reason of price is down to the type of blanks used? And if so, how do you justify paying £150 vs £500 per rod? What benefits outweigh one another?
Looking at the range of options on the Johnson Ross site is overwhelming. Take the Free Spirit range. There's so many to choose from and seemingly the different ranges are price based.
Is there much difference between these brands such as Daiwa, Harrison, FS, etc? And where do you find is the best value for money?
Ideally, I want a set of rods to hit distances from 80/90+ yards and keep around the £180 per rod range as I feel like shopping for a car. And we all know how that pans out, certainly the tarts among us.
Price is clearly a factor as it appears the most expensive are circa £500 per rod which I'm not prepared to pay for a single rod. That just seems insane to pay £1500 for a set. Is it correct in suggesting the main reason of price is down to the type of blanks used? And if so, how do you justify paying £150 vs £500 per rod? What benefits outweigh one another?
Looking at the range of options on the Johnson Ross site is overwhelming. Take the Free Spirit range. There's so many to choose from and seemingly the different ranges are price based.
Is there much difference between these brands such as Daiwa, Harrison, FS, etc? And where do you find is the best value for money?
Ideally, I want a set of rods to hit distances from 80/90+ yards and keep around the £180 per rod range as I feel like shopping for a car. And we all know how that pans out, certainly the tarts among us.
In reply to Post #1
. . .although Freespirit blanks are some of if not the best readily available blanks out there, you are paying a surplus for the brand name . . .fact
That being said if an angler wants the best and can afford it then why shouldn't he pay for the best, whatever the cost?
For your average weekend warrior, the real world difference between Hi-S / Torrix / Stealth / Infinity is probably negligible, and whatever the blank the cost per rod can also rack up with reel seats / handles / titanium rings by the time your finished . . .
I liken rod choice to ski / boot choice (because I do both) . . .but in both cases I use the products that can primarily
a) Do the job for the conditions required / are easy to use
b) Improve my ability
c) Can withstand abuse
Cost doesn't really come into it, but I'll generally go for the best of the previous seasons model, as most skis are just the same tech with new paint jobs on annual release - same generally applies to rods. If you get the 'right' rods now its unlikely you'll be changing them for at least a decade . . .main thing is to try before you buy if you can . . .not sure why more tackle shops don't facilitate this as they're missing a trick. .
. . .although Freespirit blanks are some of if not the best readily available blanks out there, you are paying a surplus for the brand name . . .fact
That being said if an angler wants the best and can afford it then why shouldn't he pay for the best, whatever the cost?
For your average weekend warrior, the real world difference between Hi-S / Torrix / Stealth / Infinity is probably negligible, and whatever the blank the cost per rod can also rack up with reel seats / handles / titanium rings by the time your finished . . .
I liken rod choice to ski / boot choice (because I do both) . . .but in both cases I use the products that can primarily
a) Do the job for the conditions required / are easy to use
b) Improve my ability
c) Can withstand abuse
Cost doesn't really come into it, but I'll generally go for the best of the previous seasons model, as most skis are just the same tech with new paint jobs on annual release - same generally applies to rods. If you get the 'right' rods now its unlikely you'll be changing them for at least a decade . . .main thing is to try before you buy if you can . . .not sure why more tackle shops don't facilitate this as they're missing a trick. .
In reply to Post #1
Once you reach a certain price point you are asking a different set of questions imo. Once I'm looking at spending over £200 a rod there isn't really a budget, I'm looking for a rod that is the best choice for the purpose I'll use it, and look how I want it, which invariably means custom built for me.
Sub £200 I'll still want performance, but won't expect it to look how I want, might have to compromise on handle or reel seat preference, will usually have to put up with rings/ringing that isnt what I'd want.
Performance wise there probably isn't much in it, but feel/weight/balance make a difference. Having a rod built on the spine has an affect on accuracy and the ability to try before you buy with a rod builder is a big plus.
I can't see many shops offering a trial service, it's something you'd have to charge a premium for and people will just try the rods then buy them from the cheapest place on the internet
Once you reach a certain price point you are asking a different set of questions imo. Once I'm looking at spending over £200 a rod there isn't really a budget, I'm looking for a rod that is the best choice for the purpose I'll use it, and look how I want it, which invariably means custom built for me.
Sub £200 I'll still want performance, but won't expect it to look how I want, might have to compromise on handle or reel seat preference, will usually have to put up with rings/ringing that isnt what I'd want.
Performance wise there probably isn't much in it, but feel/weight/balance make a difference. Having a rod built on the spine has an affect on accuracy and the ability to try before you buy with a rod builder is a big plus.
I can't see many shops offering a trial service, it's something you'd have to charge a premium for and people will just try the rods then buy them from the cheapest place on the internet
In reply to Post #2
Great replies Belch and Duggs.
You're right, if you can afford a Bentley over a Ford, you'd go for the higher model option.
I too am a snowboarder so I get the concept of buying gear from a previous season, although with carp rods it's slightly different, no?! Some of the classic rods are still made to this day and priced just as expensive as they were all them years ago if not more?
I don't have the luxury of going fishing every weekend anymore. Never will. Once a month with the occasional overseas trip, although I still want good performing rods that are accurate. So with the FS range for example, I would expect all rods to be of a good to excellent quality. It's then trying to narrow down the feature and benefits of each range compared to another brand of a similar price point to ascertain best value for money.
No one seems to review rods against each other. Is that because there's a lack of technical understanding? I don't see any geek anglers out there that could do this.
Great replies Belch and Duggs.
You're right, if you can afford a Bentley over a Ford, you'd go for the higher model option.
I too am a snowboarder so I get the concept of buying gear from a previous season, although with carp rods it's slightly different, no?! Some of the classic rods are still made to this day and priced just as expensive as they were all them years ago if not more?
I don't have the luxury of going fishing every weekend anymore. Never will. Once a month with the occasional overseas trip, although I still want good performing rods that are accurate. So with the FS range for example, I would expect all rods to be of a good to excellent quality. It's then trying to narrow down the feature and benefits of each range compared to another brand of a similar price point to ascertain best value for money.
No one seems to review rods against each other. Is that because there's a lack of technical understanding? I don't see any geek anglers out there that could do this.
In reply to Post #4
There is too much personal preference involved in rods to take someone else's opinion tbh.
I wanted some rods for a small snaggy water, accurate casting with light weights and an action to soak up the fight quickly. I'd narrowed it down to the 2.75 accurix or 2.5 hi,s. I didn't like either after trying them and instantly loved the 2.5 chimeras.
This is why when you look on here for threads on any given rod you'll see some posts gushing over them and others slating them.
There is too much personal preference involved in rods to take someone else's opinion tbh.
I wanted some rods for a small snaggy water, accurate casting with light weights and an action to soak up the fight quickly. I'd narrowed it down to the 2.75 accurix or 2.5 hi,s. I didn't like either after trying them and instantly loved the 2.5 chimeras.
This is why when you look on here for threads on any given rod you'll see some posts gushing over them and others slating them.
In reply to Post #4
. . .agree would argue ski tech changes quicker than rod tech perhaps - I change skis every 4-5 seasons - after that the camber can start to go and the topsheets are generally fooked . . .my primary carp rods though are from the 90's and the only reason I'd want to change is cosmetic / weight saving / if I broke or lost one . . .my 'other' rods (range / stalking / floater fishing / barbel / trotting) are all later tech but they perform a different function.
I'd pay a premium to be able to test rods, with a deposit down or something like that. Most ski seasons I'll rent a new model for a day (eg silly fat skis on a powder day / latest slalom skis when its boiler plate pistes) to give me an idea of whether my daily driver All Mountain skis still cut the mustard . . !
. . .agree would argue ski tech changes quicker than rod tech perhaps - I change skis every 4-5 seasons - after that the camber can start to go and the topsheets are generally fooked . . .my primary carp rods though are from the 90's and the only reason I'd want to change is cosmetic / weight saving / if I broke or lost one . . .my 'other' rods (range / stalking / floater fishing / barbel / trotting) are all later tech but they perform a different function.
I'd pay a premium to be able to test rods, with a deposit down or something like that. Most ski seasons I'll rent a new model for a day (eg silly fat skis on a powder day / latest slalom skis when its boiler plate pistes) to give me an idea of whether my daily driver All Mountain skis still cut the mustard . . !
In reply to Post #6
Interesting to suggest that. As I'm in the market for some new rods I would, if they had a large range and knowledgeable staff quite happily put down a £100 deposit to test some rods knowing that the £100 would be deducted from the sale of a rod. Or pre-auth a card.
I could see myself spending more. Kinda baffles me why some haven't thought about this but then you have to put yourself in the shoes of a retailer. You're probably not your average Johnson Ross who stocks a large selection of rods and probably don't think of trying something innovative from a sales perspective. I guess you'd need to propose to the manufacturer and gauge if they'd be willing to supply “test” rods. A bit like aftershave/perfume tester bottles.
So far, I've narrowed it down to FS S-Lite 3.25lb standard handle and FS E-class 3.25lb but with the EVA handle 50mm butt ring, purely on the price factor and knowing with FS I'm in good hands. Any opinions or advice from experience on shortlisting these? Difference between a standard and EVA handle?
Interesting to suggest that. As I'm in the market for some new rods I would, if they had a large range and knowledgeable staff quite happily put down a £100 deposit to test some rods knowing that the £100 would be deducted from the sale of a rod. Or pre-auth a card.
I could see myself spending more. Kinda baffles me why some haven't thought about this but then you have to put yourself in the shoes of a retailer. You're probably not your average Johnson Ross who stocks a large selection of rods and probably don't think of trying something innovative from a sales perspective. I guess you'd need to propose to the manufacturer and gauge if they'd be willing to supply “test” rods. A bit like aftershave/perfume tester bottles.
So far, I've narrowed it down to FS S-Lite 3.25lb standard handle and FS E-class 3.25lb but with the EVA handle 50mm butt ring, purely on the price factor and knowing with FS I'm in good hands. Any opinions or advice from experience on shortlisting these? Difference between a standard and EVA handle?
In reply to Post #1
Don't worry about top end kit... Contrary to popular belief, the best thing to spend money on in fishing is tickets and bait, plus enough over for things like fuel to get to the lake and back... A £500 rod won't catch jack without somewhere decent to use it, end of.
Don't worry about top end kit... Contrary to popular belief, the best thing to spend money on in fishing is tickets and bait, plus enough over for things like fuel to get to the lake and back... A £500 rod won't catch jack without somewhere decent to use it, end of.
In reply to Post #8
. . .totally agree with that - spend your money on bait . . .before anything else.
Take a look at Mark Tunley's EV rods (think Calvin Hancock / others may use the same cost saving blank) - the blanks don't have the FS price tag (built in Taiwan not Korea?) but are apparently just as tasty for your average carper. . .
. . .totally agree with that - spend your money on bait . . .before anything else.
Take a look at Mark Tunley's EV rods (think Calvin Hancock / others may use the same cost saving blank) - the blanks don't have the FS price tag (built in Taiwan not Korea?) but are apparently just as tasty for your average carper. . .
Second hand Rods are a sensible option, £300 Rods for £150 or less in the free spirit Harrison or Daiwa range.
In reply to Post #9
Yes they are evoke blanks , have built a few sets in the past , actually not bad at all .
Yes they are evoke blanks , have built a few sets in the past , actually not bad at all .
In reply to Post #1
As above, I'd go secondhand, although £180 sounds a lot, rods of that value, I don't feel offer much over cheaper rods circa £100 bracket. A decent set of custom built pre loved Torrix, fully spec'ed with top quality fittings are a much better option for the money, most people pamper their gear and only sell due to fashion upgrades etc so most available sets are usually indistinguishable from new.
As above, I'd go secondhand, although £180 sounds a lot, rods of that value, I don't feel offer much over cheaper rods circa £100 bracket. A decent set of custom built pre loved Torrix, fully spec'ed with top quality fittings are a much better option for the money, most people pamper their gear and only sell due to fashion upgrades etc so most available sets are usually indistinguishable from new.