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Free Spirit carbon vs. Wychwood/Sonik/Nash (10 posts / 1,560 views)
0nslow 0nslow
Posts: 1,619
Post #1 26 Sep 2021 11:35
0
I've got some lovely 10ft S bank creepers that for quite a while were my go to rod, but a change of water has made these second/occasional rods spending most of their time in the shed. It doesn't look like they'll be suitable for my next water either.

So I'm thinking, as an occasional rod would I really notice much difference between these and 10ft rods from brands like Wychwood and Sonik?

So, how bad is the carbon/build of the others compared to Free Spirit because if my maths are right I could get a couple of these and add a few quid into the buy more fishing tackle pot if I flog the bank creepers

And anyone out there done this and regretted it?

Cheers
Goose Goose
Posts: 12,901
Post #2 26 Sep 2021 13:16
0
In reply to Post #1
How do you define best carbon? There is a lot more to a rod blank than the carbon cloth and resin choice in its makeup. Design of the mandrel and cloths used in the right place to get the correct taper/action require all play a part along with guide choice and placement etc. Also personal taste in how the customer wants the rod to perform and feel are all very subjective. On the subject of price I would argue the most expensive isn't always best and in your case I think you should try as many rods as you can as suitable replacements before selling what you have.
mark1009
Posts: 4,738
Post #3 26 Sep 2021 17:10
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In reply to Post #2
Strangely, I've been wondering lately if the free spirit HI S are still worth their money compared to the likes of Harrison Aviators for example. Is such an old blank still the best out there? Are other makes better now?
Goose Goose
Posts: 12,901
Post #4 26 Sep 2021 17:27
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In reply to Post #3
Again personal opinion but for my taste they never were best, had Hi's in 3 and 3.5tc and preferred the es and xs, also many years ago the torrix 12ft 3.25tc was very popular but again I personally preferred the 12ft6inch te. Rods are such a personal thing a bit like music we all like what we like.
0nslow 0nslow
Posts: 1,619
Post #5 26 Sep 2021 20:33
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In reply to Post #1
Yes totally agree, a very subjective matter and I also agree that most expensive, doesn't always mean best.

I took them out today just to see how I felt about them now they haven't been used for a while. They felt very different to how I remembered - it seems holding 13ft sticks most of this season will do that.

So I think I answered my own question today, they will get traded in I just don't know yet for what - or even if I need a set of shorter rods at all any more.
0nslow 0nslow
Posts: 1,619
Post #6 26 Sep 2021 20:41
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In reply to Post #4
When Torrix was at its peak I did try both and struggled terribly with the action so much so I'd always revert back to a higher test curve Ballista instead.

Imo wonderful rods back then, don't how how they compare to modern rods today though
ip100 ip100
Posts: 12,494
Post #7 27 Sep 2021 15:03
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In reply to Post #6
The ballistas are still the nicest actioned blank for playing fish on (when built properly of course)
0nslow 0nslow
Posts: 1,619
Post #8 27 Sep 2021 15:36
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In reply to Post #7
Being new back into carp fishing after a decent layoff, it's good to know something's haven't changed 👍.


roman
Posts: 4,847
Post #9 27 Sep 2021 16:36
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In reply to Post #3
Ive used my Hi S 3lb tc, for ten years plus. And I've recently started using some Tackle box cfx rods in 31/4 tc. And difference is certainly not night and day. Really impressed.
0nslow 0nslow
Posts: 1,619
Post #10 27 Sep 2021 18:57
0
In reply to Post #9
Indeed, I was in there wiggling and bending the 2.75 CFX against a number of the other brands the weekend before last.

Some other brands were a little lighter, some produced a slightlysmoother arc, but couldn't say the variance was significant vs the price point
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