How do you choose a rod? I'm looking at the Sonik Vader X RS rods and my mate has told me to get a 3lb TC one but I don't know whether to get 12ft or 10ft. Any tips much appreciated?
In reply to Post #1
You need to say what type of waters you're fishing, casting distance, size of fish expected, etc. In order to get some meaningful answers.
You need to say what type of waters you're fishing, casting distance, size of fish expected, etc. In order to get some meaningful answers.
In reply to Post #2
To that you could add how do you plan to store and transport the rods, and your own skill in casting.
For example I have very limited storage space and don't have my own car. As a result, short packdown size matters more to me than anything else - so I use 9ft nash scopes in a 3lb test curve, which gives me enough grunt to chuck out a solid bag without being over gunned when playing fish. While a longer rod would make life easier if I was fishing beyond 100 yards, you can compensate for that with simply getting better at casting your 9ft rods. 100+ yards is easily achievable with a good 9ft or 10ft rod, it just takes a bit more technique, practice and effort to get there than it may with a longer rod. Lately I've mostly been fishing around 50 yards in any case.
To that you could add how do you plan to store and transport the rods, and your own skill in casting.
For example I have very limited storage space and don't have my own car. As a result, short packdown size matters more to me than anything else - so I use 9ft nash scopes in a 3lb test curve, which gives me enough grunt to chuck out a solid bag without being over gunned when playing fish. While a longer rod would make life easier if I was fishing beyond 100 yards, you can compensate for that with simply getting better at casting your 9ft rods. 100+ yards is easily achievable with a good 9ft or 10ft rod, it just takes a bit more technique, practice and effort to get there than it may with a longer rod. Lately I've mostly been fishing around 50 yards in any case.
In reply to Post #2
I want to target 30lb plus Carp. I'm fishing a lake at the moment that is 10 acres but obviously I won't keep to one lake and it will vary everywhere. I'm not good with distances but I'll be using solid PVA bags. I use my work transit van to carry my fishing gear around and then store it all in my loft.
I want to target 30lb plus Carp. I'm fishing a lake at the moment that is 10 acres but obviously I won't keep to one lake and it will vary everywhere. I'm not good with distances but I'll be using solid PVA bags. I use my work transit van to carry my fishing gear around and then store it all in my loft.
In reply to Post #4
Contact username 'Jeffire' on here, he's a rod builder who knows his onions.
Contact username 'Jeffire' on here, he's a rod builder who knows his onions.
In reply to Post #4
That's a good call Paul's made in Post#5. From what people say and what he posts on here, he's a really decent rod builder who builds rods correctly. By that, I mean he doesn't use hula hoops as butt rings.
I think I'd trust a rod builders advice rather than anyone else.
Depending on your budget, he could build you up some rods, I guess a custom rod starts at about £200 a rod. He sometimes has rods in stock as I've seen him selling them on ebay.
EDIT - just noticed another thread in the general section called "What rods for PVA Bags?", have a look at that Danny if you haven't already.
That's a good call Paul's made in Post#5. From what people say and what he posts on here, he's a really decent rod builder who builds rods correctly. By that, I mean he doesn't use hula hoops as butt rings.
I think I'd trust a rod builders advice rather than anyone else.Depending on your budget, he could build you up some rods, I guess a custom rod starts at about £200 a rod. He sometimes has rods in stock as I've seen him selling them on ebay.
EDIT - just noticed another thread in the general section called "What rods for PVA Bags?", have a look at that Danny if you haven't already.
In reply to Post #6
Yeah custom rods are well out of my budget. I'm looking at the Sonik Vaders for £50. I'll take a look at the other thread. Cheers!
Yeah custom rods are well out of my budget. I'm looking at the Sonik Vaders for £50. I'll take a look at the other thread. Cheers!
Video on YouTube that will help you. Carpology, they did a blind rod test on 12fts mainly budget - mid range
In reply to Post #4
If you're going to be using Solid PVA bags then you're after rods 3.25 TC and above, depending on how far you're chucking 'em and the size\weight of the bag.
Even if you use a 2 ounce lead and Extra Small bags, bear in mind you're looking at moving a weight of about 3.5-4 ounces xx distance.
Of course, if you're only chucking up to 50 yards, then you could get away with a 3lb tc rod, again, providing you're not using a massive solid bag.
If you're going to be using Solid PVA bags then you're after rods 3.25 TC and above, depending on how far you're chucking 'em and the size\weight of the bag.
Even if you use a 2 ounce lead and Extra Small bags, bear in mind you're looking at moving a weight of about 3.5-4 ounces xx distance.
Of course, if you're only chucking up to 50 yards, then you could get away with a 3lb tc rod, again, providing you're not using a massive solid bag.
In reply to Post #9
Would I not get away with a 3lb TC for casting out solid PVA bags?
Would I not get away with a 3lb TC for casting out solid PVA bags?
In reply to Post #10
Only if they were very small and cast as a short range lob, rather than a full blooded cast. A big bag with a lead would soon overload a 3lb rod.
Only if they were very small and cast as a short range lob, rather than a full blooded cast. A big bag with a lead would soon overload a 3lb rod.
In reply to Post #10
Totally dependant on the distance you want to cast and then of course size and weight of the bags. Not just about the TC of the rod.
What the general distances you are wanting to be fishing?
I use 12ft 2.5lb hi-s and with them I can chuck a small elongated golf ball sized bag a surprising distance.. I haven't weighed the bags I've been casting out but I'd imagine they're around 4oz including the lead. I'm currently fishing at 70 yards with this setup without too much effort I'm sure I could get another 10 yards maybe more but currently don't have that need and haven't pushed them that far. Yes they're definitely loaded but I'm not pushing them hard enough to worry about snapping a rod. Most people including myself don't push our rods to anywhere near the capacity they are capable of.
Totally dependant on the distance you want to cast and then of course size and weight of the bags. Not just about the TC of the rod.
What the general distances you are wanting to be fishing?
I use 12ft 2.5lb hi-s and with them I can chuck a small elongated golf ball sized bag a surprising distance.. I haven't weighed the bags I've been casting out but I'd imagine they're around 4oz including the lead. I'm currently fishing at 70 yards with this setup without too much effort I'm sure I could get another 10 yards maybe more but currently don't have that need and haven't pushed them that far. Yes they're definitely loaded but I'm not pushing them hard enough to worry about snapping a rod. Most people including myself don't push our rods to anywhere near the capacity they are capable of.
In reply to Post #3
12ft Sonik extractor recon. 12ft rod what packs down the the size of a 10ft scope 👍
12ft Sonik extractor recon. 12ft rod what packs down the the size of a 10ft scope 👍
In reply to Post #1
I had the 10 foot Vader rs 3lb rods I didn't really like them felt stiff playing fish and casting wasn't great was my first set of 10 foot rods but have since go back to 12 foot rods and would never want to use 10 foot rods again.
I had the 10 foot Vader rs 3lb rods I didn't really like them felt stiff playing fish and casting wasn't great was my first set of 10 foot rods but have since go back to 12 foot rods and would never want to use 10 foot rods again.
In reply to Post #14
I find 12s more accurate and nicer to play fish on
I find 12s more accurate and nicer to play fish on