Hi all, I am looking to buy some new rods. I would like them to be through action, as I don't fish at any great distance. I would like them to be either 10ft or 12ft with a test curve of between 2lb and 3lb. I'm also on a bit of a budget, so nothing at the top end will be within my reach (I mean £800 for one of the latest Daiwa rods is a tad over the top).
All recommendations welcome, and some information about the rod if you have such knowledge.
Thanks in advance
All recommendations welcome, and some information about the rod if you have such knowledge.
Thanks in advance
In reply to Post #1
12ft harrison ballista 2.75lb tc are superb players rods or try the wychwood extricator plus 10ft rod, without a doubt, my go to rods for the last year for close range fishing
12ft harrison ballista 2.75lb tc are superb players rods or try the wychwood extricator plus 10ft rod, without a doubt, my go to rods for the last year for close range fishing
In reply to Post #2
what test curve are the extricator plus rods ???
what test curve are the extricator plus rods ???
In reply to Post #1
I'm not sure if they still make them, but imo century ngs are the one. I have them in 2.75 and they are an absolute joy to play fish on. Proper bent right through
I'm not sure if they still make them, but imo century ngs are the one. I have them in 2.75 and they are an absolute joy to play fish on. Proper bent right through
If you are ok with 2nd hand rods look out for a set of the original Wychwood Maximiser SPD. I have a pair of the 12ft 2.5lb and they are very nice through action rods.
In reply to Post #1
Hello again buddy... I prefer this kind of action rod and can definitely offer some suggestions as I've been through loads of rods to find my favourites.
If you are happy to buy used, you can get quite a saving. I've bought all my free spirits used and some of them only cost me £50 or £60.
In my humble opinion, these rods might be worth putting on your shortlist:
Freespirit ES (12'-2.75lb)
Freespirit TS (11'-2.75lb - my all time favourite, rare as hell used though)
Century Armalite MK1 (I have an early 11' - 2.75lb, possibly partly nostalgia but it's definitely a favourite and definitely a through action player rod)
Harrison Chimera (12'-2.5lb)
As a wildcard, you might want to look at some of the heavier barbel rods out there... Rung a bit more for the action than the cast & can easily lob solid bags.
The rings make a big difference to the action of a rod, and if you can stretch to a rod builder you'll get exactly what you want, a custom Harrison might be quite a lot less than a new top end free spirit or basia
There's a rod builder in the forum called Jeff who I know talks fondly of Baby Ballistas... Hopefully he'll chip in.
Hello again buddy... I prefer this kind of action rod and can definitely offer some suggestions as I've been through loads of rods to find my favourites.
If you are happy to buy used, you can get quite a saving. I've bought all my free spirits used and some of them only cost me £50 or £60.
In my humble opinion, these rods might be worth putting on your shortlist:
Freespirit ES (12'-2.75lb)
Freespirit TS (11'-2.75lb - my all time favourite, rare as hell used though)
Century Armalite MK1 (I have an early 11' - 2.75lb, possibly partly nostalgia but it's definitely a favourite and definitely a through action player rod)
Harrison Chimera (12'-2.5lb)
As a wildcard, you might want to look at some of the heavier barbel rods out there... Rung a bit more for the action than the cast & can easily lob solid bags.
The rings make a big difference to the action of a rod, and if you can stretch to a rod builder you'll get exactly what you want, a custom Harrison might be quite a lot less than a new top end free spirit or basia
There's a rod builder in the forum called Jeff who I know talks fondly of Baby Ballistas... Hopefully he'll chip in.
I went down the lines of buying a set of pike rods for piking, through action, designed for casting big soft baits a long way. I used them once for piking and decided there and then that they would make excellent carp rods and they replaced my fast taper carp rods that I only had a week and used once. They are just like the rods I used in the 60's and 70's, through action dual purpose for carp and pike.
When I get a good fish on, they bend almost to the handle and if I pile the pressure on they do bend to the handle. People comment on how good the action is when I play fish. Plus I cannot recall ever getting a hook pull when a fish surges off just as your about to net it, the rod just bends and as the fish runs out of steam the rod slowly straightens and brings the fish back to the net.
Also they have traditional ringing which makes the rod nicer to handle and not feel tip heavy which you get with these 5 and 6 large ring beachcasters.
When I get a good fish on, they bend almost to the handle and if I pile the pressure on they do bend to the handle. People comment on how good the action is when I play fish. Plus I cannot recall ever getting a hook pull when a fish surges off just as your about to net it, the rod just bends and as the fish runs out of steam the rod slowly straightens and brings the fish back to the net.
Also they have traditional ringing which makes the rod nicer to handle and not feel tip heavy which you get with these 5 and 6 large ring beachcasters.
In reply to Post #1
century FBS has always been my rod of choice. don't see many out and about nowadays
century FBS has always been my rod of choice. don't see many out and about nowadays
In reply to Post #5
I picked up 2 of these in mint condition last year, have yet to use them, but will do next season as I've got a ticket lined up where its all close range stuff.
2.5 same as you, glad you rate them
I picked up 2 of these in mint condition last year, have yet to use them, but will do next season as I've got a ticket lined up where its all close range stuff.
2.5 same as you, glad you rate them
In reply to Post #3
3lb tc mate, but bend unlike poker sticks
3lb tc mate, but bend unlike poker sticks
In reply to Post #1
You didnt ask for 11ft so that rules out Harrison baby ballistas. In 12ft any ballista t.c. In 10ft ballista stalker 2.75 tc . Original maximiser spd are excellent blanks but factory built have awful fittings .
You didnt ask for 11ft so that rules out Harrison baby ballistas. In 12ft any ballista t.c. In 10ft ballista stalker 2.75 tc . Original maximiser spd are excellent blanks but factory built have awful fittings .
In reply to Post #1
If you want a really nice, through actioned "players" rod, then it has to be a ballista. They really are the nicest rods to play fish on I've ever used by an absolute mile.
If you want a really nice, through actioned "players" rod, then it has to be a ballista. They really are the nicest rods to play fish on I've ever used by an absolute mile.
If you could find some 2.75 Century NG`s they are amazing and will land any carp you will ever catch a joy to play a fish on
from small fish to my PB of 68lb
from small fish to my PB of 68lb
In reply to Post #12
May be of interest, eBay currently has auctions for:
Pair 12' -2.75lb Ballistas built by vic gibson
Pair Century NG 12'-3lb
Pair Century Armalite 12'-3lb
May be of interest, eBay currently has auctions for:
Pair 12' -2.75lb Ballistas built by vic gibson
Pair Century NG 12'-3lb
Pair Century Armalite 12'-3lb
Nash Scope 10ft 3lb, bend like crazy, and really good fun. So glad I made the move.