Hi,
I'm getting back into carp fishing after 15 years and trying to decide on the correct set up for the fishing I intend to do.
I have recently moved to an area with a 40 acre lake (2x 20 acre lakes connected to each other) a 5 minute walk away so most of my fishing will be done there.
Previously I had a set of 2.75 tc rods and later I added a set of 3.25 tc rods but didn't use them much.
I am only intending to use small pva mesh with leads of maybe 2oz and happy finish at less than 100 yards mainly in the margins and 50-75 yards.
I want as close of a through action rod as possible for better fish playing action and thing I'd be best with 2.75 or 3lb TC. I have put a list together below of potential rods and reels, any advice, reasons not to buy, recommendations etc would be greatly appreciated.
I have been advised that the Okuma Obsidian is the best reel for the money.
Reels:
• Penn Vantage XT 7000
• Penn Vantage 7000
• Okuma Obsidian
• Daiwa 23 Emblem 35
• Shimano Ultegra XTD 5500
• Shimano Ultegra Ci4+ XTC 5500
• Shimano Ultegra XTE
Rods:
• Harrison Accurix (second hand)
• Harrison Aviator Flex (second hand)
• Harrison Ballista
• Free Spirit ES
• Free Spirit S Lite (seen new reduced to around £160)
• Free Spirit CTX (seem to be reasonably priced new)
Thanks
Dan
I'm getting back into carp fishing after 15 years and trying to decide on the correct set up for the fishing I intend to do.
I have recently moved to an area with a 40 acre lake (2x 20 acre lakes connected to each other) a 5 minute walk away so most of my fishing will be done there.
Previously I had a set of 2.75 tc rods and later I added a set of 3.25 tc rods but didn't use them much.
I am only intending to use small pva mesh with leads of maybe 2oz and happy finish at less than 100 yards mainly in the margins and 50-75 yards.
I want as close of a through action rod as possible for better fish playing action and thing I'd be best with 2.75 or 3lb TC. I have put a list together below of potential rods and reels, any advice, reasons not to buy, recommendations etc would be greatly appreciated.
I have been advised that the Okuma Obsidian is the best reel for the money.
Reels:
• Penn Vantage XT 7000
• Penn Vantage 7000
• Okuma Obsidian
• Daiwa 23 Emblem 35
• Shimano Ultegra XTD 5500
• Shimano Ultegra Ci4+ XTC 5500
• Shimano Ultegra XTE
Rods:
• Harrison Accurix (second hand)
• Harrison Aviator Flex (second hand)
• Harrison Ballista
• Free Spirit ES
• Free Spirit S Lite (seen new reduced to around £160)
• Free Spirit CTX (seem to be reasonably priced new)
Thanks
Dan
Okuma Obsidian/Daiwa 23 Emblem 35 user here, i gonne sell the Okuma's and stick with the 23 Embelm 35, at the end the drag is mutch smoother and overal quality feel is also better for me on the 23 Emblem, Folding handle on the Okuma is top
Rods i use are the Free spirit ES dont think any from your list is better tried the Acurix but this is not a parabolic rods if that is what you want.
Rods i use are the Free spirit ES dont think any from your list is better tried the Acurix but this is not a parabolic rods if that is what you want.
In reply to Post #1
You won't go wrong with the aviator flex, although finding a used set may be tricky. Same with accurix. They are both stunning rods. The ballista is probably the nicest to play fish on, they have a beautiful through action (when built correctly. Any blanks action can change with different ringing patterns) and would suit your angling perfectly. The other thing to consider is free spirit are notorious for questionable quality of finish on factory builds.
For reels the Penn are probably the best from your list. Modern shimanos are not as nice as their competitors in that price bracket imo. I have the daiwa and Tbh they don't feel as well built, and the clutch isn't as smooth as the Penn I had before.
You won't go wrong with the aviator flex, although finding a used set may be tricky. Same with accurix. They are both stunning rods. The ballista is probably the nicest to play fish on, they have a beautiful through action (when built correctly. Any blanks action can change with different ringing patterns) and would suit your angling perfectly. The other thing to consider is free spirit are notorious for questionable quality of finish on factory builds.
For reels the Penn are probably the best from your list. Modern shimanos are not as nice as their competitors in that price bracket imo. I have the daiwa and Tbh they don't feel as well built, and the clutch isn't as smooth as the Penn I had before.
In reply to Post #2
Zinno, thanks for the response.
How does the size of the Okuma stack up again the Daiwa?
I wasn't sure if they Okuma would be a bit big for lighter rods.
Zinno, thanks for the response.
How does the size of the Okuma stack up again the Daiwa?
I wasn't sure if they Okuma would be a bit big for lighter rods.
In reply to Post #3
Thanks for the recommendation.
Are there any other rods you'd recommended under £200 a rod?
I'm open to Daiwa, century etc.
Thanks for the recommendation.
Are there any other rods you'd recommended under £200 a rod?
I'm open to Daiwa, century etc.
In reply to Post #4
The Okuma spool is wider i have them on my 10ft Rod and it is just fine, dont find it to big (
but they are definitely big pit reels), in full width with handle it makes no difference vs the 23 Embem 35
Free spirit E-class 45 1k is also worth checking out.
The Okuma spool is wider i have them on my 10ft Rod and it is just fine, dont find it to big (
but they are definitely big pit reels), in full width with handle it makes no difference vs the 23 Embem 35
Free spirit E-class 45 1k is also worth checking out.
In reply to Post #5
For that budget you really won't beat a ballista. They are really beautiful rods
For that budget you really won't beat a ballista. They are really beautiful rods
Thanks for the replies.
I think I've narrowed it down to the 23 emblem or obsidian as I've read quite a lot of negative comments about the Shimanos.
Are there any Daiwa or Century rods worth looking at the will offer more of a through action?
I think I've narrowed it down to the 23 emblem or obsidian as I've read quite a lot of negative comments about the Shimanos.
Are there any Daiwa or Century rods worth looking at the will offer more of a through action?
In reply to Post #8
The only thing close to the nice through action of a ballista would be an armalite.
The only thing close to the nice through action of a ballista would be an armalite.
In reply to Post #8
Yes the Cast'izm but very hard to find , i have 2 in 10ft and a German shop have 6 in stock 12ft 2.75lb
Yes the Cast'izm but very hard to find , i have 2 in 10ft and a German shop have 6 in stock 12ft 2.75lb
In reply to Post #5
Nice set of full cork Harrison Accurix 12' 2.75 40mm on Tackle Tavern atm . . .or splurge and go Century Armalite mk3 12' 2.75. Pair them with some nice Daiwas - either Tournament 5000T or Tournament ISO Black . . or maybe go even smaller with some Whisker 25QDs
Nice set of full cork Harrison Accurix 12' 2.75 40mm on Tackle Tavern atm . . .or splurge and go Century Armalite mk3 12' 2.75. Pair them with some nice Daiwas - either Tournament 5000T or Tournament ISO Black . . or maybe go even smaller with some Whisker 25QDs
Thanks for all the advice.
I'd love a set of Harrison's so I think that will be my main focus.
Next question is test curve. I went to France with my 2.75 tc rods about 16 years ago and had carp up to mid 30s but I never used heavy leads or bags. Do you think a 3lb tc would be a better all round option or will I get away with 2.75 for everything?
I'd love a set of Harrison's so I think that will be my main focus.
Next question is test curve. I went to France with my 2.75 tc rods about 16 years ago and had carp up to mid 30s but I never used heavy leads or bags. Do you think a 3lb tc would be a better all round option or will I get away with 2.75 for everything?
Okuma INC 6000 get some good reviews on here if you want to save a bit of money on the reels.
In reply to Post #12
Get some 3lb torrix, plenty on marketplace.
Get some 3lb torrix, plenty on marketplace.
In reply to Post #13
I'm happy to spend a bit more as long as I get something that's really going to last which is why I was considering the Okuma.
Are materials / internal workings of the Okuma reels higher quality than the Shimano XTE and Daiwa emblem?
When I used to fish I always planned on getting Shimano reels so that's drawing me to them but it's the mixed reviews that's putting me off.
I'm happy to spend a bit more as long as I get something that's really going to last which is why I was considering the Okuma.
Are materials / internal workings of the Okuma reels higher quality than the Shimano XTE and Daiwa emblem?
When I used to fish I always planned on getting Shimano reels so that's drawing me to them but it's the mixed reviews that's putting me off.