Had some AVA 12.5ft 2.75lbs rods in the 90ies. Blanks looked like Ballistas in hindsight.
These are still the ideal rods in my mind as they were lightweight, easy to cast and somewhat locked up above the handle so had plenty of power.
I dont need stiff casting monsters for my fishing. I mostly cast short range up to 70 yards or use a bait boat so I can do with 2.75lbs or 3lbs rods.
So somehow I am still looking for that ideal 2.75lbs (or 3lbs) rod:
thinly walled blank that is light in the hand and not top heavy as most 3k or 1k rods. Nice playing action that locks up above the handle for extra power.
None of the rods I have really fulfill that ideal. Splitting hair I know but somehow the ones I have are either too soft (Free Spirit ES) or too heavy/stiff (Harrison Aviator Flex) or too strong (Code Cipher, well thats 3.5lbs).
Any recommendations of current or used rods/blanks from the past that could fulfill that ideal of lightweight, thin walled blank, locking up above the handle?
These are still the ideal rods in my mind as they were lightweight, easy to cast and somewhat locked up above the handle so had plenty of power.
I dont need stiff casting monsters for my fishing. I mostly cast short range up to 70 yards or use a bait boat so I can do with 2.75lbs or 3lbs rods.
So somehow I am still looking for that ideal 2.75lbs (or 3lbs) rod:
thinly walled blank that is light in the hand and not top heavy as most 3k or 1k rods. Nice playing action that locks up above the handle for extra power.
None of the rods I have really fulfill that ideal. Splitting hair I know but somehow the ones I have are either too soft (Free Spirit ES) or too heavy/stiff (Harrison Aviator Flex) or too strong (Code Cipher, well thats 3.5lbs).
Any recommendations of current or used rods/blanks from the past that could fulfill that ideal of lightweight, thin walled blank, locking up above the handle?
In reply to Post #1
Harrison Acurix?
Harrison Acurix?
In reply to Post #2
Do they have more backbone than the Free Spirit ES? Have a chance to acquire a used pair for a good price...
Do they have more backbone than the Free Spirit ES? Have a chance to acquire a used pair for a good price...
Kaizen green
In reply to Post #3
I cast 142 gram without any problem with my free spirit es, my biggest fish on them is 26,6 kg catfish( what a fight) on a canal with very heavy vegetationr, the Es have zero problems handling that
I almost sold them for a new generation of rods, but when I took them out of the rod case, i decided to keep them, after all these years, I simply don't see the point of replacing them. I also fish with them on the Albert Canal without any problems ( very hard canal, +250 grams of lead are more standard than rare there) , my heaviest carp on that canal so far was 19.2kg.
2.75lb I don't see why I need to go higher, as for the backbone, I have never been afraid to let them work hard during the drill.
Yes, they are described as soft, but they are damn strong, I'm going to have mine rebuild to 7 rings for an even better parabolic distribution.
I cast 142 gram without any problem with my free spirit es, my biggest fish on them is 26,6 kg catfish( what a fight) on a canal with very heavy vegetationr, the Es have zero problems handling that
I almost sold them for a new generation of rods, but when I took them out of the rod case, i decided to keep them, after all these years, I simply don't see the point of replacing them. I also fish with them on the Albert Canal without any problems ( very hard canal, +250 grams of lead are more standard than rare there) , my heaviest carp on that canal so far was 19.2kg.
2.75lb I don't see why I need to go higher, as for the backbone, I have never been afraid to let them work hard during the drill.
Yes, they are described as soft, but they are damn strong, I'm going to have mine rebuild to 7 rings for an even better parabolic distribution.
In reply to Post #1
How much do you want to spend?
I have some Daiwa infinity barbel rods in 2 3/4 TC that i use for the Trent, incredible action, massive power in the butt section and still quite a responsive tip
How much do you want to spend?
I have some Daiwa infinity barbel rods in 2 3/4 TC that i use for the Trent, incredible action, massive power in the butt section and still quite a responsive tip
In reply to Post #5
Interesting that the Kaizen green are mentioned. They are not available with ceramic rings though in 12ft as far as I know. I need these though.
Thanks zinno for your comments reg. the ES. I might have to keep them after all :-).
Do the Acurix or the ES have a stronger handle section?
ChatGPT says the Acurix is softer but I surely dont rely on that :-).
Any other suggestions?
Barbel rods do have these actions thats true but I guess the guides are not really carp fishing suitable?
Interesting that the Kaizen green are mentioned. They are not available with ceramic rings though in 12ft as far as I know. I need these though.
Thanks zinno for your comments reg. the ES. I might have to keep them after all :-).
Do the Acurix or the ES have a stronger handle section?
ChatGPT says the Acurix is softer but I surely dont rely on that :-).
Any other suggestions?
Barbel rods do have these actions thats true but I guess the guides are not really carp fishing suitable?
In reply to Post #6
Daiwa Dictator Z in 2.75lb are absolute brutes, but with a superb playing action.
Daiwa Dictator Z in 2.75lb are absolute brutes, but with a superb playing action.
Kaizen Green in 10ft have the option of ceramic rings. If you only need to cast 70 yards and mainly use a baitboat, then perhaps you should consider 10ft rods. I hardly ever use my longer rods anymore.
In reply to Post #8
Interesting...
I have had the AKN in the 90ies and then the 2.5lbs felt like an unfishable broomstick :-)....times have changed.
Interesting...
I have had the AKN in the 90ies and then the 2.5lbs felt like an unfishable broomstick :-)....times have changed.
In reply to Post #1
Century Fat Boy Slim - 12' 2.75 . . .delicious
Century Fat Boy Slim - 12' 2.75 . . .delicious
In reply to Post #11
Delicious and with more backbone than the Acurix; NG and FS ES? :-)?
Delicious and with more backbone than the Acurix; NG and FS ES? :-)?
In reply to Post #12
NG is discontinued and is old tech . . .I always thought FS ES were pretty 'stiff' tbf
Don't have Acurix experience, but Aviator Flex is a nice 'modern' compromise IMO albeit 3lb 2oz and not 2lb 12oz. I had an old set (the green blanks) of FBS in 3lb that were pretty through action . . .I'm assuming the re-release has an updated blank and if you read the current description, fits what you're looking for . . .
The Century FBS (Fat Boy Slim) brings back traditional carp angling to anglers that value and appreciate a rods playing action above casting distances. The FBS with its ultra low diameter design, glorious sweeping parabolic curve makes carp fishing a joy and gets away from the crowd who are using rods too powerful for what they need. The playing action focus might be a rarity in the current carp scene but FBS owners during the last 20 years know what they want in a fishing rod and the fundamental blank design principle of the Century FBS has suited them throughout
If you want something with butt power the Torrix in 2.25 is an awesome blank . . .I use mine for barbel and the action is def 'progressive' . . .also reckon you could hit 70yds no probs with a 2.5/3oz lead . . .
NG is discontinued and is old tech . . .I always thought FS ES were pretty 'stiff' tbf
Don't have Acurix experience, but Aviator Flex is a nice 'modern' compromise IMO albeit 3lb 2oz and not 2lb 12oz. I had an old set (the green blanks) of FBS in 3lb that were pretty through action . . .I'm assuming the re-release has an updated blank and if you read the current description, fits what you're looking for . . .
The Century FBS (Fat Boy Slim) brings back traditional carp angling to anglers that value and appreciate a rods playing action above casting distances. The FBS with its ultra low diameter design, glorious sweeping parabolic curve makes carp fishing a joy and gets away from the crowd who are using rods too powerful for what they need. The playing action focus might be a rarity in the current carp scene but FBS owners during the last 20 years know what they want in a fishing rod and the fundamental blank design principle of the Century FBS has suited them throughout
If you want something with butt power the Torrix in 2.25 is an awesome blank . . .I use mine for barbel and the action is def 'progressive' . . .also reckon you could hit 70yds no probs with a 2.5/3oz lead . . .
It's been a while since I handled an acurix, but I found the es much floppier than the acurix.
In reply to Post #13
ES not stiff at all. More of a through action under load. I had to haul a somewhat small carp out including a big branch attached. They bent right through to the end but were obviously capable of exerting the necessary pressure to get the branch incl. carp out of the mud :-).
Have the awesome Harrison Chimera 2 for barbel which are a tad over 2.25lbs and have very strong backbone. Maybe I should go for the Chimera 3s then which are 2.75lbs...
@Acurix: might have a go with them then and take the risk buying second hand. Might have to resell but thats part of the game I guess.
ES not stiff at all. More of a through action under load. I had to haul a somewhat small carp out including a big branch attached. They bent right through to the end but were obviously capable of exerting the necessary pressure to get the branch incl. carp out of the mud :-).
Have the awesome Harrison Chimera 2 for barbel which are a tad over 2.25lbs and have very strong backbone. Maybe I should go for the Chimera 3s then which are 2.75lbs...
@Acurix: might have a go with them then and take the risk buying second hand. Might have to resell but thats part of the game I guess.