I'm down to choosing from three blanks.

I know there's a lot of Harrison love on here but wondered about the others, maybe someone's had a couple of these?

Harrison Aviator Flex
Century C2 Command & Control
Code Cipher

Looking to fish up to 100m in a bit of weed, but will sacrifice a little distance for through action . Will be paired with ultegra 5500's

Any feedback welcome

In reply to Post #1
Can only comment on the flex, but they will be perfect for what you describe.

In reply to Post #1
Nothing to do with blanks, but I did have a set of rods rebuilt as my forever rods.
I went the whole hog and had them built using the Fuji New Guide Concept, Fuji Titanium Torzite guides.
Yes the guides are hellishly expensive, but boy are they light and the guide concept really has bought my blanks to life. Have a watch of some YouTube videos and all will become clear.

Thanks,

Im changing up a bit to something that has a little more clout for the odd occasion I need it

Feedback on either of these?

Aviator plus 12.6 3.5.(or is it 3.25?) or hi s 12.5 3.25.

I will admit I've always wanted some free spirit but been a little apprehensive because of their fast taper. Does the extra 6 inches make a difference

I have the 12.6 free spirits and absolutely love them, they are by far and away the best casting rods given my limited ability- plus very hard to describe but they feel so accurate at my max range - point and shoot. My hesitation would be that I would not use them on smaller lakes as they “look” to me so over gunned, especially paired with bigger mag reels.

If the max is 100 yards then and usually a lot less, and I wanted a ‘rod for life’ I would go for something in 12ft and 2.75 as the occasional compromise is worth it to me to sit behind some absolutely perfect wands. I have the century’s in 2.75 as well as the new armalites and they feel so much less clumsy (the extra 6in).

So if I always fished a 20 acre+ pit, I’d only use the fs but given much of my fishing is max 80 yards my go tos are 12 footers.

Good luck choosing

I have the Aviator flex and the Code Cipher and know the C2 so am somewhat qualified to comment.

Had the Aviator flex built up as they seemed to tick all the boxes I need for this one pair of rods, the ones I will always use.

Somehow so far I am not a huge fan of the rods. They are nice, relatively lightweight and slim but I would prefer the CODE Ciper anytime really.
The CODE have more backbone but are equally nice for playing fish and have more feel when playing fish somehow. This would be my description for the one rod that does it all. From margin fishing to whacking out bags to 90-100m.

C2s are really good in comparison but for me not up there with the CODEs.

Grapevine says that the CODE Cipher are Hi S Ive ER blanks or made in the same factory or something like that (Ciper = S ive ER). Dont know the Hi S but would think from the quality that this could indeed be true.

So for me the CODE is the one or any Hi S e.g. the ones you mention.
The Hi S have been around for decades and I understand well that there is a reason for that.

Have fun!

In reply to Post #1
Have Century improved the finish on their blanks?
Does the gell coat still go milky after a couple of years?
Not that I would need any new rods but that is the only thing that would put me off.

In reply to Post #4
I got some 3.5 Hi S last week, and used them for the first time this weekend, and I’m well impressed. Like you I was a tad worried they might be over the top, but had a hard fighting 20+ at 45 yards, the rod had a nice action and at no point did it feel too stiff

In reply to Post #7
Seemingly yes. A friend told me last week only reg. new ones.

I have owned many different rods over the years but my current Aviator 12ft 6 rods are in my opinion the closest you can get to perfection. They cast miles but are equally at home on small pits as well. Slim diameter with a forgiving tip when fish are in close. I had mine made by Nick Buss and they are simply amazing. Be careful though - the 12ft Aviator is an entirely different rod and I found it to be too stiff for smaller waters when I owned a set.

In reply to Post #10
Sounds like 12.5ft is the sweet spot for rods with higher test curves.

My favourite rod of all time was 12.5ft 2.75lbs AVA probably Harrison Ballista blanks. Just a fantastic rod that would work like a 3.25 or 3.5lbs nowadays.
If only the transport length wouldnt be that bad. Having said that I have a van now where that doesnt matter. Maybe I have to rethink...some new rods to be bought out there...;-).

In reply to Post #7
Ive had a set of century stealth graphehe rods for 5 years and the blank looks the same as the day i bought them. My mate also uses century cq’s and graphenes and his are fine as well.

I'll throw my favourite rods into the mix.. which are none of the shortlist.
If the blank finish has been sorted and the blank is as it wqs 20 odd years ago.. .
Century FBS 2.75tc.
The rods are much more capable than Century's blurb
They will cast singles, small bags and stringers 90-100yds and are a joy to play fish on.

I've had my 2.5s for 25 years, I don't regret buying them in the least but 2.75s might have saved me £2-2.5k on other rods

Get em built, cork K series with a couple of extra rings on the tip section.
Everyone will think you're fishing for tench...

Thanks everyone, the two best / most enjoyable rods I've used were the Terry hearn 12'9's and 12'6 3.5 ballistas both could fish under the tip or hurl a bait a fair distance.

The newer Terry hearns aren't the same and the only place I can find 12'6 ballistas are at Cotswold Rods so would rather not.

In reply to Post #14
You could do much worse than asking Jeffire if he is able to source those Balissta blanks and custom build for you, he built me a set of rods a few yrs ago and they were very well priced and a flawless finish.