In reply to Post #1
A friend I know Stuart at chiltern custom rods does a nice scope style custom build! I can get hold of blanks from Cotswolds but not in the nash variety. Although for the most part all the retractable blank's come more or less from the same places in Asia so take your pick of rod builder and fire away!

In reply to Post #11
I'd certainly agree it's worth looking at ballista and chimera blanks, will come in cheaper too than more modern blanks. I still build ballista floater rods every year for people and I've never had a complaint.

In reply to Post #1
I've built and owned both. The aviator is far better for what your after in my opinion. Not to say the te torrix is a bad rod at all as it isn't. But the aviators are an improvement on it in my opinion. I can fish comfortably up to 130 yards with them, and they are nice under the tip also. I love mine, they are as close to the perfect all rounder for the type of fishing I do, I've been able to find.

In reply to Post #1
Best all rounder I've built so far is the aviator 12.6 . So much so I built myself a set the week after. Will smack a lead a long way, and retains a nice soft tip. The spod rod also that matches is as good as they come aswell.

In reply to Post #1
Used seaguar ace hard for years, since swapped to TA tint link and crimp link and have been great.

In reply to Post #1
I'm after one of these aswell, anyone in here comment on the accuracy of the gps? Would like it solely for baiting up midweek to make the job a bit quicker.

In reply to Post #1
On my hinges I fish long booms, but generally speaking they are being fished over dirty ground so having them longer helps in getting them presented.

If on the deck, on hard clean ground, 5 inch hooklink works well for me.

In reply to Post #1
I take 3 pots.
16mm aqua bait hot shrimp cork balls
16mm aqua bait hot shrimp balance bottom baits
16mm stoglemans pilgrims for fishing in shallow water to keep the birds at bay.

I've not caught a carp on a bright hookbait in over 5 years so stopped spending money on them and saved it for takeaways instead 😂

In reply to Post #5
Completely agree with this! I won't put an alps seat on any of my builds, seen a few go now for it to not be a coincidence.

In reply to Post #26
I have both the sbx in 25lb and the avid outline braid also.
Avid wins for casting hands down. Far smoother, thinner, everything about it lends itself to be a better casting line. Sinks ok, thinking anglers stuff is really nice also, sinks far better, casts well, but if you were looking at maximising I'd go down the avid route. I have 2 lots of 4 spools so use both now on the bigger pit I've been fishing, mainly the sbx unless I want to go over 120 yards, then the avid stuff comes out.