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Have first hand experience with some of the rods mentioned.
The FS ES are really nice but are noodles and dont cast far (with a bag not even close to 70 yards) compared to Ballistas, Acurix, Aviator Flex.
I am having the Aviator Flex built at the moment but this feels like a substantial rod compared to the FS ES, Baby Ballistas etc..
So from what you write I would go for Ballistas in 2.75 or 3lbs or an Acurix. The 11ft Baby Ballista is probably a perfect rod if you dont have a lot of reeds in the banks where you have to navigate your fish around. Its very light, powerful yet very sensitive. A much more versatile rod than the FS ES.
Daiwa rods are hard to beat reg. value for money but they just lack that attraction of a Harrison or Free Spirit.
Reels Daiwas or Shimanos. I like my Shimano 5500 CI4s much better for my Baby Ballistas than the Daiwas of that size.
I would stay away from Shimano Longcast Baitrunners with the rods you intend. They are great reels but super super heavy and wont balance a lighter rod nicely.
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While I’m utilising everyone’s knowledge, to keep my options open, what are the Greys Aiircurve MK2’s like?
There are a few used sets 3lb TC with cork handles listed for what seems a fair price considering the rrp new.
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In reply to Post #29
 
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In reply to Post #28
Ah ok.
I was wondering how come everyone's links said linky poo now haha
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In reply to Post #27
In case it's of interest, to make your link clickable, highlight the link then click on the 2 arrows next to weblink, left hand side of convo box, bottom of message tools, when you edit/post
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In reply to Post #25
LINKY POO™ https://ebay.us/m/tl7FWe
Have a look at those, they come with a set of Shimano longcasts baitrunner which you could sell for £300 easily, getting you a set of ballista for under 400
Didn't notice the spod rod too, bonus
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In reply to Post #24
Best new rods (for fish playing) i had i my hands up to £150 was the Nash x series, next step up Daiwa Cast"izm which I don't find much worse than the ES
I have also fished with the Torrix 12ft 2.75 lb for 2 days, I would never choose this one vs the Daiwa Cast'izm/ES
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In reply to Post #23
If I found the right set of Harrison rods, something I could keep long term I’d spend the extra probably up to £250 a rod but if I’m buying new I’m likely to want to change them in a couple of years for something better so wouldn’t want to pay out / lose too much on them.
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In reply to Post #22
Thanks I’ll check the Sonik rods out.
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In reply to Post #21
£150 per.rod? How come you were talking about things like aviator flex? You've got no chance of anything like those for that budget. You'll get a set of used ballista or maybe torrix for that. Either will be far better than anything you'll get new for that budget
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In reply to Post #21
Free spirit helical is purely low quality I have the 10ft 3.00 lb guides are fragile and have seen many with broken tips/guides (Helical in 12ft is also only with 50mm but ring) , Tx-2 and Ctx are just stiff rods, no experience with Greys
Of these 4 then I would rather go for the Sonik Vader X RS but as I mentioned before check out the New FS E-class gold 45 1k, soon all Lb's will also come with cork handle.
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Thanks for all the help.
Just to keep my options open if nothing used comes up that I like the look of I’m going to decide on a new option within my budget that’ll I go for as a back up.
I’ll go up to about £150 per rod (ideally get something in the sale / reduced with a higher RRP).
I’ve seen a few 3lb 12 foot models around that sort of money or less that I’ve listed below. Just personal preference but I’d ideally like rods with a 40mm butt ring, also considering full cork as well.
Any advice on these rods and recommendations for anything better would be a great help.
- Shimano TX2
- Free Spirit Helical
- Free Spirit CTX
- Greys GT2
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4279 |  | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #15
I wouldn't be afraid of 3.25 TC rods if you're looking for all rounders - not all TCs are equal and it def depends on the blank itself as to how it performs etc. If you're never going to cast that far and always use a boat for range fishing then maybe stick with lower TCs / consider 10' rods but if you prefer 12'+ and want to attach small solid bags / give it a straight lead thump to the horizon occasionally then IMO 3.25 might be a better option from a versatility / future proofing perspective . . .
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| | | Sgfc | | Posts: 4336 |  | | aka The Combover Kid | |
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Thanks.
I’m going to try and view the Okuma, Shimano and Daiwa in person before I decide.
I’ll keep my eye out for a set of 3 Harrison rods on FB marketplace in 2.75 or 3lb.
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In reply to Post #16
I love my 2 3/4lb Ballista's. I have them coupled with Okuma inc 6000's and think this set up would be ideal for the fishing the OP described. None of those 50mm butt rings though, 30mm butt, 7 side rings + tip on mine. This feels about right to me, though others may recommend more.
I've "lobbed" out bags probably weighing 4oz, but wouldn't fancy a full blooded cast with a 4oz lead. I normally use 2 or 2 1/2oz, occasionally 3oz in a big wind.
Mine are 1993 vintage, so newer ones might be slightly different.
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In reply to Post #12
Steve Harrison assured me that you can cast 4oz, flat out with a 2 3/4lb Ballista. There are usually some knocking around second hand.
Personally I'd pair them with some Shimano Ultegra 5500's or Daiwa Tournament 5000t's
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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.
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In reply to Post #12
Get some 3lb torrix, plenty on marketplace.
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Okuma INC 6000 get some good reviews on here if you want to save a bit of money on the reels.
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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?
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4279 | | | MODERATOR | |
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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
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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
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In reply to Post #8
The only thing close to the nice through action of a ballista would be an armalite.
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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?
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In reply to Post #5
For that budget you really won't beat a ballista. They are really beautiful rods
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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