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In reply to Post #5
How are the reel seats faring ?
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My ESP Tectrix 2.75lb and Snipers (Mk1) 3lb must be approaching 20years old now and I wouldnt change them (especially the Tectrix) for anything else on the market.
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In reply to Post #8
I completely agree here. Lower to mid end rods are really really good.
Maybe the main difference in earlier high end rods is the higher resin content in the blank compared to nowadays.
Yet still if this makes a massive difference for fishing is the question.
So what would you rate highly in earlier high end rods for PVA bag casting and fishing?
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As mentioned below the hi s is a flagship rod and thats nearly 20 years old and costs over £600 in the higher test curves so things havent really moved on imo.
My all time favourite rod the shimmy antares specialist is over 30 years old.
I dont think reels have moved on either. They seem to get worse.
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I don’t think they’ve moved on in 20 years. At the lower Price point things have improved massively but top end rods no, lighter rings and better guides maybe but not the carbon in general. I could be wrong of course. You’d have to go further back than 20 years. The hi-s was released over 20 years ago.
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I still use my 12ft 3.5lb original prodigys and love them, fantastic rod imo
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In reply to Post #5
I was just going to say the same thing, the vertex rods have stood the test of time for me.
I have them in 3lb 12 foot and 3.25 and 3.5 in 12ft 9inch. I've looked at modern ranges but none have the same action as the vertex.
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Still using 20 plus year old ESP Vertex 3.25 and 3.75 in 12’9” long.
Had lots of rods but always gone back to these. They just feel right and are a nice looking rod so lots of boxes ticked.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4371 |  | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #1
Rod blanks have def moved on IMO, especially in the higher TC offerings . .most 90s rods can easily be outperformed by a £100 purchase these days. I took an age before 'upgrading' from 2x sets of Greys F1 Mk 2's (3lb / 3.5lb) that were built on Century blanks and cost me a relative fortune at the time. . .they were more than capable of most things (other than distance casting) but playing big fish (with a through action) was their forte. Todays rods are different gravy and especially at the premium pricepoints - much lighter and generally faster in terms of action (to enable better casting) but equally good and more versatile playing actions with blanks that bend across a broader spectrum and as required (rather than straight to full beans if that makes sense) . . .
Still own and use a pair of original 90's Greys Powerplay 2.5lb, purely for floater fishing. Have had them pimped with full cork handles and they bend to the butt - perfect for using mainline braid for added surface fishing fun. Was thinking of 'upgrading' with a pair of Mk3 Armalites 2.25 but to be honest can't justify it for any reason other than vanity . . .  
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In reply to Post #1
I got my NGs for my 40th I'm 61 very soon to me they still feel as crisp as when I got them and in that time I've seen so many rods be the next best thing and mates buy them and sold them ! Luckily for me I class myself as a hobby rod rebuilder and I did mine around 8 years ago because of the white whipping scenario when it rained, I still also use my Mk1 Armalites in 3 1/2tc too for my pike fishing these will be over 30 years old now purchased as blanks as the built rods were too expensive way back then
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Century fs rods 13ft 13.5ft is a hard rod to beat in fairness.
Rods of today is all about marketing and how many units can be sold in a saturated industry.
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Hello all,
I wonder how you would rate "vintage" 3.5lbs rods eg like Century NG or others versus modern 3.5lbs rods eg the likes of South Coast, Nash F20 or F40, the Kordas, Free Spirit rods etc..
Has there been a drastic improvement in performance or pleasure for fishing in general due to the use of more modern materials?
Or do these older rods from the 90ies still hold their ground eg for casting bags?
So you still use rods that are 20+ years old or have you made the switch?
Thank you and let's hope the winter is over soon!
Best regards
Marcus
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Tackle