I'M LOOKING FOR A PAIR OF 1.5/1.75 TC BARBEL RODS FOR NORMAL SMALL RIVER CONDITIONS. iWAS SET ON THE GERYS PRODIGY RANGE BUT THE XFLITE LOOKS MORE FLEXIBLE. COULD ANYONE SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON THE XFLITE.

THANKS

DEREK 

Derek

I've got both an X-Flite [1.5/1.75] and a Prodigy [1.75] and I fish small/med rivers too so I've no need of something that can chuck 6 ozs of lead.I love them both.

I've found the X-Flite a bit stiffer through the middle & therefore has a bit more in reserve if the water [or fish] is heavy but its no poker.When you clamp down on a big fish with the X Flite it will stop it....the Prodigy has a more  "through" action & gives a bit more in my opinion but is still a lovely rod.That said when I first went looking for a new barbel rod I tried both and it was the X Flite that went home with me.It is a fantastic rod and the extra top does give you a bit more versatility.

Quite apart from not really needing too I dont enjoy using overtly powerful rods & before the Greys I used a Drennan Super Specialist 1.5 tc.I thought this was fine until I found myself attached to a 10-6 with intentions for the far bank.I turned him...just...but I was hanging on with the rod at its maximum & there was nothing left.This is what prompted me to step up to a 1.75 tc and the X Flite in particular.I've had bigger fish since and never once felt that I wasn't in control or that the rod didn't have plenty left if needed. 

I dont think you'd be disappointed with either but if I had to choose and money was no option then it would be the X Flite for me.Its a terrific rod.

Brian

Paul

I cant honestly say because I'm very much a one river barbel or bust man at the moment due to personal circumstances.That said when it comes to barbelling I invariably use a tip and so far the tips on both have been fine...but my home river is quite small so how they might fare on a big river I really can't say.I like tips because of the way they feedback what's going on so much better than a straight top.Last winter I sat and watched my tip twitching & trembling for over 20 minutes before "yer man" decided he would have it.Without a tip I doubt I would have noticed and I certainly wouldn't have been at full alert ready to steer boris away from the snag he lives in.I tend to use the 3 oz glass tip and its fine...strong enough to stand up in a flow but sensitive enough to show what's going on....but I am on a small river that even in flood hardly compares with a "proper" river.Never used the 2 oz glass or 4 oz carbon.The need has just never arisen.The fish in question went 11-3 and though that may not raise an eyebrow in some places believe me that's a fine fish for my river & I was chuffed to bits.If I ever tire of catching barbel of that size I will take up golf !

To be honest I think there are better chub rods than either the Prodigy or the X Flite but out of these two the Prodigy would be my compromise choice as its that bit "sweeter" actioned than the X Flite.But if my focus were chub then I'd probably use my Drennan Super Specialist 1.5 tc which has 4 very versatile tips and a lovely action.I just found this a bit undergunned for boris on the stretch I fish which is a bit tight in places which requires a rod capable of stopping a fish dead.That's why I got the X Flite because it can do that but I think it might prove a bit fierce for chub.It wouldn't be the first rod in my bag if I were going chubbing put it that way.

Hope that's of some use.There are better & more experienced barbel anglers on here than me but all I can say is that both my Greys rods are amongst the finest & most versatile rods I've ever used and one or other will do virtually everything I need it to.

Brian 

Thanks for info guys.

I settled on a pair of 1.5lb Prodigy's in the end, largely due to the fact that the missus was getting bored with the idea of buying rods yet again for an xmas present. I'll be using them mainly on the Teme, which isn't a big river if it stays in it's banks. I also like fishing as light as practicable so these should fit the bill.

For floodwater or the Trent I'll be falling back on my old faithful Diawa Porky Pigs, evil things but capable of handling just about anything.

Now for the Wye, reckon I might need a different pair??