I NEED a new rod

[S-Kippy]

Well....I dont really need one,I just fancy one.

Now then....what I'm after is a barbelly type rod. Not one of these 2lb + tc monsters for chucking house bricks around but something around the 1.5 to 1.75 tc mark. I have loads of rods of this ilk but none of them are quite right. What I'm after is either a 1.5 that's a bit steely or a 1.75 that's a bit soft. It has to be through-ish actioned because I wont be using it just for barbel.

I already have Greys Prodigy & X Flite barbels in 1.5 and 1.75 so not them.The x Flite 1.5 is the nearest I have to what I'm after.

I also have a Drennan Specialist Duo 1.5 [too soft but a brilliant tench rod] and a Shimano Nexave Classic in 1.5 [again a lovely rod but just a tad soft]

I also have a Marksman Avon which is a fantastic rod for something ...but I'm damned if I can work out quite what that is.

So....hardly challenging at all is it ? I thought maybe a Free Spirit but I dont know them or maybe a Shimano Vengeance Barbel or one of the Daiwa barbelly rods ?

Any ideas ? 12 for preference. Doesn't have to have a quiver top.

Skippy

ps Dont want to spend a fortune cos I'm a tight git...up to around £130 or so and please dont tell me what fabulous rods Torrix and Chimeras are...that's not what I'm after. It doesn't have to say "Barbel" on the butt but I'd rather it didn't say Dragon, Avanti Grande Slam, Des Taylor [bless him] or John Wilson either. I want a proper rod.

 

[nicepix]

Looks like you've talked yourself into a Harrisons 1.6lb tc Avon rod Skippy.

<edit> Oh no you haven't. I forgot you were a tight git. :w

 

[greenie62]

Skippy,
Calm down, calm down there la'. Only 2 weeks into the Close Season - and you've got Barbel Fever already!mg:
Give your cards to Missus S - have a big drink - and go and lie down for 2 days - by which time she can have maxed-out those cards and bang goes any idea of buying another rod you don't need! mg:

 

[S-Kippy]

Looks like you've talked yourself into a Harrisons 1.6lb tc Avon rod Skippy.

That's 11 ft isn't it ? I did wonder about that one. Lot of money though.

---------- Post added at 21:16 ---------- Previous post was at 21:12 ----------

Skippy,
Calm down, calm down there la'. Only 2 weeks into the Close Season - and you've got Barbel Fever already!mg:
Give your cards to Missus S - have a big drink - and go and lie down for 2 days - by which time she can have maxed-out those cards and bang goes any idea of buying another rod you don't need! mg:

Actually Mrs S is extraordinarily low maintenance. She seems incapable of spending money on herself and owns only 2 bags and 3 pairs of shoes. Its her birthday in 3 weeks and I am already panicking.

I'm sure she'd like a new barbel rod though !

 

[tigger]

I know you didn't want a Wilson rod but I think these look like a lot of rod for little money.

NEW John Wilson 25th Anniversary Special Edition Avon Fishing Rod - 10548 | eBay

By the way, the Hardy avon is better than all the others put together and will tow barbel out of fast water backwards !
I've used mine for still water tench fishing with both float and leger and caught plenty chub and barbel on the river whilst trotting...a dream rod.

 

[barbelboi]

You're welcome to a waggle of one of my Harrison 1 1/2 Avons next time we meet up Skip - they're 12' though...

 

[sam vimes]

Skip,
after buying a couple of rods from them, and talking to pretty much every one of the Freespirit blokes while a mate ummed and ahhed over which top line FS rod to get at the Manchester show yesterday, I'm more than impressed with their stupidly extensive range and the company ethos (no hard sell, no definitive statements about which rod is best, just a desire to help you pick the best for you).

If their isn't something in their range that will suit, I'll be surprised. Though I rather suspect that the Hi S and S ranges are into Harrison territory and beyond.

The new budget CTX range looked and felt spot on for the money. From what they were saying it's due to expand into territory they've never gone for before. They were talking about general coarse rods, pellet waggler and the like. There were two CTX Bank Creepers at the show which I'd heard no mutterings about before. Unsurprisingly, the more expensive rods tended to feel a bit nicer, a bit lighter, a bit thinner and had a better finish with better fittings. However, I found that the actions of the less expensive models were sometimes preferable to the more expensive.

Free Spirit CTX Barbel Tamers - Johnson Ross Tackle

Free Spirit,Spirit Specialist Gold Rods - Johnson Ross Tackle

Free Spirit,Spirit Barbel Gold Rods - Johnson Ross Tackle

 

[S-Kippy]

I do like the sound of the FS, Chris but I think they are 11 footers. That's not necessarily a problem but I'd need to handle one and that means a bit of a trek for me.

Jezza...I'll take you up on that. I'm not in any great rush but once I've got an idea in me head its very hard to shake it. That's why I wont have a Wislon anything.

OoooH....that Specialist Gold is a 12 footerr. Shiny !

 

[Titus]

Looks like you've talked yourself into a Harrisons 1.6lb tc Avon rod Skippy.

<edit> Oh no you haven't. I forgot you were a tight git. :w

Cracking bit of kit, if I was restricted to using one rod for the rest of my life it would be this one.

 

[john step]

With that list of rods you already own you certainly aint a tight wad Skippy.
You are right you don't need one, you just want one.
Nothing wrong with that...just jealous

 

[S-Kippy]

With that list of rods you already own you certainly aint a tight wad Skippy

They've been acquired over a few years, John...and a couple are second hand too. The only one there that I think was a bit of over-indulgence is that Marksman Avon but it was extraordinarily shiny and I was feeling weak that day.

Like I said one day I'll work out what its good for but it hasn't happened yet.

The Free Spirits have it at the moment...unless Jezza tempts me with that Harrison. I'll need a pair really though.......mg:mg:

 

[barbelboi]

The Free Spirits have it at the moment...unless Jezza tempts me with that Harrison. I'll need a pair really though.......mg:mg:

I bought the H Avons as a pair Skip, bit of a waste really as 90%+ of the time I only use one rod. BTW, the answer to your next question is no.........

 

[tigger]

I bought the H Avons as a pair Skip, bit of a waste really as 90%+ of the time I only use one rod. BTW, the answer to your next question is no.........

I'm curious what Harrison blank your rods are made of BB ? Also what length and test curve are they ?
Dave Lumb lives pretty close to me and I know he uses Harrison blanks.

 

[barbelboi]

I'm curious what Harrison blank your rods are made of BB ? Also what length and test curve are they ?
Dave Lumb lives pretty close to me and I know he uses Harrison blanks.

They’re the old Specialist blanks (being 12' and 1 1/2 t/c rather than the traditional 11' and lesser t/c Avon) tip soft enough for spotting sensitive bites, a beautiful through action and the power to handle the best of fish.

---------- Post added at 16:55 ---------- Previous post was at 16:52 ----------

I'm curious what Harrison blank your rods are made of BB ? Also what length and test curve are they ?
Dave Lumb lives pretty close to me and I know he uses Harrison blanks.

They’re the old Specialist blanks (being 12' and 1 1/2 t/c rather than the traditional 11' and lesser t/c Avon) tip soft enough for spotting sensitive bites, a beautiful through action and the power to handle the best of fish.

---------- Post added at 16:57 ---------- Previous post was at 16:55 ----------

Oops got a stutter.............

 

[S-Kippy]

Lot of money Jerry...even if they are still available. Not sure I need a new rod that much.

 

[tigger]

They’re the old Specialist blanks (being 12' and 1 1/2 t/c rather than the traditional 11' and lesser t/c Avon) tip soft enough for spotting sensitive bites, a beautiful through action and the power to handle the best of fish.

---------- Post added at 16:57 ---------- Previous post was at 16:55 ----------

Oops got a stutter.............

Thank's for that Jerry, I reckon i'm gonn'a have a chat about the blanks available now. Being honest i've never been a fan of harrison blanks but maybe i've never seen the right ones .
I do like the looks of this model on Daves site...Chimera Specialist Rods CS12-1 12ft/1lb 8oz:

 

[barbelboi]

Tigger, that's probably why Harrison make over 100 different blanks- it's almost as personal as mono.............

 

[sam vimes]

OoooH....that Specialist Gold is a 12 footerr. Shiny !

Indeed it is. At least your nearest dealer isn't the best part of 100 miles away. Go and have a waggle, that'll cost you nowt (but time and petrol).

 

[S-Kippy]

Indeed it is. At least your nearest dealer isn't the best part of 100 miles away. Go and have a waggle, that'll cost you nowt (but time and petrol).

No its not that far but its a fair hop none the less. I shall have to do it though....I need to know what's out there and I am such a fusspot when it comes to spending Mrs S birthday money !

 

[terry m]

Buying (or being tempted to buy) a new rod(s) rather reminds me of when I gave up smoking many years ago.

My head tells me that I need one (Cigarette or rod) and it is vital that I get it, but refrain and abstain and the yearning disappears and you reflect at a later date that you never needed the damned thing in the first place.

Unfortunately, like smoking, the temptation regularly raises its head!!