Review - Harrison Torrix 12ft, 2¾ lb TC Carp Rod

Harrison Advanced Rods Torrix 12ft, 2¾ lb TC Carp Rod

Harrison Torrix sporting the trademark weave

At ninety degrees is a ribcage of super lightweight carbon which controls the rod in compression. How the carbon performs in compression is as important in a bending rod as the way the fibres perform in tension. We aim for a design which balances the compression and tension performance to optimise the balance between casting and playing fish.

The butt of the rod is given a surface ply of 1k carbon fabric which strengthens the rod, improves hoop strength and reduces torque. It looks pretty good too!

The slim butt handle

Most popular model is the 12ft, 3 ¼lb TC which will cast distance effortlessly in real world conditions and has produced close to 200yds on a casting field. New out is the 12ft, 3 ½lb TC which can achieve those extra few yards yet is still a very slim and light rod. Its also the most reliable rod series we have ever made.

The up-screwing Fuji reel fitting

The standard rod is fitted with double leg Fuji 40 Sic ring set, Fuji DNPS 20 and slim shrink rubber abbreviated butt. And Harrison rod building is famous. We designed this as the ultimate carp rod with the best blank and the best fittings. People who have bought the rod tell us we achieved our aim. The rod and blank are made here in the UK, so why settle for less?

Steve Harrison commented:

“The Torrix range have been both the hardest and the most rewarding rods I have ever designed. I do not believe in bringing out new models unless they are clearly different or better than what has gone before. Not for us the gimmicky new name for an old rod with a new trim. I will not launch a new rod until it clearly has something more to offer.

50mm butt ring

“Chimera and Ballista may have been out a few years but improving on them has been very difficult. But in early 2005 I discovered a new way of rolling blanks that has helped me to launch a range of world beating products. Torrix was born.

“Torrix is now proving to be our fastest selling product. The 12ft, 3 1/4 is a slim light rod but it has bags of power and accuracy at distance.”

FISHINGmagic VERDICT

Regular readers of FishingMagic will know that I'm already a great fan of Harrison rods and have been for a number of years. I didn't think I could be more impressed with a rod than when I took delivery of my Chimeras but that day arrived when Steve Harrison handed me this Torrix carp rod. I very rarely fish big carp waters in the UK so I preferred a rod that would give me the greatest pleasure when playing fish, but would still throw a loaded swimfeeder to 80yds or a little more. That's why I chose the 2.75lb model in the range. I had already decided that I would fish for carp more this year than I have in recent years, sticking mainly to local carp waters where the fish go to over 25lb but not much bigger. As I flexed the 2.75lb Torrix for the first time I had a feeling that this was the rod that would do it for me. Little did I realise that it would surpass my expectations. A mid-20 for Graham caught on the Torrix The action of the rod is not exactly all-through and not exactly fast taper, but seems to have a unique balance between the two that I've never felt before in a rod of any type. It flexes enough to give you pleasure when playing a fish but is stiff enough for two thirds of its length to lend itself to long distance casting. It is not too unlike the Chimera in action, except that it is lighter and slimmer and feels even better. I could try to be technical and explain how a rod can be an excellent compromise between a casting tool and a fish playing tool, but instead I'll just say that it feels right, which is probably the best thing I can say about a rod. The rings are now fashionably on the large side, with a 50mm butt ring and a 16mm tip ring, and the butt handle is the now slim profile preferred by today's carp angler. The reel fitting is the screw-up rather than screw-down type, which suits me just fine as I hold big rods and reels with all my hand just forward of the reel stem rather than with the stem lying between two fingers as I prefer with smaller rods and reels. The finish is to the usual Harrison standard with the weave of the cloth evident and stylish. This is a rod for the connoisseur, not for someone who just wants to carp fish and isn't bothered how he does it. It's a rod for those who love rods for what they are as well as what they can do. If you want one of the best, if not the best, then look no further. No wonder it is the new flagship of Harrison rods; it deserves to be.

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