Shakespeare wands???

[theoriginalpikeflyco]

Ok...well & truly bitten with the coarse bug now..

Question for you folks...

Is there a massive difference between the older Sigma wands & the newer Mach 2 wands???

I understand the Mach 2 is supposed to be an ultra slim blank with lovely soft action but just interested to know how the older Shakey Sigma wands compare? Simply because I always fancied a Sigma wand...but not if they dont make the grade.

And whats your thoughts on the original Dam winklepickers???

Im looking for the lightest slimmest possible wand type rod 8 - 9 foot for a little stretch of river full of small roach...casting bombs & very small feeders about 15 yards...and a small lake with loads of small Perch close in.

 

[S-Kippy]

In a word,yes. I have both and the Mach 2 Wand is a fantastic little rod that knocks the old Sigma Wand into a cocked hat.I loved my original wand but the Mach 2 is capable of doing things the Sigma never was. For the money I dont personally think there is a better light lead/feeder/wand type rod available. Its just simply a brilliant rod....one of those that you just cant NOT have.

Warning : Dont go near a Garbolino Super G Bomb rod. Unbelievably good but 3 times the money of a Shaky.

 

[Bluenose]

I've got an original sigma wand somewhere, it hasn't seen the light of day for ages.

Skippy's right, there is better available now, however I think the first sigma wand hit the shelves early-mid 1980's and it is an ace bit of kit for very light line legering. However all told it is an old glass model and there will be much much better available for not a lot of money!

 

[theoriginalpikeflyco]

Warning : Dont go near a Garbolino Super G Bomb rod. Unbelievably good but 3 times the money of a Shaky.[/QUOTE]

Yes...just looked at this & to be honest not taken with it anyway...and I see its capable of landing biggies. Im looking for something that will never see a fish of more than a few pound so all I want is pure undiluted fun...but its gotta be really light & thin diameter.

The Shakeys still look good to me!..since a kid...I've always had a soft spot for Shakespeare...dont know why!

So what do you all reckon is the lightest, thinnest diameter, most sensitive. most fun wand available today???

 

[Lord Paul of Sheffield]

I rate the mach2 wand highly

 

[Berty]

Shakespeare turn out some real class gear........the skill is in recognising the good stuff.....but if it do's what you ask then thats great.

I have a couple of original Mach 2 feeder rods........they are superb.

 

[cormorant]

another thumbs up for the mach2 wand, got the 10 footer lovely rod makes fishing a pleasure again. go get it you wont regret it

 

[S-Kippy]

Well I'm naturally biased because I've got one but I really dont think you can beat it for the money. Depends what you want...if you want an ultralight rod with a soft all through action then IMO the Garbolino has it...but its 3 times the price ! The Shaky has a little bit more "spine" I think but it is still a wonderful rod.

The trouble with ultra light ultra soft actioned rods is that they will do light bomb or tiny feeder very well but that's ALL they can do. Again personally I think a rod that can do that AND a bit more if you need it to is a better option.This rod will.

Lightest,thinnest,most fun ? Dunno...but pretty damned good. Too many of these "picker" type rods nowadays are designed to handle carp.What I would say is dont waste your money on an original Sigma.It was good in its day but the Mach 2 is 10 times the rod the Sigma Wand ever was.

I've just got mine out. It's the 10 ft version and exactly 1cm thick at the butt if that helps.

 

[theoriginalpikeflyco]

Well I'm naturally biased because I've got one but I really dont think you can beat it for the money. Depends what you want...if you want an ultralight rod with a soft all through action then IMO the Garbolino has it...but its 3 times the price ! The Shaky has a little bit more "spine" I think but it is still a wonderful rod.

The trouble with ultra light ultra soft actioned rods is that they will do light bomb or tiny feeder very well but that's ALL they can do. Again personally I think a rod that can do that AND a bit more if you need it to is a better option.This rod will.

Lightest,thinnest,most fun ? Dunno...but pretty damned good. Too many of these "picker" type rods nowadays are designed to handle carp.What I would say is dont waste your money on an original Sigma.It was good in its day but the Mach 2 is 10 times the rod the Sigma Wand ever was.

I've just got mine out. It's the 10 ft version and exactly 1cm thick at the butt if that helps.

Thanks...thats some good info actually.

I looked up the Carbolino you mentioned & the description seemed to imply it was well able to cope with Carp & big fish which rules it out anyway...or am I wrong about it???

Really whichever I choose will never be asked to do anything other than flick out a small bomb or tiny feeder for small Roach etc. Its actually only for tackling one particular lake & one river stretch. They are stuffed with small fish that do not like to come up too far from bottom...even in summer.

 

[Bluenose]

I have a shimano technium specialist quiver which is wand like, ace for light hooklengths etc.

Probably not as cheap (costwise) as the shaky and something you'd probably pick up 2nd hand or on ebay, but for that style of fishing, it's excellent.

 

[Lord Paul of Sheffield]

I've hooked and landed a 3lb ish carp on my mach 2 wand - I was fishing single maggot with a maggot feeder, played and landed the carp no hassle, but put a good bend in it

 

[sam vimes]

So what do you all reckon is the lightest, thinnest diameter, most sensitive. most fun wand available today???

I don't know about the fun bit but the Shimano Speedmaster Winkle Picker is the skinniest most sensitive light tip rod I've ever seen. So light and tiny that I couldn't see much use for one as I've got no canals to go at. Might suit your needs though. They do cheaper Nexave and Vengeance models but they aren't quite so skinny.

 

[xenon]

have owned and used both the original sigma wand and the Mach 2-definitely go for the Mach 2 which will do all the old sigma could but so much more besides-have landed double figure barbel on the Mach 2 (pretty alarming bend, but coped amazingly well)

 

[rs2scooby]

Been looking for a wand and couldn't decide which one, I think it's a visit to local tackle shop and have a look at the Mach 2

 

[theoriginalpikeflyco]

Lots of good info here chaps...cheers!

Im going to have a good browse tonight again.

Looks like a lot of you rate the Mach 2 highly. But if it has a bit of 'backbone' as kindly mentioned by S-Kippy...is it light enough to give maximum pleasure from very small Roach which are my main target?

So frustrating...I have phoned every tackle shop within 100 miles of me & none of them stock any wands/bombs or light feeders...they all seem to stock the same 'cheaper' models from the same brands (obviously the most popular). And they really dont seem to stock many quality rods anymore...not even the higher end Shakey rods! But it means every time I want to buy a 'decent' item, I have to make my choices based on reviews & what I can suss online. (I'm always on a budget yet I still think shakey are affordable enough for anyone wanting quality & value).

So your knowledge & opinions are invaluable to me...minimises by risk of buying a 'lemon' due to not being able to physically view much of the tackle I buy.

 

[chav professor]

It's funny you mentioned the Winkle picker!

I have a DAM winkle picker bought brand new from a tackle shop 2 years ago for £20!!!! it was part of some old stock being shifted due to iminent closure of a tackle shop due to retirement!

It is a lovely rod!

 

[S-Kippy]

All things are relative. By backbone I meant it would not faint if asked to lob a feeder a few yards...nor would it be hopelessly bossed by a decent sized fish. Far more versatile IMO than an out and out winkling rod which could be totally out of its depth faced by either of the above. I still think it is as good a light lead rod as can be found for that price...and almost as good as others costing twice or three times as much.

The sort of fishing I do now means I have very little need for a rod like this....but the moment I picked one up I knew I had to have one.

Trust me...its no lemon. Whether it is exactly what you're looking for I cannot say but I am a notoriously fussy devil when it comes to rods,a dreadful tackle tart and I simply cannot fault it.

 

[theoriginalpikeflyco]

S-Kippy...thats about as solid a recommendation as anyone could ask for & I appreciate your feedback big time!

---------- Post added at 12:01 ---------- Previous post was at 11:58 ----------

It's funny you mentioned the Winkle picker!

I have a DAM winkle picker bought brand new from a tackle shop 2 years ago for £20!!!! it was part of some old stock being shifted due to iminent closure of a tackle shop due to retirement!

It is a lovely rod!

My friend has offered me one...hes looking £40???

Its 8 ft, grey blank, cork handle with sliding rings & reads Dam Winkle Picker. He lives about 200 miles away so just sent me the photos but no idea what its like & cant find much info online. I imagine its got some age to it.

 

[sam vimes]

cant find much info online. I imagine its got some age to it.

You aren't likely to find much info on it as the original version is close to, if not over, twenty years old.

 

[theoriginalpikeflyco]

Ahhh!!! Maybe not just as light in the hand as the carbon wands now then!