Chub/barbel rod

[bob gutts]

I'm looking for an 11 foot chub/barbel rod with either a quiver top (without those silly tiny rings that impede casting) or relatively fine hollow tip.

I want a fastish action, rather than traditional "Avon" type.

Most companies seem obsessed with 12 foot rods and option for 11 foot seem limited.

Any recommendations?

 

[Ron Troversial Clay]

Look no further than the Fishing Magic Concept, which was designed by Graham, Steve Harrison, myself and many other members of this website. There is a review under specialist rods. It's only ?99.00 and it's made in England by Harrisons of Liverpool.

 

[Newfie's Drool]

Dare I say it but Bruce and Walker Hexagraph No1 Avon it you have the dosh. I love mine to bits and has the best cork handle I have ever seen. Its not meant for large fish like barbel in snaggy swims but for chubbing it great. Looks like a cane and has a simular action but very strong.Oh and like the Harrison its British.
Dont forget to add another ?250 on top of the fish magic rod if you want one.

 

[John Hepworth]

But why do they put those horrible aluminium reel fittings on such an otherwise excellent rod. A friend of mine put some black shrink tube on, looks at lot better and also warmer in the winter months.

 

[Newfie's Drool]

They fit the ally reel fittings on as they would have going back all those years ( I have an original avon )because the rod is suppose to look like the original avon.They do offer custom build but to be honest I have no problem with them.

 

[John Hepworth]

They also used to fit solid rubber tyres to cars.

 

[Wolfman Woody]

The trouble with aluminum fittings is that they easily slide off carbon reel seats. They're better on brass seats which you tend to get on centre pins. I agree John, time they changed over and to something modern - disc brakes rather than drums etc.

I have a rod with old style fittings and I use a piece of bicycle inner-tube to cover the fittings. Still a nuisance though.

 

[john conway]

Stuart, you've lost me re: -
>Don't forget to add another ?250 on top of the fish magic rod if you want one.<
Why?

 

[Newfie's Drool]

I understand what your saying but I wanted the rod just as they were in the 60s( not that I can remember that far back ).Mind you I have not put it over the gas cooker to colour the blank like my father use to(not recommended on split cane)with his cane rods.
Its just a shame the rivers don't fish as they did in the 60s mind you I have had a good year on them so far.

 

[Newfie's Drool]

John the Hexagraph is around the ?350 pound mark thats ?250 more than the fish magic rod.

 

[Peter Jacobs]

John,

Maybe its because the B&W Hexagraph costs in the region of 350 pounds?
i.e. 250 pounds more than the FM Concept.

LOL

You could do a lot worse than the FM Concept rod, lovely pice of kit.

If your pocket will stretch to it, then maybe take a look at the Carbotec Multi Tip Feeder rod, but you have to get the 13' standard model plus the 11' butt section if you are fixed on an 11 foot rod.

 

[GrahamM]

<a href=http://www.fishingmagic.com/news/article.asp?SP=&v=1&UAN=2184>FISHINGmagic.com Concept Rod from Harrisons</a>

 

[Dave Slater]

Peter, ?350 for a rod !!! I think I would be inclined to look at the FM Concept rod at a more sensible price if I wanted a new rod. I was very impressed with the one Ron bought to the pub. As you say, lovely piece of kit. Sensible price too.

 

[Peter Jacobs]

Dave,

I was really impressed with the FM Concept when I got to handle the one that Ron had with him in Septmeber.

The quality of the blank, fittings and the price make the choice a "no brainer" in reality.
(not to mention the design features)

We have covered the price of rods on other threads, but you know me, a real tackle tart if ever there was one ;-)

I am still trying to convince myself that I don't need (want) the 17'6" Carbotech Trotting rod. We'll see if I win the argument or not in November.

 

[Ross Turner]

Whats wrong with the John Wilson Masterline Avon with a RRP of ?99 you cant beat it IMHO

 

[Ron Troversial Clay]

John,

There is most likely nothing wrong with this rod.

However we on FM are a bit baised I guess.

There is also something else to consider. The FM Concept rod is alost wholly a British built and concieved rod, with the exception of the guides and reel seat of course.

Because of this, when we buy one, we are keeping our currency within the country and maintaining local employment too.

I would love to see a larger thriving UK tackle industry again. I remember all too clearly the halcyon days of the great tackle manufacturers of Redditch.

Remeber such names as Pegley Davis, Youngs, Allcocks, Martin James and many others.

The vast majority of our rods and certainly nearly all our reels and hooks are made in the Far East these days.

 

[Ron Troversial Clay]

Sorry I should have said Ross.

 

[John Pleasance]

One problem with the FM concept rod in this particular context is that Bob said he wants a rod with a:-

"fastish action,rather than a traditional avon type"

I think the FM concept would have to be described as a through action rather than fastish.

 

[Ron Troversial Clay]

John,

The traditional Avon action rod wasn't just through action, it was darned weak and floppy.

In Peter Jacobs cottage just above Salisbury is an example of the traditional Avon rod. It is a Wallis Avon, 11 foot in 3 pieces with a whole cane butt and split cane middle and top sections. Feel such a rod and you will get an idea of what a traditional Avon rod was all about.

Compared to this the Concept is a revelation with a compound taper and a stiff butt. It could never be described as "floppy".

Most of the people who have criticised the Concept have obviously never handled one. There is this thing that the Concept can't cast. Well I have chucked a 3 oz lead right across to the other side of the Tidal Trent at Collingham with this rod.

Traditional Avons could never do this in a million years. A Traditional Avon has a test curve of 1 lbs - The Mk IV Avon was typical. The Concept has a TC of 1 1/2 lbs!!

The last thing you could ever say about the Concept is that it had a "traditional Avon action".

Cobblers!!

The action is absolutely spot on for barbel and chub fishing.

It will even tame a big fish in hook and hold situations.

It will even handle double figure fenland pike and cast a half mackerel 40 yards with no problem whatsoever.

You can't do all this with a "Traditional" Avon Rod !

 

[Andy Nellist]

These days I'm using a preston innovations carbonactive 12' feeder for light work or on small rivers and a harrison 1lb 4oz with a 3oz custom built spliced tip for heavier stuff. The carbonactive is great but the harrison is a harrison and a pleasure to use from the moment you pick it up )