Fred's Rod

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Fred Bonney

Guest
I have a Bruce & Walker MK1V 10ft compound taper carp rod that I bought probably in the mid 70's.It's hardly used, because I never really got into Carp fishing.
As i've got older and with more time I tend to have days where I pick a single species and fish for that.It's time for Carp.
Can any of you old boys out there, tell me if this rod is up to standard, or should I get myself something more modern ,to go with my 5010.
 
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Rob Brownfield

Guest
Fred...I still use split cane carp rods for fish to over twenty pounds!! :)

The rod you describe i would have no hesitation in using for floater fishing or stalking close in. Using a float with that rod would be a pleasure...a pleasure many carpers now miss out on.

I would rather walk round to the other side of the lake and quietly fish under my rod tip than lob 4 ounces of lead across the lake to the same spot :)

But..if you are fishing at distance with modern, heavy rigs, then forget it :)
 
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Fred Bonney

Guest
Thanks Rob,sounds ideal for my style of fishing then.Perhaps I should forget the 5010 and christen my retirement present,a JW Youngs,John Wilson Heritage?
 
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Rob Brownfield

Guest
Fred, I actually have one of those centre pins. Wonderful reel. I bought it for ?100 secondhand and it was virtually unused :) Still with the certificate and wooden box.

I team it up with a Sharpes "The Carp" 10 foot split cane carp rod...or...if i know the carp grow big, I swap the cane for a modern stalking rod (Kevin Nash Stalker+)

The other reel I use is a Mitchell 300 from about 1963...many people laugh when they see the gear...but sod them :) I really enjoy stalking big carp from under the rod tips of the guys horizon bashing..hehe.

Horses for courses though...
 
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Rob Brownfield

Guest
Yip! I am suprised you have not had more comments from other anglers about this rod. I was expecting the usual "use it as a bean pole" etc...but I was wrong..hehe

They make great rods for rolling meat for Barbel and chub, and also big tench.
 
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Ron Clay

Guest
I bought two of these rods in 1975 and took them back to South Africa. I caught all manner of fish using them including carp and catfish over 40 lbs.

The original Mk IV length and test curve in modern materials would make a superb all round big fish rod today. They are capable of exerting maximum pressure on a big fish. And are far more effective in playing big carp, barbel, pike etch than the vast majority of modern carp rods which are only designed to be casting tools, not fish playing rods.

I wish I could find such a rod today, say 101/2 feet long. What a marvellous chub and barbel rod it would make.
 
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Rob Brownfield

Guest
Ron..i know of the very rod..made by Hardys. Its the 10 foot Fibatube N0. 2 or no.1 salmon spinning rod. Based on the mark IV, but made of good quality fibreglass. I believe you can pick them up very cheap just now.

I still say that carbon is too stiff for close in work...fibreglass being much better at absorbing lunges etc.
 
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Ron Clay

Guest
I know what your're getting at Rob, but really it shouldn't be difficult for a manufacturer to design and make a good through actioned carbon rod. Your statement that carbon rods are too stiff is not really relevant. Stiffness is a function of the material (modulus of elasticity) and cross sectional dimensions. If the wall thickness of the material remains constant, an increase in OD and ID will increase stiffness. If the rod is too stiff, all you need to do is reduce the od and id.

Carbon has a much high modulus of elasticity than glass so for the same stiffness the od and id will be much less.

A good rod designer should be able to get it right.

I really don't know how some carp anglers manage to land big carp on those broomsticks that they use.
 
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Fred Bonney

Guest
Rob,I have to say I thought you were trying to be mischievous,but nobody took the bait.
The biggest fish i've caught on the rod was an accidental 14 1/2 river common,I was after Barbel and thought it suited the style of fishing for the Gt.Ouse lumps.It handled the Carp far too easily for sport,so I have reverted to my 1.25 rod whilst after the elusive barbel
 
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Steve Burke

Guest
Ron, I did such rods in carbon early on at Caliber. We dropped these Classics as they were called because of very low demand. In fact they were more popular on the Continent for zander than anything else.
 
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Rob Brownfield

Guest
Ron, soory...the "too stiff" bit was badly put. I know what u mean.
I have a Kevin Nash stalker rod, made by Daiwa from carbon and Amourphous braid. I would say that this rod is perhaps the most perfect rod I own. It is 1.5 lb test curve and will lob 2 oz 100 yards (measured) or free line under the tip. I have used it with 6-15 pound line, 30 pound braid, I have float fished for Tench, bream and carp, ledgered for the same plus chub and barbel, caught 20 pound pike and carp on it..etc etc. The best thing about it is you can look up solid to control a big fish, but it still "gives". Hard to discribe until u have tried it.

Steve, I dont suppose u can lay you hands on a blank? :)
 
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Craig w

Guest
Rob, are the Nash Stalkers only 1.5lb test curve? I own a set of 3 Stalkers for fishing smaller waters (lots of them where i come from in Devon)which i dont need my 13ft pursuits for. I also agree with you about them they are a very good rod with the ability to hoof a big PVA bag a good distance without any trouble, i have mine loaded with Fox gravitron braid to 18lb bs.
I use them for Carp, float fishing for tench/bream and i also use them for Pike, both for the dead baits and i use them for chucking lures about as well.
A very good all round rods for under 100 quid.
 
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Rob Brownfield

Guest
I am talking about the original Kevin Nash Amourphous Stalker + from Daiwa. They were about ?225 to buy and have a great reel seat where the reel sits on the blank itself.

i think you must be talking about his own newer range..the Hooliguns. I think they are 1 3/4 test curve :)

The originals, although 1.5 tc, are soooooo strong. And I love the properly spaced rings...none of this 50mm butt crap :)
 
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Craig w

Guest
Ah im with you rob.....

The Stalkers i have are not the Hooliguns, they are the Pursuit Horizon stalker sticks but they are not the original pursuits you are talking about, I got them 2 years ago and they are a fantastic short rod as i said before and not at all stiff like a broom handle, very good control under the tip.
But...im am lucky enough to own 2 of the original Nash pursuit rods which you are talking about (13ft custom built not stalkers) which i bought from an Auction on EBAY for ?145.00 the pair about 1 & half years ago!! A real Bargain!!
I am not able to find a third to make up the set but do have a 13ft (Mark 2) Pursuit Horizon which is very close to the quality of the originals with almost as good an action.
One of the regulars where i fish has Hooliguns and they are OK but not as light, thin or flexible as the Horizons, hence the budget price tag and dont expect to cast a weight realy far with Hooliguns.
 
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Steve Burke

Guest
Rob, I can't get any more of those particular blanks but can possibly source something with a similar action. Do you have any preference for length and test curve?
 
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Paul Thompson

Guest
Fred,
I thought you'd put this thread in the wrong place, strange place to find you mate..
Are you going on about that old bamboo shoot you were using at Tyringham? I think we've got one of those holding up the runner beans!!LOL
 
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Fred Bonney

Guest
Paul,it hasn't still got the screw in butt end on it,has it? I've lost mine!
I'll swop you for some old bamboo.
 
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Tony O'dell

Guest
Fred, what Avon rod are you currently using?. I replaced mine with a pair of the fox barbel rods this season ( 12ft 1 3/4 test), and have ended up using them for the majority of my carping!!. Might be worth a look as they might suit you for your barbel fishing as well.
Best regards
Tony
 
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Fred Bonney

Guest
Tony, it's a Leeda Specialist 12'1 1/4 test,I looked at the Fox at the same time,but my other recent two rods have been Leeda and they have served me pretty well, in fact I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them.
 
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