Normark Black Medallion!

I'm after a bit more info on the above rod. I got a 10ft Black Medallion from the bay a few months ago for the huge sum of £6, I've taken it with me a couple of times now and even had a 4lb chub on it which put a lovely bend in it as you would expect for a glass rod. Now, on the rod it only states the make and model but no more specific details or intended uses so has anyone got or had one of these who knows what they were originally for?

Cheers. Tight lines

I believe that Normark black medallion rods were part of a budget series that includes silver and gold with black being the ‘entry’ and so on in order of quality. Don’t expect it to be anything like team Normark match and the later 1000/2000 series, etc. which can fetch ‘big money’ today.

Didn't think it would be much of a money maker as it definitely feels like an average 80's ish rod. Just wondered which type of fishing it was intended for as it looks a bit like a carp rod in design with its split duplon grips.

I don't think I can help any more on this one although I believe they did a match, carp and quiver (and I think you'd know if it was the quiver) - hopefully someone else can shed more light..

barbelboi said:

I don't think I can help any more on this one although I believe they did a match, carp and quiver (and I think you'd know if it was the quiver) - hopefully someone else can shed more light..

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A quick look on ebay reveals Black Medallion fly rods, carp rods, boat rods, match rods, quiver rods, spinning rods, beachcasters and even a whip.

Normark black | eBay

Apart from the match rods its still not clear what they are for. One of the 10ft rods is described as a beachcaster and as a beach fisherman I know that you'd struggle to cast anything from the beach with a 10ft rod so not sure about that one.
Anyone still using a Normark?

This series of posts seemed to ring a bell - did a quick check and found a similar discussion on Normark Black Medallion rods on the M*****Dangler forum a few months ago - similar scenario - bought one on FleaBay - what have I bought - is it any good - did I get a bargain - etc?
I think he paid more than you - perhaps he couldn't find out what he'd got and dumped it back again?
Some of the members from this forum contributed to the discussion on the other forum and may be able to give you further input.
Tight Lines.

porphyrios said:

Apart from the match rods its still not clear what they are for. One of the 10ft rods is described as a beachcaster and as a beach fisherman I know that you'd struggle to cast anything from the beach with a 10ft rod so not sure about that one.
Anyone still using a Normark?

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Yes, many of the pre Masterline rods made by the Japanese Dimaru factory during the 90's are exceptionally good rods and IMO up with the best of today's rods. I have a late 90's Titan 2000 match and Microlite that I use regularly out of preference and wouldn't want to part with them..

barbelboi said:

I believe that Normark black medallion rods were part of a budget series that includes silver and gold with black being the ‘entry’ and so on in order of quality. Don’t expect it to be anything like team Normark match and the later 1000/2000 series, etc. which can fetch ‘big money’ today.

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I think you're right, Jerry. I remember buying a Normark BM from John at HT when he was in the little shop round the corner. As I recall that was either 10 or 11 foot,full duplon handle and marketed as a "leger" rod. Very soft actioned and not terribly powerful but I had a few good barbel from the Kennet on it. It wasn't great quality but it wasn't a lot of money either.

Normark did a much better "budget" range later on. Something "Max" on a blue blank. They were very respectable rods.

You've got me thinking now Skip, I believe they also did a 'Vantage' in the early 90's that wasn't an all bad spliced tip trotting rod. The '2000' technology advancement by Normark in the late 90's, where for the first time hollow carbon was formed to such a low diameter, made the spliced tip obsolite.

PS Memories, the little shop round the corner.......................

barbelboi said:

PS Memories, the little shop round the corner.......................

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Yes...it was tiny and I'm not sure anybody really thought he'd make a go of it.

I lusted after a Normark "Fast Feeder" in those days. Never did get one.

Ive got an original and I mean ORIGINAL Normark float rod.
This rod doesn't have a name just a number plus a few letters on the butt section.
It also has a full cork handle with sliding alloy reel fittings and metal bands around the ends of female joints.

This rod is absolutely superb, very light, strong enough for big Chub and small wildie Carp and in every way the prefect 12 footer!
I just wish Id brought the 13 footer instead mg:

It cost me £63 direct from Normark in the late '70's.

And yes I would love to pick up an original Normark quiver, the one with the spare tips in the butt, anyone wish to sell theirs ?

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I have a few original early Normark carbon rods all with full length cork handles and sliding reel fittings - as they are still my favourite option (i know that is a minority view). Pride of place is my original 12ft Normark carbon match rod from the early 80s, trouble is theres no markings on it. I dont think it was the "Norboron" ( I did find out what blank it was a while back but have forgotten now). Reading Mick B's post above - that sounds the same as mine. Bearing in mind i used little else (except for legering) for about 15 years that rod became an extension of my arm. It still makes an excellent "waggler rod" and great for mainlines to about 4Ib.

I also recently got an early Normark microlite and titan, of which the titan is an excellent tip-actioned stick float rod with some backbone for chub etc. However, my favourites are my pair of Normark 11ft "Specialist" rods (mid-late 1980s SCD series). I re-ringed one of them to match the other. I guess they have 1.25Ib Test curves and an "Avon style" action and i use them for tench, chub or bream - not quite enough power for barbel or even larger chub in fast water or for tench in weedy swims. As for carp, they would be quite unsuitable but I rarely fish them.

Just remembered, re the 12ft Normark Float rod with metal rings at spigot ends, the Norboron (composite glass/graphite) had these with a gold look, (this could be your rod Mick B?), while mine are more gun-metal silver version of 1980s (first fully carbon Normark rod series?)

I think the rod Mick is on about is the NMB series. If it is then its a grey blank with black whipping tipped red and the re-inforcing metal bands at the spigot. The numbers indicated the length ie an NMB-144 would be 12 ft [144 ins]. I had one of these...it was actually my very first carbon rod and a massive step up from the glass ABU Mk 7 I was using.

Lovely rod...still got it. Can't remember when I bought it but it was a very long time ago.

Chub - Skip,
Yes your right my rod has NMB 144 3S on the butt section however the black whippings are just plain black without any red end detail, the blank is light grey carbon with spigot joints.

I remember this rod very fondly as (like you Skip) it was my first carbon rod, and it was on the recommendation of a wonderful angler I met on the bank who has now passed away.

In the early '80's I managed to crush the mid section with a livebait bucket and well remember being charge +£50 for a replacement.

I still use mine on the occasions when I fish a very small river, a wonderful rod indeed.

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