Reel needed for Hardy Marksman 3 piece 14ft Specialist float rod

chrissh · Mar 23, 2018

Having just acquired Hardy Marksman 3 piece 14ft Specialist float rod. I am looking for a reel to match this rod something to balance it out nicely.

I have a centre pin which I will use on the rod but looking for a match reel to use as well

The main use for the rod will be trotting for grayling … plus roach, ide, chub on a waggler on ponds and rivers

The spec on the rod is
Reel line: 2 ½ to 8lb
Hook length: 1 ½ to 6lb
Cast weight: 1g to 15g

i have been looking at the shimano aero macth but the smallest size is 4000. i dont want to make the rod to hevy or unbalanced

Recommendation of a reel size 2500-3000-4000
thanks

peter crabtree · Mar 23, 2018

Before I lost my 14' marksman I used a 2500 size reel.

S-Kippy · Mar 23, 2018

peter crabtree said:
Before I lost my 14' marksman I used a 2500 size reel.

Yep....I'd agree with Simon. A 2500 or 3000 would be cock on. I like Daiwa as everybody knows and use a Ninja 3000 on my 13' Hardy. TBH I think a Hardy deserves something a little classier but its a decent little reel albeit with a stupid name. Front drag is a must imo.

mikench · Mar 23, 2018

An Abu 506 or 507! Has this forum been down as I couldn't connect since Monday!

sam vimes · Mar 23, 2018

Don't buy blind based on nothing more than an arbitrary number. There are 4000 reels out there that are lighter than some 2500s.

binka · Mar 23, 2018

As has already been alluded to it's surprising what will balance, considering the variations from one manufacturer to another.

I have the Ultralite Bomb Rod which, at 10', is a snip of a thing yet it balances perfectly with a Daiwa 3500 baitrunner!

I think you've got to get a basic idea of what you want in your head and then take the rod along to somewhere that has a decent selection, the former Climax springs to mind being just down the road from you Chris.

sam vimes · Mar 23, 2018

binka said:
As has already been alluded to it's surprising what will balance, considering the variations from one manufacturer to another.

My post above was initially several hundred words longer. It revolved around the suggestion that some reels are actually too light for some rods. That tends to be particularly the case as you increase the length of the rod. In many instances, a reels that's too light can be almost as bad as a reel that's unnecessarily heavy. I've yet to encounter a single unmodified rod that didn't balance at least one or two inches above the handle. Many balance quite a bit further up the blank. I have encountered rods that have been inexpertly modified to balance at the reel seat or even lower down. In use they feel absolutely horrendous. Tip control and tip recovery go out of the window completely. At least a bit of forward weight bias is a good thing. The idea that perfect balance means a rod's balance point should be at the reel seat is a complete myth.

binka · Mar 23, 2018

I don't ever recall having a rod and reel combination which balanced at the reel seat.

A couple of inches above the handle is my ideal, i'll go an inch or two extra but beyond that it's a no goer.

mikench · Mar 23, 2018

A great rod Chris and the excuse to buy a new reel! What more can you ask? Mind you I reckon either of your Shimano GT reels will suit!

binka · Mar 23, 2018

This is a bit of an aside but does anyone else think that Hardy missed a trick by not marketing a fixed spool reel with their big return to (and now abandoned) coarse fishing a few years ago?

Wasn't this the company that supposedly patented the fixed spool reel?

Let's face it I would have a small arsenal of them for a start...

tigger · Mar 23, 2018

sam vimes said:
My post above was initially several hundred words longer. It revolved around the suggestion that some reels are actually too light for some rods. That tends to be particularly the case as you increase the length of the rod. In many instances, a reels that's too light can be almost as bad as a reel that's unnecessarily heavy. I've yet to encounter a single unmodified rod that didn't balance at least one or two inches above the handle. Many balance quite a bit further up the blank. I have encountered rods that have been inexpertly modified to balance at the reel seat or even lower down. In use they feel absolutely horrendous. Tip control and tip recovery go out of the window completely. At least a bit of forward weight bias is a good thing. The idea that perfect balance means a rod's balance point should be at the reel seat is a complete myth.

Yeaph, imo the balance spot should be several or more inches above the reel seat. As you say a rod balanced to close to the reel doesn't feel good at all....not for me anyhow.
I don't think balance is of much if any real importance unless your using a rod for trotting or holding in in your hand for long periods.

tigger · Mar 23, 2018

Regarding a reel for the rod, there's loads that would be idealy suited.
I like the stradics and a 2500, 300 or 400 would be great. I'd go 2500 or 300 myself.
I got a TDR reel in 2500 and 300 sizes a while back and as with the stradics either would suit. You might find one of the main things you need to look out for when choosing a fixed spool for trotting is finding a reel that you can comfortably reach and trap line on the spool with your finger/fingers.

mikench · Mar 23, 2018

Agreed Steve! I have a Conquest and a Lttle Gem fly reel which are the closest I'll get!

ben10 · Mar 23, 2018

I have the exage which I think for the price are a cracking reel. Really smooth and feel really well built. I have the 3000fd and 3000rc and these are starting to get a little on the light side on my conny g at 13ft but perfect at 12ft. As your hardy is a 14ft, albeit a float rod and not a feeder rod, I'd maybe suggest the 4000fd exage? I haven't personally handled it but I do have the 4000rc. Being rear drag it's a bit bulky in a 4000 size. The 3000fd being front drag is really quite compact so I assume the trend would follow with the 4000. Stradics are also really nice reels but for the price difference I don't feel like I've missed out using exages instead! A good 3012 daiwa reel would most probably balance nicely too.

chrissh · Mar 24, 2018

I went down to my local tackle shop and tried a few reel on the rod and matched the rod up with a shimano aero match 4000fa the selling point of this reel was its very smooth and has a good clutch, and has spool reducers, the spool can be reach so you can use your finger as a brake and it’s no bigger or heavier than a some of the 2500 size reels

The only thing i do not like is the double handle. I have ordered a single handle.

http://[url=https://postimg.org/image/4nhswfzit/]

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S-Kippy · Mar 24, 2018

Good man....not just me then. You are hereby awarded lifetime membership of the " I hate double handles" club of which I am founder and President for Life.

john r stockburn · Mar 24, 2018

S-Kippy said:
Good man....not just me then. You are hereby awarded lifetime membership of the " I hate double handles" club of which I am founder and President for Life.

oh dear this thread could turn around ; I like double handles

tigger · Mar 24, 2018

john r stockburn said:
oh dear this thread could turn around ; I like double handles

Me too

.

Keith M · Mar 24, 2018

john r stockburn said:
oh dear this thread could turn around ; I like double handles

Me too

.

Although I think I prefer a single handled front drag reel if I’m using really fine lines and light wagglers for silvers.

Keith

binka · Mar 24, 2018

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Reel needed for Hardy Marksman 3 piece 14ft Specialist float rod

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