mikench
Well-known member
We know about Normarks and Daiwa Amorphous rods but what rod should any current angler have from this era which will compare favourably with modern rods, which can still be found and which are sensibly priced!
Rods from 1990 to 2010
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barbelboi
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'Normarks' is a bit vague considering the number different blanks produced from the Diamaru factory in Japan before the Masterline days. I'll set the ball rolling declaring the 2000 series the best of the lot. Now I'll wait for Ian (tigger) to disagree.....
I have yet to find any rod(s) that compare with the original rods by Carbotec, which were (and still are) excellent rods.
Yes, they were expensive, but the difference was obvious the moment you picked one up let alone used one on the banks . . . .
The Tri-cast John Allerton rods were another excellent rod specifically designed for stick float fishing and mine still gets an airing as do my Tommy Pickering stick float rods from Diawa.
As for Normark, I have a pair of (pre-Masterline era) Bob James River Twin Avon rods that are an absolute joy to use. No other avon style rod comes close in my opinion.
Yes, they were expensive, but the difference was obvious the moment you picked one up let alone used one on the banks . . . .
The Tri-cast John Allerton rods were another excellent rod specifically designed for stick float fishing and mine still gets an airing as do my Tommy Pickering stick float rods from Diawa.
As for Normark, I have a pair of (pre-Masterline era) Bob James River Twin Avon rods that are an absolute joy to use. No other avon style rod comes close in my opinion.
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'Normarks' is a bit vague considering the number different blanks produced from the Diamaru factory in Japan before the Masterline days. I'll set the ball rolling declaring the 2000 series the best of the lot. Now I'll wait for Ian (tigger) to disagree.....
I don't disagree bb, I can understand why you like the 2000's so much, they're fantastic rods!
I had them and when I aquired some MKII's I sold the 2000's as I just liked the MKII's that bit better, they're just a bit slimmer and lighter and have larger stand off guides and those subtle differences swayed me to keep the MKII versions.....should have kept the bloody lot of em LOL.
The Triple X were very nice rods, I had 13' hollow and spliced tips, but I thought they were more 80s than 90s?
Mark Wintle
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Normark 3000 range - very rare.
Team Daiwa X, Daiwa Tournament and Daiwa Connoisseur.
Still kicking myself for not buying a Carbotec No. 1 with extra soft tip (two different tips) (got a No. 2) and as for the 17ft Carbotec No. 1....
Team Daiwa X, Daiwa Tournament and Daiwa Connoisseur.
Still kicking myself for not buying a Carbotec No. 1 with extra soft tip (two different tips) (got a No. 2) and as for the 17ft Carbotec No. 1....
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My m8 still has a 13 to 15ft 3000 avenger, it is a nice rod but I didn't like the screw down seat on them, it was similar to the ones on the daiwa tournament rods.
The rods themselves are great but if i'm honest they're virtually exactly the same as the 2000's appart from colour and real seat.
The 1000 rods where pretty much the same blanks but just a different colour and they had cheaper guides and silver cups oon the fuji reel seat. The gold cups on the 2000 rods soon wore of leaving silver cups anyhow.
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rods (and poles) that I have and either would be happy or still use:
DAM quickstick 12ft - early 80s rod but still quality action
Tri-cast aristocrat (spliced or hollow) from the late 80s
"Image" Canal rod - also built by Leslies and Alan Brown's tackle shops ... the lightest float action rod I own. Pretty sure that it's a conoflex loch style blank - mine is is the 12ft version.
Daiwa Whisker Kevlar 11/13 heavy quiver also from late 80s ..... the original 11/13 from that stable and a brilliant all rounder. They are still my go-to river rod
shaky 7m superteam whip from the late 80s. One of the very first "system whips"
daiwa connoisseur 14m pole from the early 90s - I used one for 15 years and regret giving it away - much slimmer than most modern poles. Used a browning extension that took it over 15m (stated length)
Daiwa Amorphous Stillwater 11/13 - great bream & skimmer rod.
Daiwa Tournament and Spectron poles. Both must have been available over 15 years now and still brilliant to use.
DAM quickstick 12ft - early 80s rod but still quality action
Tri-cast aristocrat (spliced or hollow) from the late 80s
"Image" Canal rod - also built by Leslies and Alan Brown's tackle shops ... the lightest float action rod I own. Pretty sure that it's a conoflex loch style blank - mine is is the 12ft version.
Daiwa Whisker Kevlar 11/13 heavy quiver also from late 80s ..... the original 11/13 from that stable and a brilliant all rounder. They are still my go-to river rod
shaky 7m superteam whip from the late 80s. One of the very first "system whips"
daiwa connoisseur 14m pole from the early 90s - I used one for 15 years and regret giving it away - much slimmer than most modern poles. Used a browning extension that took it over 15m (stated length)
Daiwa Amorphous Stillwater 11/13 - great bream & skimmer rod.
Daiwa Tournament and Spectron poles. Both must have been available over 15 years now and still brilliant to use.
I'd turn your question the other way round, Mike. What modern rods can compare with the best of the 90's creations? Since I only catch carp accidentally, I don't see anything ( I just don't like the much-admired Acolytes) that makes me want to replace my Shimano's, Daiwa's and Tri-cast's from the 90's. From the more wall-to-wall carp period circa 2003, I do like the Carbonactive Asaki 15's - I've got 2 - for bigger stuff with a pin.
I've been hoarding a mint Shimano XXX 12' for years which is so beautiful and pristine I can't bring myself to get it dirty. How sad is that?
I had a couple of Normark Titans which I sold when feeling pushed for cash. I do regret this. Did you ever see the underground magazine The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers? They had a motto: Dope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no dope. I should have seen the Normarks from this angle.
Sorry tigger the 1000 and 2000 rods were totally different,the 1000's were a bigger diameter at the but and softer in action,I would have bought an avenger 1000 else...
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I'm a fan of the originnal drennan im8 and im9 range of rods. I sold a 13 and 14ft im9 a couple of years back and regret that. I also sold a im8 super waggler and regret that also. A m8 of mine pestered me for the im8 super feeder so much I crumbled and gave it to him for a prezzie, he's a great friend so i'm happy with that.
The only one I have left is a im8 specimen float rod which is my favourite out of them all, only downside for me is the length of the cork handle. Although, after saying that it's a downside, to many it won't be as it has sliding band reel holders and so you can position the reel where ever you choose to so realistically you can have whatever length handle you like.
The rod itself is super slim with fuji treble leg guides throughout and is perfect for trotting. I've caught lots of barbel and chub amongst many other species whilst using mine.
The only one I have left is a im8 specimen float rod which is my favourite out of them all, only downside for me is the length of the cork handle. Although, after saying that it's a downside, to many it won't be as it has sliding band reel holders and so you can position the reel where ever you choose to so realistically you can have whatever length handle you like.
The rod itself is super slim with fuji treble leg guides throughout and is perfect for trotting. I've caught lots of barbel and chub amongst many other species whilst using mine.
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I didn't notice any difference at all wheni've handled and used them?
I have used a few also.
Personally I feel that rods got better and better untill about 2006, then unfortunately I don't think improvements continued.
I've been a major Daiwa rod fan since the dark handled Amorphous whisker from the mid 90s, it had adjustments on the back so you could get your reel perfectly balanced, also I believe it was the first one to have the tournament handle.
I sill the the 1999 team Diawa x for stick float and waggler fishing, personally I Dont think a better rod exists. Regarding modern rods now, personally I'd rather look for an older model on ebay, they simply are not as good IMHO
I've been a major Daiwa rod fan since the dark handled Amorphous whisker from the mid 90s, it had adjustments on the back so you could get your reel perfectly balanced, also I believe it was the first one to have the tournament handle.
I sill the the 1999 team Diawa x for stick float and waggler fishing, personally I Dont think a better rod exists. Regarding modern rods now, personally I'd rather look for an older model on ebay, they simply are not as good IMHO
Mark Wintle
Well-known member
I was using the Team Daiwa X today, pulling out carp to 4lbs on a barbless 22 and .10mm line; it really is some rod.
The Normark 3000s I handled had identical handles to the 2000 which is what's shown in the 1999 catalogue.
The Normark 3000s I handled had identical handles to the 2000 which is what's shown in the 1999 catalogue.
sam vimes
Well-known member
"Daiwa Amorphous" covers a few decidedly different rods as it's only a partial name. Some are good, others are better, but not all are genuinely excellent. If you are in the market for old Daiwa rods, it's best to be absolutely sure of what you're after. Due to convoluted names, and the Daiwa issue with faded/fading graphics, it's better to go by model numbers or in depth product knowledge.
It's a similar story with Normark rods. Just because a rod has Normark on it doesn't make it good. I've heard more than the odd negative comment about the "mk 2" Avengers/Titans/Microlites. However, I've also seen a few Normark fans that have no idea that there are two vastly different mk2 versions. I've no interest in the later version, but I'd not swap the earlier mk2s for the 2000 versions, especially at the price differential and the notoriety of the fragile tips.
As for more modern rods, there are some belts out there. Whether an individual is prepared to pay for them is another matter. Whether an individual likes a particular rod is a matter of taste. I really don't get on with the much vaunted Tri-Cast John Allerton. However, I really do like the, only real alternative, Browning Sphere Spliced Tip River. Between the Brownings, Normarks and Drennan Acolytes, I'm covered for 95% of my float fishing.
As much as I'd happily try a Normark 2000 or a Carbotec, I doubt I'll ever be happy paying eye watering prices for second hand rods. If I genuinely believe that something might better the rods I already have, you can be quite sure that I'll give them a whirl.
There are quite a few well thought of rods that I just don't get the fuss over. Some are just that bit too expensive for what they offer. Some I just don't think are very good at all. No doubt others will feel the same about my choices. However, I do have a nasty habit of spending my own brass to find out for myself.
It's a similar story with Normark rods. Just because a rod has Normark on it doesn't make it good. I've heard more than the odd negative comment about the "mk 2" Avengers/Titans/Microlites. However, I've also seen a few Normark fans that have no idea that there are two vastly different mk2 versions. I've no interest in the later version, but I'd not swap the earlier mk2s for the 2000 versions, especially at the price differential and the notoriety of the fragile tips.
As for more modern rods, there are some belts out there. Whether an individual is prepared to pay for them is another matter. Whether an individual likes a particular rod is a matter of taste. I really don't get on with the much vaunted Tri-Cast John Allerton. However, I really do like the, only real alternative, Browning Sphere Spliced Tip River. Between the Brownings, Normarks and Drennan Acolytes, I'm covered for 95% of my float fishing.
As much as I'd happily try a Normark 2000 or a Carbotec, I doubt I'll ever be happy paying eye watering prices for second hand rods. If I genuinely believe that something might better the rods I already have, you can be quite sure that I'll give them a whirl.
There are quite a few well thought of rods that I just don't get the fuss over. Some are just that bit too expensive for what they offer. Some I just don't think are very good at all. No doubt others will feel the same about my choices. However, I do have a nasty habit of spending my own brass to find out for myself.
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Commercials arn't my thing, too much like fishing for pet goldfish in a garden pond.
They most likely had various ones on them but most of the 3000 range had a similar screw down real seat (in operation) to the daiwa tournament rods....as in the whole of top peice screwed down over the reel foot rather than the top peice on the 2000's screwing down and pushing a cap or cover down onto the reel foot as with most fuji seats.
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