P
Phil Hackett
Guest
I’d been looking for a pair of rods between the standard Avon type 1 ? lb and the Harrison Graham Marsden Interceptor 12 ft 1 ? lb rods. Therefore in reality I was after a pair of rods of 1 ? TC.
The price range I wanted them in was between ?70 –100 each and preferably a length of 12 ft. I wasn’t that bothered whether they came with a quiver tip section or not, as I only ever fish with the Avon style top anyway.
I did a net search of what type of rod was available in the price range I was prepared to pay and found several that I liked. I then looked for shops within an hours drive of Manchester that stocked them.
Northwest Angling Centre Nr Wigan had two make in that I liked, so I drove over to view them in the flesh.
The Shimano Nexave Barbel Classic instantly struck me as the rod I liked, having a fastish taper with plenty of power in the mid to lower section. And they also came with two tops, Avon and a quiver. The price of the rod was even better, RRP price was ?89 99 NWAC were doing them for ?52 99……..Well at that price I couldn’t come away from the shop without them could I?
So what of the aesthetics of the rod then? Its ringed with a double-legged butt ring the rest being single legged. They are of a sensible size throughout not too big or small, so you get good line run through. Something you need when fishing the far bank on the Ribble, which can be in place 60-70 yds across.
The joints are the over fit type, with adequate whipping (1 ? inches appox) at the end of the female top section.
The handle is slim cork up to the screw reel fitting with a duplon 2 inch section, housing the nut to finish it off. The rod as you would expect from Shimano has a classy look to it.
On minus side, the reel fitting will not take my centrepin, as the foot is to long for it. This is not a problem for me, as the rods were bought purely for feeder and lead fishing.
For some the single legged rings might be a problem but again, for me they are not, as I prefer them.
The fact that the rod doesn’t come with a threaded ring for attaching a swing tip may again be a problem to some, but this can if you so wish be changed for about ?3.
Performance under real fishing conditions is very good: my first fish on these rods was a barbel of 6.5 lb from midway across the Ribble when it was carrying 18in of extra water last Sunday. This fish made a dash for the sunken trees on the far side and the rod stopped it and turned it without any problems at all.
This coming spring and summer I intend to give them a trial both tench and bream fishing on one of the waters I fish, as I think these rods have more to offer than just barbell fishing. I’ll keep you posted on this when the time comes, but until then they can catch me a few more barbel before the season ends on the rivers.
All in all I would recommend these rod at NWAC price to anyone in the market for a good pair of barbel rods
The price range I wanted them in was between ?70 –100 each and preferably a length of 12 ft. I wasn’t that bothered whether they came with a quiver tip section or not, as I only ever fish with the Avon style top anyway.
I did a net search of what type of rod was available in the price range I was prepared to pay and found several that I liked. I then looked for shops within an hours drive of Manchester that stocked them.
Northwest Angling Centre Nr Wigan had two make in that I liked, so I drove over to view them in the flesh.
The Shimano Nexave Barbel Classic instantly struck me as the rod I liked, having a fastish taper with plenty of power in the mid to lower section. And they also came with two tops, Avon and a quiver. The price of the rod was even better, RRP price was ?89 99 NWAC were doing them for ?52 99……..Well at that price I couldn’t come away from the shop without them could I?
So what of the aesthetics of the rod then? Its ringed with a double-legged butt ring the rest being single legged. They are of a sensible size throughout not too big or small, so you get good line run through. Something you need when fishing the far bank on the Ribble, which can be in place 60-70 yds across.
The joints are the over fit type, with adequate whipping (1 ? inches appox) at the end of the female top section.
The handle is slim cork up to the screw reel fitting with a duplon 2 inch section, housing the nut to finish it off. The rod as you would expect from Shimano has a classy look to it.
On minus side, the reel fitting will not take my centrepin, as the foot is to long for it. This is not a problem for me, as the rods were bought purely for feeder and lead fishing.
For some the single legged rings might be a problem but again, for me they are not, as I prefer them.
The fact that the rod doesn’t come with a threaded ring for attaching a swing tip may again be a problem to some, but this can if you so wish be changed for about ?3.
Performance under real fishing conditions is very good: my first fish on these rods was a barbel of 6.5 lb from midway across the Ribble when it was carrying 18in of extra water last Sunday. This fish made a dash for the sunken trees on the far side and the rod stopped it and turned it without any problems at all.
This coming spring and summer I intend to give them a trial both tench and bream fishing on one of the waters I fish, as I think these rods have more to offer than just barbell fishing. I’ll keep you posted on this when the time comes, but until then they can catch me a few more barbel before the season ends on the rivers.
All in all I would recommend these rod at NWAC price to anyone in the market for a good pair of barbel rods
