Which specialist/barbel rod?

[Lazinko]

Hi fellas. Hope it's all well.

Need some tips about a rod with quiver and a alarm/float-section (it's important it got both...)

Now i've been looking at the Greys Prodigy Barbel which seems to be the ultimate rod for me, but at the same time i want to make sure that i don't miss any other rod that is better for the same price (up to ?100).

I already got a Drennan Super Specialist Duo 12' 1.5lb and i want a quite like rod.
Does the Greys Prodigy match it in quality, feeling e.tc.? Just heard good things about Greys Prodigy so far.

Is the Greys Prodigy Barbel "it"? what rod would you choose?

 

[Matt Brown]

The Greys Prodigy is a cracking rod. A mate of mine uses them (Adam Roberts - see http://www.dvsg.co.uk/adam-roberts.htm) The warranty is a great deal and they don't lock up in the same way that my Shimano Nexaves do.

I wouldn't say they are the ultimate though. I prefer the looks and build quality of Harrison, Peregrine and the Daiwa Infinity Barbel rods.

Secondly, and this is true of every twin tipped rod I looked at, the Avon style tops and slim butt sections are too much of a through action to enable you to hit bites on the float at anything other than short range. The rings are heavy (in comparison to match rod rings) and the line can stick to the blank in wet conditions. The balance will never be right either - because of the taper.

Longer term I'd consider buying a proper float rod - one that's designed sepcifically for the line strengths you wish to use.

 

[Evan]

The Fox Specialists are cracking good buys, both the ledger and the float. If only buying one then buy the ledger, as the non-quiver top can double as a good float rod.

On the other hand the float rod is a three piece which is a little more user friendly than a two piece for transport purposes !

If you could afford it or see one half price second hand the Fox Kevlar barbel is the ultimate - total of five or six different tops and ways of putting it together ! and incredibly light, responsive, everything..... couldn't afford it myself when it came out, but wish I had stretched to it !

Can't recommend Fox rods generally too highly. Warrior Carp XT beats the hell out of my Shimano Hyperloop... half the weight, beautifully balanced (the S seems very very tip heavy to me.... anyone else think so ?)

And v tempted by their new 12.5m Conspiracy pole as a way of cracking my pole virginity - hell of a lot of spec plus accessory package for not v much comparatively speaking.

 

[Bryan Baron 2]

Use the Greys myself lovely rods. If you plan to do a little more float fihing with one try the x-flite another ?70 but comes with 2 avon tops and yje quiver. A mate bought on and it is a lot stiffer with mor of a tip action than the prodigy.

 

[Dan Eriksson]

Ok, The X-Flite looks incredible. Is it any site where you from UK sell your used fishingrods? Maybe i could find one there.

 

[Phil Adams]

Fox Specialist 1lb tc if you want a lighter through action rod.

Having said that, its more than capable with big fish and makes a gorgeous floater rod, it just dosent stop bending! lol

It comes with a standard avon top plus a quiver top fitted with a 2.5oz (i think) carbon quiver.

I'm not a fan of heavy rods, so that would be and is, my choice.

 

[Evan]

That's two votes for the Fox Specialist then.... !

Checking out their site (look under new releases and scroll down, they don't have a "Specialist" section to their website anymore for some strange reason) I find that they have expanded the range and offer a number of multi top section rods which may suit your needs, depending on how strong a test curve you need.

The Avon Duo is a 1 lb tc, Barbel Duo XS at 1.75 lb tc and the Barbel Duo Floodwater at 2.5 - 2.75 lb tc.... Should be one of those to meet your needs somewhere along the spectrum I hope ! And all under the ton in price.

Tho the Kevlar Extreme Barbel remains the ultimate mix and match multipurpose rod with three tops and a combination of five supplied quiver tips, and it is now ?50 cheaper than it was when first released. Tho sadly still over your ?100 ceiling....

 

[Fred Bonney]

I have the Kevlar Barbel special,a great alround multi purpose rod.
4 years old now, I think, well worth the original outlay

 

[Geoff Cowen]

Dig deep and get the X-flite, well worth the extra!

 

[Steve Hayward]

Got the Fox Kevlar extreme barbel - surperb, never been much of a Fox fan but this is the mutt's

 

[Lewis Duffy]

ive had 2 shiamno nexave barbel rods adn they have been brilliant, especially on the ribble coped with a 9.5lb barbel well in the current. Definately recommended!