New style rings - huge improvement

[Peter Waller]

'Realtree body bags' are already marketed as shrouds (pre-named) for latterly disceased, revered mega carp.

[chesters1]

intrepid used similar on their rods ,he patented a plastic shrink tube type "whipping" for his rods ,when you broke one you simply pulled it out of the tube and sprung a new one into place ,i replaced a ring with an identical abu version.

trouble is they wear even ceramic liners are better and thats been about forever

Edited December 12, 2008 by chesters1

[Ken L]

I'd buy them Newt.

So would I . As said, for some applications like travel rods they'd be ideal but not being as smooth or as hard as SiC, they will reduce casting distance slightly and they will groove after some use.

Horses for courses I supose.

[jerry weijers]

These rings use i now for a think 2 years and they are great

Look at the site of these 2 rodbuilders for pic

 

http://www.cjw-hengels.nl/hengels.html

 

http://www.specimenrods.nl/

 

 

 

gr jerry

[Andy Macfarlane]

I still think (performance aside) they cheapen the look of some otherwise beautiful rods, that I'm sure would still perform just as well with some equally quality rings that would do a lot more for the aesthetics of the rod.

 

Just one thing, without being a metallurgist or a lab technician, how are you going to know if the rings on the rod you're buying are they real deal or just the same cheap rubbish Winfield had on their starter rods. I've have dozens of rings in the loft that look identical but obviously the material differs. How would a prospective buyer know the difference?

Edited December 13, 2008 by Andy Macfarlane

[Newt]

I suspect if you fold the ring until it touches the blank and let it spring back then twist it a few degrees and let it spring back, you will immediately know if you have the real ones or not.

 

The fake will stay in your hand and look broken while the real will stay on the rod and looks normal.

 

For internet purchases, it will be matter of dealing with an honest and knowledgeable seller or not. For instance, BassPro is using them on their top-of-the-line house brand rod. I would have no doubts buying from them exactly what I was getting. Cabelas sells the rings and again, I could buy without wondering if I was getting the real thing.

[barry luxton]

Looks like the Americans are being backed up by the Dutch at the mo and jerries photo's don't look bad, so this topic is truly international. As Elton says it's better to have a reliable one that works than a pretty one thats pretty much useless, in particular if you are somewere you can't do much about it and it ruins your day.

[Neil G]

I saw these a few months ago and would use them to re-build a rod, performance is the only criteria.

 

Yes they look like the rings on my 1970's Atlantic ABU''s which work and work well, the fact that these are deformable is wonderful.

 

To many 'float' rods come with rings that are far to small and fragile, the single leg versions would be ideal.

 

It is so sad to see the colour, badge, lable becoming so important. I was given a Carp mag a few days ago and reading the articles says it all, each writer going on about how wonderful this product is, how that bait never fails etc, etc.

 

It goes to show how the world has turned where in the States, the home of salesmanship, performance is more important than appearence.

 

They'll be producing polyphonic bite alams next !!!! . . and even worse anglers will buy them !!!! Arrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

I know the next products . . The Fox Camo house brick . . to throw at the guy in the next swim with his alarms at full volume sounding like a climaxing woman. If that does not work perhaps the Nash Bazouka with night sight , or AK47 with matching Realtree body bags to clear up the mess, you would not want to get thrown off the water due to a bit of rubbish lying around ( up the trees, splattered over the reeds etc ).

 

lol @ 'fox camo house brick'...quality

 

I actually think that alarms will become polyphonic soon with downloadable tones etc....it's the sort of s**t that will appeal to a particular crowd

[James P]

Actually, I would. If glare was a problem I might put on some camo tape but otherwise, I'd happy fish with it.

 

To some extent, it may be a cultural difference. The magazine/catalog adverts for US tackle is all about specs and function with nary a mention of how nice it looks. The UK adverts make it very clear that looks is important to UK anglers and is a major selling point.

 

I would say that after watching a few Bass Pro competitions on TV Newt, that US fishing (especially high end competitions) is definitely concerned about looks.

 

There are differences in the approach though, as I think the US manufacturers rely a lot more heavily on merchandising (no surprise there!), and the amount of custom rod builders in the US show that people really do care about the looks of their equipment?

 

James

[ColinW]

I think they look great, ideal for boat or rock fishing. What you have to understand Newt is that a lot of UK anglers are only concerned that their tackle looks good while they sleep in their bivvy. To that end it is essential that the rods, reels and electronic alarms match and are positioned perfectly parallel, at the correct three and a half degree downward slope towards the water

 

As you mentioned cultural differences it's always struck me how different US and UK opinion is about what makes a desirable pool or snooker cue. You would never see a UK snooker player using a cue with a linen wrap, whippings and fancy inlays and you'd certainly never find anyone who'd bought the shaft separately!