Which Avon/quiver rod

[sherlockofsheff]

I just bought one, and I must say I am impressed with it. The only thing that is confusing me thought is the line rating. 3-6lb mainline, whereas I bought my other half a Badger Classic des taylor Avon which goes up to 8lb. Bith are the same test curve of 1 1/4lb. Has anyone used the JW with line above the recommended rating, as 6lb sounds quite light for barbel

 

Tight |Lines

 

Steve

[Guest sslatter]

I too have recently bought the JW Avon Quiver system with 2’ extension, and all-in-all, find it excellent value for money. However, there are one or two things that I think they could improve on. When the rod is at 11’, the balance, although front heavy, is not overly so. Counterbalancing it with 2-3 ozs at the butt end makes it a much better rod IMO. However, when the rod is set up as a 13 footer, the balance is very front heavy. It actually needed between 8-9 oz at the butt end to balance it exactly. This is far too much for practical use, you ideally want about 2-3-4 oz of forward weight (personal opinion), but I find the 13’ version very front heavy, and too heavy to hold all day when floatfishing for example. Over the last 10 days, I’ve been experimenting with different weights of counterbalance, and prefer 2oz for the 11 footer, and 4-5 oz for the 13 footer (still can’t make up my mind). As for the line rating, I too feel that it errs on the side of caution, but this seems to be common practice amongst today’s manufacturers, who don’t want to be besieged by lots of broken rods returned, so they set the upper line limit below the actual limit that the rod could take. On my second outing with the 13 footer, the rod was tested to the max when I hooked and landed a 7 and a half pound mullet on 5 lb b.s. It took the best part of 40 minutes to subdue, and the rod behaved superbly. I would have no compunction about landing any fish up to 15 lbs with this rod (unless it was a mullet!!). I also have reservations about the fixed reel seat fitting, which did not fit my centrepin (Leeds Classic). Or maybe it was my centrepin that didn’t fit the rod? Anyway, I had to angle grind a small part of the reel seat to get it to fit. So, a pair of moveable butt rings, as well as the fixed reel seat, would be great, for those occasions when you want to put your reel in a different position. And a spare butt and first section would be nice, so that you could have two rods set up at the same time, without having to break down one to put up another. I also think that 3lb b.s. is not suited to any versions of the rod, the avon top being too stiff and heavily rung, and the quiver section (not the tips) being too stiff as well. But all criticisms aside, it is very good value for money, seeing as you actually get 8 rods all together. I paid £75.44 including postage (£5) and plastic rod tube (£2.99) from Crowsport Angling. Their service was excellent, the rod arriving within the next full working day.

NB I only fish rivers, and I’m not sure this rod would be the best for your stillwater requirements. Perhaps someone here can tell you how it has performed on lakes and ponds?

 

[ 01. July 2003, 05:16 PM: Message edited by: Graham X ]

[RUDD]

My father in law uses an old version of the JW avon rod and loves it.

They are well worth buying at the price you have stated.

I use a drennan super specialist and have landed carp to 17lb on 8lb line using it.

The only draw back is the price - retail 134.00

 

Avon rods are great all round rods for the specimen or roving/stalking angler.

The best bit is the bend you can put into them.

If you hook a big fish dont be scared to play it hard as these rods are designed to bend to the butt!!!!!!

[Mally]

Er,

 

Dont know if anyones else has notices but this thread is a year old. I think the guy has probably bought his rod by now.

 

Mally

[Mally]

Er,

 

Dont know if anyones else has noticed but this thread is a year old. I think the guy has probably bought his rod by now.

 

Mally

[Slyder]

Dunno Mally, some people like to take their time about these things!

[Peter M]

sherlockofsheff:

The only thing that is confusing me thought is the line rating. 3-6lb mainline, whereas I bought my other half a Badger Classic des taylor Avon which goes up to 8lb. Bith are the same test curve of 1 1/4lb.

Tight |Lines

 

Steve

I used my john wilson avon rod recently when carp fishng and used it with an 8 pound line. I was a bit worried as like you i saw that the reccommended line was only up to 6 pounds. It did the job ok and as long as you don't go hauling out of snags with the rod under full bend you will probably be all right. mind you I wouldn't use anything heavier.

[monkeyboy]

Those Drayton carp have trouble with the porky pig.....you cant go wrong. You could probably run a 20lb line through it without breaking it. Anything you want to use it for it copes very well.

My mates has been mended twice after the fat bastard fell on it and it still copes with the best of fish.