Specimen rods

[tincatinca]

For anyone who is looking for a top class set of all round specimen rods suitable for Tench, Bream, Barbel and which will handle good sized Carp it would be well worth looking at these. They do not come up very often in fact if it wasn't for the fact that I already have some I would have them myself.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Dick Dastardly]

Totally agree Paul they ain't bad for long distance (bream) work either.Been watching/lusting after them but out of my price range (all though still a very good price) now I'm afraid!

[Barry C]

Realy pi55ed off last week.

Chap had a pair of harrison rods in 1.5 test at a buy now price of £90 plus £10 delivery.

I thought about it for half an hour, went back to buy and guess what, GONE.

 

I wont be doing that again.

 

Anyone on here get them?

[tincatinca]

Harrison rods in the lower test curves don,t hang around for long and two 11/2 lb rods at that price was a steal. Last year I was looking at e-bay when a pair of Shimano Diaflash 13/4s came up for £60. I think I hit the buy it now button straight away as they are really like the proverbial rocking horse pooh. I had been after some for years and the only time they had previously come up they went for serious money.

[Dick Dastardly]

All the better makes of "Heavy" specimen rods seem to go well.It makes me wonder why? You see very few "Carp" rods in 1 1/2 -1 3/4 these days and a lot of the ones in that kind of test curve aimed at barbel anglers just don't have the right action for "heavy" specimen work.

 

Ive found that its normally the cheaper "barbel" rods that are more suited to still water work but both the Interceptors and the Shimano (carp rods) mentioned are terrific for the job.

 

Tricast used to make great 1 3/4lb (carp) blanks but I don't know if they still do?

 

Probably why the older top end 1 1/2- 1 3/4 rods are so sought after by those who know?

Edited January 24, 2011 by BUDGIE

[tincatinca]

I know that both personnel choice comes into the equation and also what one can afford but I do tend to find that accross a range of different types of rods that some of the older models feel spot on compared with their modern day counterparts. You only have to look at the prices commanded by the Normark 2000 range as an example. I still deeply regret not buying a second hand pair of the original Maddox KM1 11 foot 21/4 lb Carp rods which felt absolutely gorgeous, were fairly cheap and bought Ballistas instead. The same rods now command silly money on the very few occassions that they become available. The Hutchy IMXs were another that were superb to use and my mate who had them still bemoans selling them. I keep looking for a Drennan IM8 bomb rod but they have now got pretty scarce although the Shimano Technium specialist quiver is a pretty good substitute. Again personal choice but I am not keen on rods that are tippy although it can and does affect accuracy sometimes when trying to get an extra few yards. Rightly or wrongly I will sacrifice distance for the fish playing ability. I do find it strange though that whilst their is a demand for specialist rods there is very little on the market that covers the range like it did and you are right in that the people who have the older rods very rarely let them go.

[Rob Ward]

the people who have the older rods very rarely let them go.

 

Indeed, the North Westerns I bought last year weren't what I was looking for at the time but having caught Tench on them now at Wingham I won't be parting with them for love nor money. Lovely for short-medium range work. The best fish playing rods I've owned except arguably the DAM Quickstick Specimen which was the first really good rod I owned.

Edited January 25, 2011 by Rob Ward

[Tigger]

Indeed, the North Westerns I bought last year weren't what I was looking for at the time but having caught Tench on them now at Wingham I won't be parting with them for love nor money. Lovely for short-medium range work. The best fish playing rods I've owned except arguably the DAM Quickstick Specimen which was the first really good rod I owned.

 

A friend of mine's selling a pair of Northwestern tench rods in 1 1/4lb test (the end eye being able to take a screw in swing tip or quiver tip). I know he's caught pike,tench and barbel with them. I think he might have three the last one either unused or only used once or twice.

[Rob Ward]

A friend of mine's selling a pair of Northwestern tench rods in 1 1/4lb test (the end eye being able to take a screw in swing tip or quiver tip). I know he's caught pike,tench and barbel with them. I think he might have three the last one either unused or only used once or twice.

 

I'd be surprised if someone on here wasn't interested!

[watatoad]

I was surprised to see that they have not sold...but it was a fair bit of money and just after Christmas.