Glass Fibre Rods

[Steve Walker]

Squeak!

[gozzer]

I still used my old Milbro 'Enterprise on occasions, for medium, stillwater, float fishing, I like the action. It's a bit heavy for holding all day, especially since I loaded the butt to balance it, (although I used to with no problem, I guess age catches up with us all). I also have an old Sealey 'Blue Match', that had the butt section trodden on. I cut it down, used dowel to rebuilt part of the handle, and now have a perfect small river trotting rod, that will withstand the occasional bump from over hanging branches. I'm surprised it isn't used more often, especially in the shorter rods, where weight isn't so much of a problem.

 

John.

[Phone]

All

 

While our rods from the heyday of glass were much different they are, for the most part, all I use.

 

It brings up the point - I mostly enjoy fishing - not catching. Something about a glass rod that is rewarding for me although I doubt they are the most efficient on the market today.

 

Phone

[Newt]

although I doubt they are the most efficient on the market today.

Like any other tool, glass rods have uses where they excel and others where carbon is far superior.

 

For instance, if I'm fishing with crankbaits or other lures with heavy vibration, e-glass is easier to use since the softer action dampens the amount of vibration transmitted to my hands. Much more comfortable. For other lures where bites can be subtle, carbon is better since its much easier to feel when you have a take.

 

There is also the fact that glass stands up much better to abuse since the smallest nick in a carbon blank can cause the rod to snap when under pressure while glass is much more forgiving.

[ayjay]

I still regularly use a 10'0" SU Avon that I made up myself, (a Fibatube blank - Hardy's really) mostly for margin carp fishing, it bends right to the corks, 'tis a wonderful tool for the job.

 

I've got a couple of others which get used in thundery weather, (mostly for Tench - thunderstorms = great conditions for Tench, imo) don't fancy waving a carbon lightning conductor around in that sort of weather.

[BobH]

There is often an advert in AT for Glass Fibre blanks and all the fittings to make up a rod, I think it might be T. Oliver who sells these blanks ?

 

An old mate of mine ( George Howell RIP), made me up one of these rods and it's lovely for light legering.

[chesters1]

I still used my old Milbro 'Enterprise on occasions, for medium, stillwater, float fishing, I like the action. It's a bit heavy for holding all day, especially since I loaded the butt to balance it, (although I used to with no problem, I guess age catches up with us all). I also have an old Sealey 'Blue Match', that had the butt section trodden on. I cut it down, used dowel to rebuilt part of the handle, and now have a perfect small river trotting rod, that will withstand the occasional bump from over hanging branches. I'm surprised it isn't used more often, especially in the shorter rods, where weight isn't so much of a problem.

 

John.

I used to love blue matches ,the freemans catalogue used to sell them .

The enterprise was a lovely rod but heavy the b&w's were preffered ,bit orangy as well for my taste ,i had one for a couple of years then swapped it for something or other

[BobH]

I still have a Milbro 14ft Enterprise and a B&W CTM 13ft, but they are heavy compared with the modern carbon rods, but if you compare the glass match rods to the Spanish reed and Tonkin Match rods that preceded them, they were light weight !!

 

 

[Ken L]

It's down to personal preference but unless it's for fishing at extreme range, glass is just fine for any rod that spends most of it's fishing life in a rest.

[BobH]

It's down to personal preference but unless it's for fishing at extreme range, glass is just fine for any rod that spends most of it's fishing life in a rest.

 

That is very true Ken, but a day spent trotting whilst holding the rod and Carbon comes into it's own.