Chapman 500 split cane rod

[Gavin Burt]

Someone locally is selling a Chapman 550 10ft carp rod which I’m wondering if it would be any good for Barbel fishing.

I fish the W.Avon and typically with a 11ft (with a pin) due to the tight swims I like to fish. Maximum weight fish is a low double and I’m typically flicking a 1oz lead out close in.

Has anyone got any experience with these please or can give feedback on the condition on the one that’s for sale ?

It’s up for £200.

Note: it may need re-whipping looking at the photos which I’d happily attempt myself.

 

[Edward Adcock]

CHAPMAN 500 DELUXE 10′ SPLIT CANE CARP ROD – Vintage Fishing Tackle

vintagefishingtackle.co.uk

In case you haven’t seen this Gavin.

 

[David Rogers]

The 500 is an Avon-style rod (1lb t.c.) and the 550 is a MK IV-style carp rod (1.5lb t.c.). Both iterations vary a lot between individual examples - I once owned a 550 (bought sight unseen on eBay) and it was horribly floppy. I quickly sold it on!

 

[David Craine]

Hi Gavin .
The Chapmans is well suited to use for Barbel . Whilst I do not have one myself I know a lot of other “ traditional “ anglers use them . I have had plenty of doubles on my split cane barbel rods and would have no problem whatsoever in using the Chapmans myself . Below is a double I caught on aa Avon rod I rebuilt several years ago .

If possible, prior to purchase I would want to examine the rod to make sure it has no delamination , if there is any sign of the blank having “ splitting” along the joints of the different flat planes of cane then unless you are comfortable with that type of repair then I would give it a miss .
Chapmans rods have a very good reputation for reliability and their ability to handle large fish , but any rod can suffer at the hands of a careless owner.
Good luck with the rod, if you need any advice re the rebuild please feel free to PM.
Mike Hodgekisd does lovely rebuilds , he may well be along with some good advice in due course .
As David says above cane rods can vary in their actions , if you have no experience with them thety can feel “ floppy” when compared with Carbon . You either like it or not , all down to the user . If you do a good rebuild and dont like the end product it would be fairly easy to move on I would think .
As an observation I would say that £200.00 is ott. I buy and sell split cane at Tackle fairs and would not give more than £100 . For that example , expecting maybe to sell at £150.00 - £175 .00 after a full refurbish .


David

 

[Steve Roffey]

I owned a Chapman 500 for many years bought after my 12 year old self asked the great F J Taylor about them at a fishing show. Had many barbel on it from the Mole back in the 60's before I commissioned a two piece Avon from my local tackle shop, Egginton & Sons.
Sadly both those rods are no longer with me but I do have a Chapman F J Taylor "Roach" that has landed barbel to 9+.

 

[Gavin Burt]

The 500 is an Avon-style rod (1lb t.c.) and the 550 is a MK IV-style carp rod (1.5lb t.c.). Both iterations vary a lot between individual examples - I once owned a 550 (bought sight unseen on eBay) and it was horribly floppy. I quickly sold it on!

Funny you should say that as I’ve just looked closely at the advert and it’s actually a 550 the guy has for sale.

 

[Gavin Burt]

Hi Gavin .
The Chapmans is well suited to use for Barbel . Whilst I do not have one myself I know a lot of other “ traditional “ anglers use them . I have had plenty of doubles on my split cane barbel rods and would have no problem whatsoever in using the Chapmans myself . Below is a double I caught on aa Avon rod I rebuilt several years ago .

View attachment 37138

If possible, prior to purchase I would want to examine the rod to make sure it has no delamination , if there is any sign of the blank having “ splitting” along the joints of the different flat planes of cane then unless you are comfortable with that type of repair then I would give it a miss .
Chapmans rods have a very good reputation for reliability and their ability to handle large fish , but any rod can suffer at the hands of a careless owner.
Good luck with the rod, if you need any advice re the rebuild please feel free to PM.
Mike Hodgekisd does lovely rebuilds , he may well be along with some good advice in due course .
As David says above cane rods can vary in their actions , if you have no experience with them thety can feel “ floppy” when compared with Carbon . You either like it or not , all down to the user . If you do a good rebuild and dont like the end product it would be fairly easy to move on I would think .
As an observation I would say that £200.00 is ott. I buy and sell split cane at Tackle fairs and would not give more than £100 . For that example , expecting maybe to sell at £150.00 - £175 .00 after a full refurbish .


David

Thanks for the advice - turns out looking closely at the advert is actually for a 550 Mark 4 Carp Rod.

Yes, I thought the £200 was a bit steep, I’d happily pay £150 but not much more than that especially as I’m looking to get a custom built 11ft’er for next season anyway. Hopefully from Ryan Burns.

 

[Gavin Burt]

Turns out it’s actually a 550.

 

[Mike Hodgkiss]

In todays depressed market £200 + is steep for a Chapmans 500/550 unless it is absolutely mint which looking at the photos the rod in question isn't . As regards suitable for Barbel fishing I would say a qualified yes , however whatever model, it is not capable of prolonged casting of leads over 2oz , these rods will handle Barbel in open water but they are not a hit and hold or floodwater rod . Generally Chapmans rods are built well but look out for the faults that David highlighted . Cane rods are a joy to use but be warned using them can be addictive , they are great fun , look after them and they will give you many hours of pleasure

 

[Richard Parsons]

Thanks for the advice - turns out looking closely at the advert is actually for a 550 Mark 4 Carp Rod.

Yes, I thought the £200 was a bit steep, I’d happily pay £150 but not much more than that especially as I’m looking to get a custom built 11ft’er for next season anyway. Hopefully from Ryan Burns.

I digress slightly, only to say Ryan Burns built me a barbel rod around a dozen years ago. It's a beauty, even if it doesn't get many outings. It's 11', two piece with a separate handle (so technically a three piece) and has a lovely through action. Ryan Burns is highly recommended. I think he was just starting out when he built mine (or not far off).

 

[Gavin Burt]

I digress slightly, only to say Ryan Burns built me a barbel rod around a dozen years ago. It's a beauty, even if it doesn't get many outings. It's 11', two piece with a separate handle (so technically a three piece) and has a lovely through action. Ryan Burns is highly recommended. I think he was just starting out when he built mine (or not far off).

That’s exactly what I’m after and a 3-piece so I can fit it in the car easier.

Have pinged him a few emails but still waiting for him to get back to me. Hopefully he does soon.

Did he do you a custom build or was this one from his catalogue of rods ? Do you have any photos at all please ?