Chimera c3 v daiwa basia

[Bob Watson]

I've followed the recent threads about the C3 and floodwaters etc but has anyone got first hand experience of the chimera 3' against the daiwa basias?

Quite possibly the last pair of rods I'll ever buy!

 

[Simon Archer]

I can't comment on the Chimeras as I've never handled a Harrison rod. But I do have two 2.75 Basias. I bought them for the time I fish the tidal Trent and flood conditions elsewhere. I only have four Barbel rods, the other pair being original 2lbs Greys Barbel rods which I tended to use most of the time with the quiver tip. I'd fish the Greys on the upper and middle Trent and the Dove. However, the Basias are that nice to fish with I find I'm using them more and more for non Tidal/floodwater fishing.

I don't think the 2.75s are out and out casting rods. I find I have to lob big weights out rather than punch out, but the rods will get them out there. The playing action is progressive rather than tippy I find. The more you have to pull, the more the rod bends, but it powers up nicely and I've never felt in trouble. A smaller fish also puts a nice bend in the rod as well. 13-2 is the biggest Barbel I've had on one and it came in easily. You'd think 2.75s would be broomsticks, but far from it.

I like a screw down reel seat rather than up, the cork on the handle is nice. I'm not really a fan of the armlock, but it is what it, the rings are ok but nothing special for a top of a range rod. The blank finish is really nice though.

I really like them and I'm thinking of getting a 1.75 for rolling meat as I like them that much.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Yes Bob I’ve owned both
I had a pair of 2.75 basia rods and I had a pair of DLST c3 rods.

I don’t have either anymore as it’s just not really a type of fishing that I do anymore

It’s hard to pick a favorite because they are both excellent in their own right but quite different in use.
I’ll do my best to describe them in how I found them.

The basia is a more technically advanced blank as I’m sure you’ve read the x45 is those clever uni directional carbon layers which eliminate unwanted twist in the blank under load for more accurate casting. It makes sense I suppose because if you rap something round at 45° you are getting rid of a straight spine and replacing it with a spiral spine that goes all around the blank. It’s clever.

It’s also a very light weight blank with quite thin carbon walls. The tip section for such a high test curve is incredibly slim too.

The action is a progressive medium action. The tip is noticeably there and sensitive which doesn’t take a lot of pressure to bring in the middle section. The back end however is powerful hence my opinion is it’s a medium action not a through or slow action and not a fast action rod either. It works very well, you can pre load it lovely and bang 6oz out a long way.
My next point certainly doesn’t bother all basia owners and might not bother you either but I personally hated the guides. I just felt for the type of rod that it is, it warranted a stronger intermediate guide and something more upto date on the tip. It’s the only negative I had with them. The handle as you’d expect top quality daiwa arm lock and Fuji kdps reel seat. What’s not to love about that.

Chimera 3 is a heavier thicker walled blank that’s been around years and years but it’s a legend of a blank designed to go to work.

Stated at 2.25 but in reality it’s more closer to 2.5 or more.
The action is slower than the basia but not because the middle and butt section bend easier, its slower because the tip is quite a bit stiffer and the result is a very powerful feeling through action rod.

So in a nutshell you’ve got a very advanced light weight medium actioned rod compared to a very powerful through actioned work horse that’s proved itself for decades.

Pick the one thats going to suit you best

 

[Chris Belcher]

That's an interesting description of the C3 being more like a 2.5 Rich. I have a pair of 13' C4s (2.75) but they're realistically brick lobbing beasts with a tip so a step up again and not a comparison.

I'm wondering if 12' Torrix 2.25 is closer to the Basia 2.75? My only reference - I've had a 'go' on a 12' Infinity Evo 2.25 and that's definitely 'floppier' in the tip and but than that of a Torrix in the same tc

 

[Jon Frisby]

That's an interesting description of the C3 being more like a 2.5 Rich. I have a pair of 13' C4s (2.75) but they're realistically brick lobbing beasts with a tip so a step up again and not a comparison.

I'm wondering if 12' Torrix 2.25 is closer to the Basia 2.75? My only reference - I've had a 'go' on a 12' Infinity Evo 2.25 and that's definitely 'floppier' in the tip and but than that of a Torrix in the same tc

I have had a Torrix 2.5 and it's definitely softer, more through and lacking that power in the butt that a Basia 275 has. Basia more tippy though. It's more akin to the Basia 2.25 imo...

 

[Bob Watson]

Yes Bob I’ve owned both
I had a pair of 2.75 basia rods and I had a pair of DLST c3 rods.

I don’t have either anymore as it’s just not really a type of fishing that I do anymore

It’s hard to pick a favorite because they are both excellent in their own right but quite different in use.
I’ll do my best to describe them in how I found them.

The basia is a more technically advanced blank as I’m sure you’ve read the x45 is those clever uni directional carbon layers which eliminate unwanted twist in the blank under load for more accurate casting. It makes sense I suppose because if you rap something round at 45° you are getting rid of a straight spine and replacing it with a spiral spine that goes all around the blank. It’s clever.

It’s also a very light weight blank with quite thin carbon walls. The tip section for such a high test curve is incredibly slim too.

The action is a progressive medium action. The tip is noticeably there and sensitive which doesn’t take a lot of pressure to bring in the middle section. The back end however is powerful hence my opinion is it’s a medium action not a through or slow action and not a fast action rod either. It works very well, you can pre load it lovely and bang 6oz out a long way.
My next point certainly doesn’t bother all basia owners and might not bother you either but I personally hated the guides. I just felt for the type of rod that it is, it warranted a stronger intermediate guide and something more upto date on the tip. It’s the only negative I had with them. The handle as you’d expect top quality daiwa arm lock and Fuji kdps reel seat. What’s not to love about that.

Chimera 3 is a heavier thicker walled blank that’s been around years and years but it’s a legend of a blank designed to go to work.

Stated at 2.25 but in reality it’s more closer to 2.5 or more.
The action is slower than the basia but not because the middle and butt section bend easier, its slower because the tip is quite a bit stiffer and the result is a very powerful feeling through action rod.

So in a nutshell you’ve got a very advanced light weight medium actioned rod compared to a very powerful through actioned work horse that’s proved itself for decades.

Pick the one thats going to suit you best

Thanks for the detailed reply Richard.

I already own a Daiwa with the X45 wrap. It's the 2.25 floater rod and is quite delightful. I use 2.25 daiwa theory's for all my barbel fishing now and to be honest I'm happy enough with them but I do like to treat myself occasionally. I'm swayed towards the daiwa but I have numerous DLST made Harrisons rods and I love all of them.

They'd get most use on the Swale with the odd visit to the trent, I'm thinking the daiwa's!

 

[Paul Richardson]

I've followed the recent threads about the C3 and floodwaters etc but has anyone got first hand experience of the chimera 3' against the daiwa basias?

Quite possibly the last pair

I have a couple of pairs of C3s and one good thing is you can get them built exactly to your liking
The standard Dave Lumb CS12-SU build is perfect for me as the handle length is compact and fits me well, the eyes and spacing is perfect - I can be a bit rough on gear and not one guide has bent out of place after a decade or so of regular use and he’ll shrink an isotope on if you want one - little things like that. So for similar money as a Basia you could get exactly what want.
Obviously other rod builders are available.
The other set I bought blind and everything is top end( Fuji K series , Alps reel seat, burl cork) but not for me - handle is too long, too many rings- I will rebuild it one day as the blank is so good but it just feels like a different rod.
I think we might fish similar rivers - Swale,Tees, Ure and the C3 is perfect for these with a bit of water in
Also for a powerful rod, they still are really nice for playing modest barbel which is what makes up the mainstay of my catches on the Swale ( a double being a proper bonus )
But I’ve also used them extensively on the Wye where bigger casts are required at times and a joy to use and play fish on
Only have heavy Basias (3.75tc) so cannot compare but there’s just no real reason for me to switch from the C3s.

 

[Bob Watson]

I have a couple of pairs of C3s and one good thing is you can get them built exactly to your liking
The standard Dave Lumb CS12-SU build is perfect for me as the handle length is compact and fits me well, the eyes and spacing is perfect - I can be a bit rough on gear and not one guide has bent out of place after a decade or so of regular use and he’ll shrink an isotope on if you want one - little things like that. So for similar money as a Basia you could get exactly what want.
Obviously other rod builders are available.
The other set I bought blind and everything is top end( Fuji K series , Alps reel seat, burl cork) but not for me - handle is too long, too many rings- I will rebuild it one day as the blank is so good but it just feels like a different rod.
I think we might fish similar rivers - Swale,Tees, Ure and the C3 is perfect for these with a bit of water in
Also for a powerful rod, they still are really nice for playing modest barbel which is what makes up the mainstay of my catches on the Swale ( a double being a proper bonus )
But I’ve also used them extensively on the Wye where bigger casts are required at times and a joy to use and play fish on
Only have heavy Basias (3.75tc) so cannot compare but there’s just no real reason for me to switch from the C3s.

Yep, all my local rivers.

All my DL builds are also standard and the only thing I'd change on all of them is the butt caps, I'd have liked stainless buttons with a DLST logo, which I believe he is considering after a bit of pressure from customers.

 

[Bob Watson]

Yes Bob I’ve owned both
I had a pair of 2.75 basia rods and I had a pair of DLST c3 rods.

I don’t have either anymore as it’s just not really a type of fishing that I do anymore

It’s hard to pick a favorite because they are both excellent in their own right but quite different in use.
I’ll do my best to describe them in how I found them.

The basia is a more technically advanced blank as I’m sure you’ve read the x45 is those clever uni directional carbon layers which eliminate unwanted twist in the blank under load for more accurate casting. It makes sense I suppose because if you rap something round at 45° you are getting rid of a straight spine and replacing it with a spiral spine that goes all around the blank. It’s clever.

It’s also a very light weight blank with quite thin carbon walls. The tip section for such a high test curve is incredibly slim too.

The action is a progressive medium action. The tip is noticeably there and sensitive which doesn’t take a lot of pressure to bring in the middle section. The back end however is powerful hence my opinion is it’s a medium action not a through or slow action and not a fast action rod either. It works very well, you can pre load it lovely and bang 6oz out a long way.
My next point certainly doesn’t bother all basia owners and might not bother you either but I personally hated the guides. I just felt for the type of rod that it is, it warranted a stronger intermediate guide and something more upto date on the tip. It’s the only negative I had with them. The handle as you’d expect top quality daiwa arm lock and Fuji kdps reel seat. What’s not to love about that.

Chimera 3 is a heavier thicker walled blank that’s been around years and years but it’s a legend of a blank designed to go to work.

Stated at 2.25 but in reality it’s more closer to 2.5 or more.
The action is slower than the basia but not because the middle and butt section bend easier, its slower because the tip is quite a bit stiffer and the result is a very powerful feeling through action rod.

So in a nutshell you’ve got a very advanced light weight medium actioned rod compared to a very powerful through actioned work horse that’s proved itself for decades.

Pick the one thats going to suit you best

Just been mooching about, we now have the X45X, the full blank now has the 45 wrap and it's only, the cheapest I could see, £440