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Barbel Seeker advice please

Graham Elliott

Senior Member & Supporter
I have acquired a Free Spirit barbel seeker.
12ft with quiver section and 5 quiver tips. 3 original.

Looking online it seems they are full cork handle. But this has duplon above the reel fitting. Was this the original spec?

On the rod or green bag there is no tc rating. I assume 1.75.


Any info appreciated.
 
Hi Graham
I think the early seekers had a full duplon handle and i reckon someone has changed the bottom half of the handle for cork,they were indeed 1.75 TC. I found an old picture on Walkers web site check out the handle.
Hope that helps.
 

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Dave.
It looks like the cork handle was original to be honest.
The barbel Specialist had a duplon top butt.?
Wonder if this was a special order?
 
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Hello Graham
The early seekers had a burgundy blank with cork and duplon then changed to a grey blank with all duplon ......not that it matters really as both great rods
I think they did a 1.5tc and a 1.75tc which was called a stepped up version.
Is there any writing on the blank ?
Gary
 
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Spot on Gary.
Thought It was correct. Although this one is the grey blank? With just Barbel Seeker.

It also has the quiver section that I think was a £99 option.

But methinks Clive sold them toooo cheaply. It looks like they were over 300 with quiver
 
Always liked Free Spirit rods and blanks but was nearly always put off by the general poor quality of the cork. Converted a fair few to better quality cork from EVA or 'standard' factory cork.
Cheers
Bob
 
Great rod at a bargain price.

I have the 11ft version and really like it.

I have only ever seen the Stepped Up 1.75lb TC version - is there a lighter version?

Neil
 
Thanks to a heads up from Clive, on a collection only in the Liverpool area, i got myself a mint conditioned, Free Spirit, 2,25 tc barbel tamer, for a very good price, ( i think :oops: ), also comes with a second spliced in quiver top. Anyone used one ? and have an opinion on them ? ( sorry for the hijack G :D ).
 
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Derek,
I have the 11ft - 1.5lb tamer, bought on here, and love it. Had barbel to high 9's on it with no bother. Perfect for the smaller rivers I usually fish. Would love to find another.
 
I've got a pair of 'Seekers' Graham, you can specify EVA (Duplon) or cork. I had mine last Christmas, the 1.75 SU's, a bit more 'steely' than my 1.75tc Daiwa's. Got to say, after a year of having them, they're the nuts. The new ones have isotopes in the handles. Only thing I don't like is the fact they have no keeper rings.
 

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Interesting John.
This one has the isotope in the handle yet I know its not a newer rod.

Do yours have SU on the blank?
And your writing is diff angle

I wonder if the cork /duplon was a special order? Or as said cork added later?

Anyway. I will continue with my Torrix and put this away for now.
 
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