• You need to be a registered member of Barbel Fishing World to post on these forums. Some of the forums are hidden from non-members. Please refer to the instructions on the ‘Register’ page for details of how to join the new incarnation of BFW...

custom rod

Andy Bebbington

Andy Bebbington

Senior Member
Looking to get a custom rod built and not sure which blank to choose, I`m currently using a Drennan power Barbel which is 12ft 1.75 but was maybe looking at going down to 11ft as the Bristol Avon i fish can have quite tight swims. I prefer a through action rod with plenty of power in the butt section not keen on stiff top action rods.
was also looking at off the shelf Daiwa Basia or free spirit su or Mark Tunley dark carbon only problem there 12ft.
Thanks
Andy
 
Have a look at the 11ft Harrison GTI 1.12 or the Harrison Avon SU 1.10 I have both and love them. Soft tips and an action which bends progressively through to the butt section. Through - but not sloppy, lots of power in reserve.

I much prefer these to the 11ft 1.12 Torrix for general barbel fishing, but it's very much a matter of personal preference.

Have a word with Roger at Peregrine Rods:

Carp Fishing Bath | Peregrine Fishing Rods

Peregrine Fishing Rods specialise in carp fishing in Bath and the surrounding areas. We stock a wide range of carp fishing rods as well as handmade, barbel and fly fishing rods. Peregrine Fishing Rods is based in Radstock, Bath.
www.peregrinerods.co.uk

Or Dave Lumb:

D.L. Specialist Tackle - Rods

Dave Lumb's D.L. Specialist Tackle - Fishing rods and tackle for UK based pike and predator anglers
www.dlst.co.uk
 
I spoke to roger last week and i`m sorry to say but the guy comes across as rude so will not be spending my money there.
 
Ideally you need to have a pull around on some Andy before jumping in.
unlike Joe I put the Torrix right at the top of all the barbel rods I’ve owned and tried but like he said it’s a very personal thing and you may not like it.
to describe it I’d say it is a 2/3 through action Rod with A stiffer lower section. Even with a huge fish pulling back the last 600mm of exposed blank hardly bends compared to the rest of the rod. Quite a clever blank as it has more bullying backbone without compromising on short range Lunge cushion.
I Absolutely love it but it’s not a Noticeably special rod until something really powerful is pulling in the opposite direction.
you’ve got to unlock that last 600mm of blank just above the cork for you to appreciate just how unreal they are.
I wouldn’t chose it as my first choice rod for waters holding a lot of single figure fish personally as it won’t really do the torrix blank much justice.
for me it’s a proper Big fish tool
 
Hi Andy, I too use the powers at times, mostly for when the Severn has a bit of extra on though. I would bet the ideal rod for the Avon would be the 11 foot Torrix at 1.75. I have this and it has coped well with fish of over15 on the Avon and Severn, without any problem. It is simply a no frills work horse but with all the action you would need for that river I reckon. Mine was built by Fosters (Bob The Rod} as a Dove rod, c/w rubber isotope attachment which is a God send , no faffing about with that system. He would be a lot cheaper too than some others, but quality is great. Fosters is Angling Direct I believe but Bob was still doing the business.
 
Mike Hodgkiss said:
I sure he will do a fine job for you . I have known Chas for years , have several of his rods , his work is excellent and well priced
Click to expand...

Hi Mike, I've used him for odd bits n pieces over the years and used to frequent Hooks & Tackle now and then when he ran the shop. I have never had a rod built by him fully though, although I know of work he has done for friends and they're happy with the service.

He was putting some isotopes on the top of some floodwater rods for me and numbering the blanks at the same time. Dropped the rods with him Saturday, already had the text this morning to say ready to collect! Top geezer :)
 
Hi Rich i would love to have a feel of a few rods to see which one i like but can`t find anyone near me who has any.
thanks for reply`s so far guys lots to think about.
 
can`t find anywhere or anyone to look at any Jon
 
Andy Bebbington said:
can`t find anywhere or anyone to look at any Jon
Click to expand...
Bristol is a long way from me which is unfortunate as You’d be able to answer a lot of your own questions just from you having a rummage around in my rod collection.
ive got torrix, seeker, basia, chimera and up the road I’ve got a mate with Gti’s and more chimeras.
if you are going in blind then my suggestion would be go with something traditionally known and typical of a 11ft barbel rod in action.
a Harrison GTI 11 ft 1.75 or a free spirit barbel seeker 11ft 1.75 are both powerful beautiful 11 ft through action rods . Nobody would find either a bad rod and would be perfect as a blind purchase to do the job well on a river like the Avon.
Torrix is a little bit different and you’ll either love it or move it on. I wouldn’t recommend buying a torrix without trying one with line through it.
 
Last edited:
All depends on your preferred action for a small river barbel rod. The 11ft1.75 Torrix is lighter than the GTI or Stepped-up Avon, and that’s an important consideration if your holding the rod for long periods of time. It would be my choice of rod for rolling meat.

I bought a pair of the 11 1.75 Torrixes on Ebay last year and I’ve them for tench fishing in a couple of swims which were a bit tight for 12’ 1.75 Interceptors. Fantastic rods for casting, but I found them a bit less forgiving than the Interceptors in the butt section.

I’m going to keep one and sell the other, I just want to get one of the rings on the butt section replaced first as the insert is a bit loose, not sure how it happened. Just waiting to the next time I’m passing Dave Lumb’s, which might not be a while. It’s otherwise in great nick. Let me know if it’s of any interest.
 
Richard Isaacs said:
Bristol is a long way from me which is unfortunate as You’d be able to answer a lot of your own questions just from you having a rummage around in my rod collection.
ive got torrix, seeker, basia, chimera and up the road I’ve got a mate with Gti’s and more chimeras.
if you are going in blind then my suggestion would be go with something traditionally known and typical of a 11ft barbel rod in action.
a Harrison GTI 11 ft 1.75 or a free spirit barbel seeker 11ft 1.75 are both powerful beautiful 11 ft through action rods . Nobody would find either a bad rod and would be perfect as a blind purchase to do the job well on a river like the Avon.
Torrix is a little bit different and you’ll either love it or move it on. I wouldn’t recommend buying a torrix without trying one with line through it.
Click to expand...
Thanks rich great reply and offer if only i was closer.
 
Joe Winstanley said:
All depends on your preferred action for a small river barbel rod. The 11ft1.75 Torrix is lighter than the GTI or Stepped-up Avon, and that’s an important consideration if your holding the rod for long periods of time. It would be my choice of rod for rolling meat.

I bought a pair of the 11 1.75 Torrixes on Ebay last year and I’ve them for tench fishing in a couple of swims which were a bit tight for 12’ 1.75 Interceptors. Fantastic rods for casting, but I found them a bit less forgiving than the Interceptors in the butt section.

I’m going to keep one and sell the other, I just want to get one of the rings on the butt section replaced first as the insert is a bit loose, not sure how it happened. Just waiting to the next time I’m passing Dave Lumb’s, which might not be a while. It’s otherwise in great nick. Let me know if it’s of any interest.
Click to expand...
thanks for the offer jo but looking for something personal to me.
 
I built my own rods on Harrison GTi 11ft blanks in 2002 (amazed me that it was that long ago :oops:) as it was suggested that these were the best barbel blanks available. I've used these for ALL of my barbel fishing, small rivers and big rivers, small fish and big fish. I just love them.

IF I lost or broke these I'd definitely replace with the same.
 
Andy I've just read your initial post again and note you mention the Mark Tunley Dark Carbons...

The rods that I have just retrospectively had isotopes fitted to are a pair of Mark Tunley built Harrison Dark Carbon Xtra Power Specialists in 12' 2.5lb, they are for flood fishing. Haven't used them yet and I bought them 2nd hand at a price I couldn't say no to (they are like new!). The build & quality of the rods is superb, so from that point of view I could recommend without having used them!

Very much looking forward to trying them out for heavy feeder work!

 
Joe Winstanley said:
but I found them a bit less forgiving than the Interceptors in the butt section.
Click to expand...
And this is the thing. They need something proper pulling back on them to appreciate the extra power and stiffness in the butt section as a real positive over a more flexible rod.
ive had barbel of 9lb on them and barbel of 15lb on them and the rod really comes alive when something on the other end is saying “no mate I ain’t coming quietly” and bangs another 5-10 yards of line off the spool!

some people will probably own Torrix’s and never actually understand what on Earth I’m on about if the venue they are used on simply doesn’t give the opportunity to unlock them properly.
I use them for both static and moving baits and yes the lightness is a nice touch but it’s not the real success in the blank imo.
The real success can only be noticed when you connect with something that little bit more special. Hook a big double in low clear water on a torrix and you’d be very thankful of that steely last 600mm 😊
I am at least anyway 🤣
 
Last edited:
Anglers Workshop (Kev Baine's) 11ft 1.5lb TC Specialist. I've got two and its the perfect small river Barbel rod. Light tip, with big power reserves low down. I have lots of rods and this is far and away my fav. Kev doesn't charge silly prices either. Tel: 01782 561 515 after 14:00 week days.

Hmmmm, if Roger offended you, then I'm not sure what you'll make of Kev (top bloke and knows his stuff) :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top