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Free Spirit Float Rod advice... user experience wanted

O

Oliver Harfield

Senior Member & Supporter
Hi all,

Last year I picked up a couple of FS float rods that I have yet to use in anger.

1. 15ft Hi-S Special Power float rod
2. 12ft Hi-S Specialist float rod (this is a discontinued model)

I will be targeting chub mainly with may be the odd Barbel...

The 15ft Special Power float is a very substantial rod compared to the Specialist float rod.

Anyone used either rod on Chub and Barbel?
 
Oliver, the 15ft rod is cursed. You need to sell it ASAP!😉

It's one that's on my wish-list but can't really justify the outlay. I've had a dabble with one and seen it put to good use by others. Great for big barbel!
 
I have the Hi-S 15ft power float rod which I was fortunate to pick up second hand but hardly used at a good price. Its a great rod but you do have to give the barbel a lot more respect as you can't bully them like you would with a rod designed for feeder/leger.
 
Oliver Harfield said:
Hi all,

Last year I picked up a couple of FS float rods that I have yet to use in anger.

1. 15ft Hi-S Special Power float rod
2. 12ft Hi-S Specialist float rod (this is a discontinued model)

I will be targeting chub mainly with may be the odd Barbel...

The 15ft Special Power float is a very substantial rod compared to the Specialist float rod.

Anyone used either rod on Chub and Barbel?
Click to expand...
Oliver i have used the 15ft extensively for the past 2 seasons. They are awesome on the float and have so much power to tame any barbel. My rod has caught in excess of 170 barbel since 2020 more than 30 doubles. But in saying that even a small chub or barbel puts up a scrap. If you need to know anymore let me know i have 3 of the 15ft power float Hi s rods.
 
John Newman said:
I have the Hi-S 15ft power float rod which I was fortunate to pick up second hand but hardly used at a good price. Its a great rod but you do have to give the barbel a lot more respect as you can't bully them like you would with a rod designed for feeder/leger.
Click to expand...
John I disagree I have landed a number of barbel close to snags not giving them an inch on a locked up clutch. They have a tremendous amount of power if your not afraid to use it.
 
Three Kev?

I bought the 13ft 2 piece version, snapped the butt. Bought a new butt, then snapped the tip section. Gave up.
 
The 15ft looks a very powerful rod indeed, I suspect it's too much rod for all round specimen float fishing, more designed for specimen barbel and carp on the float. I can't imagine a 4lb Chub giving much sport on it but I may be wrong and won't know until I try it out!

Conversely, the 12ft Specialist float looks very light... definitely wouldn't be confident on a double figure Barbel (I should be so lucky!!!).
 
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