• 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...

Free Spirit Hi S Barbel Rods, 12ft 2lb, Full Cork Handle

Rob Paylor

Rob Paylor

Senior Member
Hi everyone,

Having just completed my first year of barbel fishing I am looking to upgrade to some better rods for next year. I have the opportunity to get some Free Spirit rods with considerable discount, and i'm specifically considering the Hi S model. This particular model seems to be only one I can see in a 12ft/2lb configuration. The 12ft S Range, Spirit Gold & Tamer rods in the range seem to be either 1.75 or 2.25lb, but I am wanting the 2lb to cover all my fishing.

Can't find much user information about these, so wondered if anyone has first hand experience and would care to share their views?

Thanks! :)
 
Hi @Rob Paylor, I've not used/seen Hi-S 2lb rods but I have got a pair of Hi-S SU, which I reckon are 1.75-2.00lb, and I love them. They're very slim, light, and feel 'fast', but will bend all the way down to the corks under pressure. I'd say buy them.
 
I have a pair, terrific rods. I wouldn't say they have any more or less application coverage than the older Barbel seeker 1.75 SU rod, which is also excellent, if a tad heavier in the hand. Free Spirit's use of SU is a bit awry i think. The 'big river rods' are the real stepped up rods, suitable for big rivers with or without extra water.

Going back to the hi s barbel model you're talking about, you wont be disappointed with it, but if you're fishing smaller rivers where a lazy under arm swing puts your bait on the far bank then i think you'd find them a bit much. If you're fishing the trent, severn, thames etc, then crack on.
 
Jon Elliott said:
Going back to the hi s barbel model you're talking about, you wont be disappointed with it, but if you're fishing smaller rivers where a lazy under arm swing puts your bait on the far bank then i think you'd find them a bit much. If you're fishing the trent, severn, thames etc, then crack on.
Click to expand...

I have a plan to incorporate some 11' 1.75 rods into my inventory for the underarm swing rivers I fish, but the majority should be fine with the Free Spirits ;)

Thanks all for the input 👍
 
I’ve been using Free Spirit Specialist Advanced in 2.25 t.c. for the past 11 years,originally on the Dove and latterly the Upper Trent and Severn,absolutely love em.I think you will be more than pleased with the Hi S,s
Not the same rod I know but Free Spirit do produce excellent specialist rods 👍 👍
 
I have a pair, bought mine after seeing Jon's and having a waggle last year.

They have replaced my Chimera No2's (bought after seeing Bob G's own and again having a waggle)...They are perfect for the lower severn, wye and Trent. Very similar action to the Chimeras and beautifully made. They have Daiwa SS2600's on them and they complement each other nicely.

I have a pair of FS Barbel Seeker SU's which feel a bit clunky since having the Hi S Barbel, but the Seekers ringing lends itself to using a centerpin so they have a certain job to perform.

The Hi S rods are premium price but they are really excellent rods. My PB of 14.08 was taken on one and they handled the fight really well, with a nice parabolic action but plenty of power in the butt section. Would thoroughly recommend them
 
Rob,
Free Spirit do a 2lb x 11ft tamer for about £130, my mate has one and loves it. I have the 1.5lb version which is a great small river rod.
 
Mike Thompson said:
Rob,
Free Spirit do a 2lb x 11ft tamer for about £130, my mate has one and loves it. I have the 1.5lb version which is a great small river rod.
Click to expand...

I've just actually bought my son a rod from the Tackle Box (Kent). It's a Darent Valley 11 foot 1.75 thing, was about £60. It looks spot on for the money to be fair! Will try and get him loosened up on some winter chub before letting him try for a barbel. He's not used a rod and reel before, just a small pole up to now...😬😅
 
Oh you rotten blighters :oops: I hadn’t come across the Hi-S 2lb, didn’t know it existed ‘till this thread but just been into The Tackle Box at Dartford and ......... I love it! I’ve now got to convince myself that it doesn’t do anything that my Seeker SU’s and Specialist Advanced’s already do🤣
 
Bill Walford said:
Oh you rotten blighters :oops: I hadn’t come across the Hi-S 2lb, didn’t know it existed ‘till this thread but just been into The Tackle Box at Dartford and ......... I love it! I’ve now got to convince myself that it doesn’t do anything that my Seeker SU’s and Specialist Advanced’s already do🤣
Click to expand...

Interested to hear what you think in a little more detail if you wouldn't mind? :)
 
Rob Paylor said:
Interested to hear what you think in a little more detail if you wouldn't mind? :)
Click to expand...
Rob,
I only handled it for a minute or so but if I didn’t have a Seeker and Spirit Advanced and could get a decent discount then this would definitely be for me. The Seeker is probably best described as thru’ action (parabolic) and bends right thru’ to the cork. The Hi-S 2lb is more 2/3rds in it’s action so slightly faster and more tippy. It won’t suit everyone for sure but try and get to handle one. Build quality looks superb BUT as Graham say’s it’s not cheap!
 
Last edited:
Hi Rob. Did you get the Hi s in the end mate?

ive been buying a pair of rods to go in the armoury for bigger waters and heavier leads and I have also gone with FS.
I was gonna go with the hi S 2.25 HW because my mate raves about them but I’ll be completely honest I had a wiggle found it a tad (well quite a lot actually) on the soft side in the mid to butt section for a powerfull rod. Beautiful rod there is no question there but It didn’t take much effort at all to have it doubled over and while I like a players rod as much as the next man I expected or hoped it to have more back bone for a heavy water rod.

I have also recently tried out and immediately bought after trying the same rod but in the S range 2.25. It was £29 cheaper than the Hi-S and (sorry hi s fans) a nicer far more powerful action towards the back end of the rod. Shocking actually at how different the two blanks are. They both might be 2.25 but I think the S is more of a barbel bullying tool than the Hi s
Be interesting to see what you think of the 2lb specialist barbel Rob as that’s probably got a much more powerful action but I wanted 2.25 really which was the Hi S heavy water but very very through actioned.
the S is the big river barbel
 
Last edited:
Although I have 2 Torrix 2lb and 1.75lb as well as couple of other barbel rods, I must say I an mightily impressed with the two Diawa 2.25 Powerstretch 12ft that I bought for £83 each incl delivery..

Only used on the flooded Severn and Trent, but soft enough to
Not get hook pulls but power coming in 1/3 down.

Easy and smooth to cast decent filled feeder weights of about 7oz total with confidence.

Happy to use in a fair push.

Rods are funny....been using a
£35 5 piece Shakespear Mach 1 travel rod for roach/ chub/ silvers of late. Actually as good as a £300 plus rod I have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top