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Korum Barbel rod

Jeff Smith

Active Member
I’m after a cheapish 11ft 1.75lb rod and was wondering if anyone has used the above? Or has any other recommendations in a similar price range.
Currently, these are available for around fifty quid which seems very reasonable.
I’ve had quite a few Korum rods over the years and , despite the fact that they’re probably all made on cheap, generic blanks from China etc, I’ve found them quite durable and pleasing to use.
 
I have a couple of Korum rods,and find them good value for money.But I use a Fox eos 11’ 1.75lb. on my little river for barbel and chub,and I‘m very happy with it.I think I paid under £60 for it.
 
What is your budget Jeff? And what TC were you thinking of?

The Darent Valley rods sold by the tackle box are excellent value for money and come with a lifetime guarantee. That is the first place I'd look.

Or as Richard says, considered buying a second hand rod, you can pick up some real bargains.

"Tackle Box Darent Valley 11ft (1.75lb) Specialist Rod - (Low Set Guides)" https://www.tacklebox.co.uk/rods-en...st-rod-low-set-guides.html?cookies_accepted=Y
 
I’m after a cheapish 11ft 1.75lb rod and was wondering if anyone has used the above? Or has any other recommendations in a similar price range.
Currently, these are available for around fifty quid which seems very reasonable.
I’ve had quite a few Korum rods over the years and , despite the fact that they’re probably all made on cheap, generic blanks from China etc, I’ve found them quite durable and pleasing to use.
Hi Jeff. I bought the Korum rod when they first came out and they did a version with 2 tips (1.75 & 2.5)
They stay in my quiver unless the river is punching through when I use the 2.5TC.
I am not a fan of using 2 x rods (some beats you can't do that anyway) so I prefer my rather old but faithful Shimano barbel rod, which has a lovely action.
The Korum is a great back-up rod and, in my mind, good value for money. I've had no reason to complain.
 
Apart from Stephen's response, and unless you use the word Harrison surreptitiously in your question, you won't get much info on this forum! 😂

Seriously, however, I've not used one. The second-hand market could be a good place to look for a cheapish alternative, or the classifieds here.
I’ll admit,I’m not a tackle tart.😄 And my rods don’t get treated with kid gloves.So I’m more comfortable with the budget end when it comes to rods.😊
I do have a short video of the Fox eos from a couple of weeks ago.That would show its action when I landed a 5lb. chub,if that’s any help to the op.But I don’t know how to put it on here.Only photos come up when I try.
 
I think the darent valley rod would probably be what your looking for.
For about £90 you could get the SHIMANO PURIST 12'x 1.75
 
I've got a 12' korum 1 3/4 test curve. I picked it up very cheaply secondhand. I've not used it much, biggest fish was a 6 pound chub. I think it will do everything you need it to do without letting you down.
Obviously there is some cost cutting involved to keep prices down ..the cork handle appears to be sheet cork rather than solid cork rings, but the fish won't ever know that.
 
I’ve got the version 1 1.75lb Korum Barbel Rod in 12ft. It does exactly what it’s supposed to and has taken some abuse. Had it 6 years in regular use.
 
Thanks for all your helpful advice guys. I’m going to take a look at those Darent Valley rods👍
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed Jeff. I’ve not used, but have handled the 1.75, I have used the 11ft 1.25 for close range Tenching in a small water choked with lillie pads. GREAT rod and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the 1.75 if I needed such a rod.
 
I originally bought 2 x Korum 12ft 1.75 rods for my two youngest grandsons. They had graduated from whips and short poles and wanted to try "proper" rods and reels. They were perfect for the job in hand as were the pair of Korum Shadow 3500 reels. I quite liked the rods so bought two more for me. I've used them to good effect as recently as August on my visit to the Trent where they handled a shed load of barbel very well indeed. I also use them for my surface fishing for carp on a local commercial. Good fun with carp in the mid teens to low 20's.

Just be aware that outlets like Go Outdoors, Fishing Republic and the like constantly advertise these on their websites but don't necessarily have them in stock. I was told they share a collective website but the retail shops don't have access to it. Having ordered online, they never delivered, and I had issues getting a refund until I went into a shop and reminded them of my rights! I eventually found a pair of rods from another source for a very similar price (Poigndestrer's in Southampton). Angling Direct seem to have a good stock of entire range.

On a more positive Go Outdoors note, I recently found a Korum 12ft 2.5 rod in my local shop, it was priced incorrectly at £36 but £55 at the till. After a bit of a "discussion" with various members of their staff, they agreed they had to sell it to me at £36. Unfortunately, it was the only one in the shop!
 
I’m after a cheapish 11ft 1.75lb rod and was wondering if anyone has used the above? Or has any other recommendations in a similar price range.
Currently, these are available for around fifty quid which seems very reasonable.
I’ve had quite a few Korum rods over the years and , despite the fact that they’re probably all made on cheap, generic blanks from China etc, I’ve found them quite durable and pleasing to use.
I have the korum 11ft 1.75tc that I use for smaller rivers, brilliant bit of kit!

I have the big water in 2.25tc for the Trent which is also very good, if you shop around you can pick these up on offer for £60 at the min too but appreciate your after the shorter rod.
 
I’m after a cheapish 11ft 1.75lb rod and was wondering if anyone has used the above? Or has any other recommendations in a similar price range.
Currently, these are available for around fifty quid which seems very reasonable.
I’ve had quite a few Korum rods over the years and , despite the fact that they’re probably all made on cheap, generic blanks from China etc, I’ve found them quite durable and pleasing to use.
Hi Jeff. Well I can honestly say my Korum 11 foot 1.75lb rod is one of my favourite. It's got a powerful progressive action and the tip isn't too fine so I can fish the rivers when extra water is in, and use weights up to 4/5oz.
At £45 it was a bargain and I have several other rods worth far more but not as suited to how I fish on snaggy venues.
 
Thanks again for all your advice guys.
I’ve been having a close look at my collection of Korum rods- an ancient Neoteric float rod, a pair of 12ft Neoteric quivers and a pair of 10ft 2.25 Opportunists ( these are excellent)that I use from my boat.
They’ve all served me well so I’ve decided to go for the Korum 11ft 1.75 rather than the Darent valley.
It’ll get some regular use so I’ll come back and let you know what I think.
 
I’m after a cheapish 11ft 1.75lb rod and was wondering if anyone has used the above? Or has any other recommendations in a similar price range.
Currently, these are available for around fifty quid which seems very reasonable.
I’ve had quite a few Korum rods over the years and , despite the fact that they’re probably all made on cheap, generic blanks from China etc, I’ve found them quite durable and pleasing to use.
Jeff.

The Korum rods are great value rods and do the job. You don't need Harrison and Free Spirit custom builds rods to catch big barbel.
 
Thanks again for all your advice guys.
I’ve been having a close look at my collection of Korum rods- an ancient Neoteric float rod, a pair of 12ft Neoteric quivers and a pair of 10ft 2.25 Opportunists ( these are excellent)that I use from my boat.
They’ve all served me well so I’ve decided to go for the Korum 11ft 1.75 rather than the Darent valley.
It’ll get some regular use so I’ll come back and let you know what I think.
You won't be disappointed 👍
 
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