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Looking to acquire new barbel rods

G

Greg Buxton

Senior Member
My trusty 12 foot Tri-Cast 1.25TC rods (but feel more powerful than many 1.5TC rods I've tried) are now in their 35th season and I'm considering hanging them up in the 'Rod Room' for the last time. Built by Pete Evens of Sheffield they cost around £100 each (about £300 in today's money). Over the last two winters they have been untroubled by any barbel requiring them to bend (see photo). I'm looking for guidance and recommendations on new ones. I have a few criteria:-

I like 12' rods over 11'.
I don't like the ascetics of half a dozen big eyes spread wide apart up the blank. So the rod would need to be more traditionally eyed (like my old ones).
I would mainly be fishing the Avon and Stour (Wessex), so if I was to cast 20 yards it would be 'long range' but their will be times when a 3oz lead or big feeder needs to be swung out.
I probably wont be looking to spend more that £150 per rod.

Any advice or help is appreciated.

Regards Greg
 

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I had a number of Tricast rods from the 80/90's - 2 x 11' (ML 8-3) 1.25, 1 x 12' 1.25 and 2 x 11' CM 6-12 and used them both for barbel and carp. Very capable rods really loved my ML 3-8. After a breakage and difficulty getting hold of the replacement sections I went over to Harrison blanks.
Choices have expanded since those days and there are lots of great value and performance rods available.
Personally still use Harrison blanks.
Cheers
Bob
 
The ML 3-8s were very special indeed - I suspect I would still be using them now if they hadn't been stolen.

The rods I have been using for the past 10-15 years are built on Harrison blanks and I won't be changing anytime soon.
 
Stephen Goderski said:
The ML 3-8s were very special indeed - I suspect I would still be using them now if they hadn't been stolen.
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Yes, very special indeed. Took mine out for an 'airing' a few years back and still loved it.
Also got a Tricast MUR somewhere.

Got plenty of Harrisons that I've used including Interceptors, Torrix 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 and 2 (the latter 3 tcs both in 11' and 12'), Chimera 1,2 and 3 and the very nice Bfw i-power twin tip. Also tried others.

ipower800.jpg
 
Apologies but I digress, Greg; the swim in your photo looks spot on. Did you catch that day?

As for rods,; I bought a secondhand B&W Hexagraph Avon No. 2 a few years ago, and shall be using that for the foreseeable future (though not for swinging out leads over 2oz). I bought a Harrison 4-piece Avon recently and love the through action. It's 11' though.

Good luck with your quest. As Bob suggests, you probably can't go wrong with a Harrison. The question is; which one?
 
Greg, if you are looking for new rods and about £150 each, I would recommend you have a look at the Free Spirit barbel rods. They have several 12'ers to choose from.
I have an 11' x 1.5tc and love it.
Mike
 
Hi where about do you I've please I might be able to help you I have 2 diawa theory barbel rods one is 1.75 tc used. twice the other is brand new 2.25 tc still has plastic on handle they both have Avon top and quiver top sections. with 2 white rips 2&3 once carbon tips. Make me decent offer. they retail at £99. .the only reason to sell is I'm getting a pair of rods in the closed season and this would go towards my new rods many thanks peter
 
Greg,
I fish the same rivers as yourself and certainly a 1.25 or 1.5 t.c are ideal.
My Hardy 11ft 6 inch barbel rods are being completely rebuilt after 10+ years of good service. For what it's costing me I could buy a new pair of very good quality but these rods are part of me and I am reluctant to move on.
Obviously in your case this wouldn't be cost effective as it would cost you £150 + to have each rod refurbished.
I bought a pair of 1.25 drennans to see me through until my rods are ready but I feel in these rods they would be slightly undergunned possibly for the Avon in winter.
The Harrison's are a superb rod and I know Nigel at Davis tackle would have some in stock. The Free spirit are also a very good blank worth looking at.
If your fishing involves small hooks at times, ie, 12's or 14's then I think you would need to stick with 1.25's but If like many it's with bigger baits and 10's upwards then a 1.5 tc by today's standards would be better in my opinion.
Most rod builders that I have come across that make custom rods for barbel fishing use Harrison's or Free spirit.
Regards John
 
Peter T Thomas said:
Hi where about do you I've please I might be able to help you I have 2 diawa theory barbel rods one is 1.75 tc used. twice the other is brand new 2.25 tc still has plastic on handle they both have Avon top and quiver top sections. with 2 white rips 2&3 once carbon tips. Make me decent offer. they retail at £99. .the only reason to sell is I'm getting a pair of rods in the closed season and this would go towards my new rods many thanks peter
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Sorry Peter, but these 2 rods you have would not be suitable for fishing the Hants Avon or Stour.
A great buy for someone on the Thames or Trent possibly
 
Hi what rods are you looking for then I have 2 other one 1.25 tc which I bought secondhand for £120 off this site last year named as specialist chub rod and the other one is a 1tc Avon also with a built in quiver also from here £50 offers if any use to you?
 
Greg, if you like your old rods so much then why not get them rebuilt, you have 3 months before they are needed. So many times I see 'I wish I never got rid of those rods' posted on this forum. Just think a pair of brand new rods with all their history, might see you another 35 years. Rod builders like Bob Gill can work wonders .
 
Mark Swaby said:
Greg, if you like your old rods so much then why not get them rebuilt, you have 3 months before they are needed. So many times I see 'I wish I never got rid of those rods' posted on this forum. Just think a pair of brand new rods with all their history, might see you another 35 years. Rod builders like Bob Gill can work wonders .
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Possibly cost Mark as opposed to what they're worth.
See my post above. My Hardys are being rebuilt at a cost of between £160-£180 each.
I paid £300 each for them and IMO they are worth being rebuilt......

Regards
John
 
Mike, I will take a look at the Free Spirit range.

Richard, for the last two winters I have fished quite a few swims, in good river conditions which to me looked 'spot on'. The swim in the photo is on Beat 3 Throop and when I first fished it as a boy was on the 'Cooper Dean' ticket, before being absorbed into Throop Fisheries. I last caught Barbel there in the winter of 1983 (8.10, 8.14 and 9lbs.7oz). As I've not fished either the Avon or Stour during the last two summers, I've been winter fishing 'blind' and have not caught or seen another barbel landed during that period. I'm not complaining I enjoy the journey of unlocking and unravelling a stretch and its secrets! I'll be back next season!

Stephen, Richard and Bob I will be looking at the Harrison's Rods/Blanks. Peter I'm looking for a matching Pair of new rods, but thank you for your offer. And Jason I'll look at the Drennan 1.5 Specialist.

Mark/John there is the 'cost' issue of a full rebuild and for me a lot of the 'value' in these rods is in their age and originality. So I will keep them with their matching ABU 54's.

Thanks all for you input, "and don't tell my wife" that I'm even thinking of getting more 'fishing gear'!!!
Regards

Greg.
 
Free spirit.... didn’t know anyone else built rods... lol

I have a friend selling a pair of 12ft 6” Drennan super specialist barbel rods one has never been used
 
There is the Drennan Specialist 12ft Twin Tip Duo 1.5 on their web site. There is also a Martin Bowler 12ft 1.75TC Specimen Barbel (for more money). Has anyone used the Drennan Specialist 1.5 for Barbel with the Avon top as opposed to the quiver tip option? In the winter there will be a bit of extra flow, I'll be using 12lbs line and a big feeder or up to a 3oz lead, with an underarm swing cast. The 1.5 is rated up to 10lbs line, so using 12 I'm just looking for a bit more abrasion resistance/strength. I'm thinking it should cope with playing a big barbel (I've heard they now run up near 20 lbs) in heavy flow? Clearly I need to get my hands on a couple of options and get a feel for their action and robustness.
 
Greg, I've got the Martin Bowler 1.75 drennans I bought last year for the Trent. Good for the Trent casting 3-4 oz leads 50-60 yards.
They're not much fun for the Avon and certainly not for the Stour.

I also bought a pair of the 1.25 twin tip duos just so get me through whilst my rods are being refurbished, slightly under gunned fro the Avon in winter with the Avon tips but spot on for the Stour.

The 1.5 twin tip duos will suit your needs fine. They will save you £100 as opposed to the Harrison and Free spirits so if the missus finds out you'll just get a bolla#%ING as opposed to divorce :D
 
I think the Fox range of Barbel rods at 1.75 have the feel of a 1.50 t.c. I have a pair of the old Fox Plus and they are brilliant...apparently the Duo's are at least as good. Great action rods, light and slim. Harrison Torrix are well, need I say anything, and with the1.75 you have a rod to cover most conditions, apparently the 1.75 is favoured over the 1.5..
 
Hi Greg,
If of any use to you I have a pair of Korum 12 ft Neoteric XS Twin Tops with 1.25lb & 1.5lb tips that are not being used. Both rods in excellent condition. They were once owned by Dai Gribble, although I can’t prove that now !! I won them in a charity auction and have never used them. If you, or anyone, is interested in them drop me a line. I’m not interested in packing them up for carriage but would welcome collection (Dartford, Kent area) or I travel extensively for work so a meet might well be feasible. Happy to meet for a “wiggle” no obligation. Photo’s can be emailed later in week, have an early start tomorrow and away for a couple of days.
Regards
Bill W
 
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Bill Walford said:
Hi Greg,
If of any use to you I have a pair of Korum 12 ft Neoteric XS Twin Tops with 1.25lb & 1.5lb tips that are not being used. Both rods in excellent condition. They were once owned by Dai Gribble, although I can’t prove that now !! I won them in a charity auction and have never used them. If you, or anyone, is interested in them drop me a line. I’m not interested in packing them up for carriage but would welcome collection (Dartford, Kent area) or I travel extensively for work so a meet might well be feasible. Happy to meet for a “wiggle” no obligation. Photo’s can be emailed later in week, have an early start tomorrow and away for a couple of days.
Regards
Bill W
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Crikey Bill, you've got more stock than most tackle shops. :D:p:D
 
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