• 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...

more powerful rod

Cliff Turner

Cliff Turner

Senior Member & Supporter
sorry for another rod thread, but has anyone got experience using the Chimera Specialist no3 and the Peregrine Floodwater II ? Looking at all the past threads and comments on here it seems they are both well recommended for bigger rivers/floods when heavier leads required. I know we all have our different preferences but if anyone has both or has used both I'd like to here what the main differences are ? thanks.
 
Used a Chimera 3 and ended using it primarily for light sea fishing - so not much help regarding freshwater. I know it will lob heavy leads and feeders and is also rated by many barbel anglers.
When I packed in rod building had a couple of Chimera 3 blanks so made them up, sold one and still got the other (new).
 
I think they are very different rods. I’ve had no personal experience with either so this opinion is purely based on what I’ve been told. but I’ve got a friend who fishes the tidal Trent and he’s switched from the peregrine flood to the no3. From how he explained it the peregrine was too soft for him in tip but that’s how it’s designed to let the rod bend in the heavy flood water without shifting the lead but I have been told it’s an acquired taste and he’s gone onto chimera no3 now and seems happier.
 
I used the Chimera 3 for a while now, maybe 4 seasons?, and I really like it for heavy leads and feeders. I have handled the Peregrine and had a few test casts on a stillwater so I was able to give it plenty of welly. What Richard says about the tip is correct and they are indeed very different.

My impression is Peregrine, despite the softer tip, is more powerful than the stiffer tipped Chimera 3 and able to the cast slightly heavier weights. This is due I think to the butt section being more powerful, but as a result its likely to be less forgiving and perhaps more likely to lock up quicker (although that could only really be tested in the heat of battle). What I like best about the Chimera 3 is that despite being able to deal comfortably with 6oz leads, it's a really nice fish playing tool because of the action in the butt section.
 
Cliff, have you rung Peregrine they do state that they can build on Harrison blanks and might be able to advise. I have used a Chimera floodwater since they came out for Snag fishing and where rogue carp come into the situation.They are a beast of a rod and i honestly cannot see them being bettered for that use. I do not get hook pulls and really hold big fish hard when playing It must be due to the action being, very powerful, but through.
 
Last edited:
Like the Rod Hutchinson The One carp rod 3.25lb test curve, got for a snip at £40.00 from go outdoors a while back , great for large river fishing, nice playing action and great casting too .
 
Just enquiring, is the Peregrine flood a Harrison Ballista? If so what test curve. Ballista"s have a very good playing action. Seen a couple in my time and always thought it was?
 
Try phoning Roger at Peregrine rods, extremely helpful and a wealth of knowledge on anything rod related. I've had a mk1 and a mk2 floodwater since they first came out and they are my go to rods as soon as we've got a bit of water on. Capable of casting the heaviest feeders yet sensitive to the smallest bite. There is no test curve as its got a spliced in tip . More on the technicalities speak with Roger. Super after sales service as well.
 
Jon Frisby said:
Just enquiring, is the Peregrine flood a Harrison Ballista? If so what test curve. Ballista"s have a very good playing action. Seen a couple in my time and always thought it was?
Click to expand...

Could well be, but I can say with certainty that you wouldn't want to be casting heavy feeders with the 2.5lb Ballista carp rods, or the 2.75lb Ballista slims. I could be wrong, but I think the Peregrine rod was designed by Chris Ponsford, so he would know the full s.p.

But to clarify, I wasnt saying the peregrine wasn't forgiving, just not as forgiving compared with the Chimera.
 
I've got one of the harrison flood and snag rods, 11ft 6in. Brilliant rod. When there's a few feet on its brilliant.
 
Peregrine rods are beautifully built that’s for sure
I’ve a GTX among my custom builds and it’s my favourite rod for sub 2oz lead work
The barbel in my profile pic is my pb to date at 15,3 which was tamed with the gtx.
 
Cliff Turner said:
ok will give Roger a call, thanks chaps
Click to expand...
Cliff
I've got a mk1 Peregrine floodwater and a pair of Chimera 3's, both great rods for the job in hand! if you're ever down Ross way, I'll meet up with you and you can have a waggle of both, if that helps!
Cheers
Mark
 
thanks Mark, appreciate that offer. In your opinion which rod is better suited to flood and snag/hit and hold fishing (I generally prefer a through action rod) ?
 
Cliff Turner said:
thanks Mark, appreciate that offer. In your opinion which rod is better suited to flood and snag/hit and hold fishing (I generally prefer a through action rod) ?
Click to expand...
I would say the Peregrine Floodwater edges it with it's action and greater casting weight. However, the Chimera 3 is a cracking rod, loads of power (can chuck 6oz feeders for fun across the Tidal Trent) and has a lovely through action!
 
Richard Isaacs said:
Peregrine rods are beautifully built that’s for sure
I’ve a GTX among my custom builds and it’s my favourite rod for sub 2oz lead work
The barbel in my profile pic is my pb to date at 15,3 which was tamed with the gtx.
Click to expand...

I’m sure I’ve read somewhere that the GTX’s built on the Chimera 1 and 2 blanks. Do you know if that’s the case a Richard?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top