New chub rod

[Bob Gill]

Showing me age...old timers speak for spliced in q.tips.

Well I knew what you meant Neil.
Accumulated lots over the years - some up to 3' plus.
Must have hundreds of tips - carbon, fibreglass and even a wallet of hollow.
Good way of salvaging some busted tips - instead of chucking them away.........

TTFN
Bob

 

[Paul Richardson]

Quick Update.
I've been using my Torrix 1.25tc quivertip ' chub' rod for barbel fishing on small venues, fishing small feeders ( 50g) and small baits; maggots , castors, single pellets etc..
What a great rod, giving nice sporting fights with smaller fish, but enough power to really pull hard against better fish>10lb( we don't have Trent monsters where I fish but I honestly wouldn't have any qualms that it could handle bigger doubles)
Teamed with a 4000 Cadence CS10 , it's as light as feather and whilst I'm not a brilliant caster, my accuracy has increased significantly. On Sunday I went through 3 pints of maggots via a blackcap ( so a lot of casts) and was dropping the feeder within 6 inches of a willow canopy virtually every every cast. In the middle of the day that accuracy was the difference between getting a bite and not. I haven't changed anything so I presume its the way the rod loads up and it's so light it goes where I point it?
Being a bit of a ' catch what's in front of me' kinda person, I like that if it's a 10oz Perch, 3lb chub, 5lb bream or 9lb barbel I get a bend in the rod, yet never feel under gunned on the better fish, which is important in this warmer weather. I've used reel lines from 6-15lb and it handles them all perfectly, but of late I've stuck with the 15lb Mimicry to a 9lb hooklink and really bent into fish with confidence. I've settled on a 3oz push in tip as an all-rounder, and see barbel bites way quicker than I would on a conventional set-up. You would be amazed at just how delicate some of these bites are, a lot of them look like minnow or dace bites, and I do wonder if they would have converted to a 3ft twitch on conventional rigs?
Or putting it another way, do we get ' done' by barbel more than we realize? I know Trefor West would say 'rubbish - just assume the position and wait for it to whack round' and who am I to argue
All I know is I'm hooking and landing more fish using 1 x tip rod, than 2 x 1.75tc rods.
It won't be for everyone, but for smaller rivers and summer levels this Torrix is an absolute gem if you're looking for something a little bit different.

 

[Dean Aston]

Very nice chub rod would mind one of them a nice 12ft would suite me fine

 

[Paul Richardson]

Very nice chub rod would mind one of them a nice 12ft would suite me fine

Yes mines 12ft as I need the extra length in certain swims to try and keep them out of near side snags

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Yeah I went for the 11ft Avon on mine. Perfect for the smaller rivers round my way.
it’s not as powerful as the torrix 1.25 either.
ive had tench to just shy of 8lb on it and it’s an absolute pleasure. Hoops right over

 

[Neil Smart]

I have just dug out my much neglected Dave Mason river rod, just 10.6 inches of pure delight. It really is a sensitive soul but does have a firm disposition when called upon. I have a variety of avons including the old daiwa, given now Barbel are caught more in hope than expectation, it's a lovely compromise, and if a big Barbel pays a visit not undergunned.
Think it's a IM6 blank? lovely action.
Rich you really need a sponsor, get DT on it

 

[Adam Wylie]

Very nice !!

 

[Luke Hodson]

I have a grin every time I use my Seer quiver/avon rod for all the reasons that have been said, might have to dig it out and take it down the river tomorrow

 

[Bob Gill]

I have just dug out my much neglected Dave Mason river rod, just 10.6 inches of pure delight. It really is a sensitive soul but does have a firm disposition when called upon. I have a variety of avons including the old daiwa, given now Barbel are caught more in hope than expectation, it's a lovely compromise, and if a big Barbel pays a visit not undergunned.
Think it's a IM6 blank? lovely action.
Rich you really need a sponsor, get DT on it

Sadly, the blank on the Dave Mason and the later substitute are long gone.

 

[Paul Richardson]

I have a grin every time I use my Seer quiver/avon rod for all the reasons that have been said, might have to dig it out and take it down the river tomorrow

I picked up a Bruce & Walker barbel quiver last year and I'd completely forgotten about it! Apparently back in the day it was the bees knees and one of the first dedicated barbel rods. It deserves an outing.

 

[Dean Aston]

Thought I bump this back up and see how you getting on with your custom built rods ? Been thinking about rod to use for my Chub/roach fishing on the Severn.

 

[Paul Richardson]

Honestly, the torrix twin tip I got from MT is my favourite rod and I have a few for various disciplines
2 oz tip for chub - nice fight off all sizes, perfect bite indication for the hard winter days and comfortably deal with 6+ spate river snag masters
Very light so my casting accuracy has really improved
Just can’t praise it enough
I’ve used it as a summer barbel rod for last 2 seasons with heavier tips in and again perfect for 40-50g feeders and brilliant for shoal barbel though have had a few low doubles on it
The 1.25tc is a bit misleading as it’s a really powerful rod in the butt
It’s only limitations are bigger feeder weights , but even then I have a 4 oz tip which MT agreed was fine to use
An investment but I’d recommend it 100%

 

[Dean Aston]

Cheers Paul ..

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Thought I bump this back up and see how you getting on with your custom built rods ? Been thinking about rod to use for my Chub/roach fishing on the Severn.

My build would be a tad on the light side for the Severn unless in really low water conditions/swim choice dependent.

I love it though. Like Paul it is also one of my very favorite rods. I’ve had lots of chub, tench and a double figure barbel on it.
Amazing rod.
It’s superb for holding all day doing a bit of touch as well.

 

[Julian Griffiths]

Honestly, the torrix twin tip I got from MT is my favourite rod and I have a few for various disciplines
2 oz tip for chub - nice fight off all sizes, perfect bite indication for the hard winter days and comfortably deal with 6+ spate river snag masters
Very light so my casting accuracy has really improved
Just can’t praise it enough
I’ve used it as a summer barbel rod for last 2 seasons with heavier tips in and again perfect for 40-50g feeders and brilliant for shoal barbel though have had a few low doubles on it
The 1.25tc is a bit misleading as it’s a really powerful rod in the butt
It’s only limitations are bigger feeder weights , but even then I have a 4 oz tip which MT agreed was fine to use
An investment but I’d recommend it 100%

Hi Paul.

Did you provide the 2oz & 4oz tips for your twin tip Torrix Paul?

Which tips did you use, drennans?

A guy I know had this same rod built for him, and unfortunately the tip of the carrier section snapped whilst he was fishing with it... Not sure the reason, but Mark put it down to a weakness in the blank.... Obviously you've (touch wood) haven't had any issues with your carrier section.

 

[Anthony James]

Just thought I’d share I’ve been down to see mr Tunley today to collect my order.
I love a bit of chub fishing especially in winter and it’s been long over due that I customized a rod to suit my requirements exactly for chub ledgering methods. Float is sorted as the compact Acolyte is spot on for my trotting but my quiver rods can be vastly improved on for my small water big chub roaming.
My Spec.
Harrison Avon 11ft 1.125 Avon rod. Lots of power lovely soft action. 4-8lb main lines. An awesome blank for chub recommendation made by Mark.

Tip cut down and spliced with Long 2oz quiver tip for ledgering with small weights on small rivers and streams. I don’t like interchangeables I like 1 tip that works properly with the rod.

Fuji 20mm k series singles set.
My favorite rings on specialist rods.

Full cork with sliding bands
For me on rods like this a sliding band reel seat is far nicer than the fixed type.
I can chose exactly how much handle I want sticking out the back and balance up a reel perfectly to the rod. Something I think is very beneficial with touch ledgering feeling for bites.

Last 75mm Japanese shrink tube.
I don’t like any Eva on my rods but I do let the back end sit in the wet mud quite often when roaming. This should provide a little extra protection on the cork.

Tip painted white and orange. Covers most backgrounds I’d say.

So overall functionality over form. It’s a very understated Matt finish with simple black whippings.
As you’d expect from MT it’s an amazing job.
View attachment 11062View attachment 11063View attachment 11064View attachment 11065

Wow what a lovely rod Rich, congrats!! Also love the idea of sliding bands looks perfect for touch and link ledger bobbing across the flow!

I just a few weeks ago picked up one of Marks 11.6 multi tips for a similar purpose. Actually the multi tip may aswell be spliced it works just as well with his magic section.

Happy hunting and tight lines.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Wow what a lovely rod Rich, congrats!! Also love the idea of sliding bands looks perfect for touch and link ledger bobbing across the flow!

I just a few weeks ago picked up one of Marks 11.6 multi tips for a similar purpose. Actually the multi tip may aswell be spliced it works just as well with his magic section.

Happy hunting and tight lines.

Yeah that magic tip is brilliant and exactly as you say will work beautifully as any combination.
Normark feeder rods were very similar. With dedicated section tips and over fit joints. Definitely the way to go for perfect multi top actions

 

[Paul Richardson]

Hi Paul.

Did you provide the 2oz & 4oz tips for your twin tip Torrix Paul?

Which tips did you use, drennans?

A guy I know had this same rod built for him, and unfortunately the tip of the carrier section snapped whilst he was fishing with it... Not sure the reason, but Mark put it down to a weakness in the blank.... Obviously you've (touch wood) haven't had any issues with your carrier section.

Hi Julian
I have heard Dave Lumb report issues with the carrier section on that blank but (touch wood) no issues and it’s had some proper work outs on duffer early season barbel and using strong line(15lb low dia - cleared by MT)
Lots and lots of casting and plenty of fish
I’d say it’s one of only a few rods I own that gets used anywhere near it”s full capabilities - so set the clutch properly , have faith in your line, knots and rigs and hold on
MT asked me to supply Drennan carbon tips and he tweaked them so they were a perfect fit in the carrier but I don’t think it was any more technical than a bit of wet & dry but to his exacting standards
He specified carbon not glass btw
It’s the spliced tip section that makes me slightly nervous as if I damage that I’ll be a broken man with a broken rod

 

[Julian Griffiths]

Hi Julian
I have heard Dave Lumb report issues with the carrier section on that blank but (touch wood) no issues and it’s had some proper work outs on duffer early season barbel and using strong line(15lb low dia - cleared by MT)
Lots and lots of casting and plenty of fish
I’d say it’s one of only a few rods I own that gets used anywhere near it”s full capabilities - so set the clutch properly , have faith in your line, knots and rigs and hold on
MT asked me to supply Drennan carbon tips and he tweaked them so they were a perfect fit in the carrier but I don’t think it was any more technical than a bit of wet & dry but to his exacting standards
He specified carbon not glass btw
It’s the spliced tip section that makes me slightly nervous as if I damage that I’ll be a broken man with a broken rod

Yes Paul, that spliced tip section is so integral to the rod, without it it's next to useless.
I had my Torrix twin tips done years ago, when you were able to have the green blanks, I used them for a while myself, but didn't catch on them, so I wouldn't say mine have had the proper workout either!
Had the same carbon drennan tips added to mine.
Beautiful rods those Torrix's

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Well I gave mine more abuse yesterday than it’s ever had in its life.
Thought to myself I’m going to give it an afternoon at close range with a method feeder on my local lake. Never used a method feeder before and the little Harrison Avon chub rod would be a lot of fun.
Well at one point I had em queing up and managed 16 carp including 3 decent doubles. Poor little rod I watched it bend in places I’ve never seen it bend before but it came back in the same number of pieces and I got to give it a right old blast out. Chub certainly don’t punish it to that degree.
Bit of fun while we patiently wait for the rivers to open.