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New rod/reel question

Iain Tutt

Iain Tutt

Senior Member
Hi Chaps just joined. 40 years a Carper but getting bored so now targeting Barbel.
Ive just ordered a Fox Duo-Lite Twin Tip Specialist Rod,12ft,1.75/2.25tc. What would be the best size reel to suit this. Also as i can find any info on line size, what poundage would you recommend.
 
Depends what balances the rod best, by my preference would be a Shimano 5000 baitrunner of one description or another, I use XTEA's mostly but also have some older GTE's which are a bit smaller and lighter.
If tou frequent places like the Tidal trent then you may wish to consider something a bit beefier....my preference is the 6000 XTEA

Andy
 
Cheers Cliff. I have a 4500 Daiwa black widow bait runner i'll try before purchasing a smaller reel. Ive been talking to people that fish the Arun and they said as there is Carp and Barbel in the river i should use 15lb straight though. To me this feels a bit over gunned as it's above the line rating of a 1.75/2.25tc rod. One person done a link to the Drennan site were the chap was using a 1.5tc with 15lb line on a Series 7 Specialist
Avon Quiver 12ft 1.5lb rod. On the Drennan site the line recommendation is 5 to 10lb. So am a bit confused
 
I think the general rule is max line strength is approx 6 times the test curve, it's a good guide imo. Of course other factors like snags etc come into play but I'd feel confident landing most fish on a 1.75 rod with 10lb line, takes some breaking.
 
Hi. Cliff that's how i work it out. Tc x 6 to get the max. But from talks from club members 99% said they use 15lb on the Arun due to the snags and the size of the fish. 30lb Carp and 19lb Barbel are not that hard to catch. Even with a 1.75 rod their using 12lb on the non tidal stretches. This goes against the rule of Tc x 6. Maybe the rule have changed in these modern days of Carbon. I started fishing with a Bamboo rod back in the 60's when the new up to date rods where just being made in Fibre glass.

Rob. I have loaded my Daiwa black widow 4500 and it seem a nice balance to the out fit. Ive had some good fighting Carp with this reel and found the clutch to be very smooth
 
Quote..." 30lb Carp and 19lb Barbel are not that hard to catch"

I must be fishing the wrong bloody waters.........
 
I guess if truth be known, the type of 'normal', everyday use we put our rods through will not allow an excessive line strength to snap them. As Ian said, the clutch on his reel is 'silky smooth'....which says it all. Backwinding or using the clutch when required will stop the rod from snapping, however strong the line is, simple as that. It is only when you are in a 'hook and hold' situation that overly strong line may break the rod.

The other point that struck me was this...what set of 'numbers' was the recommended line strength the makers put on some rods based on? The ACTUAL breaking strain of the line....or the nonsense most manufacturers put on the box and spool label?

If it's the latter, then the figures on the rod are based on inaccurate data, whereas if it's the former, most anglers will be inadvertently overloading their rods anyway....which again makes it a nonsense.

The fact is, all these numbers...the test curves, stated line strengths, whatever...are usually wildly inaccurate garbage. So, either the manufactures start getting things right (or in the case of test curves, come up with a system that works)....or we carry on making our own decisions on what rod, and what line, to use. sounds good to me :D

Cheers, Dave.
 
David. A well written post.The card that came with the rod stated 13lb line max but does not say on which tip the 1.75 or the 2.25tc. Am always worried the rod is going to snap if the line is over the stated max. As i use my clutch as it's meant to be used going to 15lb should be OK fingers crossed.
Now i have to work out the max casting weight as there is no information on this.As a old Carper i know what weights i can safely chuck out. Ive catch wild Carp and Barbel with my Carp rod but i feel i can get that extra enjoyment fishing with a more finesse approach.

Andy i should have said fish of that size are regularly caught there. I caught a 25lb Carp my own PB within minutes of plonking my bait in the swim but i was just lucky on that day.
 
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