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New rod.

Simon Archer

Simon Archer

Senior Member & Supporter
Considering getting a new rod for rolling meat. I normally use a Daiwa commercial method feeder rod, which is ok, but not ideal. (line sticking being the biggest problem) I've done a search on here, and the Torrix 1.75lb seems to come out top. However, I'm not a fan of the Torrix's finish on the tip section. I prefer the 1k weave finish TBH. Not a show stopper, but I'd want to get it right initially, so as not to have to buy again if I get it wrong.

I don't mind second hand rods, I'd could go for a custom build as well. Ideally a screw down reel fitting. Just looking for ideas really.
 
Hi Simon,

I’ve just bought a used 11’ Free Spirit Barbel Tamer 1.5 for exactly this. Took it out immediately and landed a 9lb 4oz fish rolling meat. Unbelievably light and slim blank with single leg guides. Superb action but quick enough tip that it would probably work trotting a float if you were wading.
 

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Simon Archer said:
Considering getting a new rod for rolling meat. I normally use a Daiwa commercial method feeder rod, which is ok, but not ideal. (line sticking being the biggest problem) I've done a search on here, and the Torrix 1.75lb seems to come out top. However, I'm not a fan of the Torrix's finish on the tip section. I prefer the 1k weave finish TBH. Not a show stopper, but I'd want to get it right initially, so as not to have to buy again if I get it wrong.

I don't mind second hand rods, I'd could go for a custom build as well. Ideally a screw down reel fitting. Just looking for ideas really.
Click to expand...
I recently met Roger from Peregrine Rods whilst we were fishing the Wye and he was using an 11’ Torrix 1.75 with. 4oz spliced tip he’d built for himself for rolling meat.
He said the extra sensitivity made a big difference in spotting and converting bites and I would imagine he would know these things?
 
I’ve been using a Harrison Avon 1lb 6oz I bought through the forum this year for rolling meat. Does the job well. It’s fairly through actioned, I’ve not tried any other Harrisons so don’t know how it compares to a Torrix
 
I had Roger of Peregrine rods build me a 11' gti 1.75lb tc with an optional 4oz quiver top. It's without a doubt my favourite rod and the one i use the most when conditions allow of course. Beautifully built and bends like you wouldn't believe with a good fish on but still has plenty of reserve in the butt to stop things. Not cheap these days and looking on Rodgers website £320 for the standard gti at 11' with an extra £100 for the quiver section. I can't give you an opinion on a torrix as I haven't tried one yet.
 
Thanks for the replies, folks. Much appreciated.

How about this, any good ?? I do like the look of this style of blank. Don't think I'd use the QT though, as I'd leave the rod set up.

johnsonrosstackle.co.uk

Free Spirit E-Class Twin Tip Specialist 11ft 1.5lb

We are really excited about the launch of the new ‘E’-Class having developed what we believe will prove to be even more popular than the original series. The rods feature a 45-degree 1k woven carbon blank, a full cork handle with a clone seat and guides fitted with the RS liner
johnsonrosstackle.co.uk johnsonrosstackle.co.uk


Or this ?? They appear very similar to me, bar the QT.

tacklebox.co.uk

Free Spirit - Spirit Specialist Rod 11ft 1.5lb - 20mm

Free Spirit - Spirit Specialist Rod 11ft 1.5lb - 20mm
tacklebox.co.uk tacklebox.co.uk
 
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Etienne Harvey said:
I had Roger of Peregrine rods build me a 11' gti 1.75lb tc with an optional 4oz quiver top. It's without a doubt my favourite rod and the one i use the most when conditions allow of course. Beautifully built and bends like you wouldn't believe with a good fish on but still has plenty of reserve in the butt to stop things. Not cheap these days and looking on Rodgers website £320 for the standard gti at 11' with an extra £100 for the quiver section. I can't give you an opinion on a torrix as I haven't tried one yet.
Click to expand...
I must admit I was nearly tempted but I don’t do a lot of rolling meat and even by bespoke standards that’s a serious investment
If I start I have a 12’ 1.25 Torrix that has a carrier section that will accommodate a 4oz tip
Pretty sure it’s the same butt section as the 1.75 Torrix - loads of power
 
I brought my gti 10 or 11 years ago and to be honest I really can't remember how much I paid for it then. Looking at the prices I suspect now it's alot more than I paid. But it's a quality rod that i have caught plenty of fish with and every time I see the amount it can bend it puts a smile on my face. If I broke it god forbid I'd buy another one. I only use the 4oz spliced top for rolling meat and the 1.75 top for general ledger/feeder work as it can cast 2-4 oz comfortably.
 
Sorry Simon, I just checked the link i put in my previous message and it's a link to Andrew Burt's floats and I cant edit my message to correct it. This was the rods I should have linked to.
 
An 11ft 1.75 torrix is a good place to start. You want something light and slim, you're not casting any weight, so you don't need grunt. Some 12ft 1.75lb rods will feel over-gunned.
 
This is not a very sexy sounding choice Simon, so I do apologise. I happened to acquire a haul of rods including 3 x pairs of Daiwa Basias and 3 x pairs of Powermesh', with the intention of selling most of them on. I have to say though, I really like the 1.5lb tc Powermesh which was the later version - an 'inferior' version to the previous ones by most accounts due to it having Minima type rings. Yet they make it a really well balanced and lightweight rod, ideal for holding all day and rolling or trotting even. There are loads of other rods that would be better for chucking leads out and placed on rests, but for tactile fishing I can't imagine there'd be many better, especially for the money. The action is not 'avon' melt all the way through to the butt, it has a bit in reserve in the butt section yet has a sensitive tip. Out of all the rods, it was the one I was surprised by and is a keeper.
 
Paul Richardson said:
I recently met Roger from Peregrine Rods whilst we were fishing the Wye and he was using an 11’ Torrix 1.75 with. 4oz spliced tip he’d built for himself for rolling meat.
He said the extra sensitivity made a big difference in spotting and converting bites and I would imagine he would know these things?
Click to expand...
He built one for me, truly a great rod. Sadly age and health dictated a sale earlier this summer.
 
Simon Archer said:
However, I'm not a fan of the Torrix's finish on the tip section. I prefer the 1k weave finish TBH.
Click to expand...
This change in carbon type from the weave to the plain finish is what makes a Torrix what it is in terms of action. It’s 2 different cloth types put together on the mandrel giving the Torrix this faster tip action and very steely mid to low.
If the carbon was 1k weave right to the tip it would be very stiff in the tip and a completely different action altogether.
In the flesh they look fantastic as they are.

I don’t actually know of a rod in 1k weave where it’s taken right to the tip. Free spirit did this with 3k weave on their seekers I believe and it was a very slow taper resulting in quite through actioned rods.

I would suggest you get the action that you want before worrying about the manufacturing changes in carbon type personally
 
Richard Isaacs said:
This change in carbon type from the weave to the plain finish is what makes a Torrix what it is in terms of action. It’s 2 different cloth types put together on the mandrel giving the Torrix this faster tip action and very steely mid to low.
If the carbon was 1k weave right to the tip it would be very stiff in the tip and a completely different action altogether.
In the flesh they look fantastic as they are.

I don’t actually know of a rod in 1k weave where it’s taken right to the tip. Free spirit did this with 3k weave on their seekers I believe and it was a very slow taper resulting in quite through actioned rods.

I would suggest you get the action that you want before worrying about the manufacturing changes in carbon type personally
Click to expand...
Ive asked questions about the Torrix far too many times but again, this description of the layup and the tip action sounds exactly what I want from a rod.

What sort of casting weights can I expect? I'm fishing smaller rivers, I usually fish the slacks or far bank slower water spots, fishing leads up to around 2oz or at a push. Rod on a pair of rests with the tip low.

It's the 11ft 1.75 that I'm interested in.
 
Mark Evans 2 said:
Ive asked questions about the Torrix far too many times but again, this description of the layup and the tip action sounds exactly what I want from a rod.

What sort of casting weights can I expect? I'm fishing smaller rivers, I usually fish the slacks or far bank slower water spots, fishing leads up to around 2oz or at a push. Rod on a pair of rests with the tip low.

It's the 11ft 1.75 that I'm interested in.
Click to expand...
Watch this video which should answer your questions:
 
Do Harrison’s do a 11 foot chimera in 1.75? I dont think they do ? I think they’re supposed to a more through action rod ? A shame they don’t do a stronger rod in 11 foot
 
Mark Evans 2 said:
Ive asked questions about the Torrix far too many times but again, this description of the layup and the tip action sounds exactly what I want from a rod.

What sort of casting weights can I expect? I'm fishing smaller rivers, I usually fish the slacks or far bank slower water spots, fishing leads up to around 2oz or at a push. Rod on a pair of rests with the tip low.

It's the 11ft 1.75 that I'm interested in.
Click to expand...
The torrix 11ft 1.75 is a real gem mark. I’ve had 2 now for a good number of years and while the majority of my barbel are caught trotting floats nowadays, I still take the torrix’s out on the right days.

It is a medium/fast action as far as I’m concerned the back end is very steel lite and only starts to really bend when you have something quite special pulling back
It’s light for a specialist rod and it’s fairly slim too.
 
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