Kevin Stephenson
Senior Member
Bloody hell thats a bit pricey on those. Good job I have 3 of the originals. Roger puts fatter corks and fuji reel seats. The shop bought ones have slim corks and fuji top and ring adjuster. Not the full reel seat.
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Normark float rods
- Thread starter Richard Isaacs
- Start date
Kevin Stephenson
Senior Member
Kevin Stephenson
Senior Member
Walkers did say they had a waiting list of 50 for the new float rods.
Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
At 400-500 a pop, a 50 person list is quite a sale day.
Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
I think Roger has done mine to just standard build then.
My cork handle is quite thin and I’ve got the free spirit clone seat on mine. Silver sic guides.
It doesn’t sound as good a spec as the ones he’s done you. Yours sound like custom builds.
Huanzhou Zhu
Senior Member
Actually, I think most Fuji staff are made in China, I know they have a factory there and the quality control is managed by the Japanese.Chinese rings, sacrificing cork for Eva, fatter blanks.
Your not selling it to me Kev
I have an original version and tbh I don’t particularly like the rings on that either. Probably out of China aswell. Bloody free spirit cheap skates.
12-20% weight saving. Now is that on the guides (afew grams and probably unnoticeable) or on the complete rod. (Huge difference). I’d imagine the former on that one but it’s not clear
And TBH, I don't care where they are made, but this Eva handle and fatter blanks really put me off...
Weight saving...is Eva lighter than the high quality cork?
Huanzhou Zhu
Senior Member
I think Roger can custom build rod to your spec at a price?
Kevin Stephenson
Senior Member
Yes I had the handle shortened by about 2 inches and the reel seat screwed down to the butt not up. It's perfect for what I need so getting roger to put the same on the other 2 I have.
Kevin Stephenson
Senior Member
Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
I’m sure these are not Fuji. I don’t know what they are tbh. Just standard s lite guides I’d imagine
Huanzhou Zhu
Senior Member
To be fair, those s lite guides are OK, maybe not the top quality, but not that bad. The guides they used on specialist gold barbel rod are good, better than the S and Hi S range I think. And I have no idea why they put the anti-tangle guides on tamer rods but not the high end rods...
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Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
They’ll certainly do the job
I’ve no reason to change anything on it as it’s more likely I’ll be using other rods more often locally round here.
Like my new averager
That’s getting an outing on Sunday
Neil Smart
Senior Member
Not expecting a great session then Rich?They’ll certainly do the job
I’ve no reason to change anything on it as it’s more likely I’ll be using other rods more often locally round here.
Like my new averager
That’s getting an outing on Sunday
Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
I never turn up with high expectations Neil. That way disappointment doesn’t come as a surpriseNot expecting a great session then Rich?
Neil Smart
Senior Member
I was alluding to you giving the Averager a session ss opposed to the more confident AvengerI never turn up with high expectations Neil. That way disappointment doesn’t come as a surprise
.#havingamare.
Neil Maidment
Senior Member
I inherited 9 Normarks when my Uncle passed away in 2017 after a very short fight with a terminal disease. All purchased over a period of time via connections with Exeter Angling/Geoff Salisbury and part of multiple orders by my late uncle and his three other team mates based in Christchurch.
2 x 12ft Microlite Match RNMM 144-3
2 x 13ft Microlite Match NMMT 1563
2 x 13ft Titan Match RNTM 1563
I eventually sold one of each with the proceeds going to a relevant charity. Kept the remaining three and all have been used to good effect. They are superb rods to use and amazing considering the era in which they were conceived and designed. I've had a few scary moments when hooking winter Dorset Stour chub and the occasional spotted tourist while trotting for grayling but the rods are supreme items!
I also sold the two 11ft Multi Tip Quiver rods and a 13ft Noboron Match rod, both in need of a lot of TLC, with the proceeds also going to the charity.
2 x 12ft Microlite Match RNMM 144-3
2 x 13ft Microlite Match NMMT 1563
2 x 13ft Titan Match RNTM 1563
I eventually sold one of each with the proceeds going to a relevant charity. Kept the remaining three and all have been used to good effect. They are superb rods to use and amazing considering the era in which they were conceived and designed. I've had a few scary moments when hooking winter Dorset Stour chub and the occasional spotted tourist while trotting for grayling but the rods are supreme items!
I also sold the two 11ft Multi Tip Quiver rods and a 13ft Noboron Match rod, both in need of a lot of TLC, with the proceeds also going to the charity.
Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
I’ve got the Titan out doing the business with the “ladies” today
Roy Daintith
Senior Member & Supporter
Benwick Sports also now showing the free Spirit rods - not yet in stock though.
Always liked Normark rods and on returning to fishing in 1989 (after a brief hiatus ) I bought a cheap Daiwa Cavalier rod which was fine for a couple of years but soon wanted something better. In 1993 I spent about and hour and a half after work in Leslies of Luton trying to choose between the Avenger 13' cork handled version or the newer blank with Fuji screw down reel seat and went for the older, all cork version; slightly stiffer blank and wasn't used to screw down reel seats. It was '93 so not sure which version of the new Titan and Avenger that would have been - were they called '2000' by then?
I loved that Avenger and felt it would cope with a lot - it was subsequently stolen in '98 but I managed to replace it with new old stock about 2002
I bought a 14' Avenger (again cork handled version) about two years ago from eBay; I'm not sure it is as good as the 13' as it feels like a rod designed at 13' but then each section simply lengthened to make it 14'.
I'd like the 13' to be re-rung as I now find the eyes a little too small for the rod and the 14' I'd like rebuilt but am wary of posting them anywhere.
The one issue with them is that they were fairly stiff in the lower section and care was needed when playing fish under the rod tip; if I recall correctly, Keith Arthur thought they locked up to soon in the blank. I'm not sure if that's the case with the 2000 and 3000 blanks.
I have used Carbotec rods - bought the 13' feeder rod after some chats with Geoff Salisbury and a friend bought the No2 float rod; I sold the 13' feeder rod after a few years as I couldn't get on with it.
Best float rods I've had are Milo 'Titanic' and 'Revenger' ( see wha they did there with the names) from mid - late 90's and were apparently built on Japanese Daimaru blanks like the Normark 2000's.
Such a personal choice rod blanks; would like a look at the Free Spirit's (as they seem highly regarded here ) and will see when Benwicks have them in stock ~ probably wont buy one though as they'd likely not get much use on the nearest stretch of the Thames to where I live.
Always liked Normark rods and on returning to fishing in 1989 (after a brief hiatus ) I bought a cheap Daiwa Cavalier rod which was fine for a couple of years but soon wanted something better. In 1993 I spent about and hour and a half after work in Leslies of Luton trying to choose between the Avenger 13' cork handled version or the newer blank with Fuji screw down reel seat and went for the older, all cork version; slightly stiffer blank and wasn't used to screw down reel seats. It was '93 so not sure which version of the new Titan and Avenger that would have been - were they called '2000' by then?
I loved that Avenger and felt it would cope with a lot - it was subsequently stolen in '98 but I managed to replace it with new old stock about 2002
I bought a 14' Avenger (again cork handled version) about two years ago from eBay; I'm not sure it is as good as the 13' as it feels like a rod designed at 13' but then each section simply lengthened to make it 14'.
I'd like the 13' to be re-rung as I now find the eyes a little too small for the rod and the 14' I'd like rebuilt but am wary of posting them anywhere.
The one issue with them is that they were fairly stiff in the lower section and care was needed when playing fish under the rod tip; if I recall correctly, Keith Arthur thought they locked up to soon in the blank. I'm not sure if that's the case with the 2000 and 3000 blanks.
I have used Carbotec rods - bought the 13' feeder rod after some chats with Geoff Salisbury and a friend bought the No2 float rod; I sold the 13' feeder rod after a few years as I couldn't get on with it.
Best float rods I've had are Milo 'Titanic' and 'Revenger' ( see wha they did there with the names) from mid - late 90's and were apparently built on Japanese Daimaru blanks like the Normark 2000's.
Such a personal choice rod blanks; would like a look at the Free Spirit's (as they seem highly regarded here ) and will see when Benwicks have them in stock ~ probably wont buy one though as they'd likely not get much use on the nearest stretch of the Thames to where I live.
Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
For me the issues around the very fragile tips mostly associated with the 2000/3000 rods is actually the best part of the rod itself. (Not the fact that they break) but the fact that they are so responsive. Both my normark float rods (Titan 2000 and avenger 3000) have a very thin and delicate tip end and it scares me to death to the point that I’m constantly looking at the line exit point in use for rap overs etc.
but I don’t own another rod like it. You’ve got this hollow tip with all the characteristics/speed/responsiveness/recovery of a spliced tip float rod and no joint or hinge point whatsoever. For running water they are awesome in use.
The Titan certainly doesn’t lock up and as for the avenger I’ll refrain comment on that till I’ve actually hooked a fish on it.
From running line through it and getting my son to run round the garden holding the line while I put a bend through it, I’m certainly nothing but delighted with the rods action. It is very much more resistant to bending over the Titan but it does bend beautifully and the tip remains the same (super fast)
I think the 3000’s were designed to fish exceptionally well at 15ft and rigidity was probably added to the blank to ensure this as you can really feel the difference between them not just the power but the way they both sit straight in the hand at 15ft.
The Titan 2000 is pretty awful at 15ft compared to 13ft where it’s fantastic.
It’s a slouch at 15ft.
The 3000 avenger feels a little too powerful at 13ft for its soft tip dare I say probably on par with my spectron for resistance to bending but with an even faster softer tip.
It’s certainly not horrible but it takes you by surprise a bit when you put a bend in it at 13ft.
Now add the section to make it 15ft and this rod comes alive big time for me.
Sensational beautiful curve right through and it feels exactly like a dedicated 3 piece 15ft rod which is rare for multi lengths. Not many do this in my opinion.
I can’t claim all knowing on it till I’ve got a big fish pulling back but based on what I have done I’d quite confidently say imo the Titan 2000 is a dedicated 13ft rod no question.
The avenger 3000 is brilliant at both and imo slightly better at 15ft than 13ft.
Hopefully a trip on Sunday with the avenger will tell me more about it
but I don’t own another rod like it. You’ve got this hollow tip with all the characteristics/speed/responsiveness/recovery of a spliced tip float rod and no joint or hinge point whatsoever. For running water they are awesome in use.
The Titan certainly doesn’t lock up and as for the avenger I’ll refrain comment on that till I’ve actually hooked a fish on it.
From running line through it and getting my son to run round the garden holding the line while I put a bend through it, I’m certainly nothing but delighted with the rods action. It is very much more resistant to bending over the Titan but it does bend beautifully and the tip remains the same (super fast)
I think the 3000’s were designed to fish exceptionally well at 15ft and rigidity was probably added to the blank to ensure this as you can really feel the difference between them not just the power but the way they both sit straight in the hand at 15ft.
The Titan 2000 is pretty awful at 15ft compared to 13ft where it’s fantastic.
It’s a slouch at 15ft.
The 3000 avenger feels a little too powerful at 13ft for its soft tip dare I say probably on par with my spectron for resistance to bending but with an even faster softer tip.
It’s certainly not horrible but it takes you by surprise a bit when you put a bend in it at 13ft.
Now add the section to make it 15ft and this rod comes alive big time for me.
Sensational beautiful curve right through and it feels exactly like a dedicated 3 piece 15ft rod which is rare for multi lengths. Not many do this in my opinion.
I can’t claim all knowing on it till I’ve got a big fish pulling back but based on what I have done I’d quite confidently say imo the Titan 2000 is a dedicated 13ft rod no question.
The avenger 3000 is brilliant at both and imo slightly better at 15ft than 13ft.
Hopefully a trip on Sunday with the avenger will tell me more about it
Roy Daintith
Senior Member & Supporter
I agree with your sentiments Richard and my comments re locking up of the blank refer to the all cork handled pre-2000 range. I suspect the 2000 and 3000 rods are very different.
The Milo rods I referred to are very similar; I have a 13' Titanic and two 14' Revengers. The Revengers are comfortably the best rods I've ever used; and very similar to the Avenger; they are slim and light enough in the hand, the ringing is on point; the tip speed is very fast as is the recovery and they bend seamlessly all through the blank.
Just all-round lovely rods - but all with very thin hollow tips and now all three are missing about 1/2" from the tip due to my heavy handedness. This has made me wary of using rods with such fine hollow tips.
I bought a Normark Titan 2000 from a chap near me and had a chance to buy the Avenger too but I declined; the Titan has never been out of the bag as I feel the tip is just too delicate in use for me. That needs to go to a good home.
I agree re multi- length rods; I have a Drennan Floatmaster at 13'/15' and it is a dream at 13' but much less so at 15'. I have tried it with various reels to better counterbalance the rod at 15' but with little advantage gained and suspect it is the blank.
Look forward to your report of the Avenger in use.
The Milo rods I referred to are very similar; I have a 13' Titanic and two 14' Revengers. The Revengers are comfortably the best rods I've ever used; and very similar to the Avenger; they are slim and light enough in the hand, the ringing is on point; the tip speed is very fast as is the recovery and they bend seamlessly all through the blank.
Just all-round lovely rods - but all with very thin hollow tips and now all three are missing about 1/2" from the tip due to my heavy handedness. This has made me wary of using rods with such fine hollow tips.
I bought a Normark Titan 2000 from a chap near me and had a chance to buy the Avenger too but I declined; the Titan has never been out of the bag as I feel the tip is just too delicate in use for me. That needs to go to a good home.
I agree re multi- length rods; I have a Drennan Floatmaster at 13'/15' and it is a dream at 13' but much less so at 15'. I have tried it with various reels to better counterbalance the rod at 15' but with little advantage gained and suspect it is the blank.
Look forward to your report of the Avenger in use.