Richard Isaacs
Senior Member & Supporter
Nice write up Chris and being an owner and heavy user of the same two rods albeit my 15 has the older handle style, I share a lot of the same veiws.I've had to sacrifice a fair bit of this year's prime tench fishing to work. It was in a good cause though, two FS Hi-S float rods. I've had them a couple of weeks now and have managed to squeeze a touch more fishing in of late. I can finally give a minimally informed view of them.
First up, for those interested in bare weight figures, the 15'er comes in at 180g and the 17'er 218g. In my view, both feel a touch heavier than bare weight figures might suggest. This is due to the point of balance being a bit further forward than might be ideal. Not really an issue for my application as they are likely to spend most of their life on rests. When I venture out with them to a river, I'll be looking to use a reel that's a touch heavier than I may usually choose.
As far as power goes, they are undoubtedly as pokey as I require. However, they are nowhere near being the brute of a tool that the Freespirit "Spirit Specialist Advanced" 13' 1lb 6oz Power Float, that I already had, is. I've actually had to wade through a fair number of roach and perch to catch tench up to around 6lb. There's enough in the tips to give something more than a rather soulless retrieve with fish around the 8oz to 1lb 8oz mark. I've had no issues with bumping such fish. I did use the 15'er on a small river for about four hours. Similar story in that it was fine with the small dace and roach I was catching. Plenty of power in reserve for the 3lb ish chub that tried to bury itself in every bit of streamer weed present and the inevitable near side kiting to get into reed beds.
Mat the fishing gods have mercy on my soul for the next comment. The rods are also rather easy on the eye with the 1k weave and "perdurable" finish. I'd absolutely loath to do so, but it has crossed my mind that I might just about be able to cover all my float fishing with four (17', 15', 13' and 10/11') Hi-S float rods. There would undoubtedly be some niches that they couldn't adequately cover, but if I were prepared to compromise a bit, or had greater "specialist" leanings, it could be viable.
Power wise I wouldn’t underestimate them. Mine has had in excess of 70 barbel including 5 cracking doubles on them now and while the resistance to bending may be less than your other more poky rods they have a hell of a lot of stopping power in the lower half and let’s not forget they are 2-4ft longer.
The weight in the newer ones is impressive because they have shed all the hardware and steel off the handle. They’ve made it substantially shorter too with a bit of duplon here and there and I’ll be honest I absolutely love the handle. It’s perfect in every way and better than my old one by a mile.
The trade off however is my old one feels abit lighter and more balanced with a lighter reel. (A very good example of why figures are next to useless)
For me it’s a good trade off I have no issues with slightly nose heavy rods and the handle style is more important.
It doesn’t bump small fish off I agree but they do lack the tip speed and recovery offered in more suitable rods and for that reason alone I actually couldn’t replace my rods completely with them. It’s to be expected mind they are power floats and a through action with back bone is more important than a lightning fast fine tip.
I’m impressed with them definitely.