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Small river barbel rod

I have the 11ft Torrix 2.0 that I use on the Y Derwent , very similar to the Nidd , it’s perfect , stopped doubles in there tracks caught a rod length out
 
OK, let's return to the original topic: 11ft ctx 2lb and 1.75lb barber seeker su. Since I don't fish Nidd, I will only compare the rods. And these just my personal options, if you can, try find them and feel them for yourself, better than reading what we said here.

I have both rods and have used them regularly over the past three years. They are, in my opinion, the best rods in their price range.

The CTX is a lovely through-action rod; I used it for chub and barbel fishing. I don't feel it is overturned for chub, and it has enough power when you need it (I also use it for pike fishing); it comes with a quiver tip section, which is a bonus. The blank is reasonably slim with good wall thickness, a nice curve when bending, no flat spot, etc., and the tip is not soft but not stiff; a good classic barbel rod. What I don't like about it is the handle, it is way too slim, if you have a regular or big hand, you may feel uncomfortable playing fish with it.

The barbel seeker su's action is similar to CTX's but a bit more progressive, and the blank is more responsive. It is the slimmest 11ft 1.75lb rod I've seen, and it feels really nice when you play fish. Soft? Maybe, but it has more than enough backbone to stop any barberl. Casting with this rod is very accurate. I can chunk a 4oz lead into the middle of Thames with it. The handle is a bit longer, IMO. The reel seat is OK, but some people hate it.

Both rods use the same guides, which are good, smooth, and strong. However, it is a shame there is no anti-frap tip ring.

After all, we are talking about a 150 rod and a 300 rod, so clearly, they are in different leagues, seeker is definitely a better rod, but is it worth twice the price of the CTX? Each to their own.

Torrix 11ft 1.75; I happen to have it as well; it's a great rod, semi fast action, soft tip with power comes in the lower 3/4 section. It is a powerful rod, a true specimen rod, stops anything with ease, pair it with 15lb line, in most cases, you don't need to play the fish, just drug them into your net.

The advantage of Harrison blanks is that you can find a builder and build it to your own specs (at a cost, of course), which seems not so easy with Barbel Seeker blanks these days.
 
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The 11ft 1.75 Torrix is a good rod but for hook and hold the 11ft 2lb Torrix has just a bit more grunt but is still a slim and light rod ( very different to the 12ft 2lb Torrix).

The Free Spirit 11ft 1.75lb Barbel Seeker is a cracking rod and I wouldn't say it is soft or lacking in power.

I had all 3 of these until recently when I sold my 11ft 1.75lb Torrix.

There are flood rods at 11ft which I have no experience of but is such a rod really necessary in normal conditions on a small, abeit snaggy river?
 
Kevin Brown said:
I have the 11ft Torrix 2.0 that I use on the Y Derwent , very similar to the Nidd , it’s perfect , stopped doubles in there tracks caught a rod length out
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Kevin, are you sure that Tiger Woods was the frst to say "The more I practice the luckier I get?"

I'm sure I remember Trefor West saying that about 30 year ago.

Maybe Tiger knows Trefor 😆
 
Neil Kirk said:
Kevin, are you sure that Tiger Woods was the frst to say "The more I practice the luckier I get?"

I'm sure I remember Trefor West saying that about 30 year ago.

Maybe Tiger knows Trefor 😆
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I thought it was Tiger ?! But it applies to fishing just as much as golf 😎

Oh and talking of Trefor I know where one of his rods is for sale if the OP is interested ? As he’s fishing the Nidd it will be local to him
 
Anthony James said:
Torrix 11ft 1.75 is widely regarded as the best small river barbel rod 😃
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I've almost got the full range of Torrix's 😂, the 11ft 1.75 is a superb rod & has served me very well, just collected my final pair of rods from Mark Tunley today as it happens, 12' 2.25 & 11' 175

I also love my 11ft Trefor West barbel stalker rod, if you can get your hands on one.
Have had barbel over 14lb in a tree lined swim where I had to clamp down hard on it, & on a rising fast river!
The rod was creaking in the handle but it subdued the fish no problem! (Trefor said if I break it whilst hit & hold fishing, he'd replace it... So I abused it & still have the rod in my collection today.

Freespirit Hi S rods are my favorite F. S range of rods too, I do feel the Hi S 1.75 was more suited to chub than out & out barbel fishing... OK in low water summer snag free scenarios, but demanding ones not so much, as its too mellow (personal experience) but feel that ctx could be better value for money on the price point, but not used that range so can't comment!!

Torrix's are quite expensive, but I just love the blanks, and enjoy using that range of rods more than the others. 😊👍
 
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Huanzhou Zhu said:
OK, let's return to the original topic: 11ft ctx 2lb and 1.75lb barber seeker su. Since I don't fish Nidd, I will only compare the rods. And these just my personal options, if you can, try find them and feel them for yourself, better than reading what we said here.

I have both rods and have used them regularly over the past three years. They are, in my opinion, the best rods in their price range.

The CTX is a lovely through-action rod; I used it for chub and barbel fishing. I don't feel it is overturned for chub, and it has enough power when you need it (I also use it for pike fishing); it comes with a quiver tip section, which is a bonus. The blank is reasonably slim with good wall thickness, a nice curve when bending, no flat spot, etc., and the tip is not soft but not stiff; a good classic barbel rod. What I don't like about it is the handle, it is way too slim, if you have a regular or big hand, you may feel uncomfortable playing fish with it.

The barbel seeker su's action is similar to CTX's but a bit more progressive, and the blank is more responsive. It is the slimmest 11ft 1.75lb rod I've seen, and it feels really nice when you play fish. Soft? Maybe, but it has more than enough backbone to stop any barberl. Casting with this rod is very accurate. I can chunk a 4oz lead into the middle of Thames with it. The handle is a bit longer, IMO. The reel seat is OK, but some people hate it.

Both rods use the same guides, which are good, smooth, and strong. However, it is a shame there is no anti-frap tip ring.

After all, we are talking about a 150 rod and a 300 rod, so clearly, they are in different leagues, seeker is definitely a better rod, but is it worth twice the price of the CTX? Each to their own.

Torrix 11ft 1.75; I happen to have it as well; it's a great rod, semi fast action, soft tip with power comes in the lower 3/4 section. It is a powerful rod, a true specimen rod, stops anything with ease, pair it with 15lb line, in most cases, you don't need to play the fish, just drug them into your net.

The advantage of Harrison blanks is that you can find a builder and build it to your own specs (at a cost, of course), which seems not so easy with Barbel Seeker blanks these days.
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True mate... Decent builders are getting thin on the ground these days. Some good points made there Huanzhou 👍
 
I find 1.5lb test plenty. Had a couple of doubles last season and they were fine ( Greys prodigy 12ft)
Has anyone used the Drennan twin tip 11ft 1.5. Looking for a shorter rod and was comparing these with some others
 
Glyn Warwick said:
I find 1.5lb test plenty. Had a couple of doubles last season and they were fine ( Greys prodigy 12ft)
Has anyone used the Drennan twin tip 11ft 1.5. Looking for a shorter rod and was comparing these with some others
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No not me... But as I was reading your reply the Tacklbox
David Robson said:
I'm thinking of buying a 11ft barbel rod for strike and hold situations on the River Nidd and would welcome any suggestions anyone can offer? At the moment, my head says CTX 2lb but my heart says the Barbel Seeker SU which i think is 1.75 TC. If anyone has got experience with this model would it be adequate? Thanks.

Dave
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tacklebox.co.uk

Tackle Box Darent Valley 11ft (1.75lb) Specialist Rod - (Low Set Guides)

Tackle Box Darent Valley 11ft (1.75lb) Specialist Rod - (Low Set Guides)
tacklebox.co.uk tacklebox.co.uk
 
I have two loverly Torrix 2lb 11ft for sale in the classified ☺️
 

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Glyn Warwick said:
Yep I've seen those and they look like good value rods. But I definitely only want 1.5lb test. Like the look of these https://www.cadencefishing.co.uk/product/cadence-cr10-10ft-specimen-rods/
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The cadence one is a decent rod, much better than the drennan. Or have a look of freespirit ctx 1.5lb and 11ft seeker 1.5lb rods.

Tacklebox rods are great as well, but some of them may have quality issues, I’ve heard some them have flat spot, or break during casting. But still, worth every penny. And they don’t do 1.5 tc rod.
 
Glyn Warwick said:
I find 1.5lb test plenty. Had a couple of doubles last season and they were fine ( Greys prodigy 12ft)
Has anyone used the Drennan twin tip 11ft 1.5. Looking for a shorter rod and was comparing these with some others
Click to expand...
I have a Drennan Specialist Twin tip duo 11ft 1.5 that caught me my first few barbel ever last season on a small river. It was fine in normal summer water levels and flow but was a bit bendy in the winter floods. I just got a Dave Lumb 11ft 1.75 Torrix. It's a great rod, significantly beefier than the 1.5 Drennan (wasn't expecting such a big jump in beefyness but I like it). I know it'll be perfect in the winter.
 
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