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Sonik SK3 Pro-Specialist Twin Tip 2lb...

J

Joseph East

Member
Anyone else own this rod? If so, what are the heaviest lines and leads you've used with confidence? I just recently ordered one, but can't find any detailed specs on line rating and casting weight.

Cheers.
 
Hi Joe If you talk to Chapmans who sell them they will tell you 12lb max line and ok to fish 3 to 4oz lead down the inside on a flooded river. Hope this helps you.

Regards Ray Thorpe
 
Hi Joe, I bought the 2lb model myself a couple or three months back and am pretty pleased with it. I'm using 12lb mono on my reels and have used feeders of 90 grams with no worries.

The test will come this week as I'm looking at trying 120 gram feeders. That should be interesting, if the rod disintegrates, I'll let you know :D
 
Nice one, Martin.

I've always assumed that the ratings stated by the manufacturers err on the side of caution, so if 12 is the recommended maximum, I'll probably stick 15lb on a spare spool for flood.

I've actually been using a 1.75lb rod with 12lb line and casting 4oz bombs and feeders pretty far and the rod has coped absolutely fine!
 
Stuart Prescott said:
would it not be wiser to have checked that out first before you order ??:rolleyes:
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Well, I suppose, but I was having the same issue with other brands I was considering (Wychwood and Fox), and having looked around it seems that very few manufacturers issue this information. Greys and Shimano being another two who don't...

The only brands I was able to find who do state line ratings on their websites were Shakespeare, Korum and Drennan.

Anyway, I was looking for a 2lb test curve and it seems that most 2lb rods are rate for up to 12lb, so I took a gamble and went with the cheapest, hoping it would be printed either on the rod or on a label...it wasn't.
 
I would personally not use line over 12lb breaking strain for barbel anyway as not needed in my opinion and as for that rod it should be fine.
Andy
 
Andy Bebbington said:
I would personally not use line over 12lb breaking strain for barbel anyway as not needed in my opinion and as for that rod it should be fine.
Andy
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Doesn't it depend on the conditions of the river you're fishing? So if you're fishing the tidal Trent or a large river in heavy flood, when you'll not only be playing the fish you'll be fighting against the strong currents too? It's been recommended to me to use as heavy as 20lb line if you're fishing weir pools in such conditions...
 
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Joseph
I would never use 20lb mono line for barbel no matter how big the river and the more heavier and thicker the line the more drag your going to get on your line.
12lb line is ample strong enough for barbel in any situation on any river in my opinion.
Andy
 
Joseph East said:
Doesn't it depend on the conditions of the river you're fishing? So if you're fishing the tidal Trent or a large river in heavy flood, when you'll not only be playing the fish you'll be fighting against the strong currents too? It's been recommended to me to use as heavy as 20lb line if you're fishing weir pools in such conditions...
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Agreed!

Stephen
 
Andy Bebbington said:
Joseph
I would never use 20lb mono line for barbel no matter how big the river and the more heavier and thicker the line the more drag your going to get on your line.
12lb line is ample strong enough for barbel in any situation on any river in my opinion.
Andy
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Fair enough, Andy. I get your point with the drag on heavier lines, but what if you use braid? Or even this Wychwood Solace line which claims it's 15lb has the same diameter as other popular 12lb lines - Tackle2u.com | Match Poles and Carp Fishing Tackle Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield, Shimano, Prologic, jrc, Preston Innovations, Daiwa and Korum | Wychwood Solace Mainline | Line | Carp / Specimen | Tackle2U.com Kirkgate Anglers
 
20lb mono is just too heavy for barbel no matter what conditions, in my opinion, and why would you consider such for weir pools or strong currents? Those conditions alone would not break 12lb mono, even if snagged it takes a huge effort to pull for a break on 12lb. So unless you intend to pull up snagged boulders or tame a tree that is heading for the sea, 12lb will be fine.
 
Neil Smart said:
20lb mono is just too heavy for barbel no matter what conditions, in my opinion, and why would you consider such for weir pools or strong currents? Those conditions alone would not break 12lb mono, even if snagged it takes a huge effort to pull for a break on 12lb. So unless you intend to pull up snagged boulders or tame a tree that is heading for the sea, 12lb will be fine.
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Hi Neil,

Thanks for your input. I'm not saying I would ever use 20lb line, that's just what has been recommended to me by other people I have spoken to - another justification given being that you can reel the fish in quickly rather than having to play it until it tires, which studies have shown can increase the likelihood of fatalities.

We have digressed slightly from my original question, but it's interesting stuff nonetheless.

Joe.
 
Joe

I was using the rod with the 2lb tip a fortnight ago on the Wye to lob a 5oz feeder plus contents 30 yards without any problems so I think you'll be fine. Hope get a few beasts on it!
 
Joseph East said:
Hi Neil,

Thanks for your input. I'm not saying I would ever use 20lb line, that's just what has been recommended to me by other people I have spoken to - another justification given being that you can reel the fish in quickly rather than having to play it until it tires, which studies have shown can increase the likelihood of fatalities.

We have digressed slightly from my original question, but it's interesting stuff nonetheless.

Joe.
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My pleasure, however I wondered how long before the welfare of the fish was aired:) and although I sympathise with your getting the barbel in before it succombs to an exhausted death, I think this scenario is not for Barbel Anglers and I would assume that they would be aware of what balanced tackle entails, and I am at a loss as to where 20 lb mono would be a requirement in any set up for anyone anywhere.
Of course the other side of the coin is the term 'skull dragging' with over gunned tackle, how the hell anyone can enjoy that is beyond me, where fishing is not fishing as sutch but merely 'catching'.
However your point of barbel being played to exhaustion is a good point and the resting and speed of returning is essential and is always worth repeating, especially to newcomers.
Good to talk with you Joseph, even if I come over as a miserable old sod, that's a bit twitchy for lack of recent bankside action.
 
Neil Smart said:
My pleasure, however I wondered how long before the welfare of the fish was aired:) and although I sympathise with your getting the barbel in before it succombs to an exhausted death, I think this scenario is not for Barbel Anglers and I would assume that they would be aware of what balanced tackle entails, and I am at a loss as to where 20 lb mono would be a requirement in any set up for anyone anywhere.
Of course the other side of the coin is the term 'skull dragging' with over gunned tackle, how the hell anyone can enjoy that is beyond me, where fishing is not fishing as sutch but merely 'catching'.
However your point of barbel being played to exhaustion is a good point and the resting and speed of returning is essential and is always worth repeating, especially to newcomers.
Good to talk with you Joseph, even if I come over as a miserable old sod, that's a bit twitchy for lack of recent bankside action.
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I wholeheartedly agree with everything you've said. I would never personally use 20lb line; I've been considering 15lb but previously have never gone above a 12lb mono.

Regarding recent bankside action, I feel your pain!
 
Does anyone complain if someone is using 20lb mainline to reel in a jack pike?

I hooked a large fish last year in a weir pool. It led me a merry dance before it snagged me fast in an unseen obstruction. After much waiting for it to swim out I had to pull for a break. I was using 12lb mono at the time and it did not leave me feeling too good in all respects. I promptly upped my mainline to 15lb.

Fifty year ago many anglers would have stated 12lb mono as far too heavy for barbel as the norm was more like 6lb.

One angler on YouTube with over 100 barbel vids uses 25lb. If he wants to, that is fine with me :)

The only crime is to use too light a tackle and leave fish with hook links attached. Maybe the tackle police should be policing the opposite end of the spectrum?

Back to the rods...

Stephen
 
Stephen Bond said:
Does anyone complain if someone is using 20lb mainline to reel in a jack pike?

I hooked a large fish last year in a weir pool. It led me a merry dance before it snagged me fast in an unseen obstruction. After much waiting for it to swim out I had to pull for a break. I was using 12lb mono at the time and it did not leave me feeling too good in all respects. I promptly upped my mainline to 15lb.

Fifty year ago many anglers would have stated 12lb mono as far too heavy for barbel as the norm was more like 6lb.

One angler on YouTube with over 100 barbel vids uses 25lb. If he wants to, that is fine with me :)

The only crime is to use too light a tackle and leave fish with hook links attached. Maybe the tackle police should be policing the opposite end of the spectrum?

Back to the rods...

Stephen
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Apologies Stephen, I'm not saying I think it's wrong to use 20lb line, for several reasons I just personally wouldn't.

I was watching the videos you mention a couple of days ago and I did spot his setup - A 1.75lb avon and 2.5lb carp rod both loaded with 25lb line, which seems to break all the 'rules'...he obviously doesn't have any problems catching fish, so I guess I don't need to worry too much about putting 15lb line on my 2lb rod! :eek:
 
I think you should be fine :)

Rod manufacturers probably prefer the line to break rather than the rod, hence their recommendations. However, unless you go mad a rod is more likely to break by stepping on it or catching it on some tree branches rather than in normal use.

The main exception is hurling out large, heavily leaded feeders stuffed to the brim. Beach casters and shock leaders might not be out of place in some situations :eek:

Stephen
 
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