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Through Action Rod

Probably get to try most Harrisons and actually use them fish chasing. Also get to use some from other manufacturers.
I have learnt over the years that 'one man's meat is another man's poison' and as we all have particular likes, answers will inevitably vary.
It also depends to a certain extent the end use you have in mind for a particular rod.

Bob
 
Neil Smart said:
Now that I can offer some good advice.:)
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OK , I will take the plunge . Barbel rods I have fished with that were not so hot ,
1- Old greys prodigy 1.5 TC [ propensity to snap at the tip ]

2- Ron Thompson Barbel rod [ dreadful flat spots ]

3- Early Shimano Hyperloop Barbel rod [ way too bendy , and I like bendy rods , 4lb bream would have it bent double ]

4-Custom made Bruce and Walker Hexagraph spliced in quiver barbel rod [ as floppy as a floppy thing , cost a bomb , felt like a Victorian Salmon rod]

5- A fox one , can't remember the name was 14 or 15 ft long sold as a big river barbel rod [ awful flat spots ]
 
Mike Hodgkiss said:
OK , I will take the plunge . Barbel rods I have fished with that were not so hot ,
1- Old greys prodigy 1.5 TC [ propensity to snap at the tip ]

2- Ron Thompson Barbel rod [ dreadful flat spots ]

3- Early Shimano Hyperloop Barbel rod [ way too bendy , and I like bendy rods , 4lb bream would have it bent double ]

4-Custom made Bruce and Walker Hexagraph spliced in quiver barbel rod [ as floppy as a floppy thing , cost a bomb , felt like a Victorian Salmon rod]

5- A fox one , can't remember the name was 14 or 15 ft long sold as a big river barbel rod [ awful flat spots ]
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Hi Mike, just as a matter of interest, how many old greys prodigy 1.5 rods did you have that snapped? I have had one for years and, for what it cost me, quite like it:)

Thanks
Stephen
 
I have an original Greys prodigy 1.75lb and it's my favourite rod. Still going strong and caught plenty of big fish from small and large venues. Progressive action (my preference).

Nick C
 
I know a 12ft may be a little bit long for your small river but whats 12 inches between friends.I have to Fox duo specialise 1.75/2.25. Lovely action with the bonus of being a twin tip. It quite light to hold all day too. Caught my PB wild Carp on this. 28.6lb. Unlike the Greys Barbel that snapped on it's second outing. Also found the but section way too stiff, all play at the tip and nothing else
 
Stephen Whyte said:
Hi Mike, just as a matter of interest, how many old greys prodigy 1.5 rods did you have that snapped? I have had one for years and, for what it cost me, quite like it:)

Thanks
Stephen
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Stephen, couldn't agree more, i have several Greys rods, and much prefer them to some horrible bendy Harrisons ive had.

Each to their own i guess. :)
 
Mike Hodgkiss said:
OK , I will take the plunge . Barbel rods I have fished with that were not so hot ,
1- Old greys prodigy 1.5 TC [ propensity to snap at the tip ]

2- Ron Thompson Barbel rod [ dreadful flat spots ]

3- Early Shimano Hyperloop Barbel rod [ way too bendy , and I like bendy rods , 4lb bream would have it bent double ]

4-Custom made Bruce and Walker Hexagraph spliced in quiver barbel rod [ as floppy as a floppy thing , cost a bomb , felt like a Victorian Salmon rod]

5- A fox one , can't remember the name was 14 or 15 ft long sold as a big river barbel rod [ awful flat spots ]
Click to expand...

One the subject of Hexagraphs - have you tried any other configuration? I have a Ray Walton Avon No 2 and it has a lovely through action, and I use it for pretty much all my barbel fishing - well, that and the cane. I know the B&Ws are not everyone's cup of tea, however.
 
Stephen Whyte said:
Hi Mike, just as a matter of interest, how many old greys prodigy 1.5 rods did you have that snapped? I have had one for years and, for what it cost me, quite like it:)

Thanks
Stephen
Click to expand...

Hello Stephen . I never owned a Greys prodigy but tried fishing a couple and they felt OK , BUT 2 friends bought them and both had tips break on them both with little provocation and I know others with similar experiences maybe they were just unlucky ....
 
Richard Parsons said:
One the subject of Hexagraphs - have you tried any other configuration? I have a Ray Walton Avon No 2 and it has a lovely through action, and I use it for pretty much all my barbel fishing - well, that and the cane. I know the B&Ws are not everyone's cup of tea, however.
Click to expand...

Hello Rich / everyone . I borrowed the hexagraph a custom job and it was an appalling thing , never fished with any other B and W hexagraphs so couldn't comment . Unless I need to chuck a fair distance or fish in a strong current or flood conditions I prefer all through action rods be they cane , glass or carbon . In my opinion bendy rods tire fish out quicker plus it's more fun playing them than using stiffer fast taper rods . In the end you pick the right tool for the job , but I read this thread as what's the best all rounder if you had to pick one through action rod so I would go for Carbon - Harrison GTI , Glass- B and W compound taper carp or Avon rod or similar Sportex or North Western . Cane - lots of choice but probably plump for B James M1V carp or Avon rod simply for the stunning build quality
 
I had a Prodigy 1.75lb, but it felt very top heavy so in the end I gave it to my wife, who managed to break it while trying to get free from a snag....strange where it went though...two breaks, either side of the joint.....
She now has an I-Power which I felt was too soft for me in the tip region, and a 2lb insight.
Also had a 12' 10" Drennan Barbel Special, which was a bit too long for where I was fishing, otherwise a grand rod, certainly handled big fish well enough.

These days I use a pair of Insight (Harrison) Multi-Spec's for the Ouse & Middle Trent, a Pair of stepped up Insights for the Tidal, and a pair of 2.5lb Torrix's for flood & carp fishing
I really don't think you can beat a Harrison based rod

Andy
 
The Kev Baines Specialist!
 
Concur with the Kevin Baines , Anglers Workshop , specialists rods . I have 3 in various guises , superb rods .
 
Chimera for me, stunning rods. Playing fish on a through action rod is something else, special when you clamp down and let the rod soak up the pressure.
 
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