Been looking at a few different sets of rods lately and there is also alot of very reasonably priced rods out there too i have narrowed it down to 3 choices Berkley B1s 2.75tc or the chub vantage 2.75tc or the TFG X plus 2.75tc Any opinions welcome

If I was limited to a single set of rods I would go for a higher tc than 2 3/4. With modern rods and a little common sense, you can comfortably fish right in the edge with most rods of 3 1/2lb tc.

Rods of 2 ¾ tc just don’t quite have the balls for those really big chucks or for lobbing out bags or method feeders.

Unless you fish small waters and don’t see that changing for the foreseeable future I would consider a rod with a higher tc being more of an all round tool than a 2 ¾.

Having not used any of the rods you have listed I can’t comment beyond saying I have heard good things about all three.

Thanx Andy 3.5tc sounds scarey generally fish smaller waters btween 4 and 8 acres would a 3lb be suitable i know where your coming from though m8 just fancied a mid price set of rods as the quality of them is seems so good

I used 2 3/4 tc rods for many years and for most of my fishing they were fine. I could cast a 3oz lead about 120 yards (on a good day) and that was more than enough, and a little more for the waters I was fishing. As soon as I fished waters with any amount of weed though, they simple were not man enough to deal with the higher bs lines required or any PVA bags of any size other than tiny.

3.5 tc does sound scary and in some cases for good reason, there are some real animals out there. Many of the budget- mid range rods are fairly tippy though, making them more of an all round tool, rather than specialist blasting to the horizon kit.

You have just got to be aware that if you really give it the big heave ho the power in the butt will kick in. I personally use the original prodigies in 3.5 tc for distance work, but if a situation presents itself I am perfectly comfortable using them literally inches from the bank. You would think that it would be like dragging a fish in on a pool cue, but they are actually quite forgiving and nice to use. Like I said the real power in rods like the prodigy only really comes into play once the tip section is bent right round and almost locked into its full curve.

In answer to your question I do think 3lbtc would be a better option but 3.5 better still if the rod you choose has a tippy action.

Thanx Andy. I have a set of berkley b1 13ft 3.5tc which would cover any distance or pva bag and i would never sell awesome rods. The water i fish is about 4 acres and does have some small carp quite a few tbh 3.5s sounded scary in that respect, plus on some swims it is impossible to cast snags in awkward places lots of trees above your head etc. So i can row baits out from most swims i use the berkley b1 when i go abroad france spain etc was looking for something a bit lighter for the uk the ones that i really like are the chub vantage 3lb tc Thanx Again for your help

Sorry crystaltips I misunderstood what you were asking.

When you asked about all round rods I presumed you were looking for one set of rods to cover you for all situations.

Already owning a set of distance rods makes my posts above totally irrelevant.

ive gone for the 3lb test chub vantage 12FT they feel sssooooo nice and I cant wait to get fishing. Your posts were very helpful tbh in the respect of a couple of things i was unsure about. Your posts kind of alerted me to the fact of if i ever needed distance pva bags etc that the 3.5tc would be well suited in respect of margin fishing and a big chuck. I have always thought 2.5, 2.75tc to be more than enough but like you also said with the mid price rod range maybe the higher test curve would be less brutal than a dawia infinity original or a century NG or any other etc i am used to 2lb to 2.5 tc seems everyone today goes for higher tc not fished for a while in the uk family commitments am a bit out of sync THANX ANDY

Already owning a pair or a set or long range beasties, I would recommend something in the 2lb to 2 1/4 range, more than adequate for your needs and will give you enjoyment too when you hook em !!