Dear all you Rod Guru's.

My mate has set his mind on getting 3 Nashy 2 and 3/4lb, 12 foot Pursuits.

Myself, I am also after getting 3 errrrm, long range rods at some stage. We have discussed what we know (very little) about the rods on the market these days.

I am a litle more frugal than him, or should I say skinter than him. So this discussion arose about the cost etc of said rods.

He is quite prepared to pay that sort of money for three rods so I guess the question is; How 'good' are these rods compared to an equivalently priced alternative?

Is one paying for the name?
Are there equally (or better) choices out there for the same money?

We have read that these are great rods, and that in my mind is not up for debate. Unless you know different...

I understand there is different gradings of Carbon etc, out there, that is why I am not asking for a cheaper alternative/option.

He has the money, lets help him spend it

Regards Axeman.

Without question,Rob, the Daiwa Infinity is way ahead of anything else out there, especially the 3.5lb tc. version.
I know I'm a Daiwa consultant, but I would simply say ask anyone who has used them who isn't a consultant and they will agree!

[This message has been edited by Paul Selman (edited 07-09-2000).]

How far do you want to go...........

I dont think I can cast as far as the rods that I am using presently, and these aint 250 a piece jobbies.....I currently own 2 3.5 Silstar Edges and 1 2.5 edge rods.

1 3.5 is used for spodding at short range, the other for "distance", the 2.5 is used in the margins......I think they were about 150 if that....But I fish small chuck waters..... Then again, I know the rod has more umph in it...But, I dont need it.

Have a look at the Fox range, they are good rods. I agree with Paul on the Daiwas, a very good choice.

I personally have blanks in 12' 4ib TC made for me by Steve Harrison, whipped up by Vic Gibson, titanium Fuji's. They are, without a doubt, the most awesome rods I have ever had the pleasure to hold. I wrote a piece a couple of years back in Carpworld called 'In Pursuit of Excellence' with all the details from Harrison on how he'd made 'em, plus Vic on the whipping pattern, ringing et cetera. These rods were, errrr, serious amounts of cash and one offs. So I'm bragging really !!!

At Essex Angling they have a range, based on Harrison blanks, called 'Eurocarp'. They are very good rods, especially the 12' 3lb TC and they will cast a lead further than you need !!

What ever happened to the rods with no rings ?? Shimano I think, I went to their trade show and had a cast with them. Only an OK, but personallyu could never see the idea catching on. Big in Japan I hear, any ideas ??

Cheers

Chris Woodrow

Chris,
I believe it was the Diawa Interlines that you were thinking of.
I`ve seen a bloke using a 2.75 12` Interline and they looked very fast taper and heavlier than the marked tc.
Not sure if Diawa still make these in carp form,i believe they tried this idea with beachcasters as well.
As for carp rods in general,i`am pretty sure that not everyone whose got a 3.5/4tc extreme range model is actually capable of extracting the maximum performance out of them.Like with beachcasters some of these rods take some winding up and the anglers "build" and constant practice come into play.
I agree with Lancs in that "Mr Average UK Carp Angler" (and i include myself in that category) doesn`t need that kind of performance or to spend £250+ on a rod.
There will always be a need for budget priced rods,such as the Ballistas as just one example.
Paul,do you use the 3.5tc Infinitys at Withy Pool as well?

Yes Kevin, I use the Infinity's 3.5 for all my fishing.
The Interline concept is fundementally flawed in terms of carp fishing, although I can see their value in sea pirking etc. I was fieldtesting an Infinity version, and cracked off whilst really putting it through its paces at very long distance. The leader line knot flew up the centre and presumably melted under the friction of the cast, completely blocking the centre a couple of inches from the exit tip. I couldn't unblock it and therefore couldn't re-thread the line through the centre. In the end of one my Daiwa Masterclass students took it away and he had to resort to taking off an inch or so off the tip and then using high water pressure to remove the fused knot.
My field-test report simply said : "whip eyes on it!"

[This message has been edited by Paul Selman (edited 08-09-2000).]

Don't ignore the 2nd hand option either If you're 'a bit skint'

Have to agree with Paul here, I invested in some 3.5lb infinity x's at the start of the season and I have to say - I'm very impressed!

Best rods I have ever used are 12ft 2 3/4lb test Infinity x. I got mine from Trev's of Wilmslow at £150 per rod.

Margins to 140+. What more do you want!

I used to have Harrisons but they were too floppy for real range, lovely to play fish on though. The Infinity does everything!

Thanks chaps..but,

I did fail to say in the first question, that the major concern is not neccesarily the distance casting. That comes with a rod of this nature.

Its really the handling (action) in the margins as well that is up for question.

Regards Axeman.