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In reply to Post #33
I would go for either 12ft ballista 3lb t,c or cerbera 12ft 3.25 , the acurix is such a lovely blank but it will not give you the distance of the other two .
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In reply to Post #38
That's interesting. When I went to Harrison I was looking for a rod with less power than my near 20 year old Ballista 3.5lb ER and was told to look at the 3lb Acurix blank for those sorts of distances, the blank felt more than capable of it and if you read the blurb on the 2.75lb Harrison say "The 2 3/4 will throw a 2 1/2 ounce lead 100yds with very little effort", hence my thinking. The only reason I didn't go for the 3lb Acurix is that I do a lot of method fishing and needed a bit more power, it was close though.
I don't think you need a casting tool to hit 120-130 yards, I'm still certain you can hit those distances with a nice playing rod, always willing to be proved wrong though.
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In reply to Post #37
I've got the 3lb Accurix they are not designed as a casting rod and I think 120 to 130 consistently will be out of there range.
I've done about 110 in ideal conditions but they are beautiful rods for playing fish.
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In reply to Post #33
So given what's said and the Chimera no longer available, as a good players rod from the Harrison range what would be the one for say upto 120/130 yards to under the tip fishing in 12 foot?
I have some Acurix 3lb TC, and couldn't recommend them enough, despite not having them for long.
Doesn't feel like a 3lb TC rod under tip, I've had stiffer 2 3/4 TC rods for sure. Not sure on the distance achievable, as yet to give mine some full welly, but they say the 2 3/4 rods can go 100yards, so sure the 3's should be able to achieve a little further.
Overall a lovely playing rod though.
In hindsight I probably didn't need the 3lb version, probably could have got away with the 2 3/4's, but do take the odd couple of trips a year to larger venues where distance casting is required.
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In reply to Post #33
as a good players rod from the Harrison range what would be the one for say upto 120/130 yards to under the tip fishing in 12 foot?
I'd be looking at the Acurix and Ballista in both 2.75 & 3lb, depends how much teddy you want to give them and how much accuracy you need, either way I think you'd adapt to them. I'd be hedging toward the 2.75lb for playing but it's a trade off.
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In reply to Post #33
The 3.25 chimera was a beautiful rod. I'd love to know how the 12ft aviator rods compare
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In reply to Post #33
The cerbera is worth a look in 3.25 TC, sitting between the torrix and chimera in action, and I think it's lighter than both.
The aviator flex interests me but I haven't tried one, a fair bit more expensive for those blanks though
I have the cerberas and some 2.5 chimera for smaller waters. I have got some 10ft crap rods but I think they're going soon, I just don't like them.
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So given what's said and the Chimera no longer available, as a good players rod from the Harrison range what would be the one for say upto 120/130 yards to under the tip fishing in 12 foot?
30 years ago I had 12ft ballistas in 2.5tc I gave them away to a mates Nephew many moons ago as his first set of rods when i picked up some twin tipped AKN's which have since long gone.
I have over the years had loads of different factory built rods since then and still have too many, what can I say i'm a hoarder, after buying 2no 11ft B.Ballistas in 3lb tc from Jeff and pairing them up with some small bait runners for a small water syndicate I have re-discovered what is like to enjoy playing the fish on an enjoyable setup, that said when going to the larger pits I'm on they are going to be undergunned for the task in hand, I have two setups generally a 3 and 2 rod for different lake/club rules and types of venue but the problem is I have several different sets with reels on them all I'm looking at decluttering and getting it down to two setups for the lot which would mean getting rid of 16 rods and reels and only having the 3 and 2 rod setups left.
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In reply to Post #21
Sold my diawa amorphous to fund 12ft 3.5lb chimeras must 20 years ago maybe more.
Wicked casting tool and bomb proof, don't use them now as use treb lights.
Was going to get the chimeras re rung but apparently they are a painted blank so a bit messy to sort.
Very light, use one as a marker now, lovely things if not a bit stiff for over here.
Had cats to 140 on them no problem in France .
Was going to get a 13ft set but they are a bit old now so keep the 13ft trebs.
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In reply to Post #28
Ah yes but they dont now , or do they ? Its some years since they supplied chimera blanks , to me anyway.
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In reply to Post #29
Xx111 then they did the xxx111 that was a 12,6 3.5 ballista . And the r1 stalker was a 10ft ballista , all on ground blanks
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| | | noj | | Posts: 11459 | | | Social photographer... | |
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In reply to Post #28
I had some 2.75 halcyons, great rods. As were the 3.25 torrix sports you had off me, can’t remember the name Cotswold sold them as.?
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In reply to Post #25
The original R1 blanks were indeed a chimera derived blank. Albeit a plain carbon blank. These were exclusive blanks to Cotswold rods. The Cerbera was originally built for Cotswold rods. And was originally called the halcyon, at the time exclusive to Cotswold rods and to be priced sub £200 and Harrison’s attempt to offer a uk made budget rod to run along side the Cotswold rods Asian made original pace rods. A while later Harrison then called it the cerbera and then added it to their own range of blanks. At the time I was testing the r1 , r1 light and the pace rods before they were put into production.
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In reply to Post #25
I don't know what to say to that tbh, both the builders mentioned have said 'based on the chimera' either in their past marketing or directly to me, I seem to recall a Tony Parker rod as well but could be miss remembering that.
I nearly got some of marks dark carbons over the chimera' but there wasn't much of a saving with the custom options so I thought I'd have a coloured woven blank
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In reply to Post #23
They may have been factory built but highly unlikely he bought them from the factory . They never put price tags on anything for a start as they very rarely sell retail ?
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In reply to Post #24
Not sure about that , Harrison make a 9ft blank for me personally that no one else has access to in 4 differing t.c.s , they also make lots of blanks solely for Dave lumb (dlst) but they tell us both they will not make any chimera carp blanks in any guise ? I can still get chimera specialist blanks in lower t.c.s obviously .
Totally agree the cerbera is a very underrated blank , beautiful action. 
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In reply to Post #22
There are lots of chimera variants available as rod builders own ranges, mark tunleys dark carbon range for one, I think the Cotswold R1 was a chimera variant too, only thing for me with them is the more modern approach to the rods doesn't give that elasticity that made them a great playing rod. The 2.5tc chimera are brilliant rods
I also have 3.25 cerberas and would take them over either the chimera or torrix for my fishing
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In reply to Post #22
Im convinced my torrix 3.25 where mislabelled. They where definitely soft, obviously more power than my 2.75 acurix but no where near pokey like everyone is saying.
The guy i bought them off said he got them from the factory somehow but was now skint and selling up, still had the tags on. 3 torrixs and a marker £550.00. I did chat to Steve at the time about it but nothing much came up other than they where unlikely to be fakes. I wish i still had them, i don't know why i never tested the T.C. myself!
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In reply to Post #21
Unfortunately they stopped producing the chimera blank some years ago , made a fantastic pike rod that did.
They do the cerbera in 12ft 3.25t,c thats a lovely rod not as pokey as the torrix.
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In reply to Post #17
I would love a set of Chimera in 12 x 3.25, my mate had a set a few years ago, I had a few casts with them and landed a low twenty on them beautiful rod in my opinion always toyed with getting a set of three.
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100% agree, the Torrix definitely wasn’t a players rod, but the C2 was more like it in my opinion. I haven’t bought a carp rod for 20years, things have definitely moved on in that time, most of the rods I picked up just did nothing for me apart from the C2, really liked the balance and the feel and although it stated 3 and 3.5lb test, they didn’t feel like it.
The only other rod I need to bend is a Baby Ballista, but can’t find anyone who stocks them.
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In reply to Post #18
Thought you wanted a players rod ? Huge difference between what you had and a 3.5 tc c2 , do they have the hideous 50ml curtain rings on them ? The Torrix in 3.25 are,nt a players rod either.
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Thanks for the feedback guys, I have now had a bend of a few rods, the only one I haven’t bent is a baby Ballista. What I did look at, which wasn’t my intention, was the new C2 in both 3 and 3.5lb, now that was in another league altogether, really balanced and had a fantastic action, but a lot of money....it put me off the Torrix to be honest.
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In reply to Post #15
Hello Ian
Yes i remember those , the candy red looks excellent , just sold a set of 12ft 6 ballistas in the same colour , Thank you so much for the positive feedback , i don,t build hundreds of rods but each and every one is built to the same high standard that i would demand from a rod builder.Repeat builds are a testament to that.Happy to build you another set.👍
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In reply to Post #14
Yes 10ft aviators 👍
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In reply to Post #4
I bought a set of two of your Baby Ballistas 11ft 3lb TC with candy red whippings back at the start of June on ebay, only the second ever set of custom built Harrison carp rods I have purchased in 30 years, I'am well happy with them been using them on a small syndicate pool of around 2 acres with carp to mid 20's it's been an absolute pleasure using them, if you ever build some 12ft in 3.25 TC give me a shout I would then have two sets of rods for everything I need and could get rid of all my off the peg rods.
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In reply to Post #13
10ft Aviators ? 
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In reply to Post #1
Have a look at the new 10ft Harrison Aviators 2 3/4 rods absolutely stunning, I have had some custom made and they are a joy to use.
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In reply to Post #11
Definitely the baby ballista best players rods out there. Have the 2.5’s and they are lovely rods can lock up close in on big fish and the blank just bends.
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In reply to Post #10
I totally agree, not sure you can compare the 2 tbh. I have 13' Torrix 3.25lb which are nothing like 12' 3.25lb.
The 3lb 12' Acurix is a lovely rod, but holding it and then holding a 3.25lb 12' Torrix..chalk and cheese springs to mind.
If in doubt try and arrange a visit Harrison, great guys, holding the blanks can be a eye opener 👍
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In reply to Post #1
I have the 2.75lb Acurix and i can just about scrape 100 yards, but i am ****...
I did have the torrix 3.25 and they are miles apart. The acurix is a players/medium range rod and feels really crisp and light in comparison to the torrix, which is still a great rod in the right situation.
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In reply to Post #1
Got to ask, why restrict yourself to those lengths? For the sake of 12" I'd be looking at lower tc 12' rods and that would include Acurix. With 100 yards the target you could drop down to 2.75lb Torrox, 3lb Acurix, possibly 2.75lb Ballista.
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The Torrix 3.25 12’ rod is a decent blank.
My Torrix 2.5lb 12’ rods are superb.
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Ballistas i would reckon, ive got the 12ft torrix in 3.25, and they are a plank of a blank, assuming the 11ft are similar i would avoid.
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In reply to Post #1
Kev Baines Baby Snipers.
They are built on Harrison blanks, cast well and are great to play fish on. They are also very light and balance well with those reels. (I used to have Pro Cargos, basically the same reel)
Have a search, fair bit of info on here about them.
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In reply to Post #1
I had a set of 10ft Torrix, now I'm waiting for a set of 11ft Torrix, both 3.25lb.
Not players rods. If I where you, I would go for the Ballistas. They have some nice playing action.
Nash has some good stuff...go for Harrison 😄.
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In reply to Post #1
The baby ballistas i have on ebay at the moment are a giveaway and i wont be building anymore for a while . No comparison to nash trash.If you buy them and dont like them i will give you your money back if you send them as you recieved them i am that confident , nothing still out their as good as the baby ballista in my opinion.
Now sold .
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In reply to Post #1
Harrison light years better than Nash all this black ops is clever marketing for the teenager to go along with the black ops game that came out at the time
Ballista great rod as other said wouldn't but anything Nash .
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In reply to Post #1
Out of the 3 rods you mention the baby ballistas have the nicest playing action by a country mile. The 3.25 torrix are total over kill unless your chucking around big pva bags and i wouldnt personally buy anything that has nash written on it.
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I’ve just sold a pair of Sportex Python 2 1/4 and 3 x AKN12S to get my hands on some new rods, been looking at Nash Black Ops 10ft 3lb, but also been looking at 11 foot Baby Ballista 3lb and 11ft Torrix 3.25lb TC.
The Sportex were such a lovely players rod, could feel everything, so wanted to stick with something similar that would give me margin to just 100yds if needed but don’t want broomsticks.
I’ll be pairing them with Daiwa Castizm’s 25QD, anyone matches these up or had experience with these rods?
Any other rods I should be looking at?
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