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Dont know where you are with budget.
Im soon to order a new set of rods tried quite a few on for size an for me the Century FBS ticked all the boxes i was looking for.
If u are close to Johnson ross get yourself down there and try a few out I found the guys there to be just great even tho i made it clear from the off i wasn't buying on the day.
Service like that takes me back to an establishment..
P
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In reply to Post #16
Yes I would say that is true. Not so with the FS ES. Ballistas are sensitive, lightweight, slim and robust with some backbone.
They have been around for decades I think. Thats for a reason.
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Have first hand experience with some of the rods mentioned.
The FS ES are really nice but are noodles and dont cast far (with a bag not even close to 70 yards) compared to Ballistas, Acurix, Aviator Flex.
I am having the Aviator Flex built at the moment but this feels like a substantial rod compared to the FS ES, Baby Ballistas etc..
So from what you write I would go for Ballistas in 2.75 or 3lbs or an Acurix. The 11ft Baby Ballista is probably a perfect rod if you dont have a lot of reeds in the banks where you have to navigate your fish around. Its very light, powerful yet very sensitive. A much more versatile rod than the FS ES.
Daiwa rods are hard to beat reg. value for money but they just lack that attraction of a Harrison or Free Spirit.
Reels Daiwas or Shimanos. I like my Shimano 5500 CI4s much better for my Baby Ballistas than the Daiwas of that size.
I would stay away from Shimano Longcast Baitrunners with the rods you intend. They are great reels but super super heavy and wont balance a lighter rod nicely.
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While I’m utilising everyone’s knowledge, to keep my options open, what are the Greys Aiircurve MK2’s like?
There are a few used sets 3lb TC with cork handles listed for what seems a fair price considering the rrp new.
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In reply to Post #29
 
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In reply to Post #28
Ah ok.
I was wondering how come everyone's links said linky poo now haha
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In reply to Post #27
In case it's of interest, to make your link clickable, highlight the link then click on the 2 arrows next to weblink, left hand side of convo box, bottom of message tools, when you edit/post
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In reply to Post #25
LINKY POO™ https://ebay.us/m/tl7FWe
Have a look at those, they come with a set of Shimano longcasts baitrunner which you could sell for £300 easily, getting you a set of ballista for under 400
Didn't notice the spod rod too, bonus
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In reply to Post #24
Best new rods (for fish playing) i had i my hands up to £150 was the Nash x series, next step up Daiwa Cast"izm which I don't find much worse than the ES
I have also fished with the Torrix 12ft 2.75 lb for 2 days, I would never choose this one vs the Daiwa Cast'izm/ES
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In reply to Post #23
If I found the right set of Harrison rods, something I could keep long term I’d spend the extra probably up to £250 a rod but if I’m buying new I’m likely to want to change them in a couple of years for something better so wouldn’t want to pay out / lose too much on them.
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In reply to Post #22
Thanks I’ll check the Sonik rods out.
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In reply to Post #21
£150 per.rod? How come you were talking about things like aviator flex? You've got no chance of anything like those for that budget. You'll get a set of used ballista or maybe torrix for that. Either will be far better than anything you'll get new for that budget
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In reply to Post #21
Free spirit helical is purely low quality I have the 10ft 3.00 lb guides are fragile and have seen many with broken tips/guides (Helical in 12ft is also only with 50mm but ring) , Tx-2 and Ctx are just stiff rods, no experience with Greys
Of these 4 then I would rather go for the Sonik Vader X RS but as I mentioned before check out the New FS E-class gold 45 1k, soon all Lb's will also come with cork handle.
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Thanks for all the help.
Just to keep my options open if nothing used comes up that I like the look of I’m going to decide on a new option within my budget that’ll I go for as a back up.
I’ll go up to about £150 per rod (ideally get something in the sale / reduced with a higher RRP).
I’ve seen a few 3lb 12 foot models around that sort of money or less that I’ve listed below. Just personal preference but I’d ideally like rods with a 40mm butt ring, also considering full cork as well.
Any advice on these rods and recommendations for anything better would be a great help.
- Shimano TX2
- Free Spirit Helical
- Free Spirit CTX
- Greys GT2
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4287 |  | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #15
I wouldn't be afraid of 3.25 TC rods if you're looking for all rounders - not all TCs are equal and it def depends on the blank itself as to how it performs etc. If you're never going to cast that far and always use a boat for range fishing then maybe stick with lower TCs / consider 10' rods but if you prefer 12'+ and want to attach small solid bags / give it a straight lead thump to the horizon occasionally then IMO 3.25 might be a better option from a versatility / future proofing perspective . . .
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Tackle