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In reply to Post #6 I've got a set of these in 3.25lb, used them exclusively last year as I was fishing areas I just didn't need 13' Rods and Big Pit Reels.
I really liked using them, easy to store, can just chuck them about a bit more and not worry about damaging them (cheap to get another) and decent to play fish on although I do find them a tad soft.
When compared to the Cotswold Rod that is meant to be the exact same Rods, Fittings and all they are fantastic value for money.
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I have just bought 2 x 10ft 3.5tc Diawa Crosscast XT. (not ext as I did not want retractable). So far they are brilliant. Super slim blank, nice carbon weave and a lovely progressive curve during battle. Using Shimano 5500 xtd’s on them and the balance is perfect. For £75 each I am super impressed
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In reply to Post #6 I did have a set of those last year. Was going to use them and sell my old scopes, but for some reason wasn't keen on them and sold them on.
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In reply to Post #1 Have a look st the Ultimate Bionic offerings from Fishdeal UK, the best retractable available at a realistic price IMHO, I have had Scopes, Dwarfs and Chiltern Customs and these and they are as good as any of the others at a fraction of the price.
They are reputed to be the exact rods that Cotswold Rods are selling under their brand at twice the price.
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Thanks everyone. I am swinging towards the Daiwas. From what i can see in the photos they also look like they have a lined ring that'll help as i fish braid and had it go into my old scopes rings. They sell them on Amazon so tempted to order them there and if im not keen it's really easy to return with them.
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In reply to Post #1 Hi m8,
Have a set of the crosscast xt, for a few years now in the 3.5lbs variant.
Bought them for dirt cheap, and have no bad things to say about them. Had scopes before
and the price difference is crazy but when it comes to actually fishing could not tell them a part in reality only that the scopes felt more like a broom. They feel more premium in hand then the price suggests. Even the 3.5lbs have a nice play to them not stiff at all. Really lovely rods for the price.
Regards.
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In reply to Post #1 I can't comment on the Daiwas but I had Sonik xtractors went to the ESPs and have gone back to the xtractor+. There is a much nicer action with the Soniks. They arc through the middle of the rod with fish up to mid thirty and are powerful enough to turn them away from snags etc.
ESP was all in the top quarter and didn't feel a fish fighting as much so lost some of the fun. They did look nicer though.
What ever you choose, seems up to and around a ton a rod is where most of the brands have settled but the Soniks were closer to £ 50 a rod (10ft 3.25's)
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In reply to Post #1 Great rods for the money imo. I have a set of the 9ft 2.75's.Had fish up to 40 on them- the 40 was a catfish and handled it no problem. They are comfortable with leads up to 2.75, but if you need heavier leads go for the 10 footers. Majority of my fishing is with running leads up to 60 yards so I don't really need the 10 footers but they do afford more flexibility as the 2.75's won't accommodate bags.
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Had my heart set on a set of the new Harrison retractables. However the head has won and why spend £1000ish on a set of rods that will get used 4/5 times a year. So am tempted by the 4k quickdraws again, however saw the Daiwa Crosscasts. Have had a search around and can't find much on them. I have always liked Daiwa rods and at £70 a rod seem a bargain. Has anyone used them?
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