Rod Dilema

[BaggieRich]

Hope you can offer some opinions guys, I'm having a bit of a dilema.

Having saved a bit of money, I searched and searched but couldn't find a second Greys Orion Mk2 (Even phoned Grey's... Long story) to pair up with my beloved current rod, so I'm in the market for a new rod/rods.

I'll be fishing mainly clean/slightly mixed ground for Bass (Ha!), Rays, Smoothies etc. with 4-5oz. My casting is, errm, somewhat ropey so I don't really want some broom stick I can't compress, but neither do I want something which will bounce around in the rest at the slightest bit of wind and surf.

Now here's the dilema. Do I buy a pair of rods (As I've never had a matching pair, and it would be nice), or do I spend a bit more money and get a nce rod which will last me a fair time.

So far I've looked at a pair of Greys GRX-S (£85 each) and Greyflex's (£110 each) or the new Anyfish six&bait (£140 each), and spend the remainder on a pair of cheap carp rods for light estuary work (maybe the odd bit of piking ), or do I blow the budget on a nice rod by Century/Conoflex/Zippy? So far I've found a Tip Tornado match for £250ish and a Kompressor match for £230.

The budget is £250-£300, and I don't really fancy looking at Ebay as I'd like to see second hand rods before I buy them!

Any suggestions? At the moment I'm bouncing between the 2xGreyflex's + carp rods and the TT match. Will I really get the most out of a performance rod? Will I ever get the money to pair it up in the future? I don't know... It's doing my head in!

[welsh wizzard]

go for the TT mate. i can get them cheaper than £250 though as long as you pay the postage . personally id go for the TT sport though. i have 2 and im now gonna get another for xmas (and i want the new kompressor) as im thinking of cutting my oldest down to be made into an uptider, i can honestly say i think these are the best rods ive used bar none. ive had zippy primo's/2500's and 3500's etc and numerous other "top" rods but IMO these cant be beat

[Portland Pirate]

I would have to agree with Welsh Wizzard with regard to the TT but not the sport or kompressor unless you are a big guy and want to go tournament casting.
I have a matched pair of Grey's Apollo's for rock fishing, an Anyfish something (can't remember the name) which is way too stiff and several Zippy's my favourite is the 3500. I was not so keen on it when I first got it bit after a good but of use it loosened up a bit and I love it now.

[tonybolton]

I had exactly the same dilemma a while back looked at the Century rod's again and again, but couldn't really bring myself to spend all that dosh on one rod - especially being that my casting is average, i tend to fish similar ground to what you've described and i don't think you can go far wrong with the daiwa supercast, can't remember the exact model numer - will check - but i have the multiplier version that's 13'6, and i can't fault it, it will compress under a decent cast but also has a enough flex for an overhead thump. Sits in the rod rest a treat in wind but has enough in the tip to show good bite detection. I reckon you can't go far wrong with the daiwa rod's have a couple now and reckon they're superb.

[tommy a]

I have the Diawa supercast as well - my casting is average to poor and my fishing no better but the supercast helps me get out there - looks good, feel good and is very good for the money I reckon - couldnt go far wrong with that - £ 250. 00 on one rod is a shed load of money really for one single rod - if you go that way Ill bet you a tenner that your old rod will catch all the fish !!!!

[Gremlin]

There are some very good rods out there for the money and a lot of medium priced Krap!

You'll go a long way to beat the Daiwa 'intermediates' like the STS 130 at around £130.

For me, these guys are very consistent with performance, range, value and finish: http://www.anyfishanywhere.com/index.htm
check the link to rods as well as home page 6andbait new models.

[upnorth1]

Absolutely anything by Century Rich - have a look at the Carbon Metal Express range - nothing less than perfect in my book for your type of fishing mate...

Paul

[bassbandit]

my favourites are the Century cccld's brilliant rods cast like a dream well in excess of 200yds, for lighter work is the century tip tornado light, bight detection is fantastic, if its a match rod and big distance is the AFAW match and the Greys Syntra. Down to personal preference in the end whatever you feeel comfortable with. You won't regret spending a little more on something you are going to enjoy useing.

[pingu]

pointless me puttiung in my penneth mate as we have both talked this too death and i'm as confused as you


as for carp rods, i have 2 of them here in garage for you so you dont need them so thats a few bob saved


dave

[dogmax]

Century's all the way dude