Best 'all round' rod for the n.east ?

[Geordie_G]

all depends on budget and length preference as siad earlier.

but off top of my head

Shimano Aspire 140MPT
Komp S or SS
TT Match
Mighty Thin or Responce
AFAW Big Beach or TR
M4EVO or HST or LT Bullet
TNXS 134
Apollo mk 1 or 3

All good rods with poke, but beef up for kelp but still good bite detection and feeling for flatty bashing or a roaring river....

 

[Davyred]

a one sold on flea-bay only a few days ago Davy for £155

Thats a good price, don't think I paid that much for mine brand new

 

[Codcodcod!]

What I find is people think rods are soft because they bend in the tip...Some think my TT is soft cos it bends when I have a fish on or pulled into a snag!

All they want is stiffer and stiffer tip sections. Doesn't matter what the meat of the rods like down the butt or mid section.

I loved the zipplex txl gt until I started using the Excalibur TT. I Don't look at any other rods now..

TT is not overly stiff in the tip. It bends but has loads of grunt in the mid section and butt. Casts 7oz and big baits as far as you wish to put them but u see every bite as well.

 

[Davyred]

What I find is people think rods are soft because they bend in the tip...Some think my TT is soft cos it bends when I have a fish on or pulled into a snag!

All they want is stiffer and stiffer tip sections. Doesn't matter what the meat of the rods like down the butt or mid section.

I loved the zipplex txl gt until I started using the Excalibur TT. I Don't look at any other rods now..

TT is not overly stiff in the tip. It bends but has loads of grunt in the mid section and butt. Casts 7oz and big baits as far as you wish to put them but u see every bite as well.

That's all you want, a rod you're happy with.

One thing you've touched on though that always has me scratching my head. You have people reviewing rods saying bite detection is superb etc. How do they know? They can't compare it as the same fish won't bite in exactly the same way on another rod. How do they know they've had a bite they haven't seen? It's happened to us all no matter what rod you use, you reel in to find a fish on.

 

[EddieS]

I am absolutley sure the FISH divun know what rod your using !!!!!!!!!!!! - Just don't know how we all managed all those years ago - A handline can catch fish. - just use what yoiur happy with and enjoy fishing for what it is.

 

[CHUKKA]

That's all you want, a rod you're happy with.

One thing you've touched on though that always has me scratching my head. You have people reviewing rods saying bite detection is superb etc. How do they know? They can't compare it as the same fish won't bite in exactly the same way on another rod. How do they know they've had a bite they haven't seen? It's happened to us all no matter what rod you use, you reel in to find a fish on.

Not exactly rocket science, some rods show bites when others hardly register.You notice straight away fishing with 2 rods on the go or next to someone else. I personally couldn't fish with a rod that was dull and lifeless. The RT axe is a classic example, if you held the rod you will feel the odd little touch, put it in the stand and it will barely move unless its a decent codling. The same can't be said for some rods which will bend over or rattle away. Its difficult getting a compromise between instant lifting power and a soft flexible tip. Some of the stiff through action tips show bites very well eg M427 or TT but it depends on your casting style and what action you like. One rod wont suit all. I remember being amazed when I picked up my first green M427, it added 20-30 yds on a cast compared to a tip actioned Apollo. I now use a txl gt soft tip but way more powerful than the 427 and I cast exactly the same. I just prefer the finesse of the gt and ability to handle bigger leads without folding in the mid and butt sections. I have absolute confidence in my zziplexs that I don't get from other makes. The trouble is rods are getting stiffer and bite detection tends to be getting worse. The older rods seem soft now but boy do they register bites well. I remember people using zziplex 2500s in the rough ground and still landing massive bags of fish, some big fish too!

 

[onefortheroad]

My mark 1 Apollo makes the mark 2. Apollo seem like a numb telegraph pole

 

[chris elliott]

hi lads,the best all round rod is the sea angler on the end of it,many lads on here used to fish in the 60s and 70s with gear that would be seen as out of date,they still caught fish.im down south now and fished adleburgh beach with some abu 7000s and abu 174c beachcasters,of about 30years old with two on the rod rest,plonked out about 60 yards just behind the second breaking wave,this set up outfished my "new gear"at distance.....the adage goes just because its shiney and new don't mean it will catch you more fish....

 

[EddieS]

hi lads,the best all round rod is the sea angler on the end of it,many lads on here used to fish in the 60s and 70s with gear that would be seen as out of date,they still caught fish.

Exactly, ----- Its nice to be fortunate and be able to afford the modern gear, but there is still nowt wrong with using some of the old gear. My Abu reels were bought in the 70's and are still being used, My addage has always, and will always be, that fish coudn't give a toss about what type, model or make of gear you have --- Just whats on the hook.

 

[john1977]

Spot on Eddie s

 

[onefortheroad]

Exactly, ----- Its nice to be fortunate and be able to afford the modern gear, but there is still nowt wrong with using some of the old gear. My Abu reels were bought in the 70's and are still being used, My addage has always, and will always be, that fish coudn't give a toss about what type, model or make of gear you have --- Just whats on the hook.

ive seen mackerel on seaham pier jumping out of the water for the new shiny gear

 

[Karl M]

A rod for each application is the way forward. A rough ground rod- usually stiff for the best chance of getting your gear and a fish back through the kelp. A beach/ mixed ground rod- softer but still capable of casting 6oz plus bait. An estuary or "flattie" rod. For good bite detection when scratching for small species. My choice of rods for the applications are. Rough ground- Eliminator E1000. Beach/ mixed ground- Carbon metal crest. Estuary rod- conoflex source estuary.