[dabcatcher]

if you definately want a quality stiff rod, do not buy a new rod for that price instead look for a second hand rod from one of the specialist manufactures
(century, zipplex, conoflex etc). these rods are in your price bracket and a lot are in mint condition. i,m sorry but the people who are recomending you buy ron thompson, shakespear etc are either on limited budgets or have only ever owned rods of this calibre. if you can afford to do so then make the step up to these rods you wont be sorry but you may be if you dont.

(i,m not intending to upset anyone here, just trying to give sound advice).

 

[dabcatcher]

Hey Dab, each to there own bud, I have owned in the past the following, Abu 484, 486, Conoflex Cod 5 & 6, Nemisis, nemisis +, ZZiplex 2500, pro am, Federation, zf250, zf500, bullits, quattra, quattra sport, + loads of light beach or Bass rods from the above, I have also had the chance to cast pritty much all rods manufactured by Conoflex, Centry and Zziplex + countless others including the Ron Thompsons.

Your words would of been true a few years ago however you neednt spend a fortune now to get a quality rod that is very capable. There are allot of rods in the £80 to £150 bracket that are absolute crackers and ones i would recomend. Fact is cloths, resins and mandrills have moved on big time, this has enabled rods to be produced at a cheaper cost without skimping on the quality or performance.

Not wishing to offend you bud, but i am not on a tight budget and have owned rods of the highest calibre.

Regards Ryan.

we are all here to learn from each other.

 

[dabcatcher]

Hi Dab, I couldn’t agree more. I only ever offer my opinion on a thread, same as anyone else, any comments I make are never meant to offend, belittle or ridicule anyone and I hope you took them in the manner they were intended.

There is a faction within sea angling that suggests that the only rods worth using are from a very small selection of manufactures. I am afraid I was one of these people up until a few years ago, however I have learned to except that with modern materials and improvements to machinery the production of a very capable rod is not restricted to just a few producers anymore.

Indeed it could be argued that some of the very big firms that mass produce rods would be in a better position to buy the very best in raw materials and machinery, giving them an edge over the smaller specialist outfits? We only need to look at business in general to see the benefits large powerful suppliers are able to offer their customers.

I often draw a comparison with cars, sure that Aston Martin is a fantastic car and many enthusiasts would aspire to one, however you needn’t spend Aston Martin money to enjoy Aston Martin performance. There are many other much cheaper vehicles that offer all the performance at a fraction of the price. The resale value of course will be very high on the Aston but can it really be justified on a performance only basis? I think I would have a little trouble to justify it on a longevity basis again that Aston will last a lifetime but how many TVR’s could you buy until you had spent the same amount of cash? And how much better would each one be making the Aston a little dated?

I’m open to suggestions here but I think a big reason for buying that Aston, Zziplex, Conoflex, Century ect is the kudos of owning the best! and I see nothing wrong with that.

As already said I’m only offering my opinion, hope we still buds dab

Ryan

your first paragraph is exactly what was going through my mind. we can only give advice based on what we with our limited knowledge think is correct. the last thing i would like to do is upset someone. hopefully the person asking for advice will take on board all of the differing advice he may receive and base their decision on this. i am quite happy for someone to correct any advice i may give out if it benefits somone else.

 

[dabcatcher]

yes, were fine, no problem.