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harrison rods, what tc?

M

Marcin Kantor

Active Member
Hi Gents,

new to the forum, and that's my first thread. I live in Dublin and for years have been on a match fishing scene here in Ireland (probably not the best introduction lol), for the past two years though I have drifted towards specimen style of fishing and finding it way more enjoyable now.

Last year I have made my first trip to the UK in search of barbel. Spent a couple of days around Symmonds Yat fishing different beat of river Wye. Just to tell you the obvious, what a beautiful this river is and with such a lovely creatures like barbel and chub in it, it was one of my best fishing experiences ever. No wonder I have another trip booked back in this September.

I'd like to get myself better equipped this time and I was looking into getting a harrison torrix 12ft rod. I'm getting a bit of head in trying to decide between 1.75tc and 2.0tc and living here in Ireland I've no really an option to get hands on experience myself. Also, coming from a match fishing I've never owned such tc rods and find it hard to my head around this. While spending such amount on a rod you want to make sure you make the right call so here is me asking for your advices.

I already have a pair of 1.5tc harrisons I used for my tenching up to 50-60 yards. the new rods I'd like to double as barbel rod and distance fishing tench/bream rod in a range of 70-80 yards. I talked to two builders who I am going to choose between and one of them swears by 1.75 one the other swears by 2.0. I know 2.0 will give me the bit of extra power when comes to distance casting but then it might be more than I need when it comes to playing barbel, tench and bream (bear in mind tench go to 8lb bream to around 10lb here so not the size they reach in the UK) and don't want to lose that playability.

I'll appreciate any advices
 
Marcin Kantor said:
Hi Gents,

new to the forum, and that's my first thread. I live in Dublin and for years have been on a match fishing scene here in Ireland (probably not the best introduction lol), for the past two years though I have drifted towards specimen style of fishing and finding it way more enjoyable now.

Last year I have made my first trip to the UK in search of barbel. Spent a couple of days around Symmonds Yat fishing different beat of river Wye. Just to tell you the obvious, what a beautiful this river is and with such a lovely creatures like barbel and chub in it, it was one of my best fishing experiences ever. No wonder I have another trip booked back in this September.

I'd like to get myself better equipped this time and I was looking into getting a harrison torrix 12ft rod. I'm getting a bit of head in trying to decide between 1.75tc and 2.0tc and living here in Ireland I've no really an option to get hands on experience myself. Also, coming from a match fishing I've never owned such tc rods and find it hard to my head around this. While spending such amount on a rod you want to make sure you make the right call so here is me asking for your advices.

I already have a pair of 1.5tc harrisons I used for my tenching up to 50-60 yards. the new rods I'd like to double as barbel rod and distance fishing tench/bream rod in a range of 70-80 yards. I talked to two builders who I am going to choose between and one of them swears by 1.75 one the other swears by 2.0. I know 2.0 will give me the bit of extra power when comes to distance casting but then it might be more than I need when it comes to playing barbel, tench and bream (bear in mind tench go to 8lb bream to around 10lb here so not the size they reach in the UK) and don't want to lose that playability.

I'll appreciate any advices
Click to expand...

As you already have a pair of 1.5lb TC rods, I'd avoid opting for the Torrix 1.75- they are superb rods but with a very soft tip and maybe a slightly overstated TC and therefore maybe a bit too similar to your existing rods. They wouldn't be my choice for tench and bream at range or for even for barbelling on the Wye if heavy feeders are being repeatedly lobbed out. Lots of anglers on here swear by the Torrix 2's, personally I think both the Chimera 2 and Chimera 3 are outstanding rods so don't rule those out. Have a word with Dave Lumb (D.L. Specialist Tackle - custom built pike rods and more), he knows what he's talking about.
 
Marcin, have a word with Bob Gill, this forums very own rod builder. There isn't a lot that Bob doesn't know about Harrison rods (Harrison recommend Bob as a rod builder), barbel rods in general and barbel fishing itself. see here.

BFW Barbel Rods

Cheers, Dave.
 
Thanks lads, I have emailed Bob and Dave right now. Keep the opinions coming please, sounds like 2.0 then? Bob said rather 2.0 but he can't take this job now due to workshop upgrade
 
why not take a look at the new fox duo lite twin tops - 1 3/4 & 2 1/4 test actions and tackle fanatics have them at £115 each - a real bargain!
 
Tricky question really I have a pair of chimera 1 which are 1.5lb and had double figure barbel on them on the teme but would only use on the ribble or Wye when low.
I also have a chimera 2 1.75lb a great rod through action but not the best in a flood.
Chimera 3 is in my opinion too over gunned unless the river is in heavy flood it stops barbel dead in their tracks normal levels too powerful for my liking!
The best rod by far is the flood and snag 11'6" through action with plenty in reserve also a good casting tool.
Mick holgate kingfisher rods built my last one and can highly recommend:)

Just to explain the flood and snag isn't a poker it sounds like a beast of a rod when infact its just a great all rounder it will do it all;)
 
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martin, i use a pair of i-power bfw/harrisons which have twin tops 13/4 and 2lb tc tops, thats all i need for chub,tench, bream or barbel mate, they can cast 80 yards in comfort and have bags of power, our bob gill builds the rods to your own customised finish, check it out on bfw on bobs blogs
 
I had a couple if Peregrine 1.75 GTX 12' rods made a couple of years ago. Love em suit my style of fishing perfectly (blanking lol )., but i rarely use big heavy feeders.
 
John Walker said:
martin, i use a pair of i-power bfw/harrisons which have twin tops 13/4 and 2lb tc tops, thats all i need for chub,tench, bream or barbel mate, they can cast 80 yards in comfort and have bags of power, our bob gill builds the rods to your own customised finish, check it out on bfw on bobs blogs
Click to expand...

Which tops do you use more often John? Would you pick 2.0 when tench ledgering at distance and 1.75 for barbel or something else? Plenty of very helpful opinions but still not sure which test curve would I rather need or use more often...
 
Marcin Kantor said:
And how about their action and general feel vs harrisons Dave?
Click to expand...

Fox rods are excellent, I have the old twin tip 1.75, its a good action and always feels too light for the job, until it is put to the test, can't compare it to the Harrison, as this will be my first season with a Torrix (well second hand) but don't be thinking it's a lesser rod because it's cheaper.

As you know stated test curves can be misleading, the action is everything.

Also love the Drennan Specialist and power barbel, the older ones, I believe the discontinued rods were often better than the new and 'improved' versions.
 
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