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That's a good point Elmo. My beast rods (Trebuchet Lite ( 13ft 3.75)) are out-and-out casting tools but they're nothing like the broomsticks of old. The tip recovers mega quick on the cast but they do maintain some playability. Obviously it can't compare to playing a carp on a 2.75 but they're nowhere near as bad as I expected when I bought them. First season using them I ended up playing a 30+ common on a zig with 8lb hook-link. I absolutely pooped it on the take, but they dealt with it easy. Modern rods are miles ahead of where they used to be.

I think technology has changed I work in carbon fibre in the aerospace industry and I know technology advances different fibres, resins are constantly being invented I had some 3lb rods 20 years ago that were like broomsticks my free spirit 3. 5lb tc are far more forgiving yet I can still cast further than ever. I'm not a great caster but with the correct rods i am starting to be able to fish more accurately at distance. I also had 3lb rods that felt soft like an old 2.5lb tc ,fishing can be an expensive hobby nowadays you are looking at £500 a rod for a comparable century these days. I paid under £300 for my last set of free spirit. I bought them because of the pricepoint and I have used toray fibres through work. Some people like shorter rods, some people don't, I think it's unfair to call them fashion victims for their preference.

Best to expect to use them the following year at the latest after order would be a good industry standard for rod builders. I know when Malc Rooker used to build rods it was more about the blank as it was difficult to find rods for large European waters 13 foot high test curve was his main market, reel seats and whipping would of been good for then but not the same choices as today.

125m is nearly 140 yards. I would suggest that if you're hitting that comfortably with a 2.75 then you are a way above average caster. You need to bear in mind that not everyone can cast that far. It doesn't make them some kind of fashion victim. I myself fish distance a lot but I'm not scared to admit I'm not as good a caster as I'd like. At 140's I'd be looking to use my 3.75's. I wouldn't even use my 3.25's, let alone 2.75's. It's about using the right tools for the job. While I agree on the short rod thing, I don't buy the high TC comments. It makes sense that the 90% of anglers who can only afford or only want one set of rods get a set that can do anything and a set that can do anything has a high TC. Regardless of that, all the of the great blank manufacturers (Harrison, Free Spirit, Century) offer low TC blanks for those that want them. Of course it might be more time consuming getting a set built but what's the point in ordering custom rods and having them built with off-the-shelf components that every man in a shed has in stock. Not true mate. You have these to start with: Harrison Torrix 12' 2.5 Harrison Accurix 12' 2.5 Harrison / Mark Tunley Dark Carbon 12' 2.5 Century Armalite mk3 12' 2.25 Century Stealth 12' 2.5 Freesprit Hi-S 12' 2.5 Freesprit CTX 12' 2.5 Freesprit E Class 12' 2.5 Of course they're buying in the parts after receiving the order. Most of your custom rod builders are a bloke with a fancy shed and they certainly don't have an accounts department. Even Roger Hurst (the UK manufacturer for Free Spirit standard/factory builds) works out of a shed with a couple of young lasses helping out. For sure he'll have standard Free Spirit components in stock but if you want standard components why would you be getting a custom rod instead of a factory build? As mentioned by everyone else.... great quality, poor service. I had a pal that ended up cancelling his order it was that bad. Tbf most of the custom builders are in the same boat.... overloaded with orders, not enough resources. That's no excuse for poor communication though. I sent a set in to a very reputable builder for re-build a couple of year ago.... it took nearly a year to get them back (!) but they were great when I finally got them.

Think they have all but stopped selling a 2.5tc I'd say the higher tc rods are more bought for casting pva sticks and bags the 2.5 is not strong enough for anything other than the lead. Last time I can recall using a 2.5 rod was a used hyperloop tip snapped on the first cast 2 oz lead and a small pva bag, got 3lb to rods after that.

picked up a new NGT dynamic baitrunner 30 size for fishing the small pond 10 BB reel super smmoth shallow spool for 6lb line on float and deeper spool for 10lb line for bait runner fishing, nice bit of kit, super smooth

People who don't follow the (short length) extreme high 3.5oz test curve rods to cast 100metres set by tackle brands. A 12ft 2.75lb rod is capable of that distance, and more, but because fashion is dictating higher test curves are getting harder to get hold of. With 2.75lb Century NG's I was putting baits at around 125metres, and up to 90metres with 30boilie stringers or PVA bags, and with SP's even further. Even with my RH 2.75lb Enduro rods I am currently using, 100metres is no problem with 15lb line and a 3oz lead.

If you want to get the larger Perch go for a lobworm float fished with a size 8 hook

What are non fashionable anglers?

Chub 12ft spod rod off ebay for 15 quid. That will keep me ticking over for a bit, collected it today, looks hardly used bargain.

As @Pete Springate's Guns says, modern mono and our use of 15 to 18lb line gives far more capabilities without needing a leader, compared to the 1980's and 90's when you were only using 8 or 9lb line as standard. The days of 10lb of breaking strain for each ounce of lead with long distance casting are mostly over as 15-18lb line can handle 3oz leads due to stretch in the line. As I mentioned or alluded, 100metres is not a big cast (!), and I can do that with 15lb line. If I can avoid using a shockleader I prefer it, any snags or heavy weed can jam up on the knot, and prevent the run ring, or tail rubber on a lead clip, stopping the lead being ejected. A carp can eject even a barbed hook with no weight on it, like a splinter in the skin being pushed out from inside.

Back in the early 2000's a mate* and I used to build rods, mostly fly and sea rods, although some of the blanks we got for bass were good for carp fishing. We'd order what we needed blank wise for 6 or 7 rods at a time, really only keeping guides and thread in stock. I know a few people who build now only keep a maximum of 12 blanks in stock as it does take a fair while to build a rod nicely and with 'non-fashionable' anglers avoiding the overgunned tackle brand rods, it is almost specific builds. Sure I can do the guides in a day, but it is the lacquer, hi-build over the threads and the varnish that take the time. *Allen did used to have an account on here.

If fishing upto 100m I’d rather fish straight through on a .38mm mono-no need for a shockleader. If you want to go further, consider a tapered mainline-Gardner GT-HD is highly recommended.

I've just realised I've owned my Okuma 8k reels for over 4 years now. Firstly where has that time gone? Secondly they are still as smooth and brilliant as the day I got them. Normally I get bored with tackle or fed up with it limiting my angling but these reels do it all. The simplicity of the drag, the line lay is perfect and they are a joy to use. Even with 0.40mm line the line falls of the spool with ease when casting. I can honestly say they are the best reels I've ever owned and have no desire to change them. You know what I might even oil them as a treat for being such loyal servants.

I got into some nice perch yesterday also made lots of mistakes in regards to waggler fishing, set up on a wooden decking peg that was OK but a bit awkward with two rods, moved to a bankside swim with a nice wind blowing towards me, I spent most of the time clearing pond fluff off the line, had a few roach, but I really was struggling to keep the bait on the hook, no joke I could barely get my hook down before a team of baby perch had stripped the hook bare, try again Friday maybe try a water that isn't three meters deep a rod length out, lol.

Custom rods custom waiting time the way companies are running these days I wouldn't be surprised if they were buying the blanks and parts after receiving each order, I doubt they keep much stock getting lumbered with 500 reel seats that don't sell often would have the accounts department in a dizzy fit. They could hold a stock of made up rods for those that want it instant.

Yes I got some after my mate did, rods are lovely but you have to expect a decent wait. Got blanked after when I asked him to do me a matching landing net handle. I'm having these re-built at The Tackle Box, changing reel seats, new rings, the lacquer has gone so the whipping is clouding up overnight. A lot of love for the Torrix TE Specials so they're getting a makeover. ❤️

Well done Kev, cracking fish

I know someone who had rods built by him they said similar but the rods were great when he got them.

48 hour social at Bluebell lakes. Sandmartin Lake. Managed one on the first evening but despite looking good for more the following day no more bites.

` Sounds just like the Chris Orme experience

No personal experience but Apparently the rods are fantastic, if and when you finally get the rods. customer service, speed of service, communication on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired. if it was me, I would be looking elsewhere.

Hi guys. Has anyone on here had any experience in using Cotswold Rods? Thanks.

I use slosh 20’s on my sandstorms looking to get a pair of 30’s for the uptiders

7HT'S, beautiful reels, what I use myself on my Sandstorm and Sea Hunter. Unchanged since their release back in the 1990's, although there is now a Mag version. Nice guy, used to fish around Norfolk and Suffolk quite a bit.