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Bags are OK but actually the distance sticks the deluxe ones £12 are brilliant, they come with a 12ft cord FYI

Mine are 3.5lb, 12.6ft it was an all out casting rod turned players rod with the removal of the outer weave on the tip section. I don't know what you'd call the action but it plays fish lovely, no hook pulls and has the backbone to deal with massive fish and pulling out of weed beds and it was the best casting rod at some point in time. Not a broom stick by any means. It's old technology now but I wouldnt swap - hoping they last the rest of my lifetime, I certainly look after them. I guess one of the factors in play is people using bigger leads than they did in the past.

I use 12ft 3.25lb and don't find them too stiff, I don't feel like new rods are as broomsticky as they used to be, if you are wanting to continue using solid bags I wouldn't want to go under 3lb tc I have daiwa crosscasts I think they are a nice all rounder, I also think before you go chucking loads of money at rods, just try a different rig material. You may find your rods aren't an issue.

Your big problem is fashion! Since probably around 2010, test curves have increased to 3, 3.25 and 3.5lb, where (in my view) the best through action rod has a test curve of 1.75 to 2.5lb. Even a 2.75lb TC rod is a rarity today, and most of these higher test curve rods are faster taper tip action rods, frequently built for long distance casting rather than fish playing. If you want a more through action rod, look at Barbel rods, which, while being able to cast big leads and feeders, are certainly capable of landing and playing carp.

I won't be voting Green, they have no idea on actual environmental issues, and are against angling and other outdoor pursuits. Nor will I be voting Lib Dem, Labour or Conservative. Sadly the political system is not suitable for purpose. Until we can get rid of political parties we are screwed. We almost need a benign dictatorship, or a King Alfred the Great circle of elders representing everyone.

framey’s advice is exactly what I would suggest , although I’m a Coleman user and don’t suffer these issues 😝