gav30 Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Hi all, Just got a bit of spare dosh (PPI) and going to upgrade my gear before i or my missus blows the lot on rubbish. I currently use TFG V8 reels and V8 rods and also my Prologic Polys for alarms. Nowt wrong with the reels and rods, I caught a 67.9lb sturgeon last year on one Anyway this is what i was going to go for. 3 Fox Stratos 12000 FS - new type with black handle and spool 3 Sonik SK4's 3.25 tc 3 Delkim Txi Plus' and receiver £1300 all in Im no expert at fishing, I catch my fair share and this might be excessive but only live once and all that. I was looking to use a goal post setup but unsure what is best to be honest, and ideas would be appreciated. my pod is a bit knackered so open to ideas. Most places i fish have soft ground but i do need a pod on occassions thanks in advance Cheers Gav. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nafy118 Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 may i ask why such heavy rods? apart from that all seems ok, best goal post set ups have to be matrix solid as a rock ... does what it says on the tin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gav30 Posted April 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Thats just what setup i'm used to thats all. I used 2 and 2.5 tc on my first kit but went onto 3.25 as i was told by a friend to basically (he knew better???). What i am using now is what i have used since then, hense keeping with 3.25's still smile at the bend i had in that rod when i was getting pulled down the lake yeah they look good to me, worth the dosh no doubt cheers mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nafy118 Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 id perhaps change the reels as well sorry, the fox's dont have the best reputation all though some people swear by them! daiwa or shimano are the names to get hold of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewpot Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 What sort of venues do you fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gav30 Posted April 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 local lakes are not massive (3-4 acre) but some big fish, one of them is a 10 acre with plenty of 20's. i also go down celtic lakes and you could hook onto a sturgeon or catfish like i did last year. 17 acre lake there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gav30 Posted April 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 id perhaps change the reels as well sorry, the fox's dont have the best reputation all though some people swear by them! daiwa or shimano are the names to get hold of! any particular model? too many too choose from :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coops_northants Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 I have the fox reels, mostly very good but the bail arm needs to be looked at. This is a design flaw and let's down an otherwise decent reel for its money. All four of mine are twisted and bent out of place and have been since a couple of months old. A mate of mine bought sonic 4s and have them for 2 months before leaving them in the garage and buying a new set of custom rods. He didn't like them but this don't mean to say you won't. Although I was unsure also when I had a go with them. That said I have a set of 4 rods which cost me 300 quid new and can't fault them. Buying new gear is always good whatever you choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gav30 Posted April 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 I have the fox reels, mostly very good but the bail arm needs to be looked at. This is a design flaw and let's down an otherwise decent reel for its money. All four of mine are twisted and bent out of place and have been since a couple of months old. A mate of mine bought sonic 4s and have them for 2 months before leaving them in the garage and buying a new set of custom rods. He didn't like them but this don't mean to say you won't. Although I was unsure also when I had a go with them. That said I have a set of 4 rods which cost me 300 quid new and can't fault them. Buying new gear is always good whatever you choose. im more undecided now than when i started after reading that there is so much choice out there that i guess there is no perfect setup as everyones opinions are different at the end of the day. i'll sleep on it and decide in the morning i think. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coops_northants Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 I like the look of the reels you have, I was going to buy them for spod and marker to see what they are like, they look good value. Even top price kit is sometimes money down the drain. My mate has technium magnesiums and these are rubbish, total waste of money. All cheap plastic parts and on 2 reels the plastic case on the bail arm is scored from the line which has cut in like a cheese wire. Kit is getting worse and worse costing more and more. My old gear was ace and lasted years. Now I'm replacing it Its disappointing to think I'm replacing with inferior quality products. It's all about marketing budgets not quality these days and relying on a few to big p your gear thinking they might get something out of it....... Rant done. However I am impressed With the new (old version) aqua hold all I have just bought. Just got to get it to the lake now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemsue5 Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 I've got a set of the sk4 in 3.25 and i love them a very good value for money rod. Have to agree that some reels are just stupid money for something that sits on the buzz bars 99.99% of the time. I am looking at some Penn affinity's for my next reels titanium main shaft and bailarms should make a bomb proof carp reel as its designed for sea fishing so is far better built than most carp reels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gav30 Posted April 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 I've got a set of the sk4 in 3.25 and i love them a very good value for money rod. Have to agree that some reels are just stupid money for something that sits on the buzz bars 99.99% of the time. I am looking at some Penn affinity's for my next reels titanium main shaft and bailarms should make a bomb proof carp reel as its designed for sea fishing so is far better built than most carp reels. what reel are you currently using with the SK4's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marty_h Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 As you have a good budget have you thought at looking at the secondhand market you can pick up like new items and with your budget you would easily get all that and some high end rods worth a thought I sold my old set of rods Greys X flite +'s 3 T/C set of 3 for £250 and the rods where mint. It is nice to buy new but if you can get a lot better quality secondhand and in mint condition why not go that route will get more for your money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gav30 Posted April 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 As you have a good budget have you thought at looking at the secondhand market you can pick up like new items and with your budget you would easily get all that and some high end rods worth a thought I sold my old set of rods Greys X flite +'s 3 T/C set of 3 for £250 and the rods where mint. It is nice to buy new but if you can get a lot better quality secondhand and in mint condition why not go that route will get more for your money yeah fair point, i was trying to get this gear in ready for my week down Celtic Lakes so not left myself much time to hunt the good deals really. might just keep what i have for now and have a good look when i get back. any good sites to check for 2nd hand gear? not fleabay.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marty_h Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 As you said I would make do with what you have for next session as its only the last 6" of a setup that count the fish cannot see what's on the bank and its makes no difference to them. Have a look around when you get back you will get a lot more for your money no point rushing into it. I tend to use ebay or look on other fishing sites where there is a for sale section there is always a bargain to be had if you look hard enough and wait. On ebay I tend to send them a question and I offer them a price I want to pay they either take it or leave it but normally if you have not taken the pee with the offer they normally go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gav30 Posted April 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Got the 3 x Sonik SK4's plus margin rod for £299.98 Just deciding on reels now. 12000 FS mags are £200 each but there seems more negative reviews than positive ones on all forums. given the choice would you get Shimano or Daiwa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marty_h Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Shimano in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coops_northants Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 I would get shimano reels personally or infinity br. For 200 quid each you can get some nice reels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemsue5 Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 I've got a set of the sk4 in 3.25 and i love them a very good value for money rod. Have to agree that some reels are just stupid money for something that sits on the buzz bars 99.99% of the time. I am looking at some Penn affinity's for my next reels titanium main shaft and bailarms should make a bomb proof carp reel as its designed for sea fishing so is far better built than most carp reels. what reel are you currently using with the SK4's? Okuma powerliner pro's, good linelay, good lineclip, reliable with a 5 year guarantee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambate Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 I've had powerliner pros for three years now and the gears are getting a bit graunchy. I lost my guarantee so no free fix for me, I was considering upgrading to the new shimano longcast xta in large or medium size but I'm concerned about some of their top end expensive gear being third rate in some of the design features. Would I be wasting my money???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carefulcarping Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 I had shimano ST10000RA reels, had them for about 3 months, and thought they where quality and at 40 quid each if you look around you can't go wrong. Ross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coops_northants Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Ross, those st ra reels were/are shocking all round, the drag is appauling. I bought a pair for my light rods and was glad I never got rid of my old 8010gts. No comparison in terms of quality and performance. Even my 8000gtes are miles better and they are not a patch on the previous 8010. I found this with shimano stradics, I have 3 of them 2 x models with floating shafts and one old old old originlal 3000gtm and the old one is still miles better than the new model, even though it's well over 15 years old. If I was spending 200 quid on a carp reel and wanted one to last I would beither old technium 10000 xt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carefulcarping Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 Ross, those st ra reels were/are shocking all round, the drag is appauling. I bought a pair for my light rods and was glad I never got rid of my old 8010gts. No comparison in terms of quality and performance. Even my 8000gtes are miles better and they are not a patch on the previous 8010. I found this with shimano stradics, I have 3 of them 2 x models with floating shafts and one old old old originlal 3000gtm and the old one is still miles better than the new model, even though it's well over 15 years old. If I was spending 200 quid on a carp reel and wanted one to last I would beither old technium 10000 xt Do you think? When I got into carping 2 years ago, I bought a rod and reel combos, I had a 'grande slam' and okuma reels. The okuma reel was ok but th other one was shocking, so when I bought the st ra's I feel in love with them because they are so superior to my older reels. But if you have used awesome reels then gone onto use the st ra's I could understand why you feel they are appauling reels. But for what I wanted, I found the great, but only used them for a couple of months and didn't really get a chance to give then a real trial. Ross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salokcinnodrog Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 Hi all, Just got a bit of spare dosh (PPI) and going to upgrade my gear before i or my missus blows the lot on rubbish. I currently use TFG V8 reels and V8 rods and also my Prologic Polys for alarms. Nowt wrong with the reels and rods, I caught a 67.9lb sturgeon last year on one Anyway this is what i was going to go for. 3 Fox Stratos 12000 FS - new type with black handle and spool 3 Sonik SK4's 3.25 tc 3 Delkim Txi Plus' and receiver £1300 all in Im no expert at fishing, I catch my fair share and this might be excessive but only live once and all that. I was looking to use a goal post setup but unsure what is best to be honest, and ideas would be appreciated. my pod is a bit knackered so open to ideas. Most places i fish have soft ground but i do need a pod on occassions thanks in advance Cheers Gav. After reading through the thread, I honestly think that the Test Curve of the rod is MILES too high for the waters you are fishing, and 2.75 TC would be the absolute maximum I would go to. Fish size does NOT mean that you need a higher test curve. In most cases a lower test curve rod with a through action is more friendly fish playing, and will actually be less at risk of hookpulls than a high TC tip actioned rod. In fact I wouldn't even go to Big Pit style reel, in "Shimano Speak", I'd go for the 10000 size reels. Years ago a 10 acre water I fished I could reach every single spot on the lake with 2.25lb TC rods, and Abu Cardinals, but in the interest of development and getting a baitrunner I moved onto 4000 Aero GTE's. While I know that some Fox reels were not the best, I do know that some people love them. Its a "love/hate" mix, but personally even though that Fox, Daiwa etc do produce reels I will almost only ever buy Shimano. Just as an aside I never upgrade all my gear at once, even though I occasionally have the money to do rods, buzzers, reels etc. I have chosen my kit over time, and have gotten used to how it feels and its actions. If gear needs upgrading or replacing then I do one (set of) item at a time, so buy new rods, and put the old reels onto them etc. I'm happy with my 12 year old buzzers, 3 year old rods, 2 year old reels and as for pod, that must be 7 years old, and the only thing I want to do for that is buy a new set of buzzer bars as the old ones are getting tatty and one of the screw threads is worn. Rod Pods:https://forum.carp.com/carp-forum/viewtopic.php?p=548789#548789 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plowmanccfc Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 Have a look at the diawa windcast zs Gav Great bit of kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.