Free Spirit Barbel Tamer

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

I'm after a 1.5lb Barbel rod for the Avon (around Pershore / Evesham / Bidford) and I'd welcome opinions on this rod. I don't think 1.75lb is necessary for this river, during summer and autumn, for what will mostly be single-figure fish, but if you vehemently disagree I have an open mind. I think this one might be over-priced, but what are the alternatives?

Thanks in advance.

FREE SPIRIT 12′ – 1 1/2lb “BARBEL TAMER” FISHING ROD – Vintage Fishing Tackle

vintagefishingtackle.co.uk

 

[chevin4]

In low water conditions that rod would be a good choice. However it is pushing through and you need bigger leads the 1.75tc rod would be a better bet.

 

[Keith M]

In low water conditions that rod would be a good choice. However it is pushing through and you need bigger leads the 1.75tc rod would be a better bet.

Took the words out of my mouth

There are three rods that cover all my small stream/river needs when I’m after Barbel (and I’m not trotting)

1.5lb TC Greys Prodigy SX Barbel rod for low water conditions with leads of half an ounce and smaller.
1.7lb TC Greys Prodigy SX Barbel rod for faster flowing slightly higher water conditions with leads from half an ounce up to around the 1oz Mark and for the occasional feeder session on rivers.
1.5lb/2lb TC Greys Prodigy Multi tip specialist rod (using the 2lb TC tip section) for when I’m fishing in flood conditions and I need a larger lead to combat the stronger flows.

These seem to cover all my needs when I’m fishing streams and smallish rivers for decent sized Barbel and Chub.

Keith

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

I appreciate the replies. I should probably add that I'm fully prepared to buy a 1.75lb rod later in the year.

 

[nottskev]

I'd tend to agree with the two previous posters. It's hard to predict the feel and action of a rod just off the tc. I was chatting to a friend using the Free Spirit rod you mention. He urged me to try it and I hooked a barbel of about 8lb. I was surprised how stiff and tippy if felt. I thought the playing action was harsh. I'd been using Harrison Torrix 1.75's, and these have a much more pleasing elastic, progressive action and some power in the butt. Some 1.75's can beat "lighter" rods for feel and playing action while giving you a bit more scope to fish for bigger ones or in heavier water etc.

Just saw your post re getting two rods. I've got a Harrison Avon type rod in 1.5lb, bought in 2003, and that's great for barbel of 6 and 7lbs, but gets a bit overpowered by bigger ones, and many are much bigger these days . If I were getting two rods now, would I go for a 1.5lb and a 1.75lb? Or two 1.75lbs? I think I'd go for two good 1.75lbs, but I'd be very picky re which ones.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

Sounds like my feelings when buying fly rods. I like a 'soft' rod like Winston, whereas others like Sage, which are generally fast, or as I would describe them, broom sticks. I might have to check out Harrison, or just buy a cheap 1.75lb rod until I have the opportunity to try a few more rods in the flesh.
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[Aknib]

I absolutely hate expressions such as 'tamer', imo they just scream broomstick and disengaging to me.

I can't offer any constructive view of the rod you're looking at but I would go for a 1.75lb t/c personally, of a progressive 'Avon' type action which will be engaging with the smaller stuff yet still handle the daddies when you want to feel the cork creaking beneath your hands, providing of course that the action is right.

I'm actually wondering if many manufacturers are beginning to go the Carp route, producing primarily 'casting tools' capable of chucking heavy gear which is really not needed in my neck of the woods, with engagement and fish playing considerations a secondary priority?

If you're not going to push it to the limits with fish on then you're not fully engaging and you can't be the first to blink in a tug of war.

Most of my Barbel fishing has been done with floats or leads of a fraction of an ounce.

I've watched guys playing Barbel on Harrison rods and I was largely unimpressed by their lack of engagement, that's not really a fair comment as I had no idea of what model or t/c they were using but that's the nearest i've been to them.

My personal go to has been measured as near as damn it by me, as they're line rated, at 1.6lb t/c as close as I can get it and i'd rather part with my liver than that rod, it does everything from Summer trotting to high flood water lead work.

And no...

Unless you're prepared to sit it out on Ebay and shell out around four to five hundred quid they're no longer available.

Digression apart, 1.75 t/c and an Avon action if such a specimen still exists, if money were no object i'd have a look at Bruce & Walker Hexagraphs but that's going on instinct, not experience... The Kennet goes to 1.5lb t/c but I've heard that in practice they're a little underrated on the t/c.

 

[chevin4]

I appreciate the replies. I should probably add that I'm fully prepared to buy a 1.75lb rod later in the year.

You can pick up a decent 1.75tc rod up for around £60. The Tackle Box of Dartford own brand is decent its finish is more in keeping with a rod costing twice the price. I won one of these in a raffle but sold it as I already have an Harrison 11ft 1 75 Torrix. Probably best to try the rod in the Tackle shop. Test curves can be very misleading eg I have three 2.25 tc rods and they are all different in capability. The Chimera 3 will cast a 6oz lead if required whilst the Harrison Multi range rod is very through actioned and has an overstated test curve .

 

[@Clive]

I absolutely hate expressions such as 'tamer', imo they just scream broomstick and disengaging to me.

I can't offer any constructive view of the rod you're looking at but I would go for a 1.75lb t/c personally, of a progressive 'Avon' type action which will be engaging with the smaller stuff yet still handle the daddies when you want to feel the cork creaking beneath your hands, providing of course that the action is right.

I'm actually wondering if many manufacturers are beginning to go the Carp route, producing primarily 'casting tools' capable of chucking heavy gear which is really not needed in my neck of the woods, with engagement and fish playing considerations a secondary priority?

If you're not going to push it to the limits with fish on then you're not fully engaging and you can't be the first to blink in a tug of war.

Most of my Barbel fishing has been done with floats or leads of a fraction of an ounce.

I've watched guys playing Barbel on Harrison rods and I was largely unimpressed by their lack of engagement, that's not really a fair comment as I had no idea of what model or t/c they were using but that's the nearest i've been to them.

My personal go to has been measured as near as damn it by me, as they're line rated, at 1.6lb t/c as close as I can get it and i'd rather part with my liver than that rod, it does everything from Summer trotting to high flood water lead work.

And no...

Unless you're prepared to sit it out on Ebay and shell out around four to five hundred quid they're no longer available.

Digression apart, 1.75 t/c and an Avon action if such a specimen still exists, if money were no object i'd have a look at Bruce & Walker Hexagraphs but that's going on instinct, not experience... The Kennet goes to 1.5lb t/c but I've heard that in practice they're a little underrated on the t/c.

The Hexagraphs only go to 1.5lb tc Steve. And, I don't have any knowledge of their action.

Regards barbel rods I notice that there are quite a few variations regards action and the tips. For example the Fox EOS has a white painted tip that could lead buyers to believe that it is a quiver tip. It isn't and the tip is quite coarse and offers little in respect of bite indication. But it will chuck heavy feeders. The OP would be wise to lay hands on the rod or rods he likes before parting wit the dosh.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

I'll probably use my Acolyte Plus feeder until I've been able to wiggle a few barbel rods, or see a used one for a price that wont hurt if I don't like it.

As for the original question, that particular Free Spirit rod (of which the dealer has two) seems to be over-priced, so I wouldn't get my money back if I moved it on.
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[S-Kippy]

I’ve got 2 or 3 ( or more) FS “barbel” rods and they vary enormously. Personally I found the 12ft 1.75 tc rather soggy….I much prefer the 11ft 1.5tc which punches well above its weight. The 2.25lb tc is nothing like the beast it sounds.
I have no idea why I have so many barbel rods having not fished ( let alone caught) a barbel for years.
Oh I forgot the Hardy Marksman Barbel rods and Avon Specimen….and Torrix which is a lovely rod.
I haven’t really helped much have I ?

 

[Aknib]

I would take a close look at this on trust, if you can run to it, but with a caveat emptor...

COARSE BARBEL FISHING TACKLE - HARDY MARKSMAN SUPERO 11ft 6ins FLOAT ROD | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for COARSE BARBEL FISHING TACKLE - HARDY MARKSMAN SUPERO 11ft 6ins FLOAT ROD at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

It could be one of two things as Hardy only made two 11' 6" Marksman/Supero rods, one a very light float rod and the other a Specimen Avon.

As both seem to be covered in the description it's not entirely clear to me but a message to the seller would likely clarify, if not Hardy (Pure Fishing) might be able to help with the rod's serial number:

I believe It's the later version 'Supero' without the trinket alloy stopper, full gold trimmed whippings and with a slightly different but very convenient rod bag and despite my failed best efforts to find out, I reckon they're the same blank as the original Marksman.

It wouldn't surprise me either if the Thomas Turner were coming off the same mandrels so maybe worth a look there too for brand new and peace of mind.

As mentioned earlier I rated mine at about 1.6lb t/c and a sweeter Avon action, which you can depend upon not to lock up when the cork is creaking, I cannot imagine and on a few occasions i've had to lock down on mid-doubles to try and stop them getting into the main flow and game over, it will do it with engagement and without going poker.

It's as much about confidence in yourself and how far you'll push the rod as it is in the rod itself, if you can step up and cross the line the rod will meet you every inch of the way and more.

Quite unusually these days the seller isn't taking the proverbial with the asking price if it is the Specimen Avon.

 

[S-Kippy]

3rd picture suggests it’s the float rod. Nice rod ( I’ve got one of those too !) but not man enough for barbel

 

[mikench]

I too have both. The Avon is a lovely rod but I have only ever caught mid double carp with it but it has the strength to tease them out of lily pads. I am treating my Hardy rods like Sunday best and not using them which is criminal. Note to self: get them out.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

Not sure if the price of that Hardy is fair or not, but I don't want to spend over £300.00 on one rod.

I know very little about their coarse rods, but in fly fishing the name Hardy is no longer venerated as it was 60 years ago. Their fly rods went through the doldrums for about thirty years, but have bounced back in the last ten years or so. Don't get me going on used vintage Hardy reels... mostly rubbish - generally tatty (or is it 'patinated'?) and not well engineered in the first place - but commanding stupid prices, and I really do mean stupid. On the other hand, I have a superb 8ft Hardy fly rod that is worth about £300.00 and cost me £170.00 - that's the sort of deal I like for a used Hardy rod.

Ahhh, nice to get a rant out of the way first thing in the morning... so apart from all that, thanks for the link.
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[mikench]

The Marksman / Superos are excellent. If you bought it and looked after it you would easily get your money back.

 

[Alan Whitty]

I've watched guys playing Barbel on Harrison rods and I was largely unimpressed by their lack of engagement, that's not really a fair comment as I had no idea of what model or t/c they were using but that's the nearest i've been to ththem.

HI Steve,I'm curious to your terminology with the word 'engagement', I use Harrison's and they are both progressive in action,though different blanks and find they have a brilliant action for stopping barbel if needed,but a lovely action for general fish playing, but if you are a pussy footer,letting fish have line unnecessarily they would be poor,these people need a broom handle that forces you to play a fish slightly harder....

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

Personally I found the 12ft 1.75 tc rather soggy….

Oh dear... I just bought that rod (Free Spirit Barbel Tamer). But seriously, for me that comment is encouraging, because I do like a soft rod and was worried that 'barbel rod' was a euphemism for 'broomstick'. The rod was recommended by someone on the barbel forum who fishes the same river as me.

I absolutely hate expressions such as 'tamer', imo they just scream broomstick and disengaging to me.

In this case, apparently not! I quite like the name 'Barbel Tamer'... more evocative or characterful than something inane like 'Barbel Rod'. Anyway, it's only a name... they all have to call their rods something.
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[mikench]

I will await the for sale ad next week.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

I will await the for sale ad next week.

Cynic.