Hardy Coarse Rods?

[robtherake]

Picked up a Hardy rod in the tackle shop and had a waggle - a 13ft power float of some description (left me specs at home!)
It weighed a ton! Far heavier than the tasty rod that I was holding previously - think it was a Daiwa - it had the most beautiful soft tip, almost like a splice. Someone was asking recently about a float rod for those escapologist roach and this will probably be ideal, so I'll have another look when I have my gegs with me.

Anyway, back to the Hardy float. Why, one wonders, is it so bloody heavy when the much vaunted Drennan Acolyte is the opposite? Not a good selling point for a float rod.

 

[S-Kippy]

They still come up as hardly used on ebay occasionally Skip, I would have thought you would be fine with your 11' Specialist for your general barbelling though.

The Specimen is a real seat of your pants, butt creaking fish stopper if you push it hard enough yet still a delight to catch smaller stuff with, the 14-14 barbel I recently took with mine was practically bullied into turning until I realised it was bigger than I had originally thought and I then eased off a bit and took a bit more time with it once I had turned it away from what was a very large snag to put it mildly.

Low doubles are usually just bounced on the blank right under the tip without being allowed on that final run as soon as they see the net.

I've also taken a fair number of river pike and zander with it.

I remain unconvinced by the Avon Specialist as I've said before on here. It's a delightful rod but I am damned if I can work out what for. It's a bit short to be a proper float rod and not (IMO) pokey enough to be a proper barbel rod. That's why I fancy a Specimen because that has got the nuts for barbel.

I'll keep looking. If one comes up I might have a go even though I don't really need one. I splashed out earlier this year on a Free Spirit AND a Harrison Specialist and they have both proved to be excellent choices. The FS particularly though that's the barbel rod whereas the Harrison I bought more as a general allrounder and for zandering.

It's the tart in me. I don't need another barbel rod....I just want one. You will understand ,Steve.

 

[binka]

Anyway, back to the Hardy float. Why, one wonders, is it so bloody heavy when the much vaunted Drennan Acolyte is the opposite? Not a good selling point for a float rod.

Not sure what you picked up there Rob?

If it was a dark graphite coloured blank it would be the XT and if it was dark olive green it would either have been the Supero or original Marksman although there aren't many of the latter around now.

I've also got the original Marksman Specimen Float which, in it's own right, is featherweight for a 13' rod rated up to 8lb mainline and it's a cracking rod for barbel trotting with a match rod slim blank.

The Hardys are generally slightly heavier than the Acolytes but not massively for comparable rods, I think the Acolyte Ultra 13' Float comes in at around 5.25ozs where the Hardy equivalent is around 6.10ozs so clearly heavier albeit on an already very light scale... I'm not sure if I would physically be able to feel much difference over a length of 13'.

What I do tend to find is that the Hardy line ratings are higher for comparable rods and recently somebody asked me to give four rods a waggle whilst I was out buying mine and pass on my opinion of them, one of which was a Hardy.

Considering his particular purpose I rated the Hardy third out of four (an Acolyte was a very close second place barely separable from first) but if I was looking for more of an all rounder with a bit of a wider spectrum I would have chosen the Hardy first.

The one thing I find about the Hardys in general is that a particular rod may not be the best at any one thing, yet they seem to do everything on a broader spectrum, within the expectations of the particular model, exceptionally well indeed.

I have no idea what the lower end XT is like to be fair and only limited experience with the Supero so my comments are based mainly on the original Marksmans.

The rod you picked up wasn't still tie wrapped to the rack was it?

 

[tigger]

I remain unconvinced by the Avon Specialist as I've said before on here. It's a delightful rod but I am damned if I can work out what for. It's a bit short to be a proper float rod and not (IMO) pokey enough to be a proper barbel rod. That's why I fancy a Specimen because that has got the nuts for barbel.

Skippy, i've used mine for float fishing and legering on still waters, trotting on rivers and have caught tench, roach, rudd, dace, perch, carp etc...and have hit and held double figure barbel with it no problem. It's one of the most versatile rods i've used and deffo the best avon rod i've used.
I'd reccommend you give it some welly with some fish that pull back, i'm quite sure you'll be surprised at it's capabilities.
Do you remember me telling you I did strap a 1 1/2 pound weight to the line when trying to get a test curve and it picked it up at an angle of just shy of 90 % so obviously that's it's test curve.
If you decide to move yours on i'd be happy to releive you of it ....seriously .

 

[S-Kippy]

Its a lovely rod and I'll never let it go but it just doesn't seem to "fit" with anything I do currently. I said when I first bought it that its possibly the best pure Avon action rod that anybody has or ever will make but I've hardly ever used it.

I might have to give it a work out on some stupid carp to see what it can do. If they overpower it and get off I really couldn't care less.

 

[hague01]

Is the 350 the Supero Extreme Feeder?

If it is i've got the original Marksman version of it and it's an animal of a rod when you need the power yet still, like you say, delivers a good feel and playing experience.

I've rarely used it for long distance work on stillwater but it has been/still is an absolute cracking barbel rod on the river.

I did try to look up the code on the Hardy Coarse site but all the links are now taking me to their game site instead, must have happened within the last few days if so as I was checking out a coarse rod on there the other day.

No mine is the supero extreme feeder no 340.You are right that H has taken their earlier site down and replaced it with fly rods only. The 350 was said to be a 12' 3 pce which would take lines up to 14lb which thought i would use as a carp rod. Wont bother I think as the feeder 13 will do most things.It is olive green.I also have an xt 11'feeder.I would say its silver tungsten colour rather than graphite.

 

[kenpm]

I was in the trade showroom at Alnwick last month and can confirm the coarse range is definitely finished for now and all the remaining stock has been sold to various outlets around the country.

 

[binka]

I was in the trade showroom at Alnwick last month and can confirm the coarse range is definitely finished for now and all the remaining stock has been sold to various outlets around the country.

That's very sad news for sure, it looked to have been heading that way for some time with really cheap (less than half rrp) Hardy luggage appearing on ebay.

I wonder how it will affect any warranty issues under the lifetime guarantee or if replacement sections will continue to be available?

 

[kenpm]

The warranty should still be honoured as they have a quantity of spare sections in stock.
Dave Coster had a lot of imput into that range and he is retiring this year so that may have had something to do with it possibly with no one "in house" to promote it any more better selling items have taken preference possibly.

 

[binka]

Ian, I'm gonna pm greenie and ask that if he happens upon you whilst you're out using that rod if he would chloroform you before removing the plastic from the handle and be away on his heels before you regain consciousness

 

[tigger]

Ian, I'm gonna pm greenie and ask that if he happens upon you whilst you're out using that rod if he would chloroform you before removing the plastic from the handle and be away on his heels before you regain consciousness

I can picture greenie now disguised as a bush and evertime I look round the bush is a little nearer LOL.
Steve, i'm pretty sure that if you really wanted one you'd have one by now .

I reckon Skippy may well be tempted to part with his if you put up a decent case why you need it more than he does

 

[greenie62]

I can picture greenie now disguised as a bush and evertime I look round the bush is a little nearer LOL....

Dead right kid,
The only give away will be the bush is still green amongst all the red/orange/yellow foliage! mg:
:thumbs:

 

[tigger]

Dead right kid,
The only give away will be the bush is still green amongst all the red/orange/yellow foliage! mg:
:thumbs:

Yeah, I guessed you'd be using a holly bush since it's green all year...might be a bit prickly though .

 

[greenie62]

Yeah, I guessed you'd be using a holly bush since it's green all year...might be a bit prickly though .

Saves me scratching me own 'rse though!

 

[binka]

I knew it wouldn't be long before you two started talking about pricks and bushes

 

[tigger]

I knew it wouldn't be long before you two started talking about pricks and bushes

No...you were hoping we would...now grennies brought arses into it you'll be buzzin mg:

 

[greenie62]

I knew it wouldn't be long before you two started talking about pricks and bushes

If I remember rightly - you were the one encouraging me to go and unwrap Tigger's Butt and grab it whilst he waved his rod around! What sort of girl do you think I am !? mg:

 

[binka]

I knew I should have specified rohypnol instead of chloroform

 

[greenie62]

I knew I should have specified rohypnol instead of chloroform

That would be a giveaway - Tigger's my goto guy for rohypnol - I'd have to see his mate for chloroform or ether - but Pete may be willing to assist administering it for a reasonable contribution in terms of a pint or three!

 

[binka]

This is panning out better than Coarse Fisherman's Snide Rumours and Dirty Lies