Suggestions on a through-action <= 2.25lb t/c rod

[Fish101]

Hi all.
I fish a small (2 acre) snag-free venue. I cast no more than 60 yards, using an in-line cage of 15g (max 20g). If it matters, I fish sweetcorn (sometimes sausage/boilie) on a simple hair-rig.
I'm wanting to solely focus on Tench and Carp fishing and would like your suggestions on a suitable rod that:
A) can handle the Carp of up to 35lb that are in the venue.
B) provides an enjoyable playing experience for the Tench/Carp of the 5lb mark (I'm aiming to avoid anything smaller by using a larger bait).
Due to not casting far I don't believe I need a t/c of more than 2.25lb.
To help with lunges and often fishing the margins, I feel a through-action rod is a good choice (but I'd bow to better knowledge).

I have my eye on some rods and would like your opinion to whether they are suitable. The rods are:
Korum Barbel 12ft 1.75lb t/c.
Shakespeare Agility Barbel 12ft 2.0lb t/c.
Shakespeare SKP Concept 12ft 2.25lb t/c.

Advice on the length would be good too - should I use a 10ft, 11ft or 12ft rod?

I'm not looking to spend much, maybe £60-£70 per rod. Really just looking for suggestions on good bang-for-buck for my intended fishing. I'm not a brand snob. I appreciate quality at the cheaper price.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ged28]

I've no opinions on the rods you've mentioned, but would suggest a TC of 2.25 to 2.5 with a fairly soft tip. You really need to get into a well stocked shop, have a waggle with a few and put a bend in them to see what suits you. As an example I've got 3 different 2.75 TC rods, the first are quite soft in the tip and middle and are a joy to play fish on, whilst still casting a fair distance, the second are much stiffer, used as marker rods, but still acceptable as fishing rods, the third feels more like 3.5 TC, I'm sure it would cast a long way but would feel like fishing with a fence post.

 

[chrisjpainter]

I don't know the other two, but I'd ditch the Korum barbel. I had one for a while and found it about as inspiring as a wet February weekend in Skegness. The blanks just feel vague and lacking in all sensation. I agree with @Ged28 too. If there are carp up to 35lb in a small lake, you'll want something with a bit more smiting power than a 1.75lb TC. You won't be thanked by fellow anglers if you're having to let a carp charge off through their swims because you're a tad undergunned for the fish in the lake. 2.25+ would make more sense if you're using tactics that can reasonably be expected to produce the biggest fish. When I was looking for something similar (small lake, but fish only up to 25lb max) I was recommended Tackle Box's Darent Valley rods, which might be worth a look? They do a progressive actioned 11ft 9" Specialist 2.25lb TC that's only £65 right now. I didn't get one in the end, but plenty of people on here recommended the range. The rod cases they come in are pretty shoddy apparently, but there's supposed to be a lot of rod for the money

https://www.tacklebox.co.uk/rods-en/specialist/specialist-rods/tackle-box-darent-valley-11ft-9ins-2.25lb-specialist-rod.html

Lengthwise, you're not going to need the full range you'd get with a 12ft rod. Unless you're going to be using it elsewhere on bigger venues, then you'd definitely be able to drop to 10 or 11ft, if simply judging it by casting range alone. HOWEVER, you're going to be casting very light weights for what most ~ 2lb TC rods are designed for, so you won't be loading them up sufficiently to get the most out of their casting, so a bit of extra length might help mitigate that issue.

If you're looking for something a little bit different, have a look at Korum's Opportunist Xtend range. For the last couple of months I've been using their 10ft 2.25lb TC rod and I've been impressed. I've used it for surface fishing and with a centrepin for carp, and carp legering tactics and it's been great . The biggest I've had was 17lb 9oz (off the top) but it felt like it was well within its comfort range with that.

 

[Fish101]

Thanks for your replies, guys. I really appreciate the detailed response.
Yesterday, I fished my Shakespeare Agility Power Match rod (13ft, max 8lb line, max 30g casting weight) at the same venue, using sweetcorn.
I actually landed, what I estimate, a 14lb common. The rod and the 6lb line coped very well. I had the rear drag set appropriately and I never once felt in trouble.
It's the biggest fish I've caught on non-carp rods, so I took much notice on how all performed. The rod being a fast tip had the backbone in the main to control the fish. The fast tip catered for the lunges. If anything, it would be my basic Shimano match reel that would give in first. The rod's tip was fine enough to use as a quiver.

It just made me think if I need anything more than a 1.75lb t/c for the 30lb-ers that are in there. I'm not sure of the t/c of the Agility rod but a max casting weight of 30g tells me it's no where near 1.75lb.
Food for thought. Although, I am still very much considering your recommendations.

 

[naxian62]

Another to have a gander at.
Wychwoods FLTR rod. I think they come in 12 and 10 ft. Yes they are labelled as floater rods, but are great to play fish on. I used them for my tenching, chucking 30-40g feeders at about 50-60 yards with 10lb mono. And using them for surface fishing I can drop the mainline down to 8lb and let the rod do its thing. Great rods, I have two 10's.