Rod to learn with

[magpies]

What would be the best rod to learn how to cast more advanced styles, off the ground and pendulum ? Need something easy to compress and not too challenging to begin with I guess. Any advice much appreciated.

[the tornado]

tip tornado are spot on to learn on mate that's what I started off with 200 yard plus easily enough

[Stewart 1971]

tip tornado are spot on to learn on mate that's what I started off with 200 yard plus easily enough

If you mean the old Mk1 with orange whippings and no metal band then I'd agree with you, it is acracking rod for starting to cast with. The newer Mk2 with metal band is far too stiff and unforgiving to learn on and will put you on your backside if your timing is out.

What would be the best rod to learn how to cast more advanced styles, off the ground and pendulum ? Need something easy to compress and not too challenging to begin with I guess. Any advice much appreciated.

You can learn on pretty much any mid-range rod to be honest, all will get you up to the 200 yard line but it is after this that the yards get exponentially harder and tackle comes in to it as much as technique. All the AFAW fishing rods, the Abus, even a Shakey Salt MX will do a decent job as you are learning. Just remember a better mid-range rod will stay with you that bit longer as your technique improves.

For what it's worth I learned on a Century Carbon Metal Express and it's a rod I would recommend to any beginner. The CME is a great off the ground rod which is where you need to start (and master) before moving on to the pendulum cast: always remember at it's most basic the pendulum is just an off the ground cast with the lead set up in the air rather then stationary on the deck. The finish of the cast - body rotation, arm and head position are pretty much exactly the same in an OTG as in the pendulum so mastering the OTG first makes moving on to swinging the lead so much easier as you have a lot less to think about during the cast.

The CME is a very forgiving rod but it will give you a nudge if your technique is not quite right. As well as OTG it is also a great rod for low swing and mid swing pendulum and is a very capable rod - I got to 200 metres (220 yards) with mine before moving on. They can be picked up in good nick for around £130 second hand and also make a good fishing rod.

BUT, the most important thing is technique; get some lessons off someone who knows what they are doing, plenty of practice but also go back because even the littlest of faults can make a big difference in distance (I remember one day at Steyning I was a good 20 metres down on my usual distances all morning until one of the lads came over and said to me my left arm was dropping in the cast. Next cast I kept my left arm up and put 30 metres on what I'd been hitting so far that day).

Finally set your reels up nice and safe. A fast reel is fine for the tournament field but a safe reel will help you master the technique without endless crack-offs from bad timing...

[the tornado]

can't get better advice than that mate

[neil9629]

Any zippy, they all dead cool, they come alive in your hands.
Not just a carbon pole.

[onefortheroad]

Any zippy, they all dead cool, they come alive in your hands.
Not just a carbon pole.

they look nice !! and have impressive names too .

[neil9629]

they look nice !! and have impressive names too .

I heard you can cast 600 yards and pull in 300lb cod with terrys rods.

[arc]

Good advice from Stewart, Id just like to add don't be tempted to go for anything over 14ft to begin with once rods get to that length they are a lot to handle when your learning .

[leekboy1]

I started off with a zziplex 2500 then moved on to a quattra when i had perfected the pendulum cast.great rods look around for 2nd hand models still find some good ones on ebay.
Ive still got mine great rods to cast and fish with.

[magpies]

Many thanks lads, plenty to mull over there. It sounds like the CME is the rod to go for and I will try to get one 2nd hand I think. Anyone selling ? What would be the equivalent "easy to cast" Zziplex in case I see one of those 2nd hand first ?

[Stewart 1971]

Many thanks lads, plenty to mull over there. It sounds like the CME is the rod to go for and I will try to get one 2nd hand I think. Anyone selling ? What would be the equivalent "easy to cast" Zziplex in case I see one of those 2nd hand first ?

There is a nice Mk1 TT Sport in the classifieds that Nicky is selling. Cracking fishing rod and also very good for learning to cast on...