Century or Greys???

[COD BOY]

Just a quick question to find out which is the better rod, a greys platinum xs 14ft which I currently own or a century carbon metal express 14ft which a friend is wanting to swop with me for my greys.

I dont much about the century rods so all views will be much appreciated.

I do a lot of mixed ground fishing and sometimes some clear beach.
My casting technoque is sometimes off the ground or semi pendulum.

Thanks.

[johnf]

Have a session with the century before you swap. Its been said many times before, it's more about which rod suits the individual, rather than which is best.

(I've used Century for the last 10+ years by the way, good rods)

[rod-the-cod]

theres no comparison mate the century wins hands down at least when your out fishing your rod shouldnt snap with a century.

[seanyrooroo]

I have to agree with rod, century without a doubt.

[greggthe1]

I'm no expert and deffo not a good enough caster to snap a rod but i've got a century WR300 which i love.....however i have had a cast with Wallsendo's greys GSI?? and i found it great as did he on his very first cast. From what i've heard the Century rods are more reliable than the NEW Greys rods but i've never snapped a Greys nor do i know anyone who has. Plenty of people on here probably will know someone but i'd say you have to be a massive caster to come close to snapping one or just be unlucky enough to have a dodgy rod!

IMO just go with the one that feels best.

ps. remember you get a life time warranty on Greys rod's so if you snap a £350 rod or have an accident in a couple of years time at least you don't have to worry about finding another £350!!!

[rod-the-cod]

i have had a cast of a few new greys rods .they cast ok but i have seen a few people just striking for a fish and snap. i like to go fishing and have confidence in my gear. theres nowt worse than going fishing and having to cut your sesion short because of a snapper.

[Red5]

Had my Apollo Mk1 for 5 years now and it's had a lot of hammer in that time. Wouldn't swap it for the world. Know of lads who have snapped other rods (some Greys some not), but when I have seen the way some of them rive on when they are snagged it's no wonder!

[The Great Wallsendo]

deflecting slightly away from the topic...but why do people insist on striking by howking the rod a full 180 degrees at max speed (or so it seems)

Seems a bad habit to me, placing undue stress and strain on the rod as well as prob pulling the hook out of the Fishys mouth...unless of course there's good reason for it - I'm here to learn....

I know Mono has a stretch factor, but surely reeling in and steadily lifting into the bite is better

[SCOTSLAD]

I have to agree that winding into the fish and lifting the rod slightly when you come into contact with the fish saves your rod. Always the chance that your lead could be stuck hard in as well, which will not help your rod if you try to pull the fishes heed off during the strike !

[seanyrooroo]

It helps set the hook quicker Tony, retrieve and lift does work but I prefer to strike upwards and sidewards and I miss very few bites this way. I retrieve and lift when I get a slack liner but strike quite hard other wise. Thats just the way I was taught 24 year ago and it works for me so I won't change. In flow with what your saying, I was on Horden last season (cod magnet on a strange night) and I had a good knock while the rod was in my hand. I struck into it but the fish must have picked the bait up and swam towards me, resulting in me striking at thin air and my rod hit the beach behind me. Luckily no damage caused but it left me with a red face and a 4lb 9oz cod. I think a longer trace also helps set the hook for you as it gives the fish more confidence as the don't feel any resistance. I'll show you anyway Tony, next weekend

Older greys rods were the business but I think their new range have durability issues. At the end of the day you get a lifetime guarantee so if it does go wrong you will get a replacement but while your waiting for that to come will the cod be going crazy on your local beach and you have no rod???

[Mogthemackem]

Also depends on where you are fishing. If you are fishing the kelp beds you want a good solid strike, lifting your rod verticle and keeping it there to try and lift the fish out of the kelp and keep it out there otherwise a good fish could be lost. When fishing piers I don't strike very hard at all as the height will help set the hook as the fish tries to dive. I have heard a lot of people striking so hard they probably put a huge hole in the mouth of any fish they catch and therefore having a much higher chance of the fish throwing the hook

[red rock]

the express is an exellent rod, but not really for the heavy kelp beds as such, never tried the greys but reading up both rods are for the same job, my concern mate is the greys is a lot more to buy so i would be looking for a few quid on top as there is something like 50 or 70 quid between them

[rod-the-cod]

ive had a few early greys rods pz 300t mk1 apolo shaddows cracking rods

[nodrog]

which one?

ones made in china the other is british. enough said. century everytime.

[COD BOY]

Well thanks for the help but the deel is off as im going
to keep my greys as it has just been swoped for a brand
new one at the greys shop.