Mk 1 Apollo

[Holl5080]

Could anyone help and please tell me the recommended casting weight for the 14' mk1 Apollo? Also anyone know where I might get a reducer for one? Thanks in advance

[g-force]

The recommended casting weight was 6oz. With regard to the reducer, they weren't designed for one, so if you choose to use one you'll want to reinforce the butt with some whipping to prevent splitting. The other thing is, they don't have a parallel butt, they're tapered - so you may have issues getting a reducer to fit snugly. Best bet would be to go somewhere like I D or Rutherfords that usually have a box full of assorted reducers and find the nearest, best fit - then get a rod builder to work on the correct fit & get the rod butt reinforced at the same time.

Gary

[Holl5080]

Thanks for the reply Gary. I thought that was the case but was just wanting to be sure. I knew it had a tapered butt but never considered that would effect a reducer. I think I will just put the reel seat high and save the hassle!

[g-force]

Yeah, there's quite a taper on the butt - when I last replaced the shrink tube with some of the nice Japanese stuff I'd been using a 30mm reel seat, which was the only one that would fit over the butt. However, by the time I'd moved it up into position it needed a ton of tape underneath, and I'd also had problems with such a large fitting not holding the reel very securely, so I had the butt ring removed and slid a 28mm seat down from the top, then had the ring replaced. This fitted much more securely - but if fishing reel-down the butt it might not go all the way down far enough...for me fishing reel-up though it's fine.

Gary

[Holl5080]

That's some good advice. I've put a 30mm seat on for now, but like you said I really had to build it up with tape. When it eventually gets a rebuild I will do what you have done with a 28mm from the top. Out of interest how do you find the rod?

[g-force]

I like the rod a lot & wouldn't be rid of it, although these days it's more of a back up - or if I'm travelling and fishing two or more rods in mixed - heavy ground. They've got a very thin tip for a rough ground rod so good for bite detection but I'm loathe to cast more than 6oz on it! A nice action though, but for the last few years I've been using a Harrison P3 for all my rough grounding - a fair bit more grunt and casts 7oz plus bait no problem and better I think than the Apollo in really heavy kelp & such.

Gary

[Holl5080]

Cheers for your advice and view Gary!

[hound hunter]

Nice rod buddy,very desirable,very powerfull too,cult rock rod
Cast 8oz if needed,7oz n bait for fun m8,I had a mk 2 ,loada jack white compared to the sought after mk1

[Holl5080]

Fished with it last night. Was very impressed with it. Had nothing to give it a real workout but it showed small coaley bites up well. Also pulled well through the snags, it didn't feel lie it was going to buckle or struggle.

I didn't really wind one up on it but it feels like it has the power to do so if needed. Easy to cast with a simple overhead or an aerialised ground cast. Bit of a heavier rod than I'm used too but all in all an impressive rod. Nice tip and powerful mid section. Didn't get into the butt but it's definatley got some power when you flex it. My only criticism is the large butt diameter. It makes it a bit harder to grip the reel unless you have big hands. It won't me my first choice rod, but never the less a great back up.

Anyone know why the butt tapered and not parallel? Was this just the style of older rods or is there a reason? Also are the tips for both the 13ft and 14ft the same and are they interchangeable with the butts?