New Rod for Rough Ground

[Mingmong]

Hi,
I'm new to the site so if there already a forum on this sorry but I really need some help.
I know I'm asking an age old question here and probably boring the pants of everyone but I really could do with some advice on a new rough ground rod. i've been fishing the kelp filled gullys and rocky ground around Fife for years with a Penn INXS2 Groundcaster 13' for years and after some time away I'm getting right back into into it but the rod just doesn't feel secure anymore.

I'm looking for something new, price range up to about £200-250, some of the mail order companys have been pushing me towards the Apollo MK3 but I've read that people are having dramas with the tips snapping and apollos in general softening over time. Any one know what its really like as a rough grounder? Or should I try and pay that little bit more and try a nemeis?

Thanks very much
M

[willywetegg]

Hi and welcome to NESA, there is a thread further down this page about rods for rough ground fishing, have a look here as it has many different choices.

http://www.nesa.co.uk/forums/shore-fishing/31903-whats-your-favourite-rod-rough-ground.html

Jim.

[bigtel]

rod

hi m8 treat yourself to a greys nitra or a century kompressor ss put a penn 535 reel on either one and you will have the perfect rough ground combo not cheap but quality kit that will last you for years.hope this helps tight lines and rember fishing isnt a sport its an obsession.

[jamiebrennan]

Go for a Ron Thompson axellerator, but make sure its the 4-8oz rated one, the 408. Retail at around £100 and what you save on the rod you can invest in other items. Its all well and good having a good rough ground rod but if your reel isnt up to scratch them you might aswell be fishing with a handline!

[dave craig]

if you buy a nemesis you wont be disapointed. I own the 13ft nemesis plus slr and its the best rod ive ever owned by far! ultra light easy to cast amazing bite detection and capable of handling kelp etc. Plus if you happen to have any trouble with a conoflex rod (which is unlikely) conoflex deliver the best customer service i have came across and are more then happy to repair/replace damaged rods - i know this because ive dealt with them twice.

[codhunter81]

cant go wrong with the ron thompson axellerator brilliant rod for the price it will pull fish through anything i also have a greys apollo mk2 that has gone pretty soft over the years,only use it over cleaner ground now.

[Mingmong]

Thanks very much for the help guys. I'm having a wee look around with your suggestions in mind. I like the look of the Kompressor but its a bit pricey, is it a rough ground rod though?

[g-force]

Don't know if you prefer a 13 or 14 foot rod, but the two I'd recommend for your price range would be the Sonik SK4 14ft 5-7 oz model (I've had one since they were launched and think they're one of the best all-round rods that I've used, equally at home in the kelp as on beaches or mixed ground - mine's had a good thrashing and not let me down) Alternatively I'd go for the Anyfish Anywhere Rock rod at 13ft. I haven't used this one personally, but have three AFAW rods and think they are superb.

Of course, if you were to go down the second-hand road, £250 would buy you just about anything - as always, a chance to try anything before you buy it can pay dividends & save on a possibly expensive mistake!

Cheers, Gary

[CHUKKA]

Thanks very much for the help guys. I'm having a wee look around with your suggestions in mind. I like the look of the Kompressor but its a bit pricey, is it a rough ground rod though?

In a word no, its an allrounder that will cope with some rough, but there are better rough ground rods.

try something with a pokier tip.
Appollo mk3, Century Crest, SK4, TTR, Eliminator, Zzipy Zeteque, M427 or bullet, AFAW Rock (not the tourney rock its got a softer tip) Daiwa 142 tnxs, etc etc

For a cheaper rod the RT Axe takes some beating, its very powerful but a little unrefined. There are a lot worse rods costing double!

[phil185]

I use a Century Kompressor SS and it has never let me down, i wouldnt say its a allrounder that will cope with some rough stuff- more the other way around

The AFAW rods seem to be gaining a good reputation although ive never used one so i cant say how good they really are.

[nick1]

the century ss is spot on for heavy ground, it's what it's been designed for, i hav the wr300 the next one up from the ss, brilliants tools