Rod advice

[magpies]

Hi Lads, after a bit of advice. Looking for an all round 13' fixed spool rod. Ideally light and slim which will cast up to 6 oz. I fish on the piers round here occasionaly and also off the rocks when on holiday in Scotland once or twice a year.

Maximum budget around £100.

As an ex coarse angler I much prefer a tippy action but must be light and slim.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Pete from shields]

Shakey Salt I would say mate for that price range or 30 quid more reelsport VFM or 65 more for an AFAW 6&bait. Or go second hand, you can pick up some bargains in the for sale section, just use common sense when it comes to buying off there this is just my opinion, good luck mate.

[phill_itofish]

Shakey Salt I would say mate for that price range or 30 quid more reelsport VMF or 65 more for an AFAW 6&bait. Or go second hand, you can pick up some bargains in the for sale section, just use common sense when it comes to buying off there this is just my opinion, good luck mate.

I used to have a VFM, quality rod, sold it to Carl when I upgraded and he's still using it now, it'll be 6 years old now and still going strong.

[Pete from shields]

I used to have a VFM, quality rod, sold it to Carl when I upgraded and he's still using it now, it'll be 6 years old now and still going strong.

There only 12' though forgot about that, yeah I was after 1 Phil but I wanted a 13' rod so went for the AFAW. I heard nothing but great things about the VFM aswell.

[Persues]

Greys GRX-S Bass

It's right at the upper limit of your budget though.

They do an 11' 9" and a 12' 6" version.

I have the Shakespeare Salt Extreme Bass and the 12' 6" Greys GRX-S Bass and the Greys makes the Shakespeare look like a toy by comparison.

That's not to say the the Shakespeare is a bad rod - it isn't. It's a lot of fun to use and very capable, and if you plumped for one you'd have enough left in the budget for a reel to go with it.

The Shakespeare is a 2 - 4oz rating and I find it will happily throw a 3oz sinker and a big bait a very long a way. I use an Abu 6500 CS CT Mag high Speed multipler on mine with 18lb mainline and it can really throw and is super-light and comfortable to hold for long periods.

The Greys is a 3 - 5oz rating, making it a far more versatile rod in my opinion or, at least, it's more versatile to the kinds of fishing that I do, which may not match the fishing you will do.

My plan is to use these rods almost exclusively until Autumn when the bigger rods will come back out to deal with the heavier seas.

Don't forget that Shakespeare also do a 'flattie' version of the Salt Extreme, which has a lower 1 - 3oz rating and a much tippier action. I only mention it because this is a factor you specified.

Both of the above rods fall under your 13' spec but they are both great all rounders for a variety of sea angling conditions around our coast. As a coarse angler you will probably already have a good idea of the various 12 and 13' carp and pike rods that could also be a suitable solution for you.

Where are you based ?

I am just north of Whitley Bay and I am out fishing often - if you were close enough to arrange a meeting you could see both of the above rods side-by-side and have a throw or two with them if you like. Waving a rod around in a shop gives you little idea of its potential. Both the Salt and the Greys feel positively floppy until you put a reel and sinker on when, all of a sudden, they start acting the part.

Good luck whatever you decide on

[magpies]

Many thanks for your help lads, been offered a Sonik SK3 at a good price, what do you reckon to those ?

[Sea_Troot]

Many thanks for your help lads, been offered a Sonik SK3 at a good price, what do you reckon to those ?

i bought a 2nd hand sk3 and never had any issues with it all, they do have there critics though as people think these are prone to snapping but cannto see how people manage to do this, must be casting technique or damage it and not realised. i had an sk3 4-6oz have cast upto 8oz weights pendulum cast and otg cast and still going strong. i have upgrade to an sk4 now multiplier rod which is even better.

go with the sk3 good all round rod in my opinion but sure some people will disagree