Rod and reel ?

[Bri_K]

Im not sure if this is the right section to be posting this in.........but anyway im looking to change my gear. The rod i have is a mk1 greys apollo still mint from little use but ive never liked it from when i bought it, i bought it going off the rave reveiws it was getting really. Im looking to change for a zziplex or daiwa but really dunno where to start. in the past the nicest two rods ive had a go of were the daiwa awt and the zziplex 2500m. the zziplex was a bit soft in the tip though and i dunno what the daiwas are like now. id also like something i can do a bit of casting with (never had a go but you never know) so any advice on what zziplex or daiwa rods i should be looking at ? im not really on a budget ( no wife or kids) but within reason Il be using it mainly for heavy ground if that helps

Also looking to change my sl30sh, nice reel but as distance casting isnt essential id like to go back to an abu with a level wind (easy in the dark) my old 7000c is in retirement just wondering what the replacement for that was,is it the 7000c3 ?? dont want another lever drag.

Any help, info appreciated, Bri.

[TC]

Hi Bri .....(oh no - another \"Bri\".....this is gonna get even more confusing...lol).......Welcome to NESA.
Never having used either zziplex or daiwa rods, I can\'t really suggest any particular models (I use Century).....but I\'m sure the suggestions / recommendations will follow from others who do use them.

Surprised that if you\'re gonna be \"using it mainly for heavy ground\" that your wanting to change reels from a slosh30: other than the Penn 535 (which I use), the slosh is always one of the most recommended reels by the lads on the Board for fishing the heavy ground.


[Edited on 30/9/2005 by TC]

[tonybax]

hello bri
why you want to change your apollo mk 1 rod for something else to fish the hard ground is strange to me because for the money you cant beat the mk 1 for the heavy stuff. just my opinion mind.
if you fancy summit a bit stiff try the century ttr there a realy rough ground tool.

[alan]

Got to agree with the two Tony\'s,the Apollo mk1,again IMO,is a classic and Greys will never recreate anything similar due to there rods being produced oversea\'s,the Slosh 30 is a rough ground reel and can double up for uptiding from a boat,the only alternative is the 535 penn range or a big Abu 7000,saying that everyone has there own opinion on tackle and as you said you bought it off \"reviews\" at the time

[willywetegg]

I see what you mean about going back to a level wind Bri but I find the Abu\'s a bit slow mate. I havn\'t used the Slosh 30 but a few friends use it and think it is the bizz. I usually use my Penn 535 for the rocks as it is a lot faster on the retrieve than my Abu. I have also been using HQI weights which are flat in shape and come very quickly off the bottom. I find I am losing very little gear when fishing rocky marks now.
I use an old DC8 14\' for the rocks and wouldn\'t swap it for anything else.

Jim.

[pete]

Hi Bri, welcome to nesa. If your not going to use your slosh Id go for the 535 just for retreive speed. If your looking to get rid of the apollo give me a shout mate

Pete.

[Edited on 30/9/2005 by pete]

[Charlton]

Hi Brik, welcome aboard again. There is a great danger in selecting a rod that you think is what you need. You have already paid the price once in buying a rod with rave reviews, you have now found it does not suit you, but it suits many others who can not understand why you want to change it. the danger in rod reviews in mags and what other people say is that it what they feel and they will rave about a rod that they like, but you may not. Your build, size etc have a great baring on what gear suits you. The only way to find out the rod that suits you is to try them all until you find one compatibale to you. Sorry if i have upset anyone.

[Red5]

When I first used me appollo I thought me wrists were gonna snap, it was so stiff ( am I starting to discuss something else lol), after a wee while it softened (Fnarr, Fnarr) and I wouldn\'t swap mine for the world...Height and build...am a little over 6ft and am now a trim 14 1/2 stone. Was nearly 16 last year.
Marks I tend to fish are all usually rough to extremely rough ground and I pair it with a Penn 535 Mag. Cracking reel for rough ground.

[willywetegg]

Can\'t see that upsetting anyone Alan. Good bit of advice mate.

Jim.

[Bri_K]

Thanks for the replies folks, il try to explain a little better, hopefully.

The greys apollo has been fine, its a good powerful rod and the only thing i can really fault it for is bite detection. i dunno what it is i just dont really like the rod, nothing i can put my finger on. i dont find it too stiff or anything, im 6ft and just under 14 stone (leaning on the sink slightly) Youre exactly right in what you say Alan (C)

The problem is i used to read everything about tackle, knew what was what and kind of knew then what rods would be good for what. now with not bothering theres a whole new batch of zziplex and daiwa rods and i dont know whats what. Im just after a rough guide of which ones are suitable for our kind of fishing up here so i can then go out and have a look at them. I dont really want to go into several tackle shops, say can i put this rod together, then this one, then this one........and then turn round and say thanks but im off to look at others elsewhere now. i know thats what shops are there for but id still feel bad about it.

Same with the sl30 really, casts great never had a problem with it. i find i can cast just as far with my old 7000c though and the level wind makes things so much easier at night. (never need to cast far on the rocks and have a 7ht for the beach) never had a problem with the retreive on the abu either its just seen better days now.

Just thought id change while i can afford it and buy something i can go to a field and have a go at trying to improve my casting with as well. i was once shown how to cast properly and fancy having a go again.

Ive also been offered a Century 216 sport but again know nothing about them. Il keep you in mind when i find a replacement pete.

One other thing, is it cheeky to go to a local tackle shop and say,eg, Tony\'s tackle does this rod for X amount can you do me one for the same price ? Rather stick with our local shops if they would.

Sorry for the essay, Cheers.

[colossus]

I know Pete\'s got in there first but if you get rid of the apollo and he doesn\'t want it I need a rod for rough ground. Haven\'t got anything in that area yet.

[Davyred]

Bri, like a few of the lads on here, I\'ve got a mark 1 apollo and can\'t fault it. As for bite detection, I\'ve always woindered about people saying a certain rod has better bite detection as another. Ok, I know the obvious broom handles won\'t show up bites, but how can bite detection be compared through rods in the same class unless the exact same fish bites the exact same way on every rod tested?

Just my opinion.

I had no bother at all with my apollo last year fishing matches for whities and codling, and will still use it this year, despite getting a zippie XTR.

[MikeR]

Bri, if you want a hauling rod with something like decent bite detection give the Century WR300 a try. I know a few lads on the board have them and they are a joy to use.

[Bri_K]

Well im kinda confused by the whole rod thing at the minute, its not essential to have a new one i suppose i just need to see them and have a feel of them.

Davy i see your point and youre probably right i think ive always used softer rods so maybe adjusting to it is all i need. Il try and find out a bit about the century Mike.

Pete and colossus, while trawling ebay i spotted this dont know if its any use to you, seems a lot of money with 4 and a half days left but heres the link anyway (if it works)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/13ft-GREYS-APOLLO-Rod-not-ZZiplex-Conoflex-Century_W0QQitemZ7186714914QQcategoryZ11729QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers.

[alan]

Excellent rod but I would\'nt bid much over £125,It will be interesting to see what it goes for