elwyman
Member
A nice autumn day on the Conwy
Posts: 1,035
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Post by elwyman on Mar 28, 2006 21:15:45 GMT
Eighteen 15' rods are reviewed in this month's T&S mag.
The Fulling Mill travel rod 'wins'.
Rather ironic to see a full page B&W advert on the next page, but no B&W rod in the test!
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Post by wilbert on Mar 29, 2006 10:51:31 GMT
My thoughts exactly.
Do they only test new models?
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Post by padster on Mar 29, 2006 13:34:45 GMT
I read the article, can someone explain diference between Shakespeare Oracle that was best buy last time they tested them and the Shakespeare Invicta they tested this time.
Also think it would make sense for them to test in price brackets so you got a better understanding of a number of rods in your particular price bracket.
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Post by Fruin on Mar 29, 2006 13:52:42 GMT
Padster,
I don't think that it makes sense to compare the rods in price brackets. That would suggest that there is a requirement for varying the benchmark that they test different valued rods against.
If the rods, regardless of price, are all tested together to the same standards, then it is plain to see what rods are overpriced for performance gained, and what cheaper rods are performing equal to rods with a greater price tag.
I think that this is the point of the "value for money" criterea.
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Post by padster on Mar 29, 2006 14:00:46 GMT
Fair point.
With rods being tested from £100 to £900 what are the benefits of the more expensive rods.
Plus another point what would be the best rod under £200 ??
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Post by Fruin on Mar 29, 2006 14:23:34 GMT
Some of the more expensive rods offer better quality components and a better finish than the cheaper models.
A lot of the expensive rods hold no extra value for the average caster. It is quite often, only expert casters who can utilise the full potential of a better casting rod. In other words, buying an expensive rod designed for expert speycasters will not make you and expert speycaster. Buying a good low to mid priced rod, with a properly matched reel and line, and practising will make you a better speycaster.
I've still not read the review so cannot comment on the exact details. Was their a rod under £200 reviewed? If not, then the choice of many experienced casters and those new to the sport alike, seems to be the Shakespeare Oracle. I think that you can now buy these for less than £100.
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Post by tyneandrew on Mar 29, 2006 17:36:28 GMT
I was suprised not to see the B&W rods with them being so popular
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elwyman
Member
A nice autumn day on the Conwy
Posts: 1,035
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Post by elwyman on Mar 29, 2006 18:30:33 GMT
Also suprising that many tackle shops, eg Norris, Sportfish have stopped selling them.
Perhaps B&W need to step up their marketing?
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Post by fishtail on Mar 30, 2006 16:32:10 GMT
Hi Guys,
Why are Bruce and Walker rods so popular? I am considering buying a new rod but i am becoming confused as to which to go for, a through action or a middle to tip action, a budget rod ie under £100 or a more expensive rod.
i have been using a Hardy Favourite for a few years and have always struggled, but then my fishing is limited to a weeks holiday and a few days at the back end of the season so i assumed it was practice and lessons i needed.
Anyway, i realise the Favourite is old technology now and i am keen to upgrade.
What would you suggest I try? Norway, Powerlite, Gem2..............
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elwyman
Member
A nice autumn day on the Conwy
Posts: 1,035
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Post by elwyman on Mar 30, 2006 18:11:40 GMT
Fishtail,
I've used a 15' Gem mk 1 for a couple of seasons, and I've recently got a 14' Norway off ebay at a bargain price.
Early days, but I do like the Norway for casting. The Gem is a faster action and a nice rod, but if I'm honest I think I prefer the Norway - more of an easier through action, but still fairly fast. Timing is not so critical with the Norway - you would find this a help if you only fish occasionally.
The Norway is heavier than the Gem. I'm happy with the 14' rod but I'd want to try a 15' Norway before I bought one.
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rennie
Member
If they cant see it they cant take it
Posts: 269
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Post by rennie on Apr 4, 2006 9:28:52 GMT
Wotcha Fishtail,you have hit the nail on the head,if you can only get to fish a few times a year then a Norway or Powerlite (thats a bit more expensive)would be a better bet.The Hardy Gem is a great rod but as others have said its for the more experienced caster,if you change to fishing the year round and teach yourself to up your casting game the Hardy will give greater rewards.The favorite you are currently using is a bit tip actioned (better for overhead casting),the rods you have mentioned all speycast excellently and will improve your fishing provided you match them with the right lines.I have a 16ft powerlite 9/10,16ft Norway 11,15ft6 sovereign 10 and 18ft favorite 12 among others,and I cant fault the thee B+W rods, they are super but I find the Hardy rods are capable of giving that bit more in terms of performance when you ask them (they were more expensive at the time though).You do get what you pay for in my opinion BUT I would tend to stick to rods made by people who understand what salmon fishing is all about(B+W and Hardy certainly do and have the history to prove it)whereas some people just think they do and will charge you for the privilege of ownership.If cash is an issue then go for a B+W Norway (you only need a small rod if you fish small rivers,consider the 15-16 footers you get a lot more water command),if you are a bit more minted then the B+W Powerlite and if you can really kid the wife go the whole hog and buy an Angel,just make sure you can run fast or are good at hiding. tight lines Pedro.
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Post by williegunn on Apr 4, 2006 19:20:06 GMT
Buy 2 Angels so you have 1 to fish with when the first one breaks. Trust me it will.
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Post by johnmac on Apr 4, 2006 22:20:34 GMT
i am a bit dissapointed with the review in T&S... i just got the copy at the weekend... and it seems strange to have a review of Salmon rods, without having B&Walker in the test.... especially as i've heard so many good things about them........ then to have an advert of their rods on the opposite page??? And then to miss out the Oracle IV..... which i hear won best in test on a previous test?? all seems a bit strange??? especially as i bought one a s a result! I'd liked to have known how it performed against the others!
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Post by munro on Apr 5, 2006 6:48:01 GMT
I agree. No Bruce & Walker - probably the most popular rod in the Country (at least amongst experienced anglers), Sage (would especially have liked to see this given the wide range of opinion on these), Loomis, and others.The Test was quite frankly a total waste of time. I would like to hear T&S justification for the limited makes tested - made all the more bizarre by a full page advert for B&W on the next page.
In the same vein - what's with B&W? No longer stocked by Sportfish or John Norris. Is there a problem with the company?
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Post by fishtail on Apr 5, 2006 9:42:13 GMT
Hi elwyman and rennie,
Thanks for your comments, its really helpful to have views from other fishers who aren't trying to make a sale. I have been advised on the wrong rods before and have expensive tackle that i never use.
I like what I hear about the Norway rods and would buy one today if they were made as a four piece. Although I see from another thread a four piece could be on its way soon.
Must arrange a trip to Fawcetts to have look and compare.
Thanks Willie Gunn, but no, for the cost of an Angel I would want rod, reel,line and a week or two fishing!!
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Post by kirkaig on Apr 5, 2006 12:14:38 GMT
I was bemoaning my rod recently - an old 15' Diawa - when the ghillie said to me "it's not the rod it's the casting technique". Think there's something to this as with a few tips on casting (particularly getting timing right) I started to cast much more proficiently/consistently.
The moral? Buy a mid priced rod with a good reputation and spend the rest on a refresher casting lesson?
K
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Post by wilbert on Apr 5, 2006 14:33:48 GMT
Kirkaig thats a good point that you make a rod is only as good as the person casting it. Last year BA made sure that me and my rods would be separated for a weeks fishing, as a result I had to borrow a fast actioned Sage rod, hated it at first then started to get on with and even started to like it by the end of the week. When I was reunited with my beloved rods I hated them and couldn't put out a decent line now after changing my style (again) to suit the rods the love is starting to blossom again and my casting is getting back to what it was.
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Post by kercock on Apr 5, 2006 19:44:41 GMT
Phoned B/W today.I asked the regular (on this site) question Norris no B/W? Sportfish the same,why. Answer is neither has closed their respective accounts. So I later posed the question to myself,why, had a look through the catalogues pertaining to both and was almost smothered in a deluge of Greys Chinese or foriegn import rods. Now, could it be that there is a lot more profit from a foreign import rod with a very english name for a lot less outlay with a big PR job thrown in free,sorry YOU pay for when you buy it. Rather than having taken part in a BIG price war in the previous year,dog eats dog etc,having been badly mauled (there has to be losers eh !) We, the customer won that one. That is that for me.
Question two.... Why the non appearance of B/W rod in the various "tests" in TS and others. Answer B/W rods have aready been featured in tests and have done well in them,Why have them retested,they have'nt changed ! People are happy with them , fair comment. On the subject of the Oracle "winning " the rod test, the fact is that if you count up the points you will find that the rod with the highest points was in fact the Guideline 15 footer !
Here is another for you, The highly esteemed (in some VERY small circles) God or Mr Gowans to you , did a survey on 15ft rods. The "winner was a rod company he was working for at the time .. Fact. He also did a survey on fly lines, yes you have guessed it folks ! On the rods point, he was turned down by a supplier of rods to use for his casting school when he told them how much he would charge them. ! They did'nt win .
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Post by turrifftackle on Apr 5, 2006 20:08:24 GMT
You are spot on Dennis. Why bother to sell and have to price match a product cut to the bone so much that you make nothing???. I have seen this question about before but stayed out of it. Glad someone has sussed it out. What we need to ask ourselves is-- if the big boys have stopped selling can the discounters sell enough to keep the company happy  ? Frank |
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Post by kercock on Apr 5, 2006 20:34:17 GMT
Frank, I think the idea is ,he buys a rod he wants a reel, a line a fly or two or two hundred, I cut all the prices, I win . POKER. I am glad of your response and support. I realise it is difficult for the smaller outlets who, as I understand it,get the rods "in demand" from a larger outlet who takes his cut and in the end the actual seller makes less than the bigger guy. I for sure know that happens or has happened locally Shops in Perth were buying from a Mr M on Speyside, whilst claiming they were B/W stockists for Tayside and I knew there was'nt one, at all. At that time .Purelyflyfishing is the main man these days,cheapest in UK. ALL DONE ON THE NET
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