Stalker Rod/Reel

[NickP]

Hi Guys

Im new to this forum and am looking for some advice regarding stalking rods/reels.

Ive fished for carp for about 15 years, but havent done anything for the last ten years or so. To say Ive lost touch with technology is an understatement!

Im keen to get back into it now Ive got some more time, but rather than go for the full blown set-up of rod-pods and alarms (had previously but sold many years ago) Im looking to do some stalking - mostly surface fishing or margin fishing. Both free-lining if possible depending on venue.

Im looking for a decent stalking/surface set-up. Ive seen Century make a T1 Stealth rod that looks well made. Does anyone know anything about these? Are they suitable for 'lighter' fishing methods? I cant see myself stalking 40lb carp every day, so ideally want something that will give a good bend with smaller fish (5 - 20lbs).

Also, I need a decent reel to match. Any suggestions?

Im properly out of date when it comes to equipment after the long break ive had, so any pointers in rod/reel/tackle would be fantastic!

Thanks in advance for any replies...

Nick (Cheshire)

[Gemo]

Hello Nick
you could try one of these Greys stalking rods avaliable in 7' or 9' they have a great action very progressive despite the shortness of the blank. Couple this with a Shimano XTE-A 5000 reel and you have without doubt a superb stalking surface set up.

[koiguchi]

Agree with Gemo, there was a fella selling a 9ft Greys stalking rod on ebay the other day, i pmd him he wants £75 for it its brand new.

[CARPCRUNCHER]

i owned a century t1 for a couple of years.....sold it due to ot gettig the use it deserved.

took it pasty bashing a few times of the top, and was fun even with smaller fish even though its 3.25 t/c.

had a couple of upper doubles and its handled these perfectly too.

i used a shimano gte-c reel with it and it was a nice balanced set up.

the t1 is a good buy if its gonna get used....mine never had the amount of use it deserved and got sold due to this, not because its a poor rod.

[NickP]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the responses.

The Greys rod looks like a good option. I will certainly look at them along with the shimano reels you mention.

I was a little concerned about the TC on the Century stealth rods - they seem quite high? I could understand it if they were for long range fishing.

I guess over the last ten years technology and improvements have been made in so many areas, meaning a nice progressive rod with a high TC can still be used to catch smaller fish and still provide some good sport.

Can anyone recommend a decent line for surface fishing? Ive read some threads on this forum regarding lines - it seems everyone has their favourites. I used to use a line made by Daiwa (I cant remember what it was called - may be 'Sensor') for all round carping. Are there any alternatives for surface specific fishing?

Thanks again for your help. Its much appreciated.

Nick

[Gemo]

Here is a small section from an article about starting up carp fishing and what tackle is needed. I Think this will help explein about actions and test curves.
I have to admit to being a little concerned about the seeminly high TC but like the Century NG 3.5tc if the rods action is soft and through action well it should work very very well.
2 Rods
Test curve
The test curve is the weight required to bring the tip to a 90 degree angle to the butt while the butt is held horizontally. This measurement provides a guide to the stiffness of one rod compared to another. The test curve on its own is not an indicator of casting capability however. Of more influence on a rod’s casting potential, is the action of the rod. For example a fast-taper 2.751b test curve rod will have greater casting capability than a through-action 3.51b test curve rod, but the through-action rod will have other benefits over the faster-action rod.

Actions

For simplicity, only three types of action
tend to be referred to in the press:
• Through-action
• Semi-fast
• Fast taper
However, there is a whole spectrum of actions between these, and there are points in the spectrum where the definition of the action is a matter of opinion. For example some people may describe the same action as either a semi-fast or a through-action. Also semi-fast and fast-taper actions become confused. The result is that the action of a rod described in the angling press is sometimes misleading.

Through-action rods are a dream for playing fish as the rod can be allowed to play the fish without the angler having to continually adjust the clutch or back-wind. They also minimize the chance of hook pulls, allow the use of lighter breaking strain main lines and hooklink materials and are the best action rods for accurately casting at shorter range. They also perform well when using light leads. Through-action rods are not a good choice if distance casting could be necessary and only the higher test curve models are suited to method fishing and PVA bag work.

Semi-fast-action rods are also referred to as “medium action” have a progressive action and are normally a compound-taper or parabolic by nature. Most general carp rods are built to have this action. These rods generally play fish well and cast small and medium PVA bags and method balls dependent upon their test curve accurately with ease. They do not require specialist casting techniques to achieve good casts. Please note semi-fast rods do not cope well with extreme-range, continual long-range or large PVA bags or heavy method feeder work. A semi-fast-action is therefore an all-rounder’s action. There are many variations on this theme so it is always well worth asking advise from people who use the rods the internet forums and local tackle shops so seeking knowledgeable advice is important.
Fast-action rods are best for extreme- range or long-range casting, but require a good casting technique to realize their full potential. They are at their best when casting heavier weights such as larger PVA bags or method balls. The action of these rods is often been called wooden or like fishing with a broom stick and therefore is the least enjoyable action with which to play fish. The stiff unforgiving casting biased action creates a greater chance of hook pulls or hooklink breakage and relies upon the stretch in the main line whilst at range and good clutch control to minimize these problems. Fast-action rods are also difficult to cast accurately at shorter range (under 70 yards) because a little extra effort on the cast results in a lot more distance, generally making it difficult to place a baited rig under an overhanging tree line for example.

Character

The action and test curve both affect the character of a rod, but there are other factors that influence the feel, balance and recovery rate and therefore change the character. The type of carbon cloth used, the position, number and type of rod guides, the position of the reel seat, the type of handle and other factors can all have an effect.
50mm butt rings - pros & cons
50mm butt rings have become more popular in recent years because they reduce the chance of the line grabbing the butt ring during casting - a problem that is more evident when using reels with large diameter spools. However the benefit of the 50mm ring needs to be weighed against other considerations:
they may fit awkwardly in your present luggage. Also because of their size, 50mm rings are more vulnerable, so need care to avoid damage.
A compromise is always needed with fishing tackle and you will always get a lot more fun from the fish you hook and catch if your tackle is well balanced. To give you an rough idea of what rods should be able to achieve

Tc casting weight
2.5lb 2.5oz Small lakes little or no snags
2.75lb 3 oz Small-medium lakes slightly snaggy
3.00lb 3.5 oz Medium lakes snaggy
3.25lb 4 oz Medium large lakes, solid PVA bags or method
feeders snaggy
3.5lb 4.5oz Large lakes snaggy solid PVA bags or method
Feeders snaggy

Sorry its gone a little bit wonky its a word doc and so is a little tempremental.

PS the Greys rod are keenly priced at £65.00 for the 7' and £85 for the 9' is the sest I can find on line also the come with a life long gaurentee

[NickP]

Thanks for the document Gemo. It makes interesting reading.

I will try and find a tackle store that has the Greys rods and the Century rods in. See how they feel.

Ive checked out the Shimano reel you mentioned, and it looks like a superb bit of kit. Im sure thats the one for me.