Rods Rods and more Rods

Joined: Mar 16, 2006 Posts: 2

Ok i have a dilema although a good one its still difficult.
Do i buy a) century b) zziplex c) conoflex all these makes appear to be very good, and i know which particular model in each range i would buy, but which maker do i go for?.
Your thoughts and experience's of these makes may help me to make up my mind.
Many thanks in advance

Occasional Joined: Dec 02, 2005 Posts: 144

this is just my opinion, i'm sure everyone will have a different view.

i've got a conoflex ballistic and hAve never really been completely happy with it. it is a tiny bit stiff for me really and i use it for rough ground now.

i think that zippy's are a bit over priced compared to other makes, never owned one though.

i've got a century tip tornado lite and match, and wouldn't part with them for anything. i would never go away from century now, especially with the new longer rods they've brought out. so imo go for a century, they're the muts nuts.

Joined: Mar 16, 2006 Posts: 2

Thanks Bigguy.i must admit to having a sneaking admiration for the century range of rods, but not knowing anyone who has one or even used one, its difficult to make a judgement based on reports in the comics as the seem to gush about every rod being good.
thanks again
glenn.

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 1:40 pm

I've got a century saturn and a G5 supasport. I have to say I really like both of these rods and they can handle anything I throw at them (I fish beaches, rocks, piers and cliffs). The most important thing is match where you are fishing and buy what feels comfortable as most shops will let you see how it feels. I don't think I'll ever go away from Century though

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 5:49 pm

Just a comment here, not meant to offend anyone (in this case Bigguy), but I just love the names of rods sometimes.

I mean, a Conoflex "Ballistic" sounds outrageous doesn't it? same could be said about Penn's "Surfblaster" and Ron Thompson's "Turbolizer".

Me? well I don't care about the name myself, it does nothing for me so I'm happy with my Grey's "Hardbast...d" for spinning and my Daiwa "Dabbuster" for flattie work.... big grin

Member Joined: Sep 24, 2005 Posts: 35

Nice dilema!
I have the century TT match & lite & I highly recommend them both. I fish with an experienced handful of blokes & after using my two they all rate them.
Pete

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 9:57 pm

i have owned and love the century tt match and have to agree that they are great rods.
anyone who knows their rods knows that the century tt match is one of the best match rods you can buy, i rate it highly.
although the price tag may not suite everyone!
i now own a conoflex source match which i get on with. its got nothing to do with the price or name its just feel i think.
if you can fish with it and cast without it ripping your arms off then its doing what its designed to do ITS A FISHING ROD.
say you buy a rod, say a zippy for instance and you pay in excess of 400 quid and you dont get on with it then what?
personally i would ask you tackle dealer if you can take a rod down the beach and give it a cast or find someone with a rod u like and ask if you can have a cast. you will be surprised how many people say ok.
hope this helps

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 9:59 pm

oh i forgot, you need to personally test rods you wont know otherwise mate.
cheers and hope you find a rod(i know it can be hard)
phil

Joined: Feb 24, 2007 Posts: 2

Hi Guys,
yes I agree the Century Tip Tornado is a cracking bit of kit. Ive an older model, one with a kevlar weave in the lower tip section (1997). I wish i bought a pair at the time. I wonder how the latest models perform? Any feedback on this?

I often fish two rods, the Century Tip Tornado and the Conoflex Ballistic. The Ballistic is a nice through action rod when wound up. Its nicely balanced as well. I find that the Tip Tornado seems "Tip Heavy" in comparison, but I suspect thats because the butt section weighs less.

However both rod tips behave differently in the tide. The Tip Tornado has a nice curve under strong tides whilst the Ballistic seems rigid. (strangely enough it responds well to bites!). They are different when compared to each other. The ballistic is great at firing off 6oz leads!

Love them to bits!

Guest

Had a Tip Tornado for years and love it! Diameter and weight of a Bass Rod and a bit of poke for casting - wouldn't swap it for the world, it has handled everything I've thrown at it.......and with it! They are particularly good if you have small hands (like me) as the butt is lower in diameter than a lot of the pokier rods and allows you to get a better grip on the reel.

The only thing to do is try a few out. Read the write ups, speak to other anglers and then sort yourself out a shortlist and visit some tackle shops to see what you think. A lot of the tackle dealers will now let you have a cast or two as well. The only thing I would say is remember that you are after a fishing rod - don't get too wrapped up in the distance thing or you may end up with a broomstick.

Whatever you get, I hope your pleased with it.

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:19 pm

I had the Century Tip Tornado match (x 2 of) for comps for about three years, the nice thing was you didn't have to wonder if you were using the right rod anymore, that bit's sorted for you. Sometimes I did badly, sometimes excelled meself, but never thought I needed to change rods in either case.

I also use a Conoflex uptider, their after sales is so good they only charged me a tenner (inlc p&P) to lock the handle to the tip and insert a cut and factory-reinforced ferrule halfway along (so I could get it on me motorobike as a 50:50 fold).

Quality sells itself, but if you haven't got a mate to borrow one off for a night then join a decent fishing club and just ask. MK