I've been slow to post this review because i haven't been out fishing much since i won this rod in the January comp ( February isn't the best month for fishing so i tend not to bother ), but when i have been out, I've used this rod instead of my penn viper, because one rod would replace the other.
Both have a nice action for casting ( not too stiff ) and both would be suitable for different styles of casting. The Anyfish does seem to be a bit lighter and thinner then the penn but other than that the build quality is of an equally high standard.
The main difference is when you have a fish hooked.
The anyfish, even though its lighter and a bit slimmer, is a better rod on the retrieve than the penn, its handles better because it bends slightly higher up than the penn so when you are reeling in there is less jerking movement ( the penn jerks around even when there is no fish hooked ).
I haven't used it on a rocky or snaggy area yet ( i will be using in a mix ground area on sunday tho ), but i have used it on estury type areas and beaches and so far i would recommend this rod to anyone.
Hopefully i'll catch a few fish in a comp on sunday and can post some pics.
anyfish-anywhere 6 and bait.
Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:30 pm
just thouht i would ask, do you fish high or low butt, being similar if not
slightly more power than the viper, it seems to be a a lot of rod, for very
little money. dont forget the viper would be on a par with the primo-
syncro, i have owned both of those models, all the best m
Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:12 pm
High up.
After using it on Sunday in nasty conditions (strong winds, rain etc) i still think that this is a better rod than the viper. The vipers main let down is that it is a rod for specific areas (estuaries mainly), but the AA6+ seems a more well rounded rod for different areas.
Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:42 pm
Here's some videos on youtube of the rod being put to the test
thats superb from big tommy, certainly this rod wil have a huge following
this side of the pond, certainly going to get one myself, even for a
back-up rod, i dont beleive there is anything on the market
that can touch it, at that money.
all the best m
afaw six-and bait.
Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:50 pm
purchased one this morning , will test it out over grass first, otg,
layback, and full pendulum, will try and post some footage, i will
have to employ my sons services for this, i myself would not have a
clue,
al the best m
Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:24 pm
i would have to agree with tommy when he says the BIG BEACH is the better rod and one he prefers himself.it has proved itself on the casting field with the uksf and the match field with a lot of top anglers using one like [george smith] i have seen tope to 40lb taken on the big beach in the isle of man.these rods have been out for some time now and very little info about there performance has been written which makes me wonder about them??.cheers john
Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:44 pm
I just wonder whether the lack of reviews has to do with the availability of the rods. Some of the tackle shops in Cork don't have any AA stuff ( rig wallets, clothing etc ), which is a shame because they are quality rods at a fairly reasonable price.
In my opinion they are better than most penns and daiwa rods and are very good all round rods. But everyone will have a different opinion. The best rod i ever had was a zippy 3500 and the AA 6+ does stack up very favorably against it.
Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:46 pm
tom i have heard a lot of bad reports about the clothing to be honest and i know julian has replaced the item no problem at all.but i think his problem lies in the number of rods and such he can get at a time from the makers.he is pushing a lot of gear all around the world and i think he is over stretched to be honest.the zziplex 3500 is what i would term a light match rod and there are lots better rods in the zziplex range imho.i have 2 big beaches myself and like them vey much and honestly think they are the best rods in the afaw range.i am a big century and zziplex fan to be honest so a rod has to be very good for me to like it.
Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:08 pm
I've heard the complaints about the clothing range as well. I've also heard good things about the luggage and wallets. The 3500 is probably my favorite rod so far, but imho the AA is a better rod than the penns and daiwas i've had since the 3500.
How do you think the AA beach versions compare to some of the rods out there?
Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:54 pm
the afaw big beach is a lovely rod top use for fishing and casting not stiff but powerful enough to throw 6ozs and three good baits a long way. a very nice fishing rod to be honest which is what it was designed for ,slim and long it comes with a reducer which would take it up to about 15ft.exellent for rays and trebles of dogfish.cheers john
Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:24 am
i have the big beach myself and got the son the six&bait.
siX&bait is a super rod for the money quite sensitive to bites i found.
the only fault i could find was the rings seem a little bit high sitting off the blank it might just be me very good joint loads of room for ware :D
the big beach is also a nice rod to use but i find it a little harder to spot the bites of smaller fish that would register on the 6& bait much easier.
the other problem i have with this rod is the joint does not allow for much ware there is only about enough room of about 7mm. they didnt come with reducers anymore i had to send away for one for the BB I ALSO CUT ABOUT 6IN OFF OF IT I found it a bit long.
where on the 6& bait has about 20mm i think i might be looking for a can of carbon spray. :shock: :lol: :lol:
Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:05 am
john1 before you took a saw to it you should have sent it back to afaw as that joint seems to me to be very chancy you dont have a lot of play left on it there should be about an inch or more. if the joint slackens you are down a rod !!!and graphite spray won be aby good to you at all.cheers john
Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:41 am
it was the reducer i took the saw to john.
i take it the two you have' have plenty of room for play.
Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:54 am
yes john and i got a reducer free for each one ,i also got coasters which rusted within one week i phoned julian and he replaced them no problem,they where supposed to be stainless steel!!! i guess the afaw 6 and bait is a match rod then??my match rod is a century blackbird lovely rod and 15ft long but the bite detection is second to none,and it can throw a lead a long way.cheers johnps i would ring julian or ian about the spigot joint on that rod mate ??
Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:01 am
i will ring them after week end a bit hectic at the moment.