Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Wed Sep 22, 2010 5:54 pm

I've recently been using a Century CCC LD for beach fishing on clean ground often in big tide with plenty of weed, but I'm finding the rod heavy especially on the retrieve.

I have the reel mounted low about 9-10 inches up from the bottom of the butt and use the reducer, but when I reel in it feels very heavy like the rod is tip heavy. I also think because the rod has a firm and fairly thick tip it doesn't give enough on the retrieve which puts all the weight on to the angler and reel. Even a 10oz Whiting with some weed feels like a 5lb cod.

I also use a Daiwa Supercast X 13ft with the reel mounted low, this rod is light, lighter than the century and feels far less tip heavy, it also has a much slimmer tip and more of tippy action. When I reel in using this rod it feels like the rod and tip is soaking up alot of the pressure, the rod feels light and balanced, with little strain put on me the angler.

I've read a lot of good reviews on the CCC LD, and it does cast very well, but for a rod of such low diameter I'm surprised how heavy it is in the hand and the lack of feel on the retrieve compared to my Daiwa. I just don't enjoy fishing with the rod as a result, add to that the bite detection isn't great either.

Is this one of the downsides of having a more powerful rod with a through action and stiffer tip? I personally think CCC LD is best suited to mixed and rough ground.

I'm thinking of trying an Ian Golds International Match, Tip Tornado Match or the newer Daiwa Supercast PM next.

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Wed Sep 22, 2010 6:24 pm

not familiar with the century ccc ld, but if your looking for a nice match rod, the ian golds is hard to beat for the money.

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Wed Sep 22, 2010 6:28 pm

i use the original tt match an zziplex primo match for general fishing and although the zziplex has a lighter glass tip i find the tt match has better bite detection during rough seas or windy conditions due to its stiffer tip... as a fan of century rods i also didnt get on with the ccc ld .. as you said the it just didnt feel right..... and if you want a light rod with a thinner tip ya wont beat the tip tornado lite which is beautiful to fish with i had it in the 13ft version and found it a perfect mix of lightness and power while the tt match though also light is a good bit stiffer...... i think its really just a matter of personal opinion ...

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:02 pm

I don't want anything too soft, it must be up to 6oz and a decent size bait at full whack, but also be responsive on the retrieve and not feel like heaving in a barge pole.....maybe a bit harsh on the CCC LD, but that's what it feels like.

Will keep a lookout for an Ian Gold's IM and TT Match, I would love to try a Zziplex Primo Match and from what I've heard there fantastic clean ground fishing rods.

It is difficult choosing a fishing rod, I want that perfect compromise of feel, casting ability, bite detection and lightness.

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Thu Sep 23, 2010 1:57 am

The CCC-ld is at the lower end of the Century range and as such there are probably compromises made with the grade of carbon cloth used for the blank - adding weight. Another reason for the difference is the way in which the rods are designed and manufactured, smaller diameter blanks need more material(or a higher modulus) to get the same rigidity as one with a slightly larger diameter.

I use my C3 ld for everything from clean beaches to mixed ground so there is plenty of power in them but they are not as light and balanced as other rods on the market. Still would not want to put anyone off who fancied one though, they are a very nice rod for the money. Not everyone likes the stiff tip, bendy mid action on them though-especially if used to more conventionally actioned rods.

Lee

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Thu Sep 23, 2010 11:53 am

As an all rounder it's a very good rod, it casts very well indeed, my first proper swing with it after some off grund casting was a new pb. It's just the fishing side of it over clean gorund I'm not convinced with, for me the tip isn't responsive enough on the retrieve and as a result it lacks feel and feels heavy compared to my other rods.

I think I'll try it for a few more sessions before deciding whether to sell it or swap.

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Thu Sep 23, 2010 3:09 pm

Lee337 wrote:The CCC-ld is at the lower end of the Century range and as such there are probably compromises made with the grade of carbon cloth used for the blank - adding weight.


Indeed, because it is at the lower end of the century range more (less expencive) carbon is used to make up for the loss of higher modules carbon, hence the walls are alot thinker which in turn equalls more weight, the same as alot of conoflex rods.

Have you tried a Zziplex Primo Synchro?? ,,,, light weight with a very responsive tip and the power in reserve when needed, IMO the best all round rod out there.

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Sun Sep 26, 2010 12:26 pm

Have you ever though about the afaw 6&bait 14ft multi??? its good and light with plenty of power in it. i was out last nite and i was using pennel pulleys with a 6oz gripper and a whole squid. was still able to see bites from pin whiting hitting the bait at distance. oh and it handles 6oz of lead and a bait which is prob around 1.5oz no sweat!!!! was for selling it but changed my mind right and quick over my last couple of sessions

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Wed Sep 29, 2010 11:41 pm

I had a ccc ld for a year and totally agree it does feel heavy for an ld never liked it really.

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Thu Sep 30, 2010 8:28 am

Afaw match is a great rod, have tried most match rods and I can't get over how good the rods are. I have also bought 2 big beach and for casting and bit detection you will really find it hard to get a better rod

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Thu Sep 30, 2010 2:36 pm

I'm curious, how much does it weigh exactly?

My TTSM is about 800gr I think, it's a tad heavier than I prefer but if you look at the joint section you know why it's this heavy.

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Thu Sep 30, 2010 2:40 pm

edit: double post

Re: Anyone find the Century CCC LD heavy?

Sat Oct 02, 2010 12:07 pm

It's not really the weight that's the problem, although it is on the heavy side, it's more the action of the rod that makes whatever your reeling in feel heavy, as the tip isn't very responsive and doesn't provide the feel and sensitivity of tippier rods.

Also the rod feels quite tip heavy in the hand, having said that it casts very very well and has a a fair bit of backbone. I couldn't really fault it for casting.

I took the rod fishing again the other day and fished it alongside my older Daiwa Supercast X, the Daiwa rod felt so much lighter in the hand and far better balanced. But more importantly the tip flexes nicely on the retrieve and takes the strain off the angler, and it's a lot easier to tell if you have a small or large fish on.

I've now sold the Century rod, and I've decided not to read reviews from angling press and other places as many reviewers are consultants or have helped in the development or testing of the product on the casting field. I'm now going to put more value in user opinions like those on these forums who fish with different rods every week.

I've heard many good things about the AFAW range from other anglers, especially the big beach, 13.4 match and tourney match. Are these rods equal sections? As my car is rather small, if anyone has these rods I'd love to know the unassembled tip/butt length. Cheers.

The Ian golds International Match is another one I'd like to know dimensions on.