Long Rods, Grauvell and the like..

Hi guys,
Looking for some advice/opinions/experiences around the continental style rods.
Having 2 decent multiplier rods I am resigned to the fact that because left hand multipliers are scarce enough its not likely that penn or abu will be making any mag or ct versions.

I have decied that the most practical route to achieving a longer cast is to invest in the longer fixed spool rods.

the spec I'm looking for is 14 foot, 3 piece, slim, light and in the 'mid price range'. something with a medium action, not broomstick stiff but not spagetti soft...

The Grauvell TC and the Diawa Longbeam interest me but there may be others I haven't considered.


Any help or info you have would be greatly appreciated.


cheers
Jon

Jon

I dont know from your post your level of casting experience so im not intending to cause any offense ..

But your best bet would be to find a casting instructor and learn to use what you have ...
A few lessons with a good instructor can make a hell of a difference, we have a guy in our club who went from 50 yards to 175 yards . thats after four lessons.

I can try and put you in touch with one if you want

Andy Elliott

I can from first hand experience HIGHLY recommend the Grauvell Tektron. 14', 3 piece, lovely and light but with loads of power within. Definitely not broomstick material but certainly not a wand either by any manner or means. Its incredibly light but is rated to cast up to 250g... :shock: I am equally at home with this rod horsing 7oz and a big cod bait at range when fishing venues like Monkstown as I would be scratching on a beach somewhere with a 4oz attached. Highly recommend. A simple overhead thump with FS reel sends your rig an awful long way. They retail around the 200 euro mark.

As far as the Daiwa Longbeam goes, I also have one of these. It does have its uses, mainly for scratching around under the 100 yard mark. Its not a bad rod but I wouldnt be mad about it. Its grand and light but its really not built for any real distance casting. My casting isnt great but I can hit 170-180 yards with a plain lead using the Tektron or my Penn surfblaster, knock 40 yards off that with the Longbeam, its way too floppy and doesnt have the backbone for leathering it out there. They are cheap though and can be picked up for 70-80 euro in places.

The TC is one of the cheaper options from the Grauvell range isnt it? But if its anything like the rest of the stable it will be twice the rod of the Longbeam. They do a lovely range of super looking, quality, well finished rods do Grauvell.

HTH

Thanks guys,

Andy: I could definitley use some tuition. If you know someone around the county Dublin area that would be great. I'm probably not using my equipment to its potential but I don't think it's helped by my 6501C4 not being the ideal candidate for long casts.

Pete: Thanks for the info.Being the ultimate tackle tart you are I'm not surprised you have the daiwa also which is a bonus cause now I know to stay away from it. I can't find the tektron for sale on the net (except a shop in the Canaries which hasn't responded to enquiries). It's also not in the grauvell catalog so I'd say it's last years product. The current range is MG-RC-TC-DH , MG being the cheaper. The TC rods aren't cheap 240+ sterling but look the part(http://www.anglingcentre.net/acatalog/s ... anuim.html). Veals catalog shows a new 2007 range Teknos which look well priced but I don't know if they are at the budget end of the 2007 range?

Anyway I'll scout around for a stray Tektron or similar.


cheers
Jon

Sorry Jon, I was getting it confused with one of the other Grauvells, probably the HM, I had a TC Surfcast, its a match rod with 3 tips, wouldnt recommend it really for distance casting TBH, bit too light for really wellying. It didnt really suit me for my type of fishing down here so I sold it recently. Pete from the forum bought it off me so maybe drop him a PM and see what he thinks of it as in fairness hes getting more use out of it than me!

What about the Greys Triplex? Quite similar to the Tektron, bit tippier maybe but a lovely rod. Slim, light and again a 3 piece. Not given mine a run out yet but I did have use of one for a day a while ago and was very impressed.

Why cant i delete a post when it enters twice....??? :evil:

the new longbeam range have been given and excellent write up and one of the guys i know has bought the 16ft version and is well chuffed with it, (he also has a century cm sre to compare it too BTW) he said for the money you can go wrong and it sends baits a very long way.

if its 14 ft 3 piece you are looking i might suggest a look at the triplex or triplex sl.

even some of the shimano range might be worth a look

Must have been one of the old spec I have, 13 foot multiplier rigged, its not a bad rod, its just a slug when it comes to casting, its as though you have time to have a coffee and smoke a fag while the blank is straightening back out on casting if you know what I mean.

yep, i know it, thats the old one, the new ones are 14 and 16ft i think pete...

Must have a look so, old one had an unfortunate incident with a car door recently.....shame.... :D Wouldnt mind adding a 16 footer to the armoury :D

there is a review by john holden in the latest sea angler mag pete on the longbeam i think....

I saw that yesterday alright, problem being is that John Holden never seems to give a bad review of anything. Even the crappy rod at £29 or whatever it was, he still managed to find good things to say about. Id sooner hear it from someone on the ground as it were with no hint of an ulterior motive. 99% of their reviews are basically glorified ads. Same goes for TSF also.

true, i never really go by their reviews....just look at the photos of them whilst casting to get an idea how floppy the cheap ones are...!!

Guys,

Having not being able to find any of these rods for a decent price for sale it appears I have come across a bunch of them.

2 x Grauvell TC Surf hardly used: 350 for both

2 x Grauvell TC Surf Tre hardly used: 340 for both

2 x Grauvell Tektron : 200 for both .These have been modified with fibreglass tip to replicate the match tip that can be bought as an extra.

You can check the specs of these rods here:

http://www.deportespineda.com/productos ... auvell.asp

http://www.grauvell.com/eng/catalogo-pr ... =TC%20Rods


If anyone is interested in going in on any of these deals please let me know. there will be shipping costs from Spain ( which I haven't finalised yet) involved but these prices are a steal even with shipping.

I'd like to buy them all but the missus would absolutely kill me. :(

Anyway let me know and we can arrange something.



cheers
Jon

In Defence of John Holden hes one of the reviewers I would trust. Sometimes you have to read through the lines in reviews but he did say that 29.99 rod was the worst rod he reviewed all year and wouldn't cut it for uk fishing. If it was being reviewed by Mel Russ then I'd be sceptical.

Donagh