I?m thinking about buying 2 x Fladen Vantage 8 foot #4 for my sons to use when burn fishing on our Corriekinloch trip in July. These rods get a great press and some members here are amazed by them and how well they cast.
They seem to be fantastic value, especially when compared to some overpriced badge engineered alternatives. At around ?25 or so how could you go wrong?
What is the general opinion of this model and can anyone recommend a good supplier?
Hi Fred,
I don't have much of a clue about rods and casting but I've been using one of these on the rivers and sometimes lochs since the end of last year and love it.
This is the cheapest I've found them:
http://www.marinemegastore.com/category-category-FSHEOD004.htm
You can't really argue with them at that price.
Cheers
Paul
I have the 9ft #5 and although it has taken me a little while to get used to I have to say that for the price it is superb. My main rods before were Greys grxi at 5 times the price and in my opinion the Fladen is much better. From what I have read on here and other places the model you are going for seems to be the pick of the bunch and even better if the tip section is changed to a weight below. On a recent meet with Ardbeg and Bandy they both had a shot and both liked it. I got mine from tackle bargains:
http://www.tacklebargains.co.uk/acatalog/Fladen-Vantage-travel-fly-rods---Ex-Display-Rods.html
They are ex-display but mine arrived without a mark on it and within two days of ordering. Really can't fault it so far and if one of your sons manages to break one, fair enough it's still money, but it hasn't broke the bank.
cheers
darren
Fred it's great for the money, preference at casting club seems to be the 8' #4 with a #5 line on.
One small issue, the eejits at fladen decided to varnish the ferrule so don't be alarmed if you cast the tip off :lol: Also I know you have a fancy sage so prepare for a shock when you see the protective case :lol: Other than that, go for it, absolutely!
Another vote from me for the 8' #4 with a #5 line. Cheap and nasty fittings, but it works.
Alex
Quote from: scotty9 on May 06, 2010, 11:08:47 PM
One small issue, the eejits at fladen decided to varnish the ferrule so don't be alarmed if you cast the tip off :lol:
Happens to me at least once every session, usually when I'm casting towards a spooky fish!
Aye paul it's a nightmare! A girl at the casting club got one to learn with, the look on her face the first time it happened was priceless.
"One small issue, the eejits at fladen decided to varnish the ferrule so don't be alarmed if you cast the tip off "
I had forgot about that already, happened to me earlier on this evening and last friday, but for ?25 I can live with it unless somebody here knows a quick fix?
Darren
Quote from: daz on May 06, 2010, 11:23:50 PM
"One small issue, the eejits at fladen decided to varnish the ferrule so don't be alarmed if you cast the tip off "
I had forgot about that already, happened to me earlier on this evening and last friday, but for ?25 I can live with it unless somebody here knows a quick fix?
Darren
Rub a candle on the male ferrule a wee bit, not too much. Will help it stick better.
Other option is to give it a rub with the finest grade abrasive you can find, just enough to get rid of the varnish but DON'T leave any particles, if you stick the rod together with any loose particles i'd imagine it's a recipe for a breakage.
Yeah I tried the candle trick-obviously time I did it again!
cheers
Paul
I ordered one last week from TackleBargains and as Alex says the standard of finish is what you'd expect for ?25. On the tip section mine one of the snake rings was so badly misaligned that the foot stuck out to the side and would damage your line. I contacted TackleBargains and they said "No bother, just send it back and we'll replace it" so we'll see how I get on when I finally get to cast with it.
I have ordered an 8' #4 to see what it's like. Under 30 quid inc. P+P.
I bought the 7' #3 last year, (really a #4) It's a typical cheap rod. Cheap rods are usually floppy or poker-like. The Fladen 7' #3 is the later, but although stiff, tends to flex near the middle. The #4 line helps. For 25 quid who's complaining when I see badge engineered tackle selling at nonsensical prices.
Of the ones I tried the only one I liked was the 8ft 4 weight with a 5 line. I found the 9ft 5 weight very powerful for it's stated line rating but I find that with a lot of rods anyway. It felt more like a sea trout rod to me.
I used to sell the wee fladen rods and they are superb, i really cannot fault them. I used to take beginners out to a pond with these, i had 10 demo rods and even beginners did not break them. A number of my friends use them and have had double figure pellet pigs on them no problem. As far as casting goes, we did a test with one of these and an exact same weight Hardy Angel. The difference with me absolutly thrashing them both was about 5 feet, and ?675!!!!
Go for them four piece and you will be delighted with it!
Took delivery of the 8 foot #4. Casts well enough with a #4, but is better with a #5. I'll buy another I think while you can still get them.
?25 quid! Disposable really. It really makes you wonder if it''s worth paying 16 x as much for some badge engineered rod that might not be around in a few years from now. I think if paying big money I want big backup from a serious rod maker like Sage or Orvis. If not I'll buy something like this rod.
Quote from: Alan on May 11, 2010, 07:33:47 PM
i thought the rrp was 16.99, you should be getting 2 for that price.
P+P
I used this rod today, not on grass or municipal duck ponds, but for real fishing on a small river. Combined with a Pitsford Pirate Ivory #5 DT floater (the tip floats on these lines) and one of the new Snowbee Classic lightweight wide arbour reels the balance and 'feel' was perfect. the control at close range was superb. It was a delight to use, so easy to load and responsive.
This is the best burn rod I have used.
The #5 line was perfect at these distances I think a #4 might be better for > 30 feet. (but why would you want to on a small water?)
Not convinced?
OK look at it another way:
Fladen Vantage 8' #4 Fly Rod - ?20
Snowbee Classic #460 reel - ?30
Pirate Ivory #5 DT floater - ?15
Total : ?65
A perfect small river start-up outfit for very little cash. I have a second rod on order and I may now buy a third as well as a few more of the Snowbee reels.
If I sound impressed it's just because I am. :lol:
I too am a Fladen fan.
As scotty9 has said, the ferrule problem is easily solved- with some wet & dry 1000, wash carefully, and then grease with candle wax, or a beeswax/turpentine mix.
Most of my "for hire" rods are now Fladen, that includes spinners, pike rods and sea fishing rods- they are pooh-poohed by the Hardy/Sage/Orvis guys- until they try them.
I still get "Hardy only" customers who will pay ?50 a day to hire a Hardy outfit, they could have the Fladen/Okuma set for ?5 a day.
All lines are Greys.
As you now know that means I get my money back on 20 "Hardy Hires" or 7 "Fladen hires".
The "troots caught" return is about the same.
Quote from: Inchlaggan on May 16, 2010, 07:22:08 PM
The "troots caught" return is about the same.
Surely not :shock: Do the fish in your neck of the woods have no taste :lol:
Norm
nah, most of them take a P***r R**s.