Close quarter carping
New for 2015 from carbon experts, Century, is the Close Quarter (CQ) collection, and just like their C2-D rods, it’s another masterpiece of rod design.
9’ CQ, 3.50lb TC, 3 equal sections
A mobile angler will always be looking for opportunities where fish are hard to reach or trekking into remote swims with light yet practical kit and this where this new CQ rod is designed to make an impact.
Mobility from Century implies transportability, lightness, power and playability, and the way the 9ft CQ has been constructed addresses these vital functions from the outset of the rod build. Firstly, the design has been built from scratch and Century has managed to bring lightness and power yet still deliver a unique playing action from a 9ft three-piece travel rod which can act as a replacement for your main 12ft carp rods when needing to travel light. The other scenario could be to use a 1x or 2x CQ rod as a margin stalking rod to complement your main carp rod set-up if heading away on a barrow loaded weekend trip.
Finally, Century knows there is demand from anglers to use a shorter rod when abroad and using this three-piece version from a boat is a perfectly suited match.
This model is designed with enough power to tame fish that sulk or rush for cover and just don’t want a trip to the bank. Century has called this rod a close-quarter rod and undoubtedly it succeeds in this area but it also has a range that will surprise many. The butt section stores and releases energy via a taper lock joint into the mid-section and generates surprising tip speed – given the short overall length.
This interaction between butt and middle section overcomes many of the inherent problems associated with other travel rods. Generous guide diameters, particularly in the upper section (size 16 tip guide), caters for dense weed venues and avoids line-choke when fewer guides are fitted on a shorter rod.
To accompany this three-piece rod will be a three rod padded bag which has been designed in conjunction with Thinking Anglers (£49.99). This will allow you to protect your rods and reels during transit and also accommodates the CQ Landing Net on outside of the case to provide you a full angling package that can be stored safely out of sight in the boot of your car.
“GIMME”: £249.00;
11’ CQ, 2.75lb TC, 2 equal sections
For those that prefer a two-piece set-up
This rod is a derivative of FBS specifically tailored and designed for use on smaller venues, canals with river carp. Century’s Ken South has been the lead consultant and evaluated the rod over multiple sessions on an urban canal with commons to 30lb. The rod is designed to fish with the barest essentials where movement around the venue is a prime tactic. Simplistic rigs tied to a consistent length and a semi stalking approach to fishing.
The rod has a complex architecture – originally based in Fat Boy Slim design – but adapted in the light of extensive testing and experience to fall in between a compact stalking rod and also with the capability to develop an occasional opportunity and reach out to fish patrolling further out on smaller venues.
The action has been adapted to give a good cushion in the tip but with facility to underhand flick a presentation at respectable distances. A key parameter was a rod that had a good feel but could also be accurate in placement.
“GIMME”: £258.00
CQ Landing Net, 6ft 2-piece
And completing the collection is this two-piece masterpiece
Using the same spreader block and landing net arms already trusted in Century’s well established landing net, the guys have developed a new landing net shaft which splits into two equal sections. This 3ft or 6ft landing net makes the perfect landing net to complement and travel with a compact set-up but also straps nicely onto the outside of the CQ Rod Case. The ease of dropping from 6’ to 3’ shaft while landing a fish makes this an ideal landing net choice to use when in tight areas or landing fish from a boat.
“GIMME”: £179.00