Description
CARP RODS
Precision-built carp rods with speed, balance, and feel at their core
Hi-‘S’ carp rods are built around a simple idea: remove weight, keep power, and let the blank recover with absolute cleanliness. The blanks are exceptionally slim and light, yet powerful—helping the less confident caster and rewarding the capable with a rod that unloads crisply and tracks true.
Because the tip diameter is very slim, the actions are semi-fast, with stiffer mid to butt sections. That makes the end of the top section lighter, aiding recovery after unloading during the cast. Less tip bounce means tighter accuracy and longer distances—friction is reduced, the trajectory stays cleaner, and the rod feels calmer at the critical moment. The same ultra-responsive tip also helps when playing fish, transmitting what’s happening at the hook without feeling nervous.
The full-length Toray 1K weave gives the rods their distinctive look, while the finest Japanese Toray 40T carbon with very low resin content keeps them light, responsive, and resistant to softening over years of hard use. Although Toray 1K is much lighter than Chinese 1K, it is still heavier than the main blank carbon, so each blank is precision-ground to remove excess weight from the tip and preserve recovery speed. In keeping with Free Spirit tradition, we don’t cover that work with paint or lacquer, instead using our Perdurable finish to maintain the rod’s clean, honest appearance for years to come.
Complementing the blank, we fit the Hi-‘S’ Clone reel seat made from the same carbon as the rod. That continuity of material transmits more feel through the blank—ideal for leading, feeling for features, or avoiding weeds and debris.
40T
Japanese Toray carbon construction
Ultra-Slim
Light blanks with powerful mid-butt stability
Key Features
Engineered with premium materials and precision build methods to deliver balance, recovery, and dependable performance on the bank.
Finest Japanese Toray 40T carbon with very low resin content, finished with genuine Toray 1K weave—lighter and more refined than cheaper Chinese 1K alternatives.
Ultra-slim, light blanks with powerful mid/butt stability
Semi-fast actions, rapid recovery and reduced tip bounce
Precision-ground blanks to offset 1k weave weight and preserve recovery
Perdurable finish (no paint/lacquer) for long-term looks
Clone 1k seat for enhanced feel and feedback
UK hand-built with full custom service available
Builds
Alongside our full custom service, we aim to keep stock builds in an array of guide options, and we stock a vast array of components to bring genuine individual character to each rod. We hold large stocks of these components and also keep additional parts in stock such as the most popular ALPS reel seats, so both stock builds and bespoke projects can be delivered with the finish you want.
We build Hi-‘S’ in several established formats—classic, modern and ultra-modern—without losing the Hi-‘S’ feel.
Stock build options
Original ‘S’-Lite
Reel Seat & Hoods:
Clone seat with Fuji Natural Silver hoods, 1k match finish, integrated isotope slot.
Guides:
Gun smoke ceramic-lined ‘S’-Lite guides.
Tip:
‘S’-Lite Tip Ring.
Hardware:
Stainless steel butt cap and collars.
Character:
Classic Hi-‘S’ feel – crisp, refined, and built for long-term durability.
Full Black
Reel Seat & Hoods:
Clone seat fitted with black hoods.
Guides:
Black framed ‘S’-Lite guides.
Tip:
Kigan anti-frap tip ring.
Hardware:
Black Acetal butt cap and collars.
Character:
Clean, modern and understated with a stealthy overall appearance.
Black + Seaguide TDG
Reel Seat & Hoods:
Clone seat with black hoods.
Guides:
Seaguide TDG guides with Adaman coating and stainless steel liners.
Tip:
Kigan anti-frap tip ring.
Hardware:
Black Acetal butt cap and collars.
Character:
Lighter in hand with a sharp, contemporary look and feel.
Black + Ti-Forged Air
Reel Seat & Hoods:
Clone seat with black hoods.
Guides:
American Tackle Ti-Forged Air guides, forward-facing configuration.
Tip:
Kigan anti-frap tip ring.
Hardware:
Black Acetal butt cap and collars.
Character:
Ultra-modern, distinctive, and progressive with a premium performance edge.
Handle notes:
For Full Cork and Full EVA builds, grips are specially tapered to suit individual blanks so the fit is exact—avoiding ‘hollow spots’ under the handle. We also keep a selection of Full Shrink for those wanting a more minimalist, harder-wearing full handle.
Recommendations
Small waters and finesse fishing:
Hi-‘S’ 12’ 2½lb is the finesse rod in the range, ideal for intimate waters where easy loading, close-range accuracy, and forgiving fish-playing matter more than outright power.
Codes: RHS349
The true all-round choice:
Hi-‘S’ 12’ 3lb – 40mm / 50mm balances crisp casting performance with excellent feel, making it a dependable all-round rod for everyday carp fishing across a wide variety of waters.
Codes: RHS100 / RHS100-50
The ultimate all-round test curve:
Hi-‘S’ 12’ 3½lb – 40mm / 50mm is the natural step up when you want more reserve power without losing responsiveness, making it an outstanding choice for general fishing, heavier leads, and more demanding conditions.
Codes: RHS101 / RHS101-50
Extra length with all-round versatility:
Hi-‘S’ 12’ 6” 3¼lb – 40mm / 50mm is a superb general-purpose rod with the added leverage and balance of a 12’6” blank, giving extra line control and casting ease without sacrificing feel.
Codes: RHS401 / RHS401-50
The one-rod-does-almost-everything choice:
Hi-‘S’ 12’ 6” 3½lb – 40mm / 50mm is often the answer when you want one rod to cover almost everything, combining broad all-round ability with extra leverage, control, and reserve power.
Codes: RHS485 / RHS485-50
Longer-length all-round performance:
Hi-‘S’ 13’ 3½lb – 40mm / 50mm offers extra pickup, line speed, and casting authority for anglers who favour a 13’ rod on bigger waters or at longer range.
Codes: RHS350 / RHS350-50
Long-range bag-rod performance:
Hi-‘S’ive 12’ – 50mm is the original long-range model, with a stiffer tip that suits heavier leads and powerful casting styles when maximum distance is the priority.
Codes: RHS427-50
Extra-responsive long-range versatility:
Hi-‘S’ive 12’ ER – 50mm has a softer, more responsive upper section that helps with smaller leads and lighter lines, making it a popular choice for anglers wanting one distance rod to cover everything at home or abroad.
Codes: RHS520-50
Serious long-range casting:
Hi-‘S’ive 13’ – 50mm is built for big waters and demanding distance work, combining strong casting performance with the more responsive feel that defines the Hi-‘S’ive concept.
Codes: RHS439-50
Ultra long-range power with heavier leads:
Hi-‘S’ 200 12’ – 50mm and Hi-‘S’ 200 13’ – 50mm are serious extreme-range tools, built to hit big distances with leads and bags while still maintaining good fish-playing qualities, but best suited to heavier leads that fully compress the blank.
Codes: RHS200-12 / RHS200-13
Ultra-distance performance with more tip response:
Hi-‘S’ 220 13’ – 50mm refines that extreme-range concept with a more responsive tip, helping the rod load more quickly and work better with smaller leads while still offering serious long-range capability.
Codes: RHS220-13
The perfect middle-ground all-rounder:
Hi-‘S’ 12’ 3¼lb – 40mm / 50mm sits neatly between the 3lb and 3½lb models, giving extra authority and casting power over the lighter all-round rod while retaining more feel and ease of use than the 3½lb. It is an excellent choice for anglers wanting one responsive, versatile 12’ Hi-‘S’ carp rod for general fishing, solid bags, moderate-range work and varied venues.
Codes: RHS573 / RHS573-50
SPECIFICATIONS
Table shows the Original ‘S’-Lite weights, builds and codes. Weights reduce if opting for a black build, with the lightest typically being an abbreviated black build specified with Seaguide TDG guides. Fitting an ALPS seat will increase weights due to the construction of the seat.
Blank and rod weights may vary slightly. We use stainless steel collars and butt caps for durability which add a little to overall weight, but being on the handle should not adversely affect balance.
Guide & Handle - Abbreviated
Guide & Handle - Full Cork
For the handle length, this is measured from the end of the butt section without the cap to the back of the reel seat, since this equates to the normal position for casting and playing fish.
