Description
CARP RODS
Compact Length. Full Hi-‘S’ Performance.
Free Spirit have produced shorter carp rods for a number of years and has sold many for stalking and boat carp fishing. In more recent times, these shorter rods have become very popular for fishing smaller waters and for their convenience, not to mention the fun they provide playing hard-fighting carp on shorter carbon.
The Hi-‘S’ Compact carp rods are available with abbreviated handles as standard with the Clone 1k seat and stainless steel collars, but—as with all Hi-‘S’ rods—these can be made to your individual requirement. We offer a number of 10’ models, starting at the 2¾lb, suitable for smaller waters and stalking; the 10’ 3lb where a rod with more backbone is required; the 3¼lb which is suitable for heavier work such as boat carping or hit and hold stalking and is capable of longer casts; and the 3½lb which is becoming very popular for snaggy waters such as Rainbow or fishing rivers.
The Rainbow Rod
We now offer an 11’ 3½lb test curve colloquially known as ‘The Rainbow Rod’ as it offers the best of both worlds with length suitable for boat use, long enough to raise the braid (or mono) off the water when fishing with tips high, the extra length allowing easier separation of the main lead with the back lead when fishing those snaggy venues and short enough not to be unwieldy when playing large carp in the proximity to snags.
Built from the very same very low-resin 40T Japanese carbon used on the rest of the Hi-‘S’ rods and with full 1k weave and Perdurable blank finish, these rods are extremely light and well balanced, yet strong and with very responsive tips to aid casting with light set-ups. As standard, these are built with abbreviated handles and stainless steel fittings. Any of this range can be built as Black Editions or customised with alternative guides, seats and handles.
Any of the 10’ options shown below can also be built as stalking rods.
40T
Low-Resin Japanese Carbon Construction.
Compact
Shorter Length. Maximum Control.
Key Features
Built using very low-resin 40T Japanese carbon with compact lengths and versatile build options, delivering lightweight balance, responsive tips and total control for stalking, boat work and tight venues.
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.
Compact lengths for tight swims, boats and smaller venues
Responsive tips with real reserve for hit-and-hold situations
Custom builds and Black builds available
Fitted with a Clone 1k Reel Seat
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
‘AB’ in code refers to Abbreviated Build – other builds options are available.
Small waters, margins and stalking:
Hi-‘S’ 10’ 2¾lb – 30mm / 40mm is a refined short-range rod for intimate waters, margin work, stalking, and general close-quarters fishing where feel, control, and easy loading matter most.
Codes: RHS488AB / RHS488AB-40
The compact all-rounder:
Hi-‘S’ 10’ 3lb – 30mm / 40mm is the versatile short rod in the range, suited to small waters and general close work when you want a little more all-round ability without losing finesse.
Codes: RHS588AB / RHS588AB-40
More backbone for harder work:
Hi-‘S’ 10’ 3¼lb – 30mm / 40mm is the step up when you want extra power for boat work, light weed, and more demanding close-range situations.
Codes: RHS487AB / RHS487AB-40
Maximum control at close quarters:
Hi-‘S’ 10’ 3½lb – 40mm is built for snag fishing, rivers, and demanding short-range situations where stopping power and control matter most.
Codes: RHS589AB-40
Length, control and boat practicality:
Hi-‘S’ 11’ 3½lb ‘Rainbow Rod’ – 40mm is the specialist tool for snag venues where extra length, close-range control, and boat practicality are key.
Codes: RHS590AB
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.
NOTE: CODES WITH ‘AB’ REFER TO THE ABBREVIATED BUILD VERSIONS. THESE ARE AVAILABLE AS FULL CORK ‘FC’, FULL SHRINK ‘FS’ OR FULL EVA ‘FE’ OR AND WITH FULL CUSTOM BUILD OPTIONS.
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.
