Description
SPECIALIST & BARBEL RODS
Ultra-Light Feel. Serious Specialist Performance.
Utilising ultra-high modulus 40T very low-resin carbon, the Hi-‘S’ Specialist and Barbel range is incredibly light for its given power, while retaining the strength, sensitivity and responsiveness demanded by serious specialist anglers. The low resin content is a key part of the blank performance, helping the rods keep their crisp action over time rather than softening through use, so they remain accurate, responsive and dependable season after season.
The range has been designed to cover all manner of fishing situations, from intimate streams, small rivers and close-range roving, through to estate lakes, gravel pits, open reservoirs and powerful rivers where casting range, line control and fish-playing authority all matter. The material transmits excellent feel through the blank, while the Free Spirit Clone 1K reel seat further enhances the direct connection between angler and rod. Finished with our Perdurable blank finish, these rods are built to perform and stay looking good through many years of faithful service.
The Heavy Waters models extend the Hi-‘S’ Specialist and Barbel range into the most demanding river conditions. Developed for winter barbel fishing on powerful rivers such as the Trent and Wye, they are purpose-built for long casting, heavy flows and situations where feeders or gripper leads of 8oz or more may be needed to hold bottom. These are not re-badged carp rods: the action is designed specifically for heavy-river work, with tip behaviour tuned to register bites while still allowing the rod top to nod in the current, helping prevent the lead or feeder being dislodged.
In spate conditions, where debris, drag and strong flow become major factors, rods are often fished with the tip held high to keep line clear of the water. For this reason, the Heavy Waters models are offered in both 12’ and 13’ lengths, with 30mm or long-range 40mm ringing options. The 12’ gives power and control without excess length, while the 13’ offers maximum tip height, improved line control and extra authority in severe conditions.
Hand-built in the UK, the rods are offered as standard with full ‘A’-grade cork handles to suit the traditionalist, stainless steel fittings and black-framed ‘S’-Lite guides. As with all Hi-‘S’ rods, a full custom build service is available, including full EVA, full shrink or abbreviated handles, along with alternative fittings and finishing details to create a truly individual rod. For anglers seeking the ultimate performance in a specialist or heavy-river rod, the Hi-‘S’ Specialist, Barbel and Heavy Waters range will not let you down.
40T
Ultra High Modulus Carbon
Perdurable
Long-Term Finish. Lasting Performance
Key Features
Constructed from ultra high modulus 40T very low-resin carbon with Perdurable finish, featuring lightweight responsive blanks, Clone reel seats for enhanced feel transmission, full cork ‘A’ grade handles, stainless steel fittings and ‘S’-Lite guides for versatile specialist and barbel fishing performance.
40T very low-resin Japanese Toray carbon for exceptional lightness, feel and long-term blank response
Purpose-designed specialist, barbel and heavy-river actions
Progressive power for modern specialist and barbel tactics
Heavy Waters models designed for powerful rivers, floodwater and heavy feeders or gripper leads
Tip behaviour on Heavy Waters models tuned to nod in flow for stability and bite registration
Wide-ranging models to suit everything from intimate streams and small ponds to powerful rivers, floodwater conditions and open reservoirs
Hand Built in the UK, with custom build options including full EVA, full shrink, abbreviated handles and other individual finishing choices40T very low-resin carbon for exceptional lightness, feel and long-term blank response
Clone seat for enhanced transmission and feedback
Progressive power for modern specialist and barbel tactics
‘A’-grade cork and stainless fittings for durability
Wide-ranging models to suit everything from intimate streams and small ponds to powerful rivers, floodwater conditions and open reservoirs
Hand Built in the UK, with custom build options including full EVA, full shrink, abbreviated handles and other individual finishing choices
Builds
The following specification represents our standard UK stock build for the Hi-‘S’ Specialist and Barbel rods. As these rods are Hand Built in the UK, they can also be custom built to almost any required specification, including alternative handles, fittings, guide options and finishing details to suit individual preference.
Stock build options
Full Cork
Reel Seat & Hoods:
Free Spirit Clone 1K reel seat with silver hoods.
Guides:
‘S’-Lite twin or single leg guides, depending on model.
Tip:
Anti-Frap tip ring.
Hardware:
Stainless steel butt cap and collars.
Handle:
Full ‘A’-grade cork handle.
Recommendations
Small streams, roving and ultralight specimen work:
Hi-‘S’ Specialist 11’ Small Water is ideal for roving with chub, roach and barbel on little streams and small rivers, while also being great fun as an ultralight stalking rod for carp in open water. Despite its light feel, the blank has real reserve power when needed — proven by German customers who use this model exclusively for carp and have landed fish well in excess of 30kg / 66lb.
Codes: HSS352
Stepped-up specialist power:
Hi-‘S’ Specialist 12’ SU is the heavier version of the 11’ Small Water, with extra power through the butt and middle sections for more demanding work. It is well suited to tench and bream feeder fishing, float work for bigger specimens and situations where a little more authority is needed without losing specialist-rod feel.
Codes: HSS353
The all-round barbel choice:
Hi-‘S’ Barbel 12’ is the dependable all-round barbel rod in the range, with a test curve around 2lb and a faster tip for casting and bite detection. Power through the middle and butt sections gives excellent control in weedier swims or stronger flows. For one barbel rod to cover all but the harshest conditions, this is the natural choice.
Codes: HSS568
Big rivers, floodwater and long-range feeder work:
Hi-‘S’ Specialist Big Water 12’ is the rod for large rivers, floodwater conditions and situations where bigger leads or feeders are needed to hold bottom, or where you need to cast distances to reach fish. It also has the power and casting ability to reach fish at range, making it an excellent long-range tench and bream feeder rod as well as a serious specialist tool.
Codes: HSS440
Heavy-river control without excess length:
Hi-‘S’ 12’ HW is the Heavy Waters option for anglers who want serious power, casting control and flow stability without moving to a longer rod. Designed for heavy feeders, gripper leads and powerful winter barbel conditions, it offers the specialist tip behaviour needed for bite registration while retaining the strength to hold bottom and control fish in demanding flows.
Codes: HSS569 / HSS569-40
Maximum tip height and line control:
Hi-‘S’ 13’ HW is the choice when maximum tip height, line control and leverage are needed in powerful flows, spate conditions and heavy-river fishing. The extra length helps keep line clear of drag and debris, while the blank has the authority for long casting, heavy leads and hard-fighting barbel in the most demanding conditions.
Codes: HSS570 / HSS570-40
SPECIFICATIONS
Hi-‘S’ Specialist & Barbel and Heavy Waters
Guide & Handle
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.
