Advice Zziplex GB3

[Graeme1984]

Have just taken possession of this older rod, bought second hand but in (what I’m presuming is) it’s factory build, in lovely condition bar a few mackerel scales!
Thought it might be useful for rough ground/cliff fishing, seems really pokey and a bit unwieldy at 15’4. Definitely a low reel job to balance it out I think.
Does anyone have any knowledge of these, or have you got/used one. Was told there was only a fairly limited run made, other than that can’t find much information at all online. Cheers!

 

[Topwater]

Quite a rare model. A long time since I had a cast with one (and the Lite model) They always seem to make good money and like all things TC they have a 'cult'/ collectors following. Far more likely it was sent to a builder than a true 'factory build' as they were in the business of blank making.

 

[The Third Earl]

Its a Backcaster , or at least the one I used was being used for that purpose, a bit of a beast and not really suited to light beach fishing, but if you are chasing cod in winter and want to chuck out big baits on big weights it will do the trick.
Hope you have big arms.

Dave

 

[Shirleycodlin]

Is it the light or heavy?
I think the heavy could cast 9ozs

 

[Graeme1984]

Thanks for the info all, sounds good. It’s the heavy version I’m told

 

[Graeme1984]

I’m hoping to use it with fixed spool and braid, did consider a switch to k guides as the existing rings are fairly small, starting with a 30 bnhg but will see how it goes before messing about with a rebuild. Would like to keep it original ideally.

 

[Shirleycodlin]

Id not worry about "original" as pretty much all were/are custom built

 

[Flipper]

I seem to remember an article in Sea Angler that the heavy version was designed for some of the England casting team who were fishing for large red drum and huge rays in Texas.

As had been stated, the light version was highly sort after at one time.

 

[Graeme1984]

Thanks for the comments, looking forward to giving it a go. The lighter one sounds like more of an all rounder.

 

[Graeme1984]

Quick update
Managed to give the gb3 a go for the first time, surprisingly nice tip on it which pulled over into a decent curve in the tide, detected the bites well and handled a dozen or so smooth hounds very well. Casts lovely, no problem with the older style bnhg guides, and definitely not the unusable poker I was expecting. Just need another now if anyone knows of one going!
Thanks for the earlier comments on my question,