 Construction
The carbon fibre used in these Rods is Aerospace Grade from the U.S.A., bonded
with a resin system which has been especially modified to give maximum toughness
in this most demanding application in fast tapered fishing rods. In some models,
semi-unidirectional woven fibreglass, using the same high quality resin system,
is used in conjunction with the carbon fibres.
This combination of sensitivity and power is the basis of the "LIVE FIBRE" RANGE
The Live Fibre
Story
Early in
the 1990s the
people at Wilsons
commissioned
New Zealand-based
manufacturer,
Kilwell, to design and build a revolutionary new range of rod blanks. The performance
criteria for the, as yet, un-named blanks included lightness, power, resilience,
sensitivity and strength – a big ask, but with the Australian fishing rod
market so progressive and so competitive, only a clear superior product would
guarantee Wilsons’ success.
These early Live Fibres featured a combination of American Aerospace carbon fibres
for high butt stiffness and crowfoot weave E Glass tip for maximum sensitivity.
After much experimentation and exhaustive testing, Kilwell managed to combine
the two materials with the precision for which the New Zealand company has become
world famous. Live Fibre Rods had been born and fishing in Australia was about
to change.
Not content to sit on its laurels and ride
the crest of the Live Fibre wave, Kilwells
ongoing R&D recently came up with a third
blank materials which look set to take the
range into the new millennium. The addition
of overwrapped
twill woven carbon butt fibres further improve the hoop strength and lifting
power of each blank without detracting in any way from tip sensitivity.
The current Live Fibre blank and finished rod range is among the most comprehensive
in Australia. There are 10 series in the range, which cover every fishing situation
from ultra light freshwater to heavy stand up game and practically everything
in between. All production rods are available as blanks only – an option
that’s been taken up by hundreds of custom builders around the country.
As Wilson Live Fibre rods are manufactured in-house Brisbane the company has
total control over the production process. All binding work is first class, as
are the components used. Quality control is tight, resulting in relatively few “claims” on
broken rods and a high level of customer satisfaction. Let’s take an in-depth
look at what the Live Fibre range has to offer.
The popular XX7 Baitcasters offer the ultimate
in plug casting. These rods are extremely
powerful; they are superbly built and fish
their designated line classes
to the hilt. The Wilson R&D team used the XX7’s exclusively in the
2001 Barra Classic and was delighted with their performance on Daly River Barramundi.
The rods also underwent punishing field tests on big Trevally and Queen fish
in the Kimberly and even Snapper in South Australia.
There are nine rods in the “SA” range, which were designed by Wilson
agent and consultant, Paul Kanafa. These will suit the needs of the serious sport
fisher who is looking for a top quality product without paying custom rod price.
The range features a combination of overhead and spin rods that cover line classes
from 1-15kg. They are distinctively bound with Gudebrod metallic blue thread
and although they were designed by a South Australian, the “SA” range
has national appeal. Most are intended for boat applications.
The largest section of the Live Fibre Range
consists of 31 models, which begin with the
1-3kg Spin and conclude with 24kg land-based
and offshore game rods.
The Live Fibre short strokers, which are built for the 8, 10, 15, 24 & 37kg
line classes, are among the most popular rods of their type in Australia. Available
with or without roller tips, the short strokers fish their designated line classes
perfectly and offer the bonus of a reasonable price when compared to the custom
built alternative. For the “off-the-rack” Stand-ups, they are without
peer.
The trophy models are designed specifically
for land-based fishing and vary from
7’ to 13’6” feet in length. They are a mixture of overhead,
spin and sidecast sticks and have actions and weights to cover most applications.
There are more than 20 Trophy rods, so selecting one to suit a specific situation
isn’t difficult.
The Live Fibre story has really been a remarkable
one. L. Wilson & Co. has
risen from a small family company to become an undeniable force in Australian
tackle manufacturer and this brilliant range of rods has played no small part
in the metamorphosis. As the slogan goes – “Live Fibre, rods with
real life.” Ain’t that the truth! |
|
|
CODE |
LENGTH |
KG |
PCS |
TYPE |
|
SPIN |
|
|
|
|
|
RLF7 |
6'0" |
1-3kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLF8 |
7'0" |
8-15kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLF12 |
6'6" |
4-6kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLF13 |
8’ |
15-24kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLF15 |
6'6" |
10-15kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLF17 |
7'0" |
6-8kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLF19S |
7’0’" |
15-24kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLF20 |
8'0" |
8-10kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLF30 |
10’ |
8-10kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLFPCS |
6’0" |
3-4kg |
1pce |
PRO
CLASSIC SPIN |
|
RGET62S |
6' |
2.4kg |
2
pce |
"GETAWAY" TRAVEL
- SPIN |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OVERHEAD |
|
|
|
|
|
RLF9 |
7'0" |
8-15kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLF11 |
6'6" |
4-6kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLF14 |
8’ |
15-24kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLF16 |
6'6" |
10-15kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLF18 |
6'6" |
6-10kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLF19 |
7'0" |
15-24kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLF21 |
8'0" |
8-10kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLFCM10 |
7’2" |
10-24kg |
1pce |
CLASSIC
M10 OVERHEAD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STROKER |
|
|
|
|
|
RLF22 |
5'6" |
8-10kg |
1pce |
STROKER
SIC TIP |
|
RLF23 |
5'6" |
8-10kg |
1pce |
STROKER
ROLLER TIP |
|
RLF24 |
5'6" |
10-15kg |
1pce |
STROKER
SIC TIP |
|
RLF25 |
5'6" |
10-15kg |
1pce |
STROKER
ROLLER TIP |
|
RLF26 |
5'6" |
15-24kg |
1pce |
STROKER
SIC TIP |
|
RLF27 |
5'6" |
15-24kg |
1pce |
STROKER
ROLLER TIP |
|
RLF46 |
5'6" |
24-37kg |
1pce |
STROKER
ROLLER TIP |
|
RLF47 |
5'6" |
24-37kg |
1pce |
STROKER
SIC TIP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BAITCASTER |
|
|
|
|
RLF29 |
6'0" |
20kg |
1pce |
PNG
BASS BAITCASTER |
|
RLF29L |
6'0" |
10-15kg |
1pce |
PNG
BASS BAITCASTER |
|
RLFPCB |
6’0" |
3-4kg |
1pce |
PRO
CLASSIC BAITCASTER |
|
RGET62B |
6' |
2.4kg |
2
pce |
"GETAWAY" TRAVEL
- B/C |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LAND
BASED GAME |
|
|
|
|
RLF28 |
9'0" |
15-24kg |
1pce |
LANDBASE
GAME ROLLER TIP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ESTUARY |
|
|
|
|
|
RLF10 |
10’6" |
1-3kg |
1pce |
BLACKFISH |
|
RLF32 |
7' |
2-4kg |
1&2pce |
"TROPHY" -
ESTUARY |
|
RLF31 |
8’ |
4-6kg |
1&2pce |
"TROPHY" -
ESTUARY |
|
RLF33 |
9’ |
4-6kg |
1&2pce |
"TROPHY" -
ESTUARY |
|
RLF34 |
10’6" |
6kg |
1&2pce |
"TROPHY" -
ESTUARY |
|
RLF41 |
10’6" |
6kg |
1&2pce |
"TROPHY" -
ESTUARY |
|
RLF35 |
10’6" |
4-6kg |
1&2pce |
"CHAMPION
TROPHY"- ESTUARY |
|
RLF42 |
10’6" |
4-6kg |
1&2pce |
"CHAMPION
TROPHY"- ESTUARY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SURF |
|
|
|
|
|
RLF38 |
12’ |
6-8kg |
1&2pce |
"TROPHY" -
SURF |
|
RLF39 |
12’ |
6-8kg |
1&2pce |
"TROPHY" -
SURF |
|
RLF40 |
13’ |
8-15kg |
1&2pce |
"TROPHY" -
SURF |
|
RLF43 |
13’ |
8-15kg |
1&2pce |
"TROPHY" -
SURF |
|
RLF36 |
12’ |
6kg |
1&2pce |
"CHAMPION
TROPHY" - LIGHT SURF |
|
RLF37 |
12’ |
6kg |
1&2pce |
"CHAMPION
TROPHY" - LIGHT SURF |
|
RLF44 |
13' |
6-10kg |
1&2pce |
"CHAMPION
TROPHY" - SURF |
|
RLF45 |
13' |
6-10kg |
1&2pce |
"CHAMPION
TROPHY" - SURF |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIVE
FIBRE 'SOUTH AUSTRALIAN'
SERIES |
|
|
RLFSA02 |
6’ |
4-6kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLFSA03 |
6’ |
4-6kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLFSA04 |
6’6" |
6-8kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLFSA05 |
6’6" |
6-8kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLFSA06 |
6’ |
6-8kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD
TRIG |
|
RLFSA07 |
6’6" |
8-15kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLFSA08 |
7’ |
8-15kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLFSA08S |
7’ |
8-12kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
RLFSA09 |
10’8" |
8-10kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLFSA12 |
10'8" |
10-15kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLFSA13 |
9' |
6-8kg |
1pce |
OVERHEAD |
|
RLFSA14 |
9' |
6-8kg |
1pce |
SPIN |
|
|
