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Talk to me about float rods

George Maltby

George Maltby

Senior Member
Hi All,

I have always been a fan of trotting with the pins and have been using an old 13ft Abu power match rod for years (rated 2-8lbs I believe). While I have to say it has been a brilliant servant, a real do anything type of rod that never feels too light or heavy in action from targeting roach and dace right up to big mullet.

In short...I have no idea why I don't love it...but I just don't...not like I love most my other rods anyway. Maybe its the thickish blank, slightly garish graphics, or the wide grip handle...the fact that the handle has a duplon cork hybrid thing going on...I just don't know but I have never really looked forward to using it...I am sure most of you know what I mean...when you really love a rod you look forward to using it almost as much as the fishing itself. It just doesn't 'feel' that nice (and I have no idea how to quantify 'feel' before anyone asks!).

Picked up an Acolyte ultra the other day, while it probably wont be half as versatile as the afore mentioned work horse...my word does it have 'feel'. But I also need a heavier rod for I would like to start float fishing for barbs also and the Acolytes come with a price tag.

How do the series 7 rods compare? They are obviously half the price but I have heard positives, half the price so I could get a silverfish and a tench and specimen for the barbel. Are they anywhere near as light/crips as the acolytes? What about the IM9s etc etc? Mine field, so many to choose from.
 
know what you mean about acolytes..I bought a 15ft plus for the Thames, loved it so much I bought a 13ft.

to be honest its a good all round rod, the ultra is too delicate for my needs.

yes they do have a reputation for line wrap/tips busting...but so far so good for me.

at the moment I don't think you'll find anything as light and crisp as the drennan's unless you go for daiwa's
 
Hi George

Popular topic on here, do a google search for barbel trotting rod or barbel stick or float rod and you'll find plenty of threads on here that discuss it

I've used several different ones, my favourite is the Daiwa spectron m2 xp. But I sold my one recently, I wish I hadn't now. I own 2 tench floats and a 14' spectron xp, which do the job well but when I get round to it I'll sell the tench floats and get a acolyte plus for the smaller river I fish with smaller fish in it. I'm not sure the acolyte would suit a bigger river with bigger fish
 
Thanks Dave/Jason,

I am not so fussed about the barbel float rod at first...in fact the one ive got is perfectly adequate if not a joy...its more the silver fish rod I was after advice on, my rod is rated 2-8lb and although very through actioned with a light tip the average line rating is 5lb...so I think I am in more need of a lighter rod for silvers than a heaver rod for barbel. I will of coarse eventually succumb to temptation and by another barbel float rod, but I think dace, roach, and chub is more my pressing concern at the minute.

Went to Davis tackle in CC today where they have the matchpro, ultralight, IM9s and acolytes...had a wiggle of the acolyte ultra again and the ultralight...acolyte definitely faster in action. Didn't have time to try the acolyte plus, matchpro, or the IM9 range and unfortunately they had sold out of the silverfish float...ultralight seems nice but acolyte much crisper...decisions decisions.
 
George

Have you had a look at alternatives to Drennan rods ?

The Tri-cast John Allertons are a very nice rod for silvers, as are the higher end Daiwa float rods

I'd definitely have a look at these options before purchasing a Drennan of any model

Hope you find what you are after !
 
I very much doubt that you'll find anything as light in weight as an Acolyte. The only rods I've encountered that come close are Normarks. I suspect that Carbotecs may be similar, but I've not yet summoned the courage to really lash out on one to try.

To me, the Acolyte Ultra is a rod for silverfish on rivers. The Acolyte Plus is a slightly heavier actioned version of the Ultra. However, I don't consider it an out and out power rod. I use Ultras when I know that dace and grayling are likely to make up the bulk of my catch. They have coped easily enough with rogue trout and decent chub. However, if I know that chub are likely, with the vague chance of barbel, I take the Plus. If I'm aiming at catching barbel, I'll take another rod entirely. Between the Ultra and Plus, the Plus is the more versatile rod. It's not too heavy in action for small stuff, but has that greater steel for bigger fish.

The Drennan Ultralights aren't bad rods at all, but they are noticeably heavier than the Acolytes. Neither are they as crisp or as fast in action. Though I've not owned either, the IM9 Classic and Finesse always struck me as a half way house between the Acolytes and the various Matchpro models. That may be why they've been discontinued now that the Acolyte Compact versions have arrived. Me commenting on the Series 7 rods is probably unfair, I've done little beyond waggle them. However, they've never seemed as light and crisp as the Acolytes to me. Probably no shock as they are significantly cheaper.

I've been trying to get to grips with a couple of Tri-Cast Allertons (the latest versions) for the last six months or so. So far, I don't think they are for me. They are, by a fair margin, more powerful than anything that I want to use for silvers. It may take me a fair while to decide, but I've got a sneaking suspicion that these are going to end up joining a very select band of rods that I've actually sold.

Yes, I have far too many float rods.:eek:;):D
 
I agree with a lot of what Chris has said. I've a 14ft Acolyte Plus for times when I'll be mainly catching silvers on a river, but with a chance of a barbel or two. If I'm out for Barbel on the float I'll dig out the Drennan Power Float.
I also use the Acolyte Plus when slider fishing or big waggler fishing on the rivers.
For just silvers I normally use a Daiwa Tournament 13-15ft, which also has landed a few big barbel.

If you are just out for a silvers rod, that will also handle a passing barbel, I'd go Acolyte Plus. Both Daiwa and Drennan have good after sales service
 
Steve Roffey said:
Does anyone have one of these? http://www.tacklebox.co.uk/rods-en/...valley-13ft-2-piece-specialist-float-rod.html

I have the 11' Specialist which I use for perch and chub but would like to know more about this new 13' one, it's rated for lines to 8lbs.
Click to expand...

Steve,
they've only just landed in the past few weeks. I had a fairly long chat about them with on of the blokes in The Tackle Box. I was told that it's essentially the same as the 12' float (that's been around a while) but longer.
That didn't help me a great deal as I've not seen the 12' either. Whilst it may not give the full picture, the opinion of a 12' owner may give you a good steer.
 
George if you can find one go for the Drennan IM9 classic.

Its my favourite rod at the moment. Light enough to trot all day and used for roach dace grayling chub with fantastic feel..

It's beauty is that it wont lose you those specimen silvers yet gives you a chance with big fish in clearer waters.

It's my perfect trotting rod for the Test., Frome, Itchen Kennet.

It"ll leave you just enough dosh for a barbel trotting rod.
 
There's a 15ft Harrison Torrix float rod on E bay at the moment with a day or so left to go on the auction , and no it's not me selling it!:D
 
iv got both tri-cast john Allerton 15ft and drennan acolyte compact plus 13ft" The drennan is a much better rod for barbel and waggler rod"
iv had barbel 10+ from fast swims from coalport on severn and good bags without probs!
tri-cast is much more for stick float and roach and chub with odd barbel fishing

only problem iv found on drennan when casting waggler regular is the short butt section easy come loose and starts to unscrew!
 
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