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Advice please

Neil Smart

Senior Member
Yes another 'what rod' question, but I intend to trot a float down the Wye very soon, and I am wondering what would be a good rod for this? Bearing in mind Barbel will be on the menu and of course Chub I will need something that is a bit beefy, but not such that it takes away the enjoyment.

What I think I need as a fairly fast tip action , and something that will tame a barbel, is there such a thing?

What I have in the Garage is a Drennan Float tench rod with some other Rods that I know won't be up to it, perhaps even a 1.5 t.c Barbel Rod? I have a few Avons, but not sure about those either :confused:

So if anyone can offer some advice as to what they use or might use I will be grateful.
 
Neil, I have been using the 13ft Hi-S Free Spirit Special Power Float which I really like. It's a two piece which actually is one of the reasons I bought it. Not had a barbel on it yet but some very good chub and hooked at distance in a very good flow. Keith Speer had a play with it last year and gave it the thumbs up so that's good.

I also have a Diawa Connoisseur 13ft X Power Waggler. Have yet to use this but it certainly feels like it will do the job. Not as slim as the FS but very light nonetheless. A 3 piece this one.

Cheers.
 
Neil, expensive unless you can find one second hand, but the Hardy marksman avon's are perfect for this. Used mine in the Wye last year for the type of session your after. At 11ft it offers enough control of the float, and I've had barbel over 12lb on mine.
 
I do a fair bit of float fishing for the bigger species and can't abide doing it with through actioned Avon type rods. I've been through a fair few different rods in pursuit of the right ones. I have longer rods which are generally reserved for the deeper rivers and gravel pits. When it comes to thirteen footers, I have two types. When I know that fish in excess of 10lb are the priority, I use a Freespirit Specialist Advanced 1lb6oz Power Float. It's the most powerful proper float rod I've ever encountered. However, it's no use whatsoever when trying to cast light floats any distance.

When fishing a little more generally for the better examples of anything with fins, I'll use a Shimano Catana CX Float 390 (CATCXFL39, not to be confused with the Catana match rods). These rods have happily handled barbel to just shy of 12lb and carp over 15lb, but they are not so numb as to make catching the odd tiddler a totally joyless experience.
 
I'd try the Drennan Tench, it's meant for catching powerful fish. I have a Drennan 2 Piece 12 Foot Puddle Chucker and find that a good rod for pretty much anything an everything. The beauty being it comes with a zip up protective case which accommodates a made up rod broken down into 2, nice to have in the holdall.
 
Thanks for the very informed replies guy's much appreciated, I have been checking out some of the rods I don't have, and as I expected they are not cheap, but I knew that was going to be the case. Encouraging that the Drennan Tench get's some thumbs up too :)
 
Is yours the original 12' 9" Tench Float? I have one of those and I've had barbel to around 7lb and carp to mid-doubles on it with no problem, though it is a bit frightening how far round it will bend!

Nowadays I tend to use a Bob James 13/15 for most of my tench float fishing, it has a stiffer action and a bit more power in the butt, not tried it for barbel though. A friend of mine has just a 10.08 barbel on the float using a Korum Power Float and said it was fabulous.
 
I would think your Drennan tench rod would be up for the job as well.

I've a korum power float and it really is a joy to use although i've never tested it against barbel of that size. It does suffer a poor design flaw though - when broken down to 2 sections the tip is longer than the butt by an inch, so i just pack it down into the four sections when i use it.
 
You don't need to spend a lot. Shakespeare do some great rods for this type of fishing at a great price. I'm a tackle tart and happily use them. Check their website. If you power up, ie 1.5lb TC it will not fish a float properly and go for at least 13ft for control.
 
I haven't got one but the drennan tench rod gets recommended regularly for trotting on here
 
Had a look at the Tench rod, is not the new model but a MK 1V, I think, and it has a finer tip than I thought and seemed quite crisp but has the reserve power also. Never used it to date, bought it off Shippo, but will give it a go...now what reel? :rolleyes:

Again guys thanks for all the advice, much appreciated. :)
 
You don't need to spend a lot. Shakespeare do some great rods for this type of fishing at a great price. I'm a tackle tart and happily use them. Check their website. If you power up, ie 1.5lb TC it will not fish a float properly and go for at least 13ft for control.

Yep I really didn't think the 1.5 would be the right tool, agree with the Shaky rods though, seem great rods for the money, I need a new heavy feeder rod, think I will go with them.
 
The greys rods are good, I have a 15ft and it has a serious amount of power whilst still being soft enough for smaller fish. I was using it for grayling in winter.
 
neil your drennan tench rod is fine for the job mate, keep the cash for something else

Could not agree more. The Drennan Tench will take WAY more abuse than you might ever imagine and once hooped over with 8lb line through it will enable you to control fish in all conditions.
 
Could not agree more. The Drennan Tench will take WAY more abuse than you might ever imagine and once hooped over with 8lb line through it will enable you to control fish in all conditions.

Thanks Richard, it's an older Drennan Tench rod too, and in great nick, never used it but when I purchased it I had in mind using it for trotting for Chub and Barbel, it's me age you know :rolleyes: The action looks spot on for when I hook into a 10lb Wye barb :) Really can't wait to get out there and do it.

Now, what reel :rolleyes:
 
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