Hi all…
I’m posting in the hope that one of the mulleteers here can point me in the right direction. I want to buy a new float rod for the forthcoming mullet season down here, and I’m finding it rather frustrating to say the least. My old trusty carbon match rod (13’ through action, line up to 5lb b.s.) began to feel rather heavy last summer, especially when I tried my mate’s new match rod. So I’ve been looking for a new through action (13’ minimum) rod that will handle 5lb line max, (maybe even 6lb?) but one that doesn’t feel like a pike rod at the butt end, and a ¾ oz quiver at the other. Every one that I try seems to be manufactured with the carp match in mind, with what I would call a ‘fast’ action. They feel like pigs. I’ve ‘phoned up different dealers about five different rods (that I haven’t been able to handle because local dealers don’t stock them) and they’ve been variously described as ‘through’ ‘medium’ and ‘fast’ by three different dealers on the ‘phone. None of them seems to agree on anything. Every ‘through’ action rod I’ve tried or seen advertised can’t handle line over 4lb. Some can’t even handle that. I can’t afford much over £50 so a carbonactive is out of the question, much as I would like one. I’ve been looking at the new 2003 Shakespeare range, some of which look interesting, and there appear to be some mega deals on these rods, at one mail order dealer in particular. Some are a third off the r.r.p. However, the only ones that can handle line over 4lb b.s. have the dreaded ‘carp match’ or ‘power’ suffix. Like I wrote, any rod that I’ve already tried that had that in its name felt like an absolute dog, really ‘toppy’ if you know what I mean. Anyway, any tips/suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks.

Hi Graham

I've been using a 3 piece 12' ABU Zeus match rod for the tail end of last season, and had Mullet to 4lb 14oz on it, which it (just about) coped with.

I'm kind of in the same boat as you, as I've been looking for a new rod for 2003 and as you mention the "carp" rods that are about seem far to heafty. By the looks of things, some of the rods aimed at Barbel which are available, with test curves of 1.5lb look promising, many are around 12' 9", and having larger rings than my match rod should help with float stops travelling through the rings.

Tight lines

Paul

Jersey Mullet Fishing

Hi Chippy. Thanks for your reply. 1.5lb t.c. is way too heavy for what I'm looking for, however. Most of my fishing will be in estuarine rivers, not the sea proper, so something lighter is in order. A stepped-up match rod that has a true through action, 13' or longer, would be perfect. I've seen a place that's fairly local that has something interesting in 13', 14', and 15', and I'll check it out. I'd still like any more advice/tips, though, if anybody out there has any?

Graham

Have you had a look at the Maver rods? They do beefed up match rods like the Nembo power, in lengths of 13, 14 and 15 feet. I was looking at one of these but I'm not a big fan of single legged rings, maninly because I have to tie the rod on my motor bike when I go fishing and the the single rings tend to get flattened !!!

Floats direct supply Mavers, with savings up too 27% over the RRP at the moment , might be worth a look??

If you need any further mullet info have a look around my site - no estuaries in Jersey though

Cheers

Paul

Maver Rods
Floats Direct
Jersey Mullet Fishing

An ideal mullet rod has a very light tip, but with plenty of stopping power toward the butt.

When mullet decide to go, they really do go.

Too stiff a tip and either the line goes, or the hook hold gives.

Too floppy a rod, and you will never get control of the fish, particularly around moored boats and other obstructions.

For fishing close in (eg from a pontoon), I've found that telescopics offer exactly what I'm looking for, cheap too!

These come in a variety of qualities, so look around for what you want.

Because they are made in sections, it's far easier for the designer to get that fast taper action, over a short length, without having to use a complicated (expensive!) tapered blank.

Zebco Rhino E-xtra, fished with a centrepin, landed me two fish well over 7lb last year.

Fishing further out, I'll be looking for a slightly beefy match rod suitable for tench/chub fishing. I'm using a Shakespeare Onset Match rod.

Hope that helps.

Tight Lines - leon
Medway Mullet Group
http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/medway

National Mullet Club
http://www.go-fishing.co.uk/mullet.htm

[ 27. January 2003, 05:21 PM: Message edited by: Leon Roskilly ]

Okay Leon...thanks for the info. Seems like there might be a 'window' in the tackle market for some enterprising manufacturer to make a range of float rods specifically for mullet? I'll carry on checking everything out...still got about a couple of months or so 'til the mullet start showing up again down my way. Cheers.

I am sure that I must have missed something here, but is your mate's match rod what you are looking for?

Yeah..sorry for the confusion. What I meant was when I tried my mate's new rod, it was really light (weight-wise). Having spent the previous three hours trotting, my arm was beginning to feel it with my trusty old carbon match. So when I tried his, I was amazed at how light it was. However, it only handles 3lb b.s. (recommended) probably 4 at a push, but I wouldn't trust it with 5. I've tried something interesting though...13', a proper through action, 4lb max b.s. recommended, but would easily handle 5, AND its got ring configuration for a pin, AND a full cork handle AND I can get it discounted from £60-odd to about £40. I'm not gonna rush in though... still got time to pick and choose. But it's looking good. Maybe if I save some pennies over the next few weeks, I can bite the bullet and get one built to my exact spec. I wish...