which rods...

[nick]

Having just read Chris Plumb's recommendation for a float rod it started me thinking, what rods would you not be without?

 

I am looking at a serious tackle buying spree over the next year or two, the fishing plans include gravel pits with good stocks of bream, tench and carp, fishing from the margins to the horizon. Also planning on investigating the fens, especially winter pike and zander, but doubtless trying all that's on offer.

 

So I guess I'm looking at something for the margins, I like the sound of the Harrison 15' GTi (Hollow Tip) that Chris favours, but open to other suggestions. I think I probably want something 1.5lb to 2lb TC for margin to medium range, and something around 2.5lb to 3lb tc for the distance stuff.

 

I could be totally wrong about that,feel free to make other suggestions if you think I need something different.

 

As for the fenland predators and totally open to suggestions.

 

Finally brands don't bother me at all, if anything I would be likely to reject something because it has a "fashionable" label rather than to buy it.

 

Over to you guys...

[RUDD]

Having just read Chris Plumb's recommendation for a float rod it started me thinking, what rods would you not be without?

 

I am looking at a serious tackle buying spree over the next year or two, the fishing plans include gravel pits with good stocks of bream, tench and carp, fishing from the margins to the horizon. Also planning on investigating the fens, especially winter pike and zander, but doubtless trying all that's on offer.

 

So I guess I'm looking at something for the margins, I like the sound of the Harrison 15' GTi (Hollow Tip) that Chris favours, but open to other suggestions. I think I probably want something 1.5lb to 2lb TC for margin to medium range, and something around 2.5lb to 3lb tc for the distance stuff.

 

I could be totally wrong about that,feel free to make other suggestions if you think I need something different.

 

As for the fenland predators and totally open to suggestions.

 

Finally brands don't bother me at all, if anything I would be likely to reject something because it has a "fashionable" label rather than to buy it.

 

Over to you guys...

 

You wont go far wrong with a drennan super tench for close range float work or a pair or drennan super specialists or super specialist duos for close to medium range ledgering (floater fishing, freeling, float work, lure work) - outstanding rods if you can get them.

[Anderoo]

Rods I wouldn't be without for the gravel pits are the 1.75lb tc Drennan Tench & Bream. If you're looking for something that casts very accurately up to about 65 yards and is very nice to play fish with, I would check them out. They also make excellent zander bait fishing rods (I've used mine for this in the fens).

 

A bit too pokey for the margins probably, I would then drop down to a 1.5lb tc barbel or Avon rod. If you can find some 2nd hand Fox Barbel Special rods on ebay, snap them up... amazing rods and not expensive.

[Steve Walker]

I don't think I have many rods which are surplus to requirements.

 

(If my wife is reading this, they are all absolutely indispensible, dear)

 

I guess the ones that I would replace with the exact same models if something happened to them are:

 

My Drennan Tench & Bream rods

My Drennan specialist Avon/quiver rod

My Sonik 3/4 wt SK3 and 6/7wt SK4 fly rods

My Sonik SK4 spinning rod

 

My match rod is an old Browning thing, perfectly adequate but so mediocre that I keep thinking about replacing it just to have a really nice float rod. But it's not so bad that it needs replacing, so I never get round to it.

[RUDD]

I don't think I have many rods which are surplus to requirements.

 

(If my wife is reading this, they are all absolutely indispensible, dear)

 

I guess the ones that I would replace with the exact same models if something happened to them are:

 

My Drennan Tench & Bream rods

My Drennan specialist Avon/quiver rod

My Sonik 3/4 wt SK3 and 6/7wt SK4 fly rods

My Sonik SK4 spinning rod

 

My match rod is an old Browning thing, perfectly adequate but so mediocre that I keep thinking about replacing it just to have a really nice float rod. But it's not so bad that it needs replacing, so I never get round to it.

 

Why are Drennan rods so hard to come by 2nd hand - because they are so well designed and built - anyone I know who own them will not part with them.

Match rods - I owned a pair of Map Parabolix Dave Harrel special editions - the Waggler and the power waggler versions, when another Waggler was offered by a friend at a stupid low price I snapped it up just incase

[Steve Walker]

Not just the rods, though, I don't think I've ever bought anything with Peter Drennan's name on it that wasn't well designed and well made.

[wotnobivvy]

Not just the rods, though, I don't think I've ever bought anything with Peter Drennan's name on it that wasn't well designed and well made.

 

 

I'll second that. My Drennan Specimen rod bag is still going strong after more than 25 years :)

[Anderoo]

Not just the rods, though, I don't think I've ever bought anything with Peter Drennan's name on it that wasn't well designed and well made.

 

I've been doing my best to think of a crap Drennan product - I think you've got me Steve!

 

I'm also a big fan of Fox rods, although they have an annoying habit of making a great rod for a very short time and then discontinuing it, meaning you have to find good second hand ones, if you can... I reckon, if pushed, I could do all my fishing with my Fox barbel special rod, they are that versatile.

 

They do occasionally come up on ebay.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Fox-Barbel-...=item20cd691b65

[robtherake]

I've been doing my best to think of a crap Drennan product - I think you've got me Steve!

 

I'm also a big fan of Fox rods, although they have an annoying habit of making a great rod for a very short time and then discontinuing it, meaning you have to find good second hand ones, if you can... I reckon, if pushed, I could do all my fishing with my Fox barbel special rod, they are that versatile.

 

They do occasionally come up on ebay.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Fox-Barbel-...=item20cd691b65

 

I love Fox rods, me; a pair of Avon Duos does the biz almost everywhere . Add in a Kevlar barbel tri-tip and Maver Reactorlite float rod and that almost covers it all. The other 15 rods are more or less superfluous - just don't tell the wife

Edited November 24, 2012 by robtherake

[Rusty]

Think I’ve got most situations covered now with rods and would probably just replace any of the following with the same if I broke one;

 

Harrison GTI 15’ for trotting work. A great all round float rod for the rivers but if I was spending a day float fishing stillwater for silvers I’d choose my Drennan DRX II 14’ float rod, it’s lighter and just feels nicer for that sort of work (I hardly ever fish that way though)

 

For static bait fishing on the Kennet I use a Drennan Super Specialist 1¼ TC Avon rod but the surprise of the bunch is my Sonik SK3 Twin tip in 1¾ TC. Steve put me on to this brand when we were fishing the Thames last year, I wanted something with a bit more beef than the Drennan but didn’t want to go too mad. At £50 it’s brilliant value, not as nicely finished as the Drennan but it performs very well.