Tench/ Float Rods?

[Tigger]

Any decent float rod will be good for tench. I've had several of the drennan tench float rods and my favourite is the older drennan version...the super tench. You can pick them up on evilbay although you will need to wait till one pops up.

The favourite for me it would be a normark avenger .

It's all down to what you want to pay.

Edited March 29, 2013 by Tigger

[Vagabond]

I assume this means fair-sized tench, lets say from 4 lb upwards.

 

Just for fun, I went over my fishing log, and found that I had caught tench from 4 lb up to 8 lb 12 oz (my PB) on SIXTEEN of my rods

 

7 of those rods are split-bamboo of the Mk 4 family, various test curves

 

2 are split-bamboo match-type rods (the PB came on one of those)

 

4 are hollow glass leger rods

 

2 are carbon fibre match rods

 

1 is made of mountain ash, (yggdrasil) - made by an 11-y-o under my supervision (it has had lots of tench to 5 lb 6 oz)

 

all of these rods are at least 20 years old (except the mountain ash, made in 1999) - can't remember when I last bought or made a freshwater rod before that.

 

However, I can't answer your question, as I have little knowledge of what is in fashion at present.

 

For myself, I think "any old rod (within reason) will do - which one haven't I used for a while ?"

 

I am reminded of a story (possibly apocryphal, but consistent with the chap concerned) of Christie O'Connor Senior, Irish golfer, who played a shot from fairway to green. " What iron did you use ?" asked his assistant pro (they were playing a practice round)

 

"Four " said Christie

"Oh" said this smart young assistant " I could have reached from here with a six"

 

Christie said nothing, but emptied a load of golf balls out of his bag, and then proceeded to hit each ball to the green, using each and all of the clubs in his bag, including, driver, putter and sand wedge.

Edited March 30, 2013 by Vagabond

[robtherake]

I like my 12ft Fox Avon Duos (nominally 1lb tc) for float-fishing when tench are the quarry. They have a nice through action, with enough steel in the butt for when you need to apply the brakes. They're not part of the current range, but they do pop up from time to time on that jolly old auction site (although not that often, which is probably a measure of their worth). I know it shouldn't matter, but they also have a lovely 2-tone finish that really looks the part. For your money, you also get a decent quivertip section with 4 push-in quivers.

[Steve Walker]

The Drennan tench & bream rods come in more than one test curve, for distance or closer fishing. The lighter one might be what you want. They aren't particularly rung for float fishing, though. I use my specialist duo for tench float fishing.

Edited March 30, 2013 by Steve Walker

[Worms]

Alcock's Wizard and Super Wizard....or, if you can afford it the Ogden Smith's Arun....one on e-bay now!

[philocalist]

I'd take a serious look at the range of rods on offer from JW Youngs - yep the 'centrepin' people:-) - it's worth noting that you can get hold of a fair few models that are not currently listed on their site.

Finish on these rods is superb - I've got several of them and each one has a different, but very satisfying action. They do a 'Tench' model rated for lines up to 8lbs (of which I have no experience), and based on the ones I have, I've little doubt it will be a very nice rod indeed. The Stepped-up Specimen Float is a little heavier, rated up to 12lb lines, but personally, I'd ignore the label and try to locate one of their 'Ray Walton' rods, (model 10546) which is a 2 piece, 11' 6" rod rated with a TC of 1.6lbs ... it's got a brilliant through-action, and masses of power available too - remember, it was designed to handle narked barbel in running water!

I've no idea at all what the recommended retail is on these rods now, but if you look around, most models are available for around £50 which makes them a steal - and if you DO get tempted by a 'Ray Walton', drop me a PM - I may be able to put you in touch with someone who was trying to sell one just a few days ago - not someone I know well, but apparently the rod is virtually unused and he's looking for the princely sum of just £30, plus £9 for a courier!

[Dave H]

I'd take a serious look at the range of rods on offer from JW Youngs - yep the 'centrepin' people:-) - it's worth noting that you can get hold of a fair few models that are not currently listed on their site.

Finish on these rods is superb - I've got several of them and each one has a different, but very satisfying action. They do a 'Tench' model rated for lines up to 8lbs (of which I have no experience), and based on the ones I have, I've little doubt it will be a very nice rod indeed. The Stepped-up Specimen Float is a little heavier, rated up to 12lb lines, but personally, I'd ignore the label and try to locate one of their 'Ray Walton' rods, (model 10546) which is a 2 piece, 11' 6" rod rated with a TC of 1.6lbs ... it's got a brilliant through-action, and masses of power available too - remember, it was designed to handle narked barbel in running water!

I've no idea at all what the recommended retail is on these rods now, but if you look around, most models are available for around £50 which makes them a steal - and if you DO get tempted by a 'Ray Walton', drop me a PM - I may be able to put you in touch with someone who was trying to sell one just a few days ago - not someone I know well, but apparently the rod is virtually unused and he's looking for the princely sum of just £30, plus £9 for a courier!

I have had a few centrepin reels off them over the years and if the rods are of the same quality then they are worth a look. I have seen a new one for £60. Thanks for all the recommendations so far.

I don't think i have bought a float rod since i was about 14 in glass...LOL...Lasted a few years though

[Anderoo]

The drennan tench & bream rods are out and out leger rods, I really like mine but would not recommend them for float fishing.

 

For legering for tench I use rods of 1.5-1.75lb tc, usually fishing little bolt rigs with pva bags or decent sized feeders. I wouldn't go above 1.5lb tc for float fishing, and in fact usually drop down to a 1.25lb tc Avon rod.

 

The power float rods like lutra mentioned would probably be better though, as they'll be designed as proper float rods, just with a bit more oomph.

[Steve Burke]

For float fishing at Wingham you'll often need to use a slider because of the depth, Dave. So make sure that your rod has big enough rings; many float rods (including specimen ones) have rings that are too small for my liking when using heavy main lines with sliding float stop knots. The alternative is to get an extra long float rod, although I still prefer the versatility of a shorter rod.

 

As for power I'm with Anderoo. I use my Fledgers for float fishing for tench, either with the 1lb 2 oz or 1lb 6 oz top.

[Tigger]

I'd be more inclined to look at line ratings rather than test curves when looking for a float rod. A rod rated for 6lb to 8lb mainlines should cope with the largest of tench no problem. Using heavy rods for float fishing doesn't feel right to me and actually spoils the fun...for me personally.