Float rod advice

[Piperspruce]

Hello chaps and chapesses I've been inspired to post this by the 'is float fishing a dying art' thread. I'm certainly no expert with a float, but seeing as most of my angling is done on lakes with one,and having had a little windfall, I have been thinking of upgrading my Shimano Hyperloop match rod.

 

I dropped out of fishing for a while so its been quite some time since I bought a rod, and on having a quick look lots of rods seem to be all 'carp pellet' this and 'yank and bank' that, which don't seem to offer what I'm after.

 

I don't often fish commercial type places, and the club lake I fish offers a real mixed bag. So with a budget of £75-£100 I'm looking for something which will last me a good few years and will suit fishing for crucians and smaller fish, but capable of comfortably handling any larger tench or carp that comes along.

 

I was looking at the drennan series 7 rods and also seen (only online, not in the flesh) a Shimano Purist allround float rod so if anyone has any thoughts on these, or any other suggestions then I would love to hear them.

 

Thanks

 

Sprucey

[robtherake]

A used Maver Reactorlite No 1 match or Preston Innovations Carbonactive would be my choice. Both have a sensitive enough tip for silver bashing but have a progressive anti-lock action easily capable of subduing an animal, should you encounter one. Current price on Ebay; £50-70.

[Matthew Simmons]

The Drennan series 7s are nice - I have one - the Mavers and PIs are good rods - I would avoid anything with a tip action. The Drennan Matchpros are superb and occasionally come up on ebay at the top end of your budget. M

[Dales]

I would have thought your Shimano Hyperloop Match would be well capable of the fishing you intend to do.

[RUDD]

Lathams:

Shaky mach3 xt 13ft match - 84.99

Map matchtek 13ft 89.99

Maver reactorlite 12ft 129.99

 

But you may be in luck - strangly I have a mate who used to live at 332 (I think) - now lives down Mill lane.

He has a Map Matchtek 13-15ft (has a dolley to extend) waggler going for £40.00 - dont think its had much use.

With saving you could strap on a nice reel.

PM if interested

[Piperspruce]

I would have thought your Shimano Hyperloop Match would be well capable of the fishing you intend to do.

You know, there isn't anything wrong with the hyperloop at all. Maybe I'm just being frivolous. Thanks for your advice all, got plenty to consider now, Ill check out some of the rods suggested, but maybe I'll possibly invest the money in some other area of my tackle instead.

[Mat Hillman]

buy yourself an okuma centrepin to go with the hyperloop, - nothing beats the fun of playing a good fish on float gear and a 'pin

 

I have the drennan series 7 tench and specimen rod, it's a great float rod, the tip is soft enough to go down to around 3lb line for silvers and crucians, and it has enough power when needed to play tench and smaller carp as well. paired with a centrepin it's probably the most used rod in my bag.

 

Mat

[Dave H]

So let's get techno here.

What is the difference between a £50 rod and a £250 float rod. Let's say you have a 10lb carp on the end of the line (quite a standard fish nowadays in many fisheries).

Do you really have a better chance on a £250 to justify paying a whopping 5X more of your hard earned money. What technology is better in that rod to pay 5X as much?

Do you have a 500% more chance of landing that fish being that all other things are equal.

 

Where do you pay that extra 500%?. Build quality i am sure. so now we are down to the action of the rod.

 

come on you techo's

[robtherake]

Both the rods I've mentioned are capable of lifting a 1kg deadweight straight off the floor; try that with most rods and it's curtains. Not that anyone is going to lift out a 2lb fish to prove the point, but for a float rod they can exert an awesome amount of power without sacrificing the sensitivity necessary for fun with smaller quarry.

 

Despite their price tag a used example in mint nick can be had for less than the RRP of a cheap rod.. Simples.

[Phone]

Dave H,

 

Depends on who's watching.

 

In fairness, I also contend that yes indeed, casters that reach a certain skill level can definitely feel the difference between a low-end rod and a high-end rod, just like an experienced guitarist can hear the tones and feel the actions that make a Martin or Taylor something special. I only know - - - maybe half a dozen such anglers and they are generally reel and line experts as well. They can "feel" the combination. I don't think I ever could - certainly can't now.

 

I now find I've used inexpensive fiberglass for so long I actually prefer the cheaper rod for "catching fish" my way.

 

I confess, I used to fish Fenwick almost exclusively for the label (and the vest). Now I fish UglyStik for the fun.

 

Phone