Trotting rod recommendations

[Aaron1976]

Hi,

I'm currently fishing the Blackwater river in Hampshire and having lots of fun catching chub, but I'd be interested to hear what you would recommend as a good trotting/river float rod.

 

I currently use a 13ft Drennan float rod (DRX model), I've found this to be nice and light, it performs really well, however I do know that both Daiwa and Drennan released a 'stickfloat' rod some time ago (which I think are both discontinued).

 

What do you currently use, or would recommend to somebody thinking of getting another float rod? The only other rod I have at hand is a Drennan Puddle Chucker - not tried it yet but it looks alright.

 

Regards

 

Aaron

[Brian Carragher]

For stickfloat fishing and all round general trotting I prefer a spliced tip rod. They seem to be out of favour slightly now in preference to the new generation hollow tips but I would'nt swap mine for a hollow tipped rod.

[dogstick]

Been looking for a similar rod myself,something a little longer than the rod i`m using now.(13` diawa) the 13 to 14` Normark range have caught my eye just not sure which model to get.I think from heaviest to lightest they are Avenger,Titan and Microlite.

Anyone using these rods a honest opinion would be helpfull.I know the RRP is £399 but ive seen them for little over £200

 

DS

[Ducktape Corkfeet]

Any of the light, "Fast Action" float rods will fit the bill.

[Brian Carragher]

Tacklebargains are doing the Normarks for about half normal price, theres a link on here somewhere, they're called slight seconds but the only thing wrong with them is the transfer decals are a bit wonky, the rods themselves are A1

[Chris Plumb]

I'd highly recommend this...

 

http://tinyurl.com/zntwy

 

 

OOps - doesn't seem towork atm - anyways it was a link to an old review of the Harrison Gti Float rod. I've used one for around 7 years - wouldn't be without it (I got the hollow tipped version!)

 

 

C.

 

ps link is working now!

Edited September 13, 2006 by Chris Plumb

[Tony U]

West Midland Angling Centre are knocking out the Normark Titan II @ £199 it's simply the best all round float rod you can buy.

 

 

Tony

[Guest tigger]

Been looking for a similar rod myself,something a little longer than the rod i`m using now.(13` diawa) the 13 to 14` Normark range have caught my eye just not sure which model to get.I think from heaviest to lightest they are Avenger,Titan and Microlite.

Anyone using these rods a honest opinion would be helpfull.I know the RRP is £399 but ive seen them for little over £200

 

DS

 

 

I use a Drennan series 7 float rod and a Normark Microlite for trotting. The Normark Microlite is the lightest in the Normark range and excellent to hold all day when you're trotting a float down a river but saying that the Drennan is a corker and for the difference in price I would opt for the Drennan.

[dogstick]

How about the Drennan Floatmaster,13`-15` anyone? Are the dual length rods any good or do they have a weakness? Or would a rod made to be 15` better?

[Moodyboy]

I have always fished with a 13ft float rod, or even a 12ft avon rod on the river, and yet I read time and time again about the need for 15ft or even 17ft rods.

 

Can someone outline the benefitsof a longer rod - I often struggle with trees and undergrowth with a 12ft rod how on earth do you manage with something the length of a margin pole?

 

 

I have seen long rods being used on bigger rivers, from what I could see the length allows you to trot and stay in control further out and have your set up deeper than with a 12 or 13 foot rod.

 

I imagine you would get better pick up on bites as well because it would be easier to avoid line bow etc.

 

 

I think "canal" rods are even longer, although that may be my imagination!!! Is there such a thing?

Edited September 15, 2006 by Moodyboy