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Drennan Specialist Tench and Bream rods


Anderoo

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I actually think barbel rods are poorly suited to gravel pit fishing. The tips are too soft and the middle too stiff! I've also destroyed a barbel rod casting a heavy load a long way! I think that because the middle of these rods are so stiff it creates massive strain around the spigot that wouldn't occur with an old school carp rod or a non barbel rod, thus leading to a broken rod.

 

Rich

 

I think thats why the cheaper "barbel" rods are better than the more expensive ones Richard! Well for use on the pits that is.Being so much cheaper they are more like the old 1 3/4lb carp rod and dont have the stiffer middle section you mention.

And thats my "non indicative opinion"!

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Anderoo, Once I started looking into this I got a bit interested as I feel that I could have a use in future for this type of rod.

I have done a detailed pricing based on a Harrison interceptor 1lb 12oz blank and using the components that i would use for a rod for myself, good quality but not the most expensive. Total cost of the bits from Guides and Blanks inc postage but not including whipping thread, glues and epoxy (I already have loads of these) is £130.00.

Seeing that Dave Lumb does a finished rod on this blank for around £140.00 self build may not be first choice, unless of course, you want it customised to your own requirement. The other factor to consider with custom rods is that you don't get the so called "lifetime guarantee" that you are offered with some off the shelf products.

I think that I am going to go ahead with this project and build on the Interceptor blank so if you are interested, once it is finished I could post it down to you so that you could see one and try it out before deciding whether to go for a wonderful custom or a mundane off the shelf.

Cheers

Dave

Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be.

 

 

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity

 

 

 

http://www.safetypublishing.co.uk/
http://www.safetypublishing.ie/

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I think that I am going to go ahead with this project and build on the Interceptor blank so if you are interested, once it is finished I could post it down to you so that you could see one and try it out before deciding whether to go for a wonderful custom or a mundane off the shelf.

Cheers

Dave

 

 

I've looked at many custom made rods and some have been very nice but some of the best rods ever made have been off the shelf. I have some off the shelf rods which are far superior to any custom made rod I've come across so I think it's the wrong thing to think by buyiing one your getting a superior bit of kit. Ok if there's nothing on the shelves fitting the bill for you then it's maybe the road to go down.

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I've looked at many custom made rods and some have been very nice but some of the best rods ever made have been off the shelf. I have some off the shelf rods which are far superior to any custom made rod I've come across so I think it's the wrong thing to think by buyiing one your getting a superior bit of kit. Ok if there's nothing on the shelves fitting the bill for you then it's maybe the road to go down.

 

I agree tigger, there has never been such a choice of good quality rods and reels available at such good prices. It probably doesn't make much sense to buy a custom rod unless you just want the kudos of knowing that what you have is unique and no-one else has one just like it.

 

The rods that Dave Lumb is selling for £140.00 are not custom builds but top quality off the shelf items, although he will build you a full custom if that's what you want.

What interests me is not having someone build me a rod, but building one myself. I enjoy the process of the build and I enjoy fishing and catching with the finished product. It gives me tremendous satisfaction and adds a great amount to my enjoyment of a days fishing.

With a custom or self build rod you get to choose the components to suit your requirements, a mass produced rod has to be a compromise in some respects. Would I pay several hundred pounds for a mass produced rod? - not a chance :)

Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be.

 

 

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity

 

 

 

http://www.safetypublishing.co.uk/
http://www.safetypublishing.ie/

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Thanks for everyone's input. I keep coming back to those Wychwoods, so I think what I'm going to do is have a look at them in real life tomorrow and if they look and feel right, get a pair. They're half the price of the Drennans, and if they end up not being quite right I won't have lost a fortune. However, several people have sung their praises, so hopefully they'll be a good buy.

 

I may still go down the custom route (with a bit of help!) in the future, I do like that idea.

And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music

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When I first started building rods (late 70's) it was done for two main reasons,firstly because specialist rods were simply not that available off the peg and secondly it was a darn site cheaper!

 

These days neither of those reasons are true.I cant buy a set of rings at the same price that some perfectly useable rods sell at! and thats even getting them at trade.

 

In all fairness as well a lot (if not the greater majority) of todays "custom built" rods are not really that "custom built" just a choice of rings/fittings and whipping colours!

 

But what you do get (as well as the obvious things such as choice of components etc) is a rod correctly built...well from a good builder anyway. The most important things for me are spline alignment and correct ring spacing.This is normally totally wrong in most "off the peg rods" regardless of the quality of the company and also sadly missed by many so called custom builders or maybe we should use the term "rod wrappers" as the Yanks say.

 

Dont believe me then the next time your in a tyackle shop test a few of the rods and see.

 

Build your own may not be the cheap option anymore but you still get exactly what you want.

 

I used those new Wychwood !/34lb rods of mine this weekend. Didnt rate the ring size selection,one was far enough of the spline to see but you couldnt really feel it.BUT all three were perfectly useable and cost less than just 1 blank of my previous bream rods.I keep saying it but there has never been a better time in my lifetime to buy good tackle at a low price.

 

I've looked at many custom made rods and some have been very nice but some of the best rods ever made have been off the shelf.

 

But what do you think determines "best" Tigger?

And thats my "non indicative opinion"!

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When I first started building rods (late 70's) it was done for two main reasons,firstly because specialist rods were simply not that available off the peg and secondly it was a darn site cheaper!

 

These days neither of those reasons are true.I cant buy a set of rings at the same price that some perfectly useable rods sell at! and thats even getting them at trade.

 

In all fairness as well a lot (if not the greater majority) of todays "custom built" rods are not really that "custom built" just a choice of rings/fittings and whipping colours!

 

But what you do get (as well as the obvious things such as choice of components etc) is a rod correctly built...well from a good builder anyway. The most important things for me are spline alignment and correct ring spacing.This is normally totally wrong in most "off the peg rods" regardless of the quality of the company and also sadly missed by many so called custom builders or maybe we should use the term "rod wrappers" as the Yanks say.

 

Dont believe me then the next time your in a tyackle shop test a few of the rods and see.

 

Build your own may not be the cheap option anymore but you still get exactly what you want.

 

I used those new Wychwood !/34lb rods of mine this weekend. Didnt rate the ring size selection,one was far enough of the spline to see but you couldnt really feel it.BUT all three were perfectly useable and cost less than just 1 blank of my previous bream rods.I keep saying it but there has never been a better time in my lifetime to buy good tackle at a low price.

 

 

 

But what do you think determines "best" Tigger?

 

I thought that would be pretty obvious Budgie, quality of the carbon the action of the rod, the quality of the rings and the overall feel of the rod. At the end of the day as soon as you pick something up you can tell if it suites and some of the off the shelf rods feel as good and are made of equally as good materials. But saying that they do tend to be as expensive or more expensive than a custom made rod.

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I thought that would be pretty obvious Budgie, quality of the carbon the action of the rod, the quality of the rings and the overall feel of the rod. At the end of the day as soon as you pick something up you can tell if it suites and some of the off the shelf rods feel as good and are made of equally as good materials. But saying that they do tend to be as expensive or more expensive than a custom made rod.

 

 

So how do you know what quality the carbon is? Very much at the mercy of what the label,brochure or tackle dealer tells you really?Whats the difference (practical application wise) between all the "different" materials? Ive been in the game for years and dont really know.

 

What I do know though is that most rods be they "off the peg" or "custom" arnt built properly when it comes to spline alignment and if they cant get such a simple yet important thing right why should I believe all their other bumph?

 

I think there is a BIG difference between "best built" and "best finnished" the latter being what most anglers base their judgement on if we are honest.

 

I would never pass a definate judgement on any rod untill I had actually used it for some time either as no amount of flexing and bending in a shop tells you squat.

And thats my "non indicative opinion"!

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So how do you know what quality the carbon is? Very much at the mercy of what the label,brochure or tackle dealer tells you really?Whats the difference (practical application wise) between all the "different" materials? Ive been in the game for years and dont really know.

 

What I do know though is that most rods be they "off the peg" or "custom" arnt built properly when it comes to spline alignment and if they cant get such a simple yet important thing right why should I believe all their other bumph?

 

I think there is a BIG difference between "best built" and "best finnished" the latter being what most anglers base their judgement on if we are honest.

 

I would never pass a definate judgement on any rod untill I had actually used it for some time either as no amount of flexing and bending in a shop tells you squat.

 

 

 

 

As you say you don't know what quality the carbon is unless you have the materials tested / analised to prove they're what there supposed to be but then again isn't that the case with most things.

Regarding the quality of a blank I've been led to belive the better quality wrap the thinner and lighter the blank so if it's a match rod for e.g. it enables you to strike quicker with less effort as the rod cuts through the air with little drag. If you look at the Team Normark range of rod the quality of the rods scream out as soon as you pick it up. The blanks are amazingly thin and stiff the eyes are the very strong and light fuji Titanium and the rods weigh bugger all enableing you to hold one for long periods of time with little effort and the overall finnish of the rods even after years of use is sound. At the end of the day you can use a broom handle for a rod but it won't be as enjoyable to use.

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