Drennan Specialist Tench and Bream rods

[lutra]

Even Steve Burke (ex-rod designer who knows his stuff) was impressed with these. They're not just re-badged carp or barbel rods, they're designed for exactly that type of fishing - I wouldn't swap mine for anything!

For playing good fish on 8-10lb hook lengths I wouldn't look any further than a Grey's with its through action. Yes a Drennan might cast 5 yards more, but for long range fishing on a big wild bream water using alarms just give me a carp rod.

Edited June 18, 2009 by lutra

[Rob Ward]

They're badged for Bream and Tench fishing but they look very much like Carp Rods to me.

 

It's just a 2lb test curve blank rung like a Carp rod.

 

I doubt that much design went into them but they do look perfect for the job. I've got the Greys rods, they're lovely but with hindsight I'd much rather have them rung like the Drennans are.

[Steve Walker]

I don't know about the 2lb test curve rod, like Anderoo I chose the 1.75lb TC, but carp blank or otherwise I would say that they are superbly suited to the purpose they are marketed for. They cast well without being pokers, and they have a really nice blend of power in the butt and cushioning in the tip.

[Anderoo]

Yes, they are essentially light carp rods - but try buying a 1.75lb tc, or even 2lb tc, carp rod these days. You can't get them. You can get heavy barbel rods, but they are ringed wrong and won't put up with a hard cast of a heavy lead and PVA bag.

 

It's not so much the distance they can cast that's the appeal to me, but the accuracy of the casting. I've fished better this year simply because I can put a bait exactly where I want it up to 65-70 yards (mine are the 1.75lb tc ones btw) in a head wind or cross wind, and I am not a particularly good caster. They are lovely fish-playing rods too, I've had big tench under the rod tip that I've decided not to give any line to, and the rod just keeps bending and soaking up the runs.

 

Having said that, I haven't used the Greys, so I can't compare the two.

 

Maybe one day I'll be able to tell you what they're like with a bream on

 

By the way Rob, they have been designed from scratch for this kind of gravel pit work.

[Kappa]

Yes, they are essentially light carp rods - but try buying a 1.75lb tc, or even 2lb tc, carp rod these days. You can't get them. You can get heavy barbel rods, but they are ringed wrong and won't put up with a hard cast of a heavy lead and PVA bag.

 

Its true, the lighter carp rods are soft and not any good for casting, the barbel rod rings are next to useless. I smashed a 1.75TC barbel rod last year, I feel I could cast almost anything with the drennan rod, you can punch it as hard as you like and it copes.

 

I have the 2lb versions as I already have some good rods for shorter range. I've no idea how but they are stiff and powerful when you want to cast but light and responsive when you are playing fish. They don't lock up like a barbel rods does.

 

Its funny actually that suddenly all rods are either barbel or carp and there isn't much left in the middle!

 

Rich

[Rob Ward]

I'd be interested to know how much design in the true essence of the word went into them Andrew although I don't doubt they're very good tools for the job they're marketed for, They've certainly got the ringing right.

 

There are still 1.75lb Carp Rods available - Century have a 1.75lb model in their new Armalite range for example and I know both Diawa and Shimano produce specimen rods in 2,25lb test curves.

 

The Greys are lovely rods but I think if I start fishing at longer range at Wingham I'll have to dispense with the Method feeders. They're Ideal for short to medium range work though

[lutra]

I'd be interested to know how much design in the true essence of the word went into them Andrew although I don't doubt they're very good tools for the job they're marketed for, They've certainly got the ringing right.

 

There are still 1.75lb Carp Rods available - Century have a 1.75lb model in their new Armalite range for example and I know both Diawa and Shimano produce specimen rods in 2,25lb test curves.

 

The Greys are lovely rods but I think if I start fishing at longer range at Wingham I'll have to dispense with the Method feeders. They're Ideal for short to medium range work though

I would be a little cautious of using a heavy carp rod for a lot of species that might fight under the rod tip, but bream aren't one of them.

The saying "Wet lettuce" springs to mind.

 

I'm not the best caster in the world, but even i can and do cast a method feeder over 100yrds into the wind for bream with a 2.75 carp rod.

[Steve Walker]

Don't put yourself down - measured over grass, I can only get 120-130 yards with a beachcaster and 6oz of lead, I'd say that 100+ into the wind with baited carp gear makes you a pretty good caster!

[lutra]

Don't put yourself down - measured over grass, I can only get 120-130 yards with a beachcaster and 6oz of lead, I'd say that 100+ into the wind with baited carp gear makes you a pretty good caster!

Not trying to put myself up or down Steve. Just making the case if its distance you want bream fishing, you might as well use a heavier rod. After all you wouldn't try to beach cast with a 1.75/2lb tc rod.