New rod and reel

[tiddlertamer]

I'm new to angling.

I enjoy float fishing on rivers.

I'm using a borrowed fibre glass legering quiver tip rod and mitchell reel.

However, I want to get something new.

 

What are the best gerneral purpose rods and reels on the market at the moment?

 

What are the best specialist trotting rod and reels?

 

Should I get a fixed spool reel or centrepin?

 

I don't focus on any particular fish. It would just be great to catch soemthing regularly!

I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money but neither do i want something cheap. I want something I'd be proud of, which works well and feels great.

[dapper64]

Hi there ,If you go to your local tackle shop and tell them the type of fishing you enjoy and the price range you are wanting to spend they will usually be very happy to help.

[richjones]

have a look at the john wilson avon quiver rod as its one of the best selling ever and very versatile for lots of types of fishing

 

reel wise, i have never had any problems with shimano match reels. i use an exage and its had a fair amount of rain and mud on it, but its spinning as smoothly as it did on day 1.

 

i would love a centrepin but i am yet to have had the experience so you need advice off someone else about those!

[Chubstar]

You didn't mention the size of the river you fish as this could have a big bearing on your choice, which river is it, and given a choice, what would you trot for?

[rarepleasures]

I'm new to angling.

I enjoy float fishing on rivers.

I'm using a borrowed fibre glass legering quiver tip rod and mitchell reel.

However, I want to get something new.

 

What are the best gerneral purpose rods and reels on the market at the moment?

 

What are the best specialist trotting rod and reels?

 

Should I get a fixed spool reel or centrepin?

 

I don't focus on any particular fish. It would just be great to catch soemthing regularly!

I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money but neither do i want something cheap. I want something I'd be proud of, which works well and feels great.

 

I think we need a FAQ section as this question comes up again and again. Use the search to find all the answers we've given previously.

 

When asking for advice on what tackle to buy provides as much information as you can : what kind of fishing you like, what species you intend targeting, what part of the country you live in, it all helps us help you.

 

Following these threads in the past it seems the Grauvell 1lb 2oz is a good choice, (it was mine), the John Wilson is too but 'the best selling' part being down to the signature on the rod rather than some marked superiority over 3 or 4 rods in the same price range.

 

If you're a beginner - I'd go for a decent match reel, (small spools) - Okumas get recommended a lot. For a beginner wanting to try out a centrepin I'd go for the Shakespeare Lincoln. You can sometimes pick one up from Ebay for £15. You'll get to learn the difference between how a centrepin and a fix spool reel and as it rotates 90 you wouldn't have to learn how to cast Wallis syle to use it straight away. If you can pick one up for £15 you're getting a reasonable quality reel for a great price and a usefull spare if you decide to go all out and get an Okuma.

 

If you're on a budget you can get probably put together a decent starter kit for £60 and then upgrade over the years if the interest is still there.

[tiddlertamer]

You didn't mention the size of the river you fish as this could have a big bearing on your choice, which river is it, and given a choice, what would you trot for?

 

I fish rivers not too far from London – the Rivers Lee, Roding, Wey, Kennet and the Ouse in Sussex are the only rivers I have fished so far.

Given the choice, I'd be happy catching anything! (Believe me: I know how to blank…) Realistically, though, I love catching Roach. Perch too.

I'm sure that chub would also be great.

Barbel are just a dream and I imagine it will be a few years before I target them though...

 

So in conclusion, roach plus perch. Long trotting out in the countryside somewhere on a river that isn't too huge. I think the Thames, especially downstream stretches, would be a bit daunting for me.

 

I’m happy to spend up to £300/400 maximum but that is for both the rod and reel.

I love the idea that people still use split cane rods but, within my price range, I suspect a modern carbon fibre rod would be better.

I’d also love a centre pin but as a beginner, I have enough problems casting and with tangles with my Mitchell fixed spool reel.

 

I know a shop could provide advice but I’ve yet to build up a really trusting relationship with any particular salesman/shop owner. Views from users here would be really appreciated if you have bought something that really was very good.

[rarepleasures]

I’m happy to spend up to £300/400 maximum but that is for both the rod and reel.

 

I'm not sure I'd spend that much on a combo even if I had it.

Is a £200 rod a £140 better than my Grauvell ? Anyone with deep pockets know. ?

Certainly the Grauvell was better than the £20 Leeda I was using before, but for £140 more I'd expect a rod that could could magic.

I know Carpers spend a fortune on gear but £300/400, whew.

I certainly have a couple of hundred quids worth of rods bought for for their different actions, but nothing individual over £70.

 

The largest value purchase I'm making this year is on some Sundridge warm and waterproof clothing Steve Burke recommended.

If you have that kind of money to spend it's probably wise to spread it out into some extra gear like that.

 

I love the idea that people still use split cane rods but, within my price range, I suspect a modern carbon fibre rod would be better.

I’d also love a centre pin but as a beginner, I have enough problems casting and with tangles with my Mitchell fixed spool reel.

 

I'd still go for the Lincoln it takes practice to get used to handling a centrepin, the free running spool, breaking with your thumb etc

[Guest tigger]

I fish rivers not too far from London – the Rivers Lee, Roding, Wey, Kennet and the Ouse in Sussex are the only rivers I have fished so far.

Given the choice, I'd be happy catching anything! (Believe me: I know how to blank…) Realistically, though, I love catching Roach. Perch too.

I'm sure that chub would also be great.

Barbel are just a dream and I imagine it will be a few years before I target them though...

 

So in conclusion, roach plus perch. Long trotting out in the countryside somewhere on a river that isn't too huge. I think the Thames, especially downstream stretches, would be a bit daunting for me.

 

I’m happy to spend up to £300/400 maximum but that is for both the rod and reel.

I love the idea that people still use split cane rods but, within my price range, I suspect a modern carbon fibre rod would be better.

I’d also love a centre pin but as a beginner, I have enough problems casting and with tangles with my Mitchell fixed spool reel.

 

I know a shop could provide advice but I’ve yet to build up a really trusting relationship with any particular salesman/shop owner. Views from users here would be really appreciated if you have bought something that really was very good.

 

 

 

My friend dropped me two rods off today wich he want's me to put on ebay.

One of them would be perfect for all your work with a match rod from carp to long trotting for dace. The rod I'm talking about is a 13 to 15 ft Normark Avenger 3000 and really is a absolute corker and is as new. He used it a few weeks back trotting for Grayling combined with an Okuma Sheffield and like the rest of us had 100 plus fish including quite a few around the 3lb mark. I wish I had the cash to buy it.