• You need to be a registered member of Barbel Fishing World to post on these forums. Some of the forums are hidden from non-members. Please refer to the instructions on the ‘Register’ page for details of how to join the new incarnation of BFW...

Drennan Acolyte Specimen Rod

The biggest problem when a bunch of anglers talk about balance is that we all have quite different notions of what "good" or "perfect" balance might be. I can say that in all of the many float rods I've had through my hands, not one has been made to balance at the reel stem. That includes 9/10' rods and the addition of the heaviest reels I can lay my hands on (that you'd reasonably expect to use on a float rod). Even with a reel close to 400g strapped to them, two different 10' float rods (I have to hand) balance about 3" above the reel stem.

For those wishing to experiment with adding butt weights, I'd urge caution. Don't do anything irreversible (flat lead strips wrapped around the butt work well when experimenting) to start with and don't even attempt to try for a reel stem balance point. That goes double for a balance point further down the handle. A balance point too far back results in a rod that feels rather vague and "wafty", for want of a better word. It can also result in a horrible double bounce, which often leads to hooks being bounced out on the strike.
 
Alan Palmer said:
Then once she had a few mention the lacking reel scenario….guarantee you’ll get the nod to buy whatever you want!!
Click to expand...

Preferably a nice centrepin... got to be worth a second bottle of Prosecco.
.
 
These tactics would never work for me, been married too long. She knows all my little tricks and only falls for one when she needs me to agree to something she wants 😂.
It's called "married bliss".
 
Peter Jones said:
@Richard Isaacs - are they better than the Conny XP's??
Click to expand...
You referring to the previous models Z and G? It’s a matter of personal preference really as these were excellent.

On paper yes the acolyte Is almost certainly. Lighter, stronger, faster recovery

The top end connys had way better handles, reel seats and high stand off Fuji guides.

Both brilliant but the conny isn’t an option anymore unless you find one pre owned
 
Simon Tarrant said:
The wife today ordered me a 14ft acolyte specimen ,can anyone suggest an appropriate reel and line ?
Click to expand...
I have mine matched to a Preston Centris 320 or 420 (same reels slightly bigger spool on the 420). NT (old version) has conventional drag; SD (has a speed drag) and a folding handle. I've not had any barbel on the float with them, but numerous chub in the 5-6lb range, and the Centris works really well for me.
 
Richard Isaacs said:
You referring to the previous models Z and G? It’s a matter of personal preference really as these were excellent.

On paper yes the acolyte Is almost certainly. Lighter, stronger, faster recovery

The top end connys had way better handles, reel seats and high stand off Fuji guides.

Both brilliant but the conny isn’t an option anymore unless you find one pre owned
Click to expand...
@Richard Isaacs cheers for this- I've got the most recent conny G xp and spectron m2 xp in 14ft - wondered if it was worth an upgrade!!
 
God, I love float rods. Here are few thoughts on recent rods I've used, it's nice to be able to contribute as I appreciate this forum and the knowledge that's shared. I've been using an Acolyte Speci 15ft since November last year and although I've loved using it, I'd find it hard to recommend as it snapped above the handle. I'd snagged up and tried to dislodge the hook from a few angles as you do, and it broke about 8 inches above the cork. I wasn't pulling for a break (if I did I'd point it straight at it and walk backwards) and I consider it normal use. Thankfully Tackle Addicts chased Drennan and have got me a new one. Although they’d never heard of the problem before, I’ve heard from other sources that it’s not uncommon either.

I'd owned a Mk1 Free Spirit Hi S Power but I didn't get on with it, though well made it felt too top heavy for my tastes and the lovely balance of the Accy Speci made it feel agricultural.

The Drennan proved it’s worth over the winter feeling sporting enough fishing for grayling and chub in fast flows and I had roach to 2lb 6oz on it. I’ve been able to fish all day and it’s felt a pleasure to use. It does struggle with finer hooklengths. With barbel on the Trent it’s inevitably felt more like it’s doing what it’s designed for and I don’t know what I’d choose over it really, if I were to spend my own money today. I only use 15ft+ rods these days so look forward to the Avenger 15ft in due course.

However, in the few weeks I’ve been without it I thought I’d try out the 15ft Tricast John Allerton on a good barbel swim on the Trent and it didn’t disappoint. I’d spent time previously comparing both the Drennan and Allerton side by side, giving them a waggle etc and I have to say both are cracking rods (no pun intended), the balance on both feels right to me. The Allerton has a lot of power in the butt section, perhaps surprisingly more so than the Drennan in the first 4ft of the rod. The Accy Specimen is actually slimmer in the butt section as suspected having measured it (perhaps why it snapped there), yet retains it’s diameter through the next section of the rod before tapering abruptly in the final third which makes it feel ‘tippy’ and progressive. In contrast the Allerton has noticeably less material above the butt section, tapering more gradually throughout the blank to a finer, solid spliced tip, although in contrast to most float rods it would seem a tippy rod.

Yet in use the Allerton tamed two double figure fish and although having a more obvious arc than the Drennan when in the heat of battle and feeling less substantial in the mid section, it felt a bit more predictable when putting them in the old onion bag. The swim I’ve been fishing has depth and pace under my feet so bringing them upstream before turning them into the net below has been tricky and the rod did well. I did lose a bigger fish that decided she was going to do whatever she wanted to do but I don’t think any float rod would have stopped her!

I’ve now got a selection problem, the Accy is obviously a more dedicated specialist rod but the Allerton isn’t just a ’silvers’ rod either.. I don’t know if I could recommend the Accy to someone who is going to part with their own money because of the issue, but I really enjoy using it. I know some on here have said they don’t like the Allerton, the action, the reel seat etc, but if there is one rod to rule them all - this is it for me, at least for now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top