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Advice needed for custom power float rod

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Etienne Harvey

Senior Member & Supporter
Hi people, I'm seeking some advice for a custom power float rod I'm looking to have built for me. Birthday coming up soon so thought I'd treat myself. Barbel are my main quarry but would like it to be still fun to catch other species. I've had a chat with a local rod maker who does lovely work but he has stated that he's never made a float rod. He only uses Harrison blanks also. I've been intouch with Harrison to ask what blanks they have which would fit my needs and I'm waiting to hear back after telling them I'd like a 14 or 15 foot rod. They did say that there are some other blanks available that aren't on their list online. I tend to use big floats 6g -11g and main line up to 10lb. Which guides do people recommend? I'd obviously want single legged high stand off light weight guides. I definitely want a cork handle and I'd like an adjustable position reel seat (like the one on my daiwa spectron, but better looking if possible) so I can balance the rod when using different reels. I'm trying to gather some information now so I can make my decisions for when I get it built so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Etienne
 
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From what harrison blank float rods i've seen/ handled I personally wouldn't be looking at one for a float rod. Going off the high breaking strain lines your looking to be using I think your going to struggle to get a genuine float rod to cope with them. I have a 15ft daiwa tournament BU float rod that I bought earlier this year and it is rated to 10lb line, but after using it with 6lb daiwa sensor which is reputed to be nearer to 8lb breaking strain there's no way I would put 10lb line through it. I reckon possibly 8lb sensor at a push knowing that 8lb sensor is reputed to breaking at nearer to 10lb. So if I put 10lb through it, it would be about 12lb or more actual breaking strain which I think os over the top for the rod.
I have a 14ft speci acolyte and have had lots of barbel whilst using it, but I've never used a 15ft acolyte speci float rod, others on here have and may well pipe up with an opinion of it.
I would suggest it might be worth you checking the speci acolyte rods out before going down the custom rod route as I don't believe the custom rod made on a harrison blank will be as good for float fishing....jmo of course.
Another rod which is definately worth taking a good look at is the preston supera x 14ft power model....a very nice capable float rod for sure.
 
Suggest have a chat with Mark Tunley ( find his details on his website) . I’ve been using one of his MK1 13.5 ft Specialist Float rods for the last 2 seasons on the Wye for Barbel. Superb rod light and comfortable enough to hold all day long. With the backbone to turn big barbel in fast flows. Had loads of fish to over 12lbs using big floats up to 11g and my usual mainline Sufix Duraflex 0.20mm straight through - 6lb diameter and 10lb bs. Tried other rods including Drennan and Free Spirit rods , The Mark Tunley rod imo is far better. Mark is great to talk options with for a custom build and one of the best rod builders out there.
 
Thanks for your response guys. It's much appreciated. I've had a reply from Harrison today and they are currently making some tweaks to a prototype SU 15' blank. Hopefully will be in production November. So I have asked if I can be put on the list when there made.
 
I know there's rods 'off the shelf' that fit the bill but to be honest I would rather something custom made. I did look at the Mark Tunly Specialist float rod and i know its highly regarded but really wanted something abit longer as I have a few 14' rods already. I asked about Harrison blanks mainly because after speaking to my local rod maker he said he only works with Harrison blanks, which i know limits things, hence why I contacted Harrison directly as I had read somewhere that they were working on new float blanks. Glad I did. I asked the same as my above requirements and Steve suggested his new 15' SU but said its in the prototype stage at the moment. Hopefully their new blanks will fit the bill perfectly, time will tell and I'm game to try one out.
 
Etienne I am in absolute agreement of the posts above. Harrison build some lovely blanks but the GTI float blank is long past its day. In fact it was never ahead of its time in all honesty and i would be looking to spend your money more wisely.

10lb line is fine just be aware that it’s very unlikely to break before any match rod and use your clutch as needed.
There is a certain river I fish for barbel and I also use lines of 0.25/0.26 (around 10lb) because I want the diameter and abrasion resistance that comes with it so your choice of line could very well make perfect sense.

Off the shelf Rods today at 14/15 for big barbel ….. not loads of options. Free spirit mk2, acolyte specimen, Preston supera x (14ft only), connoisseur mk2 from diawa.

That’s about it really. Second hand older rods there’s a good number of rods built in previous times from daiwa and shimano that are very good.

Avoid the current Harrison.
i heard about a revamp being developed quite some time ago when it was hush hush but that was ages ago so i assumed it might not happen.
Hopefully it does and its a complete redesign to make it worth considering
 
Richard your bang on the money about my choice of line breaking strain, abrasion resistance. Lots of rocks and boulders where i fish have meant a few good fish lost. I saw after researching lots that most newer power float rods max out at 8lb line and your right older rods tend to have higher ratings. My spectron is rated to 10lb so thats what i tend to use.
 
Etienne Harvey said:
Richard your bang on the money about my choice of line breaking strain, abrasion resistance. Lots of rocks and boulders where i fish have meant a few good fish lost. I saw after researching lots that most newer power float rods max out at 8lb line and your right older rods tend to have higher ratings. My spectron is rated to 10lb so thats what i tend to use.
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Etienne if you already have the 14ft daiwa spectron then I hate to say it but you probably already have as good as it already gets. They are absolutely brilliant rods for trotting for mega fish.
Why not treat yourself to a lovely new centrepin for the rod you already use
 
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