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13ft Normark Avenger Float Rod (original)

If your mate has an avenger m2 ( green trim on whippings) in good condition Terry, I’d be interested. Would like to have a reserve.
 
im sure I read somewhere stating the guides on the drennan were Fuji’s SIC. Doesn’t seem to be commonly advertised mind so probably not the case.
I’ll probably treat myself to one after a waggle to add to my chub trotting rods. From what I’ve heard they are very good for big chub, perch, occasional smaller barbel etc.
very much like the idea of the 13 foot 2 piece for roving the smaller rivers and streams in winter.
 
Richard Isaacs said:
im sure I read somewhere stating the guides on the drennan were Fuji’s SIC. Doesn’t seem to be commonly advertised mind so probably not the case.
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They could be, but Drennan don't state that they are and I've not found a Fuji stamp on any of the rings on the Acolytes I own. I don't know for sure that they are always stamped, but plenty of rods I own that were advertised as having Fuji rings are marked as such. The reel seats on Acolytes are definitely Fujis though.
 
Chris Jones said:
They could be, but Drennan don't state that they are and I've not found a Fuji stamp on any of the rings on the Acolytes I own. I don't know for sure that they are always stamped, but plenty of rods I own that were advertised as having Fuji rings are marked as such. The reel seats on Acolytes are definitely Fujis though.
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Yeah I believe all my Fuji guides are stamped. Or at least the larger butt rings are for sure. I’ve not owned an acolyte before despite the fact I keep meaning to pick one up for a waggle.
I think this year I’ll have one of those two piece ultra plus rods.
I’ve read the rod action is supposed to be very nice having 1 less joint which makes a lot of sense but the convenience of taking it ready made and keeping it that way .................. well that’s just really good. Anyway until I actually grab one it’s all just hearsay.
I do a lot of trotting especially in winter so I need to pick carefully and get something that’s right for me.
 
Hi all
Just to confuse the issue, I have a free spirit hi s 13 ft specimen float rod, does any one know how this compares to the Normark avenger and the Drennan acolyte? Which would be more suitable for trotting for barbel? Also I have a Shimano techincum specialist float rod
Thanks
Wayne
 
I wouldn’t say the Avenger is a barbel trotting rod, it has reserves of power for sure that will cope with barbel, but it’s probably more suited for chub. I use mine for general trotting and a Daiwa 15ft river float rod for barbel trotting.
 
Nick Coulthurst said:
I wouldn’t say the Avenger is a barbel trotting rod, it has reserves of power for sure that will cope with barbel, but it’s probably more suited for chub. I use mine for general trotting and a Daiwa 15ft river float rod for barbel trotting.
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And I’ve read the Acolytes are the same.
will handle barbel but not a dedicated barbel tool.
 
A lot of my trotting for bigger species has always been done with a 13’GTI float su that I had built probably 10 years ago and it’s been a good rod to be fair but it doesn’t always compete with the lightness and crispness of what you can get for quite a lot less money too.
Big chub on small rivers it’s great but it’s also not a barbel rod imo.
id be quite interested to see what Mark tunleys dark carbons are like compared to the Gti’s
He does one or two in his own Harrison dark carbon blanks that according to his description will handle barbel easily.
be interesting to know if those blanks got a more modern kick up the arse when mark had his input in the specification.
 
I'm going to go against the grain a little here. I have a friend that catches an inordinate number of barbel on the float. He rarely bothers with other methods. His favourite rods are MK2 Avengers, but he also uses Acolyte Pluses, Daiwa Tournament RS (P), and Browning Spheres. I've certainly fished for barbel with a MK2 Avenger and Browning Sphere without a problem. I'd generally prefer something a little beefier, but I feel that many float rods are far more capable than most of us ever suspect. I believe our collective reticence in using such seemingly light rods is accounted for by the increasingly powerful barbel rods so many of us use. The only element of caution I may have is that neither of us, because of the rivers we fish, are routinely catching fish above 12lb on such float rods.

Wayne Robinson said:
Hi all
Just to confuse the issue, I have a free spirit hi s 13 ft specimen float rod, does any one know how this compares to the Normark avenger and the Drennan acolyte? Which would be more suitable for trotting for barbel? Also I have a Shimano techincum specialist float rod
Thanks
Wayne
Click to expand...

My experience of the Hi-S is very limited. However, the impression of it that I got was that it was more powerful than an Avenger or Acolyte. The Freespirit Specialist Advanced float rods I own are actually a bit too powerful in some situations. As to the Hi-S suitability for trotting, it's swings and roundabouts. It's certainly more powerful, so seemingly more suitable for playing barbel. The downside, that makes it less suitable, is the increased weight.
 
It's all a question of balance between the size of potential fish and the river type surely.

I wouldn't want to use a softer trotting rod in a large rock strewn river or on smaller river with a large number of snags.

Certainly I wouldn't want to use something like an Acolyte on the middle Trent or Severn.
However on the Kennet or Loddon in clearish areas no problem I would think.

The Spectron XP on Trent fine for me despite fairly heavy for long periods.
I would image and my Hardy 14ft Specimen on safer ones.

In the same vein..
1.75 Torrix on Warks Avon, Kennet etc.

2 or 2.25 on Severn and Trent.
 
Richard Isaacs said:
Yeah I believe all my Fuji guides are stamped. Or at least the larger butt rings are for sure. I’ve not owned an acolyte before despite the fact I keep meaning to pick one up for a waggle.
I think this year I’ll have one of those two piece ultra plus rods.
I’ve read the rod action is supposed to be very nice having 1 less joint which makes a lot of sense but the convenience of taking it ready made and keeping it that way .................. well that’s just really good. Anyway until I actually grab one it’s all just hearsay.
I do a lot of trotting especially in winter so I need to pick carefully and get something that’s right for me.
Click to expand...
You wouldn't be disappointed with the 13' Acolyte plus, it's an absolute peach. I ruled out using it for Barbel until one afternoon on the upper Lea when I had 5 trotting maggots. Mostly 7-9+lb. Tight swim, landed them all, 6lb bottom 14 hook. Deals with the big Ivel Chub a treat.
Wouldn't use it for Salmon but the Carp Wagler 13' compact series 7 does the job nicely. Would make a great Barbel trotting rod.
 
Nick Coulthurst said:
If your mate has an avenger m2 ( green trim on whippings) in good condition Terry, I’d be interested. Would like to have a reserve.
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he has this nick don’t think it’s a mk2
 

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Chris Jones said:
I'm going to go against the grain a little here. I have a friend that catches an inordinate number of barbel on the float. He rarely bothers with other methods. His favourite rods are MK2 Avengers, but he also uses Acolyte Pluses, Daiwa Tournament RS (P), and Browning Spheres. I've certainly fished for barbel with a MK2 Avenger and Browning Sphere without a problem. I'd generally prefer something a little beefier, but I feel that many float rods are far more capable than most of us ever suspect. I believe our collective reticence in using such seemingly light rods is accounted for by the increasingly powerful barbel rods so many of us use. The only element of caution I may have is that neither of us, because of the rivers we fish, are routinely catching fish above 12lb on such float rods.



My experience of the Hi-S is very limited. However, the impression of it that I got was that it was more powerful than an Avenger or Acolyte. The Freespirit Specialist Advanced float rods I own are actually a bit too powerful in some situations. As to the Hi-S suitability for trotting, it's swings and roundabouts. It's certainly more powerful, so seemingly more suitable for playing barbel. The downside, that makes it less suitable, is the increased weight.
Click to expand...
Hi
I have in the past also owned a free spirit specialist advanced 13 foot 1.2lb float rod and also a 13 foot 1.6lb float rod!
I have used the 1.6lb for trotting for barbel, it is a bit of a beast! It's quite heavy especially in the tip.
The 1.2lb was a nice rod, with a nice action, but did not use for barbel, only chub, but the Hi S is much lighter in weight compared to both the free spirit advanced's rods, and much better balanced, I can hold this rod all day long, no problem, its action I would say was tip to middle.
I guess I will have to have a go with the Hi S and see how it handles Barbel.
Unfortunately nowdays I could spend all day trotting the Kennet, loddon or Blackwater for no bites, so probably have to book a trip to the Wey!
Regards
Wayne
 
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