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Acolyte users??

I use both of them in the 13 and 14 foot models. From my own experiences with them I find the weight differences in them (although quite small) are definately noticeable, especially if you use the plus's after using the speci rods.
The plus's are just less powerful so you do get more of a bend in them with less pressure, and I think you get more of a bend further down the rod.
I wouldn't get shut of my plus's, as I like them so much, but if I could only have one for my style of fishing it would be the speci.
Best scenario is to have both models 👍.
 
Steve Sorrell said:
Anyone know if there is much difference in weight action between the plus and the specimen?

Steve
Click to expand...
13' Plus ------------------------------- 150g
13' Specimen ------------------------- 168g
15' Plus ------------------------------- 167g
15' Specimen ------------------------- 187g

For comparison
15' Freespirit Hi-S (new version) ----- 179g
 
Must give my 15ft Hardy Marksman a trip out soon as well as the Acolyte plus 14ft.

I'm still enjoying using the Mach1 5 piece Shakey at 14ft. It seems to do all I want, handling dace and roach with feeling as well as managing a rogue 14lb pike on 3.8 bottom yesterday.
Mind you it took 20+ minutes
 
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The acolyte specimen rods in my opinion belong in a category of rods that I would define as very specialised, very clever float rods designed for either large powerful fish, large floats, fast paced rivers or all of the above. I’m quite Lucky that a good friend of mine that I fish with regularly has the version in the best length (15ft) and as a full blooded specimen hunter himself I’ve got to use and see this thing in action….. Proper action doing what it’s designed to do.

Imo this rod is not a lot of fun dragging modest sized chub out of the nene on it and i certainly wouldn’t buy one unless I was going to use it for what it’s intended to do. Action wise it’s very similar to the rods i already own that fall into this same category of very special rods (Tsi, original Hi-s) but with even more steel in the low to mid. It’s stiffness is almost brutal

The good thing about fishing with pals that fish for monsters, is you can take pictures of the rods actions from a side on veiw which looks very different from your own veiw in use. These rods are really deceptive in the power. So much steel low to mid and reasonably fast tips
IMG_7022.jpeg

That’s my good mate and forum member John taming a 10lb fish on the accy spec.
IMG_7023.jpeg

IMG_7024.jpeg

I managed one or two myself and in this case a mid 11 on the Hi S.
It’s pretty clear from these side on veiws that we don’t see in use that these are incredible rods with so much more to go…….. either that or they go bang! 😳
 
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Richard Isaacs said:
I wouldn’t recommend the newer version of the free spirits Alan and I’d only recommend the caliber of rods you mention there if the op is planning on targeting large specimen fish which hasn’t been mentioned.

@Steve Sorrell There are, imo better 15ft rods than the acolytes but sadly none can be sourced new today.
However whatever size fish or venue you want to target, drennan acolytes have you covered and they are currently the best available float rods that you can source for under £250
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Hi Steve , have you used the newer , lighter version of the hi s , I have the original and it's ace .
Not quite as good as the 15ft torrix tho .
Imo.
 
Jim Gregory said:
Sorry gti su.
Not torrix.
Have you tried the newer his.
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Yeah i bought a 17 and tried a 15 out.
The 17 snapped on me twice through no fault of mine on the first and second time out.

I liked the action a lot on the 17 but something was drastically wrong for it to break so easily.

the 15 is quite a bit more through actioned for my liking. It was difficult to grasp this in the shop when I first looked at them but when you get them side by side with the very original ones it all becomes apparent how different the actions are.

They are lighter than the original version, granted but free spirit shifted a lot of that weight by ditching the stainless caps n collars and shortening the handle. The original is 213g on my scales yet it feels lighter than the newer one at 180g
That said the original stock reel seat is rubbish and IPS seat put on the newer ones is a massive improvement.

All in all I’m not a great fan since having to return my 17 for a refund based on 2 broken tips

But I’m a huge fan of the original version. So much so that I’ve got a spare and I’d buy a 3rd if one came up.

I’d be totally lost without it now. It’s one of those rods where you really don’t know where its limits are. On a number of occasions I’ve felt I’ve reached them but it’s always had that bit more in the tank.

Your welcome to keep your GTI’ 15
I didn’t like mine one bit. 2 hours tops then I was putting it down and I’m a big bloke that doesn’t struggle to hold rod for a while. It’s a very heavy blank I think the walls are quite thick. It’s been unchanged since the late 80’s i believe
 
Richard Isaacs said:
Yeah i bought a 17 and tried a 15 out.
The 17 snapped on me twice through no fault of mine on the first and second time out.

I liked the action a lot on the 17 but something was drastically wrong for it to break so easily.

the 15 is quite a bit more through actioned for my liking. It was difficult to grasp this in the shop when I first looked at them but when you get them side by side with the very original ones it all becomes apparent how different the actions are.

They are lighter than the original version, granted but free spirit shifted a lot of that weight by ditching the stainless caps n collars and shortening the handle. The original is 213g on my scales yet it feels lighter than the newer one at 180g
That said the original stock reel seat is rubbish and IPS seat put on the newer ones is a massive improvement.

All in all I’m not a great fan since having to return my 17 for a refund based on 2 broken tips

But I’m a huge fan of the original version. So much so that I’ve got a spare and I’d buy a 3rd if one came up.

I’d be totally lost without it now. It’s one of those rods where you really don’t know where its limits are. On a number of occasions I’ve felt I’ve reached them but it’s always had that bit more in the tank.

Your welcome to keep your GTI’ 15
I didn’t like mine one bit. 2 hours tops then I was putting it down and I’m a big bloke that doesn’t struggle to hold rod for a while. It’s a very heavy blank I think the walls are quite thick. It’s been unchanged since the late 80’s i believe
Click to expand...
Yes I agree , the newer version is a different rod completely, I've had the old from release , and only use it for barbel , and very occasionally carp. As good as it is , imo for trotting, the gti just nudges it for control over doubles.
 
Jim Gregory said:
Yes I agree , the newer version is a different rod completely, I've had the old from release , and only use it for barbel , and very occasionally carp. As good as it is , imo for trotting, the gti just nudges it for control over doubles.
Click to expand...
I don’t disagree the GTI su is very capable with big fish, I just couldn’t get on with the weight of it.

The original free spirit has been brilliant to be fair. I always knew it was good but never really appreciated just how good it was until i started catching one or two from the nene this year.

the average fish is around 12lb and they don’t need to travel much more than 5-8 yards to find a snag. That’s a different ball game completely to having fun, letting them run around freely, tiring themselves out on the Trent.
It Just would be nice to hook more of them. You wade through a good few blanks on there before the float sails away with a barbel.
 
Richard Isaacs said:
I don’t disagree the GTI su is very capable with big fish, I just couldn’t get on with the weight of it.

The original free spirit has been brilliant to be fair. I always knew it was good but never really appreciated just how good it was until i started catching one or two from the nene this year.

the average fish is around 12lb and they don’t need to travel much more than 5-8 yards to find a snag. That’s a different ball game completely to having fun, letting them run around freely, tiring themselves out on the Trent.
It Just would be nice to hook more of them. You wade through a good few blanks on there before the float sails away with a barbel.
Click to expand...
You don't have to let them run around freely, tiring themselves out Richard, per gaps you ought to play them hard on the trent , like you do I the nene. .
I certainly do.
 
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