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Drennan specialist rods

A

Andrew Prosser

Active Member
Hi all,

Does anyone have a drennan specialist rod? I'm think of getting the 11ft 1.25lb t.c for chub fishing in the summer but mostly winter. It comes with the 2oz glass tips too. I Was wandering if anyone has used one. I love drennan stuff myself, but have no experience of this range of rods.

Thanks all
Andy
 
I’ve got this rod and used it for Chubbing last winter on my local River Dane. It does the job, but I do have some negative observations:

The green lacquered finish is supposed to make it look like the original Super Specialist Duo rods, on mine the finish was uneven in a couple of spots, where it had clearly run, whilst drying. It scratches very easily too, as does the cheap metal butt cap. I also like using a lighter quiver tip than those supplied and found the best match was a 1.5oz quiver tip from my original Specialist Duo 1.25lb TC rod.

in short it’s ok, but the quality of finish isn’t what I’ve come to expect from Drennan.

We are also not blessed with many alternative rod options from other manufacturers currently.
 
Neil Blood said:
I’ve got this rod and used it for Chubbing last winter on my local River Dane. It does the job, but I do have some negative observations:

The green lacquered finish is supposed to make it look like the original Super Specialist Duo rods, on mine the finish was uneven in a couple of spots, where it had clearly run, whilst drying. It scratches very easily too, as does the cheap metal butt cap. I also like using a lighter quiver tip than those supplied and found the best match was a 1.5oz quiver tip from my original Specialist Duo 1.25lb TC rod.

in short it’s ok, but the quality of finish isn’t what I’ve come to expect from Drennan.

We are also not blessed with many alternative rod options from other manufacturers currently.
Click to expand...
I have a couple of the spinning rods in exactly the same finish and I agree it’s very poor. I also noticed a little corrosion around some of the guides too on mine. It’s certainly not the same as the older classic drennan stuff.
 
Neil Blood said:
I’ve got this rod and used it for Chubbing last winter on my local River Dane. It does the job, but I do have some negative observations:

The green lacquered finish is supposed to make it look like the original Super Specialist Duo rods, on mine the finish was uneven in a couple of spots, where it had clearly run, whilst drying. It scratches very easily too, as does the cheap metal butt cap. I also like using a lighter quiver tip than those supplied and found the best match was a 1.5oz quiver tip from my original Specialist Duo 1.25lb TC rod.

in short it’s ok, but the quality of finish isn’t what I’ve come to expect from Drennan.

We are also not blessed with many alternative rod options from other manufacturers currently.
Click to expand...
I picked one up today from a local tackle trader, i swapped a couple of old rods for it. Its new, still has the tag on and so far I'm pleased with it. I've had a look over the paint after reading your message and so far it's finish seems to be good. I will admit, I would not have paid the original 120 price tag, and I would have preferred lighter quiver tips like you have said. I shall keep an eye on the finish as the season goes on and will also be on the look out for some lighter drennan quiver tips.

Agreed though, there isn't much out there in that category.
 
I bought the 1.25TC, 12ft version in a closing down sale at a tackle shop for under £70. I cannot say I am hugely impressed or particularly disappointed either so I guess it is a middle of the road contender. I doubt I would have forked out the full asking price as I don't think the quality of the fittings justifies the price tag.

I have since bought the 1.5oz glass quiver tip.

My "go to" chub rod was a John Wilson Avon quiver 11ft (AQ1102 version) with the three glass tips although I would argue that the quoted test curves of the tips are a bit arbitrary. I also have the same rod with the 2ft extension piece but it is a bit of a faff as I like to keep two piece rods set up and ready to go.

I think there is an opening in the market for this type of rod if someone can produce a suitable product at the right price point. A lot of feeder rods are aimed at the match/commercial market and are in three pieces which doesn't suit the roving river angler. I see Cadence have entered the market but at an optimistic price level of £200.
 
I too have half heartedly been looking for a light two piece Avon for that £60-100 bracket for winter Chub and Perch. There isn’t much choice.
 
Keep an eye out for the old drennan medium feeder combo 11'-12'6" rod (not sure if the exact dimensions) but had the lime coloured graphics on it.
Nothing short of what is a brilliant rod, great for all the main species, chub to 8lb plus on mine, & accidental flood water Barbel of 11lb plus, have fallen to tbis rod of mine. So good infact, I saw one in ebay 2 yrs ago and brought it as a back up rod.
 
Shimano did a few various combinations of such a rod the purist range had an Avon rod with quiver section.
antares also did one that would of been unbelievably good and a real favorite of mine was the stradic specialist.
that was an absolute beautiful rod just made for specimen chub.
fox had plenty of such rods in the duo ranges and kevlex around 1lb to 1.25 they were also brilliant
If your pockets are deep and your lucky to find one hardy marksman had an Avon quiver in the range.
nowadays they are very thin on the ground if buying new. Personally I’d be keeping an eye out for good used older rods or bite the bullet like I did and just get one built.
 
Richard Isaacs said:
Shimano did a few various combinations of such a rod the purist range had an Avon rod with quiver section.
antares also did one that would of been unbelievably good and a real favorite of mine was the stradic specialist.
that was an absolute beautiful rod just made for specimen chub.
fox had plenty of such rods in the duo ranges and kevlex around 1lb to 1.25 they were also brilliant
If your pockets are deep and your lucky to find one hardy marksman had an Avon quiver in the range.
nowadays they are very thin on the ground if buying new. Personally I’d be keeping an eye out for good used older rods or bite the bullet like I did and just get one built.
Click to expand...
Shimano Technium rods often come up on ebay too, i brought the avon and the quiver versions from a chap on here a few seasons back, yet to use them however due to what's happening in the world. I think John Searl once mentioned that they were the best chub rods he'd come across.

I miss this chap. The late Mick Holgate😢 he was a really nice guy to talk too. He built what was for me the loveliest rod I own. The Chub Specialist from Kingfisher Rods.
The rod is a carbon built Harrison blank, yet is very soft in the tip section akin to what I'd imagine a light split cane rod would feel like. I've used this rod for link legering and even the small perch pull the tip round.

Martin James wrote a piece somewhere which was a lovely write up. Again I was lucky to reach out on this site to get one from a chap that had one standing in the corner of his room and never used.
 
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The cadence specialist rods mentioned above sound interesting; however they only come with carbon tips (no glass option) and is 9 line guides including the quiver tip enough? Certainly not enough if you want to use a centrepin.

www.cadencefishing.co.uk

Cadence CR10 12ft Specimen Rods - Cadence Fishing UK

Cadence CR10 Speciment Rods, twin tip 12ft rods designed by Des Taylor to cover specimen fishing on rivers and still waters.
www.cadencefishing.co.uk www.cadencefishing.co.uk
 
Andrew Prosser said:
Hi all,

Does anyone have a drennan specialist rod? I'm think of getting the 11ft 1.25lb t.c for chub fishing in the summer but mostly winter. It comes with the 2oz glass tips too. I Was wandering if anyone has used one. I love drennan stuff myself, but have no experience of this range of rods.

Thanks all
Andy
Click to expand...
If you can find an excellent conditioned Series 7, 11ft Avon, get that. Superb rods.
 
I've got a pair of 12' - 1.25 test series 7's and they are lovely rods. Great for chub, but not over gunned if you get a roach or grayling take your bait. They are also my go to rods for tench.
No complaints about finish and they have been in use a few years now.
 
I am fortunate in that I have an original Drennan Super Specialist Duo 1.25lb, why Drennan couldn't build the new Duo rods to the same high standard is a mystery? I feel an email coming on....

Edit: that's if the website had a means of contact!
 
Neil Blood said:
The cadence specialist rods mentioned above sound interesting; however they only come with carbon tips (no glass option) and is 9 line guides including the quiver tip enough? Certainly not enough if you want to use a centrepin.

www.cadencefishing.co.uk

Cadence CR10 12ft Specimen Rods - Cadence Fishing UK

Cadence CR10 Speciment Rods, twin tip 12ft rods designed by Des Taylor to cover specimen fishing on rivers and still waters.
www.cadencefishing.co.uk www.cadencefishing.co.uk
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Yes, I forgot to mention in my reply carbon tips rather glass which are better for most chub fishing. Also they do seem short of line guides whereas the Drennan Twin Tip Duo almost has too many (and they bend easily).
 
John Newman said:
I bought the 1.25TC, 12ft version in a closing down sale at a tackle shop for under £70. I cannot say I am hugely impressed or particularly disappointed either so I guess it is a middle of the road contender. I doubt I would have forked out the full asking price as I don't think the quality of the fittings justifies the price tag.

I have since bought the 1.5oz glass quiver tip.

My "go to" chub rod was a John Wilson Avon quiver 11ft (AQ1102 version) with the three glass tips although I would argue that the quoted test curves of the tips are a bit arbitrary. I also have the same rod with the 2ft extension piece but it is a bit of a faff as I like to keep two piece rods set up and ready to go.

I think there is an opening in the market for this type of rod if someone can produce a suitable product at the right price point. A lot of feeder rods are aimed at the match/commercial market and are in three pieces which doesn't suit the roving river angler. I see Cadence have entered the market but at an optimistic price level of £200.
Click to expand...
I did look for a John WIlson but there was nothing out there at the time and this drennan rod came up on FB market place for £80.

I agree and even the newest Barbel rods out there in the cheaper price catagorey only come with the avon tip. The fox eos for example. Im sure theres a market out there for good quality rods at a more affordable price. For example an avon rod with 2-3 quiver tips aswell. This could be used for barbel and chub and most people would buy a pair. I looked for a new set of barbel rods for this season, but couldn't justify paying £250-£300 for a decent set of matching rods so i will wait for another duo-lite xtra to come up for sale. I now buy 90% of my tackle from FB market place, ebay or our forum and i find that 95% of the stuff i buy has never seen the bank or is in excellent condition.
 
Julian Griffiths said:
Shimano Technium rods often come up on ebay too, i brought the avon and the quiver versions from a chap on here a few seasons back, yet to use them however due to what's happening in the world. I think John Searl once mentioned that they were the best chub rods he'd come across.

I miss this chap. The late Mick Holgate😢 he was a really nice guy to talk too. He built what was for me the loveliest rod I own. The Chub Specialist from Kingfisher Rods.
The rod is a carbon built Harrison blank, yet is very soft in the tip section akin to what I'd imagine a light split cane rod would feel like. I've used this rod for link legering and even the small perch pull the tip round.

Martin James wrote a piece somewhere which was a lovely write up. Again I was lucky to reach out on this site to get one from a chap that had one standing in the corner of his room and never used.
Click to expand...
I never think to look for or at shimano rods, and i don't know why!
 
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