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Float rod for Trent barbel

Alan Palmer said:
Also had a play with the power mesh float but they only had it in 13ft, seemed to have a very similar action to the drennan specialist float that had the extending butt section (x-tension)
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My mates bought one of them Drennans , I thought it was quite a nice rod especially if going for better sized fish on commys with the wag.
 
Andy Dalby said:
Recommendations please for a float rod for barbel on the Trent. I'm guessing it may need to be fairly stout!
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A few years ago now I was recommended and sold a Tricast XRS 13ft match for barbel float fishing. I haven't got a clue, does anyone know anything about this rod? I've never used it for barbel fishing but am considering it.
 
The Free Spirit Hi-S power float rods are expensive but they are extremely good rods. I was fortunate to pick one up second hand at a good price but having used it for two seasons I would definitely not quibble about buying one at full price.
 
John Newman said:
The Free Spirit Hi-S power float rods are expensive but they are extremely good rods. I was fortunate to pick one up second hand at a good price but having used it for two seasons I would definitely not quibble about buying one at full price.
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The new ones, haven't even been proven to do the job yet... I have one, I will let your know, come June.
 
John Newman said:
The Free Spirit Hi-S power float rods are expensive but they are extremely good rods. I was fortunate to pick one up second hand at a good price but having used it for two seasons I would definitely not quibble about buying one at full price.
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I agree John they are excellent rods. Like you I have the original 15ft and the new 17ft version
But not everyone has £450 to put into a single rod and to be fair I totally get that because it’s an astronomical amount of money for a float rod.

What are the glide rods like as a budget specialist float rod?
I know they don’t do them as long rods which is a shame
 
The Korum Glide is a bit of an odd beast. I’ve got the 12-14ft, yes it’s got tons of power and yes it’s landed me a lot of barbel, but for trotting all day it feels heavy.

In reality it’s not that heavy for a power float rod, but due to the balance/weight distribution you feel all of its weight. At 12ft it’s about 190g, at 14ft about 230g. Bear in mind nine times out of ten when float fishing I use a 13ft Acolyte Plus (about 150g?). However I’ve also got a Daiwa Conny 15ft (also about 230g I think) and that feels featherlight compared to the Glide. It’s just much better balanced.

Obviously it’s difficult to compare different rods of different power and price brackets. I bought the Glide for about £50 and for that price it’s hard to complain. Also it was for a specific purpose; big fish, snaggy swims and had to be 3-piece 12ft for transport. It ticked all those boxes. It can also underarm chuck a small bomb, so in some ways is similar to a light Avon than an out and out float road.
 
Another very good contender for the job.
Not the lightest of rods to hold all day but definitely up to the task of big fish on big rivers.
There was a diaflash model which is rarer but other than the flashy carbon pattern, I’m not quite sure what the difference was if any???
Good rods the techniums. 👍🏻
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Richard Isaacs said:
Another very good contender for the job.
Not the lightest of rods to hold all day but definitely up to the task of big fish on big rivers.
There was a diaflash model which is rarer but other than the flashy carbon pattern, I’m not quite sure what the difference was if any???
Good rods the techniums. 👍🏻
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I've got both a Speedcast and an Antares version - mega rods which work equality as well when float fishing for Tench in deeper waters.
 
Free Spirit 15’ Tamer Power is well worth a look. I use one for the tidal, easy to handle and has plenty of backbone. It’s not as light as an Acolyte for instance but it feels well balanced.
 
I have a spare Hi-S 15ft I would sell. Factory build, absolutely mint.

I think they are great rods for barbel.

I’ve only had high single figure fish on mine (custom built) but I’ve had a couple of 20lb carp too.

Drop me a PM if interested.
 
He’s already sorted
ended up with a Cadence #4 float rod
 
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