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Float rods for barbel

Chris Jones

Chris Jones

Senior Member
There's a couple of us on here that have been searching for long rods for float fishing that are capable of landing decent barbel whithout being too numb to enjoy catching smaller fish that inevetably come along while fishing caster, maggot and worm. After a fair bit of trial and error with rods that were either too beefy for the small stuff, not beefy enough for the big girls or simply too heavy to hold all day long, I think we've finally found them. I'm not entirely certain that what we are using them for is the use intended by the manufacturer but I'd recommend that folks interested in this style of fishing at least look at the Shimano 15' Specimen Match rods.

I've not been lucky enough to tangle with a barbel on either of mine (Aerocast and Technium DF) yet but it has easily handled carp to around 10lb, chub to 5, perch to around 2.5 and lots of bits without bumping more than the odd one. Someone else has had barbel to double figures on his.

The downside is that they tend to reside in the upper, pricey, reaches of the Shimano ranges. Currently, they are offering Aerocasts, Speedmasters and Nexaves with the SPC suffix but older and second hand models do pop up for relatively good prices on ebay and forums with reasonable regularity. Have a look if you get the chance.
 
Your bang on Chris, I have the Aerocast and the Technium DF 15 foot specimen float rods, and they are superb. Great for small stuff and more than enough power to stop a TT Barbel hell bent on getting to Gainsborough.
I have searched high and low, and at 15 foot you wont find a better rod.....IMO

Jon
 
if you can get your hands on one,a fox bob james 13ft specialist float rod,line rating 3-10lb,i managed to grab a 5 piece travel version although i think they did them in a 3 piece that were going on ebay for a steal at 80 quid a while back,although im yet to hook a barbel on one after a couple of sessions, i`ve put a good bend into it and it has plenty of backbone in it and will no doubt contain many a big fish no problem,finished in a nice bottle green colour with quality fuji eyes and reel fitting.
 
Hi all,

I've been using the Hardy Marksman 13ft specimen float for a couple of seasons. I use them for trout and grayling in the winter and have also had a couple of decent barbel up to 12.3 on them. Superb all rounder but a bit pricey. Worth the money i would say though.

Regards,

Jeff
 
I'm after one of them Jeff. Had a go on one a while back and they're spot on. Great for light work and plenty and plenty of reserve for bigguns as well. They should be for £270 though! Keith Speer was saying Drennan 13ft Tench float is very good as well. Only problem it's a 2 piece and I travel most places by bike which would be a bit awkward.

Shouldn't be long now until I get the 13ft Hardy's Specimen. Can't wait!
 
Hi Andreas,

I hooked a salmon on one last week, about 18lb but lost it at the net. My mate had an 11.5 on it though.

I'd get one now if i were you, no doubt they'll go up another £50 soon like they did last year! They really are top rods though. Hope you enjoy it and catch lots of doubles on it.

Regards,

Jeff
 
that hi 's' is a lovely rod but at that price it should be. i have the fox 13' specialist float which is ok for fish under 10lb in relatively clear swims and the kevlex barbel float (ARD003) which should handle most fish in most swims....if i could get one to take the bait when i'm using it;)
 
Andreas, which model of the Drennan Tench rod is 2 peice? I have one of the said rods (buggered if I can remember which one but think its a mk4) and this is a 3 peice rod. Had plenty of barbs on it when trotting and also used it for chub/grayling in the winter.
 
Gents,
the reason for the fifteen footers is simply down to the depths encountered. 13ft just doesn't cut it many instances. 15 doesn't always do it either but unless you are fishing piddly little overgrown rivers with little depth, or you are limiting your swim choice due to the limitation of your rod length, 15' is far better IMO. Even longer could be theoretically better for the really big rivers, but so far the longer rods I've encountered are either no where near man enough or are hopelessly heavy.
 
David Gauntlett said:
Hi Chris,

Was there a reason why you couldn't use slider floats for these deep swims?

Cheers, Dave.
Click to expand...

Simply because I hate the damed things.;) The extra control when trotting is also a bonus even if the trotting swims aren't quite so deep. I do have other uses for the long rods other than trotting on rivers though. My local is a stupidly deep pit with margins that average around 12'. I hate fishing sliders in that scenario too.:D
 
Chris Jones said:
Simply because I hate the damed things.;) The extra control when trotting is also a bonus even if the trotting swims aren't quite so deep. I do have other uses for the long rods other than trotting on rivers though. My local is a stupidly deep pit with margins that average around 12'. I hate fishing sliders in that scenario too.:D
Click to expand...

I guessed that was probably it Chris :D....thought I would ask though, just in case :p

Cheers, Dave.
 
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Hi All,

I can imagine holding back with a slider is no good as the line would just ride up through the slider :)

I use a Simano Antares 450spc which is 15' and it's great, landed Carp to near 15lb on light line, reasonably fast action which I like in a long rod for speedy pick up of line off the water when mending the line or striking at range, not sure if they are still made though?

A friend has just bought the TFG 15' rod which is rated to 10lb line, he's not had a chance to use it in anger yet so no reports on performance so far.

Cheers,

Steven.
 
Daniel, you're right the Drennan 13ft Tench Rod is a three piece, but what you might call the third piece, is only a foot long...it's basically a handle extension from what I've gathered. Is that the same as yours?
 
The newer Drennan rods have the 1ft butt section to make the rod easier to leave set up like a 12ft rod the older Drennan rods are 3 equal sized sections.
 
Thanks Clive. Any ideas what the name of the old Drennan version was? Or maybe you or someone can post a link up? Cheers
 
I doubt there any links but some of the earlier Drennan Tench rods do fetch good money on Ebay its been discussed here on this board lots. Try putting 'Drennan Tench' into the BFW search facility.
 
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