New float rod

[Ben Jennings]

Fancy buying myself a slightly more powerful float rod than my acolyte. I'm a bit torn I do like my acolyte so was thinking about maybe the acolyte plus but I am also a big fan of freespirit rods and am thinking about maybe a hi-s power float instead but can't find much feedback on either. Any feedback would be great.

 

[Craig Hunt]

I have an Acolyte Plus and it's done ok, but if float fishing for Barbel I use the Drennan Power Float

 

[Gavin Hoe-Richardson]

I use the Shimano Technium Specialist (Avon top), about 1.25lb tc, very light and more than capable. They come up on eBay or my second one came via this website.

 

[Bob Gill]

Drennan Tench Float - Mark 2 possibly the best as rated for 3 to 8lb + lines. Mark 1, 3 to 6lb, Super Tench 3 to 8lb, Mark 3, 3 to 8lb.
All the above with sliding reel fittings but can be converted to screw winch.

Before and after - Mark 2:

Come up on ebay and fishing sites occasionally, quite sought after.

Alternatives possibly Harrison GTI SU 13, 14 or 15' and a few other makes.

 

[Ben Jennings]

Hadn't thought of the tench floats. Will have a look on ebay see what's about. The local shop has a series 7 tench rod which I'll have a look at tomorrow. I know the series 7 aren't as good as the older tench floats but I like the way it breaks down.

 

[Ian Sewter]

For float fishing for barbel I actually bought a 13ft series 7 drennan power carp waggler which has the detachable handle for packing into a "set up" rod case and is slightly beefier than the tench rod. I have been very pleased with it's performance and ability to pressure large barbel away from snags. So there is another possibility for you to consider.

 

[Mark Gaskell]

?

chimera su float

 

[Terry Banks]

Amen Brother !

chimera su float

Totally agree with you there Big Un

 

[Deleted member 1090]

Ben there is a drennan tench float rod on eBay

 

[Karl Heptonstall]

I use normark avengers, great rods with plenty of power and still light enough to use for smaller fish.

 

[Mark Gaskell]

mullet

Totally agree with you there Big Un

but not the 12ft eh tex

 

[Jon Frisby]

I use normark avengers, great rods with plenty of power and still light enough to use for smaller fish.

Got the Titan 2000 always wanted the Avenger. Love yhe name....

 

[Nick Coulthurst]

I've got a Normark Avenger (first series) but have never had the confidence to use it for barbel - a 4lb tench sees it bent double. Which series do you use Karl, and is there much difference between the various ones, ie. original, 1000, 2000.

Nick

 

[Stuart Prescott]

but not the 12ft eh tex

13 ftrs are common place these days

12 ftrs , more elite

 

[Karl Heptonstall]

Not sure nick mine are black with red rings round each eye serial no RNAM 1563 I'm lucky, came across a 13 and 14 together, also picked up a 12 wich should be spot on for the shallow water. They do bend but have more than enough power to handle barbel.
Still a few come up on ebay john.

 

[Nick Coulthurst]

Encouraging that Karl, mine is black with red tipping on the rings also, so will have to give it a try.

Nick

 

[Dave Taylor]

Drennan Tench Float - Mark 2 possibly the best as rated for 3 to 8lb + lines. Mark 1, 3 to 6lb, Super Tench 3 to 8lb, Mark 3, 3 to 8lb.
All the above with sliding reel fittings but can be converted to screw winch.

Before and after - Mark 2:

Come up on ebay and fishing sites occasionally, quite sought after.



Alternatives possibly Harrison GTI SU 13, 14 or 15' and a few other makes.

The tench float was one of my favoured trotting rods for barbel, being quite tippy but possessing the power curve lower down .
The only niggle I had was that the bottom eye was too close to the cork imo, probably due to a compromise being a three piece rod.
I've been trying to thin out much of my gear over the past year or so and sold mine to a mate for £50 ,..... worst decision I've made for a long time and have regretted it many times, as the remainder of my beefed up trotting rods have a through action. Whilst this is handy when dealing with a fish near the net , especially when wading , the tippy action of the Drennan was better for correcting line when long trotting.

 

[Jon Frisby]

The best 14 footer i ever used was a daiwa spectron.you could catch roach all day on it or go straight through with 8lb and stop Barbel it was that good. Its on temporary loan to a friend now as i prefer a 15ft for the trent and they are shimano aerocast specimen floats. I picked one up off gumtree for £20 only a few weeks ago to make a pair. Always a good bet for extra fish is to run a speci wag through.

 

[Nick Coulthurst]

Anyone had experience of the JW Young specimen float rod 13ft, as I have the avon version and for the money it's a very tidy little rod ?

Nick C

 

[Nigel Gray]

Drennan Tench Float - Mark 2 possibly the best as rated for 3 to 8lb + lines. Mark 1, 3 to 6lb, Super Tench 3 to 8lb, Mark 3, 3 to 8lb.
All the above with sliding reel fittings but can be converted to screw winch.

Before and after - Mark 2:

Come up on ebay and fishing sites occasionally, quite sought after.

They also make a fantastic sea trout rod and locally down here they still have a really strong following amongst both camps. I've spoken again and again to Drennan about recreating that particular version but with no joy. I know they would sell really well, the demand is out there.