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Plus or Specimen?

James Sproat

James Sproat

Member
Hi all.
Dilemma, I’m purchasing a new float rod and I’m looking at the Drennan Acolyte range. I fish mainly small rivers, the Teme and the Anker. What are your thoughts on either the “plus or the Specimen” in the range? Pros and cons of either, suggestions would be greatfully received.
Thank you for your input.
 
I used the plus for a number of years with no issues. When the specimen was released I got one right away, like the plus an excellent rod, but it has more power.
Whichever you go for I doubt you'll be dissapointed 👍.
This was a video I posted whilst using a plus for chub ....


I think this was a 14ft speci acolyte catching barbel....



As I said, they are both excellent rods.
 
Ian Woods said:
I used the plus for a number of years with no issues. When the specimen was released I got one right away, like the plus an excellent rod, but it has more power.
Whichever you go for I doubt you'll be dissapointed 👍.
This was a video I posted whilst using a plus for chub ....


I think this was a 14ft speci acolyte catching barbel....



As I said, they are both excellent rods.
Click to expand...
Thank you for taking your time out to reply and the videos are very helpful. They do look magnificent rods. Very much appreciated Ian. 👍
 
Ian Woods said:
Your welcome Jamss, I just hope the footage helps you decide which one to go for if you do plump for one 👍.
Click to expand...
It was a great help and I’m definitely going to order one tomorrow. I think I’m gonna go for the “Plus”, reason being is that I fish smaller rivers. I’ve got a Purist that will go with it.
Thanks once again Ian. 👍
 
Matt Shipley said:
I’ve only used the plus, have caught barbel up to about 5lb on it. I think it’s a bit light to use as an out and out barbel float rod
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Thanks for your response Matt.
I will be using it for Chub and Barbel plus whatever happens to come along, so not an out and out Barbel rod. I do have a Greys rod that I use for that.
 
On small rivers where there is even a glimmer of hope of hooking a barbel i would be choosing the specimen float not the plus and using suitable main lines for the job.
The plus is fine if you have to space to let them run around for a bit but the specimen is an entirely different beast designed to put on the brakes when enough is enough.
 
I've owned both and now only own the 'specimen' mainly as I trot for chub . The specimen has the bit extra in its backbone for me .
If you put the rods side by side you really cannot see a difference and I've used the rod for catching roach on a bread and bolo float approach with light hook lengths .

As you know when you hook a chub it usually causes lots of problems in the margin and again the 'specimen' has that bit extra to combat those lunges.
 
Why not consider the Normark Titan and Avenger range in the 12ft - 14ft options as that would give you ideal rod for smaller rivers and a longer rod when required. I've seem the Normarks in use and the guys I've chatted had only good things to say. The Acolyte range are lovely rods though so depends on your main quarry.
 
Barry Peck said:
I've owned both and now only own the 'specimen' mainly as I trot for chub . The specimen has the bit extra in its backbone for me .
If you put the rods side by side you really cannot see a difference and I've used the rod for catching roach on a bread and bolo float approach with light hook lengths .

As you know when you hook a chub it usually causes lots of problems in the margin and again the 'specimen' has that bit extra to combat those lunges.
Click to expand...
Thank you for responding. Very useful information, I’m certainly now considering the Specimen as there’s a big chance of decent size Barbel and Chub so I’m gonna err on the side of caution.
Thanks again Barry.
 
Carl Massey said:
Why not consider the Normark Titan and Avenger range in the 12ft - 14ft options as that would give you ideal rod for smaller rivers and a longer rod when required. I've seem the Normarks in use and the guys I've chatted had only good things to say. The Acolyte range are lovely rods though so depends on your main quarry.
Click to expand...
Thank you Carl.
I will be looking it to the Normark range. 👍
 
Carl Massey said:
Why not consider the Normark Titan and Avenger range in the 12ft - 14ft options as that would give you ideal rod for smaller rivers and a longer rod when required. I've seem the Normarks in use and the guys I've chatted had only good things to say. The Acolyte range are lovely rods though so depends on your main quarry.
Click to expand...

The normak rods bend round easier than the acolytes which on some small rivers can make it very alkward (for me) to prevent chub from getting into the inside banking (even the opposite bank) and either transferring the hook into vegetation or getting snarled up in it.
I recently made a couple of vids using both the normark avenger mkII and then the Legasy Avenger to compare them. Those vids were on a larger river so entirely different to fishing a small overgrown river. The Legasy rod was very nice and imo works better on a larger river, as does the mkII Avenger. The action of the MKII Avenger and the Legasy Avenger was very similar. Personally I favoured the older MKII Avenger because I prefer the guides and handle, rubber end bung etc.
I had been waiting for someone to make a float rod with the stiffer mid section which the speci acolyte has and was very happy when I got hold of one. I was very impressed right away with the speci acolyte and it suites my style of fishing very well.
After saying that, there's nothing like having a few different rods to use and like using all of them.
If I have a good session, whichever rod I used is brilliant lol.
 
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Ian Woods said:
The normak rods bend round easier than the acolytes which on some small rivers can make it very alkward (for me) to prevent chub from getting into the inside banking (even the opposite bank) and either transferring the hook into vegetation or getting snarled up in it.
I recently made a couple of vids using both the normark avenger mkII and then the Legasy Avenger to compare them. Those vids were on a larger river so entirely different to fishing a small overgrown river. The Legasy rod was very nice and imo works better on a larger river, as does the mkII Avenger. The action of the MKII Avenger and the Legasy Avenger was very similar. Personally I favoured the older MKII Avenger because I prefer the guides and handle, rubber end bung etc.
I had been waiting for someone to make a float rod with the stiffer mid section which the speci acolyte has and was very happy when I got hold of one. I was very impressed right away with the speci acolyte and it suites my style of fishing very well.
After saying that, there's nothing like having a few different rods to use and like using all of them.
If I have a good session, whichever rod I used is brilliant lol.
Click to expand...
Very informative Ian, a lot to consider there.
At this rate I’ll be going bankrupt.
I will be definitely looking into those Normark rids you mentioned for next year.
Thanks again for your advice.
 
I have a Mark Tunley MK1 Specialist Float which I'm using both for general float fishing (smaller fish to 2-3 lbs) but just step up the line for bigger fish. It's a fairly recent purchase this year so have had carp out to 12 lb which 'give a bit of a pull' and some smaller barbel to 7 lbs as my river fishing has been limited. I'm happy with that and I've not felt under powered nor felt I'd pull the hook on smaller fish.
I have had a go with an Plus last year as a friend has one so spent a few hours on our local Itchen catching grayling, roach/dace and the odd club and that was fun so both rods are very good. Just depends where you want to spent your money and how much the budget allows as there is so much choice. With the new heavier feeder rods out having larger rings in the tops and if I'm in roving mode and want versatility I'd take my Preston Distance Master out any time and cover both float and feeder/lead options.
 
Ian Woods said:
The normak rods bend round easier than the acolytes which on some small rivers can make it very alkward (for me) to prevent chub from getting into the inside banking (even the opposite bank) and either transferring the hook into vegetation or getting snarled up in it.
I recently made a couple of vids using both the normark avenger mkII and then the Legasy Avenger to compare them. Those vids were on a larger river so entirely different to fishing a small overgrown river. The Legasy rod was very nice and imo works better on a larger river, as does the mkII Avenger. The action of the MKII Avenger and the Legasy Avenger was very similar. Personally I favoured the older MKII Avenger because I prefer the guides and handle, rubber end bung etc.
I had been waiting for someone to make a float rod with the stiffer mid section which the speci acolyte has and was very happy when I got hold of one. I was very impressed right away with the speci acolyte and it suites my style of fishing very well.
After saying that, there's nothing like having a few different rods to use and like using all of them.
If I have a good session, whichever rod I used .
Click to expand...
Thank you. 👍
 
Carl Massey said:
I have a Mark Tunley MK1 Specialist Float which I'm using both for general float fishing (smaller fish to 2-3 lbs) but just step up the line for bigger fish. It's a fairly recent purchase this year so have had carp out to 12 lb which 'give a bit of a pull' and some smaller barbel to 7 lbs as my river fishing has been limited. I'm happy with that and I've not felt under powered nor felt I'd pull the hook on smaller fish.
I have had a go with an Plus last year as a friend has one so spent a few hours on our local Itchen catching grayling, roach/dace and the odd club and that was fun so both rods are very good. Just depends where you want to spent your money and how much the budget allows as there is so much choice. With the new heavier feeder rods out having larger rings in the tops and if I'm in roving mode and want versatility I'd take my Preston Distance Master out any time and cover both float and feeder/lead options.
Carl Massey said:
I have a Mark Tunley MK1 Specialist Float which I'm using both for general float fishing (smaller fish to 2-3 lbs) but just step up the line for bigger fish. It's a fairly recent purchase this year so have had carp out to 12 lb which 'give a bit of a pull' and some smaller barbel to 7 lbs as my river fishing has been limited. I'm happy with that and I've not felt under powered nor felt I'd pull the hook on smaller fish.
I have had a go with an Plus last year as a friend has one so spent a few hours on our local Itchen catching grayling, roach/dace and the odd club and that was fun so both rods are very good. Just depends where you want to spent your money and how much the budget allows as there is so much choice. With the new heavier feeder rods out having larger rings in the tops and if I'm in roving mode and want versatility I'd take my Preston Distance Master out any time and cover both float and feeder/lead options.
Click to expand...
Hell of a lot of information to absorb here. I will endeavour to research everything you have recommended Carl. 👍
Click to expand...
 
James Sproat said:
Thanks for your response Matt.
I will be using it for Chub and Barbel plus whatever happens to come along, so not an out and out Barbel rod. I do have a Greys rod that I use for that.
Click to expand...
I’d say the plus would be a good general trotting rod, I had a really nice chub on mine a few years back probably 6 + no problem, alas no scales at the time.
Saying that, if I were to buy a new float rod I’d probably get the specimen since I’m sure it’s still nice to use for silvers while waiting for a chub/barbel to come along while presumably being a bit more suited for those when they do.
 
Matt Shipley said:
I’d say the plus would be a good general trotting rod, I had a really nice chub on mine a few years back probably 6 + no problem, alas no scales at the time.
Saying that, if I were to buy a new float rod I’d probably get the specimen since I’m sure it’s still nice to use for silvers while waiting for a chub/barbel to come along while presumably being a bit more suited for those when they do.
Click to expand...
My thoughts are pretty much the same, I’m gonna get both. I’ve ordered the Plus today and I’m gonna get the Specimen in the new year, best of both worlds.
Thank you for your helpful advice.
 
James Sproat said:
My thoughts are pretty much the same, I’m gonna get both. I’ve ordered the Plus today and I’m gonna get the Specimen in the new year, best of both worlds.
Thank you for your helpful advice.
Click to expand...
I target particularly large barbel on float tackle on relatively smaller very snaggy venues where you get 1 opportunity at best. It’s devastating when you lose one as the chances of hooking another is pretty remote. If you’ve got a good chance of hooking one then definitely give yourself a good chance of landing it.
Id be using the specimen float, 0.22+ main line with a decent gage hook and be prepared to lean right into it. You’ll feel the thump as it rolls over the line before it gets under the snag and you’ll be so glad you went in guns blazing that day.

The plus to me is a slightly stepped up match rod. I know some very capable float anglers like Ian have caught a lot of barbel using them but for me they are a 3-5lb line rod despite what might be written on the blank and the specimen float is what i would call a 6-8lb line rod. Having both definitely opens up some options for you but if i had to just chose 1 for anything more than bit bashing,….. specimen float every time.
 
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