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Roach Rod Advice

W

William Taylor

Senior Member
Hello,

I fish the Severn at Bridgnorth. Every year, I have caught a few good quality roach, mainly on pellets when targeting barbel. However, cranking in a roach on a 1.75lb barbel rod, isn't much fun.

Can anyone recommend me a roach feeder rod, or the kind of rod I should be looking for? After a quick internet search, I saw that the Darent Valley rods are liked by some. Does anyone have an opinion on these rods? https://www.tacklebox.co.uk/rods-en...darent-valley-11ft-0.75lb-specialist-rod.html

Also, if anyone has advice regarding baits, rigs, what swims to look out for, then that would be great.

Would be grateful for any advice

Thanks
 
William Taylor said:
Hello,

I fish the Severn at Bridgnorth. Every year, I have caught a few good quality roach, mainly on pellets when targeting barbel. However, cranking in a roach on a 1.75lb barbel rod, isn't much fun.

Can anyone recommend me a roach feeder rod, or the kind of rod I should be looking for? After a quick internet search, I saw that the Darent Valley rods are liked by some. Does anyone have an opinion on these rods? https://www.tacklebox.co.uk/rods-en...darent-valley-11ft-0.75lb-specialist-rod.html

Also, if anyone has advice regarding baits, rigs, what swims to look out for, then that would be great.

Would be grateful for any advice

Thanks
Click to expand...
My mate had them and the tops snapped on him casting 30g feeders .Hes upgrades to greys now, I use 11ft John Wilson twin tip , 1.25 there lovely rods for the money .
 
I got a Grey’s TXL Specimen 1lb TC just prior to lockdown - Not used yet, but feels a good versatile rod for the money. It’s certainly not soft in action, so if I was solely using it as roach rod, I reckon it would bump the odd one off, but there’s probably not many rods around that wouldn’t.

I know a couple of guys that target big roach that use specimen waggler type rods with light feeder set ups. I assume they’re not chucking very far and the concept has never made much sense to me, but it obviously works for them. I wouldn’t imagine that would work on the Severn though...

Hopefully someone else can offer some better advice...
 
I don't fish the Severn so this may be under-gunned but, on the BA and tribs I use a Fox duolite specimen rod with glass quiver. The TC is disputed but somewhere between 0.5 and 1lb. It is pretty perfect for roach on the feeder - it bends and bends and combined with soft hands I have been lucky in avoiding bumping fish. I don't know how easily available they are 2nd hand? (I wouldn't part with mine now!) I have had inevitable chub on it in heavy flows and it has coped very well - so much so that if I am deliberately chubbing I just switch for a spool of 6lb line if fishing close to snags.
 
Alex Warren said:
I got a Grey’s TXL Specimen 1lb TC just prior to lockdown - Not used yet, but feels a good versatile rod for the money. It’s certainly not soft in action, so if I was solely using it as roach rod, I reckon it would bump the odd one off, but there’s probably not many rods around that wouldn’t.

I know a couple of guys that target big roach that use specimen waggler type rods with light feeder set ups. I assume they’re not chucking very far and the concept has never made much sense to me, but it obviously works for them. I wouldn’t imagine that would work on the Severn though...

Hopefully someone else can offer some better advice...
Click to expand...
Yes, I did have a look at the Grey's TXL Specimen, but I was unsure if It would be suitable.

I have had a further search today, but can't really find what would be suitable. I mean, there are lots of small 10/11ft commercial feeder rods, but I wondered if there was a specific rod, or rods, that people recommend.

Also, I take it a quiver tip would be more suitable then an avon?
 
Don’t think there is any dedicated roach rods out there unless you use Avon rods, my mate has those Greys and speaks highly of them for roach
 
I had a few Roach a couple of trips ago using my Drennan Twin Tip Duos, using the Avon tips. They were all around 1.25lb, all immaculate. An Avon Roach Project cohort, I think.

I bumped a few off, however. Maybe a using one of the quiver tops would’ve alleviated this to an extent.

Another great (and again, versatile) rod for the price tag, in my opinion.
 
Bill Walford said:
Don’t discount the Darent Valley range William, I can thoroughly recommend them but try the slightly heavier one than you originally looked at, look at the 1.25lb TC
www.tacklebox.co.uk

Tackle Box Darent Valley 11ft 1.25lb Avon/Quiver (Twin Tip) Rod - Stand Off Guides

Tackle Box Darent Valley 11ft 1.25lb Avon/Quiver (Twin Tip) Rod - Stand Off Guides
www.tacklebox.co.uk www.tacklebox.co.uk
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Thanks for that Bill, I did wonder if 1.25 would be on the heavy side?

Having never used one of these rods, how soft is the tip? Still undecided if I should go for an avon or quiver.
 
William Taylor said:
Thanks for that Bill, I did wonder if 1.25 would be on the heavy side?

Having never used one of these rods, how soft is the tip? Still undecided if I should go for an avon or quiver.
Click to expand...
My mate has that exact rod because he likes the flexibility of fishing either with a float or a quiver although he mainly float fishes with it. Generally we are after small Tench in the 2-4lb range. It’s an 11ft rod, I use the 11ft Specialist LSG which I am told is the same blank (with different rings/guides) and minus the quiver tip section. I’ve also a 12ft Specialist Float which is a cracking rod and will be getting some use in the latter season for Roach and Grayling on the float.
 
You certainly don’t need specimen rods of any kind to enjoy roach fishing. I simple medium feeder rod or if trotting a float a tip actioned match rod and you’ve got some perfect roach catching tools.
 
Agreed - some sort of medium feeder rod and a normal float rod would be ideal.

i use a 14ft Drennan Match Pro which is lovely (and more reasonably priced than their Acolyte range) for roach (and chub/perch).
Feeder rod possibly more dependant upon the river, but the drennan medium feeder should cover most roach fishing (not sure it is still made, but id imagine there is a similar replacement)
 
For roach fishing on stillwaters when fishing inline maggot feeders on a helicopter rig using a bobbin and an alarm I use an avon top rod, anything between 1.25 to 1.75 lb depending on the distance I'm casting.

But on a river a quivertip is the ideal tool if you are wanting to leger. Nothing too heavy required, I prefer using glass-tips for lighter quivertip work. Shimano Antares Specialist 11'3" or Technium Specialist 11'3" or 12' perfect for the job. The latter come up on eBay fairly often for reasonable prices.

Personally I much prefer trotting for roach on rivers then using static methods, not necessarily more effective, but more enjoyable imo.
 
Joe Winstanley said:
For roach fishing on stillwaters when fishing inline maggot feeders on a helicopter rig using a bobbin and an alarm I use an avon top rod, anything between 1.25 to 1.75 lb depending on the distance I'm casting.

But on a river a quivertip is the ideal tool if you are wanting to leger. Nothing too heavy required, I prefer using glass-tips for lighter quivertip work. Shimano Antares Specialist 11'3" or Technium Specialist 11'3" or 12' perfect for the job. The latter come up on eBay fairly often for reasonable prices.

Personally I much prefer trotting for roach on rivers then using static methods, not necessarily more effective, but more enjoyable imo.
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Thanks for the advice,

I shall keep my eye out for a medium feeder rod. I know the choice of tip depends on conditions, however what 'about' is the lightest/heaviest you would go when targeting roach?

Cheers
 
Maybe up to 2oz if conditions dictated using a slow taper glass tip, but I'm no expert when it comes to roach (or any other species for that matter).

I've used as light as 0.75 oz tips in very slow flow.
 
If your after a great feeder rod , the Shakespeare continental feeder rod is a belting rod ,will handle barbel and chub if needed , but a great bream and roach rod .
 
There are lots of good rods on the market that will cover a multitude of situations. What you need to think about is what you need the rod to be able to do?

A few thoughts...

What weight does it need to cast? (size of river and conditions you will want to fish in)
What other species are you likely to encounter that you would like to be able to land?
How are you going to fish for them? (using a bobbin, balanced upstream, moving bait, or sensitive downstream) this will determine what type of tip you need (Avon tip, carbon tip or glass tip, and what weight of tips you will need? also bear in mind the time of year...
Length of rod you will need? (size of river, open or tight swims) and access to swims
Action of rod (getting the balance right) How stiff or soft an action you require for various conditions and line strength?

Have a think about the above questions, and hopefully it will help you pick a rod, that will do what you need it to do for your roach fishing

Hope this helps
 
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