Rod line rating question

[Scott Emery]

Hi all,

I'll be picking up a Drennan Acolyte Specimen rod soon which according to the Drennan website is rated for 3lb to 7lb line. I'll be fishing for chub and barbel that generally go to around the low double mark (all the ones I've caught have been smaller than this though) on a small river. I'd like to use 8lb mainline so my question is even though the rod is only rated for 7lb, would it be unwise for me to use 8lb line? I've heard it said before that manufacturers generally state max breaking strain limits that are a bit lower than what the rod can actually manage. Any truth in this, as long as one does not exceed it by too great a margin? Or...do you think I should be ok sticking to 6lb (I don't think I've seen 7lb before) for the type of fishing I'll be doing? Is 8lb a bit too heavy for trotting (with a centrepin)?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Brian Pursglove]

Silstar Match Team line 7.9lb (0.20 mm. dia.), 6.6lb (0.18mm.) , is what I use on acolyte plus and will use on acolyte specimen float rod that I recently acquired.

 

[Scott Emery]

Great, thanks for that Brian.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

This rod is grossly underrated.
It’s a very specialized piece of kit imo and a true barbel bashing float rod no question about it.

I’d have no concerns whatsoever with ringing any of the models up with 10lb line.

I don’t own one but I’ve used one and caught chub on it which isn’t a pleasant experience due to the sheer brutality in the rods stiff action
Lighter lines would be more concerning because it takes a lot of pressure to get it doubled right over.

You’ll be absolutely fine with your 8lb mono all day every day.

 

[Paul Richardson]

A number of barbel anglers use braid for float fishing and the breaking strain is normally north of 10lb but obviously very low diameter
I use braid on a couple of my float rods and had no issues at all but I don’t catch low doubles very often
Maybe have a look at a YouTube channel called Andrew Knots, there is some interesting stuff on there on float fishing for barbel with braid. I borrowed his set up and very happy with it tbh

 

[Neil Smart]

A number of barbel anglers use braid for float fishing and the breaking strain is normally north of 10lb but obviously very low diameter
I use braid on a couple of my float rods and had no issues at all but I don’t catch low doubles very often
Maybe have a look at a YouTube channel called Andrew Knots, there is some interesting stuff on there on float fishing for barbel with braid. I borrowed his set up and very happy with it tbh

Andrews knots is very innovative, he brings a different approach likely from his Eastern European heritage.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Andrews knots is very innovative, he brings a different approach likely from his Eastern European heritage.

He uses a powermesh 15ft float rod. I’ve never actually come across one before but given the size of the lumps he tames on it, I’d imagine it’s quite a rare find for good reason

 

[Ian Woods]

I use 6lb daiwa sensor through my specimen accies. The 6lb sensor breaks above the 6lb, possibly over 7lbs and it is quite abrasion resistant. Personally I wouldn't use any heavier line than the 6lb sensor, i'm quite sure the rod would snap well before the line on a straight pull so pointless to use anything higher breaking strain imo.
I've never had a barbel that has been capable of snapping 6lb sensor in a straight pull.

 

[Jon Frisby]

Silstar Match Team line 7.9lb (0.20 mm. dia.), 6.6lb (0.18mm.) , is what I use on acolyte plus and will use on acolyte specimen float rod that I recently acquired.

Silstar Matchteam has been a solid reel line for years. Use which ever poundage you see fit, you should know when the rods had enough tbh.

 

[Kevin Steele]

I've caught accidental double figure pike and carp on 4lb Dave Harrell Match Float line and 6lb Daiwa Hyper Sensor, when perch and chub fishing.

I think the breaking strains of lines in general are underrated - maybe the way they test them has nothing to do with actual fishing situations, but if float fishing you don't have to worry about abrasion, gravel beds and so on, so there's even less to worry about.
.

 

[Ian Woods]

but if float fishing you don't have to worry about abrasion, gravel beds and so on, so there's even less to worry about.
.

I do, the river I fish is a mass of rocks and boulders, so having a line with good abrasion resistance is a major factor.

 

[Daniel Jeffery]

Similar to @Ian Woods I usually stick with 6lb sensor on mine, although you could argue that’s more or less 8lb line. I landed a 30lb carp on it last month, took an age to get in but the rod (& line) worked perfectly.

 

[Neil Watson]

I use strong lines for my floating fishing due to the swinm conditions, some are snaggy, I have to contend with when fishing the river Wharfe.

I am not concerned about the rod to line rating ratio as the only situations that I have experienced where their is a risk of damaging my rod had been when I am snagged up. I retrieve the float by hand pulling on the line.