trotting rod

[Huanzhou Zhu]

I noticed the guy that presents the Korum LOTB series advocated the Glide, but he didn't have that rod recently and made do with a standard barbel rod...the Allrounder as a makeshift float rod, and it worked well.
I wonder if we get a bit sniffy over what rod for a type of fishing?

I am actually experimenting the similar idea this season. I am only outing with one 11ft 1.25 Avon rod paired with centrepin for some short early morning sessions, but have both float/trotting and ledger rig with me, and switching between the two methods depending on the swim. I know it is not an ideal setup, especially for long trotting, but I do catch on both method, from dace, roach to chub. And, most importantly, I don't need to carry a lot gear with me.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

My float rods consist of Drennan 14ft ultralight Daiwa match, Drennan Tench, and a few bits I have used the Tench, and its ok albeit on the short side. Just worried about explaining to Maria why we need to shell out 400 quid on a faster tip action. Plus she is aware that anything I buy with Barbel on it is a total waste of money.

The old Drennans take some beating Neil. They were just way ahead of their time and still to this day turn out a bloody good rod.

 

[Neil Smart]

I am actually experimenting the similar idea this season. I am only outing with one 11ft 1.25 Avon rod paired with centrepin for some short early morning sessions, but have both float/trotting and ledger rig with me, and switching between the two methods depending on the swim. I know it is not an ideal setup, especially for long trotting, but I do catch on both method, from dace, roach to chub. And, most importantly, I don't need to carry a lot gear with me.

Perfect Huan, like your thinking.

 

[Neil Smart]

The old Drennans take some beating Neil. They were just way ahead of their time and still to this day turn out a bloody good rod.

Its the DRX 14 light...but agree lovely rods.

 

[Les Daniels]

This will be the business but an investment for sure.

I have that rod and it is indeed a great blank and a superb build, I would never part with it.
Whilst using a Pin, the top of the handle and the reel mount, on the standard build this is, does not work for me as I have small hands. Would advise a bespoke build if you have a similar issue.

 

[Peter Fietsch]

Is the Drennan Acolyte plus 15ft float rod up to trotting for barbel??. I've heard people say they use them but I own one and I'm not sure. You could say go and try it but it's an expensive way to find if its not.

Ďefinitely not the rod for you the Acolyte is designed for matchmen for dace roach and chublet fishing.No where near powerful enough

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Ďefinitely not the rod for you the Acolyte is designed for matchmen for dace roach and chublet fishing.No where near powerful enough

You must be referring to the ultra models Peter as the plus models can certainly deal with bigger fish than chubblets.
It’s not an out and out barbel float rod I agree but big chub, tench, commercial carp are absolutely fine on it.

 

[Ben Marr]

I use a 14ft plus for Barbel on the Wye and it has dealt extremely well with them, even in faster water.
I'm a big fan of the range generally, the 12ft Carp waggler is probably my overall favourite for most of the fishing I do, which is small river Chubbing. Great for canal Tench as well and deals beautifully with occasional Mullet.

 

[Anthony James]

If you're feeling flush;

HARRISON GTI Fishing Rod 14ft .. Custom built by MARK TUNLEY .. Stunning | eBay

Mark Tunley. Here is my Mark Tunley built. 14ft, 3 piece. Harrison 14ft Gti 3 piece blank, in Gloss claret colour. Harrison Gti Stepped-Up. Harrison GtiSU float rod. Cant stress enough how nice this rod is, it is stunning.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Richard Isaacs]

If you're feeling flush;

HARRISON GTI Fishing Rod 14ft .. Custom built by MARK TUNLEY .. Stunning | eBay

Mark Tunley. Here is my Mark Tunley built. 14ft, 3 piece. Harrison 14ft Gti 3 piece blank, in Gloss claret colour. Harrison Gti Stepped-Up. Harrison GtiSU float rod. Cant stress enough how nice this rod is, it is stunning.

www.ebay.co.uk

I had one and I’ll be brutally honest there’s better for a lot less. The GTI float is a rod range that’s seen no progression for years and pretty heavy.

 

[Huanzhou Zhu]

I had one and I’ll be brutally honest there’s better for a lot less. The GTI float is a rod range that’s seen no progression for years and pretty heavy.

I agree. I have one 13ft gti I bought for 50 last year, used a few times on the canal, at 13ft it doesn’t feel too bad, but still on the heavier side. If people willing to spend 300 on a float rod, there are a lot of better choices out there.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

I agree. I have one 13ft gti I bought for 50 last year, used a few times on the canal, at 13ft it doesn’t feel too bad, but still on the heavier side. If people willing to spend 300 on a float rod, there are a lot of better choices out there.

And that’s £300 second hand

 

[Graham Elliott]

I finally got my hands on (borrowed) a 15ft Acolyte Plus towards the end of last season and had three outings with it on the Dorset Stour at Throop. Had plenty of chub including a few 6's but no barbel on it. It handled those chub like a dream. Always with a centrepin and, as is my typical approach, feeding and trotting a prodigious distance, preferring to try and feed the chub into an area well downstream of me. I loved it! Ended up acquiring one for a reasonable price and can't wait to use it particularly in a couple of areas requiring trotting well across.

For comparison I have a Korum 12ft/14ft Glide, had plenty of big chub and a couple of barbel (8lbs+) on it. Not that keen on it at 14ft (too "awkward" for my liking) but at 12ft it's a much better set up and a useful tool. But it's not the first rod I reach for when I'm off trotting. For many, many winters that honour has been with a pair of ancient 13ft Youngs Power Float. I often set up one with a big balsa and the alternate with a short/fat waggler.

Those rods have handled countless winter chub over many years, plenty of 6's and few 7's up to 7:11, all on the float. Had more than my fair share of barbel to 11+ interrupting the chub fishing in that time as well. Then there's the odd sea trout and salmon that take a liking to the bait every winter (don't always land all of those!). Typically 5lb Drennan Float Fish or similar Harrell mainline using small hooks 18s/20s single/double maggot/caster.

I'm very attached to my Young's and they will still be in the quiver this autumn/winter but I firmly believe the Acolyte 15ft Plus will be my rod of choice in a few months time. I should add I like to stand up, preferably in the river, often wading to access a less accessible spot, and trot all day long. The weight and "balance" of the Acolyte when paired with a choice of pins (I tried half a dozen different pins during those three sessions), is one of the factors high on my list. I'll be 69 this winter, a full days trotting is knackering and takes me a while to recover. Hopefully the Acolyte will prolong my enjoyment for a few more years yet!

PS: I looked at the "equivalent" Cadence rod range for quite some time and was tempted. But they and the Acolyte were sort of in the same price range I was prepared to pay. The Acolyte won on all factors.

Neil, did you ever have a dangle with Dave or Rogers 14ft Hardy?

 

[Tim Marks]

If you can find one, check out a Tricast Triaxial rod.

A power float rod with a spliced tip - an interesting combination.

Comes as a 13/15/17 combo with 2 butt sections and a 2ft extension.

They pop up on ebay every now and then and they arent silly money. I have 2 of them.

Ive never fished mine at 17ft but at 13 and 15 they are great. They overpower big chub and if/when I try them for barbel Im sure they will work.

 

[Neil Maidment]

Neil, did you ever have a dangle with Dave or Rogers 14ft Hardy?

No, last time I had a go with one of Roger's rods it was his Hexagraph. Hooked a salmon/seatrout on the Itchen, the rod quickly but briefly developed a pleasing "hoop" before the spotted tourist departed. Roger's face was a treat!

 

[Wayne Robinson]

Hi All
What about a Free Spirit Hi S either 13 or 15ft? Used both for chub, but not tried them for Barbel. Has anyone else tried them for Barbel? Sold the 15foot as I didn't use it. Had a waggle of a 15ft Acrolyte, was impressed with weight and balance. Regards Wayne

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Hi All
What about a Free Spirit Hi S either 13 or 15ft? Used both for chub, but not tried them for Barbel. Has anyone else tried them for Barbel? Sold the 15foot as I didn't use it. Had a waggle of a 15ft Acrolyte, was impressed with weight and balance. Regards Wayne

The hi s 15 footer is known to be one of the best barbel dedicated float rods your money can buy. I’ve never handled one myself but based on other’s experiences of catching a hell of a lot of barbel on them I’d say…… near on perfect for the job.

 

[Simon Rolph]

I tried a couple of trotting rods on my last trip on the Wye. I had some good catches on the float mainly Chub , but some good barbel too , most came on the Drennan Specialist 13ft Xtension float rod paired with a Centrepin - Which handled the fish superbly including a Double figure fish. Drennan did say previously when I contacted them that I might find it undergunned but I had no problems. I did also try the Korum Glide Float rod but didn’t use it for too long as the poor unsupported tip ring failed - not very impressed. I do like to keep my rods made up , so I think the tip ring may have been distorted in the rod sleeve , and then when straightened back weakened it .I will fit a better Fuji tip ring and try it again next trip. But a big thumbs up to the Drennan though ,and at least its transportable as a 2 piece too.

 

[John Newman]

I have a 15ft free spirit Hi-S and it is a superb rod. However I managed to break the tip when fishing under a tree having not paid proper regard to the length. While waiting for a replacement I bought a Korum Glide 12-14ft as a stop gap and have to say it was a perfectly adequate rod. I don't fish for more than 5 hours at a time so can't comment on using it for a whole day session. I am keeping it as a loan rod if any friends want to come with me to try float fishing for barbel.

 

[Huanzhou Zhu]

I am using the free spirit tamer power float 15ft for barbel fishing. It’s a soft tip is good for roach. And powerful backbone for chub and barbel. It’s about 230g, but well balanced, so doesn’t feel heavy in the hand.