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Trotting rod

Lee Backshall

Senior Member
After toying with the idea....and then watching a fellow club member have an amazing trotting session yesterday iv definitely decided to have a go at it myself.
So a question that I know will generate many answers is this. What rod would people recommend to cover trotting will need to be soft for any silvers but strong enough if I nail any decent size chub and barbel . Iv a 17foot Acolyte that iv never used but I don't think it's the right tool for the job.....so any recommendations that you use please would be appreciated
 
Hello Lee,
I have the 13 and 14 footer in the specimen rod and they are fine for tiddly dace or good sized chub, barbel and chub etc. If your looking for a longer rod then there is the specimen 15 footer you could have a look at.
 
The 17ft accy is a very capable rod for big fish and still fun with silvers…I agree it might not suit all situations and can be limiting in tight swims. Maybe if you got a 13/14ft accy specimen it would cover you for all situations in running and still water?
 
After toying with the idea....and then watching a fellow club member have an amazing trotting session yesterday iv definitely decided to have a go at it myself.
So a question that I know will generate many answers is this. What rod would people recommend to cover trotting will need to be soft for any silvers but strong enough if I nail any decent size chub and barbel . Iv a 17foot Acolyte that iv never used but I don't think it's the right tool for the job.....so any recommendations that you use please would be appreciated
I’ve got a 17’ Acolyte Lee, and although it is a little more niche, it’s a very good trotting rod. If you can keep that and get either a 13’ or 15’ Acolyte Plus, you’d be up and running. Well, up and trotting I guess 😅
 
I’ve got a 17’ Acolyte Lee, and although it is a little more niche, it’s a very good trotting rod. If you can keep that and get either a 13’ or 15’ Acolyte Plus, you’d be up and running. Well, up and trotting I guess 😅
Lol....my reservation comes from having a 13ft acolyte float rod which I snapped the tip on....
 
Lol....my reservation comes from having a 13ft acolyte float rod which I snapped the tip on....
Aye, understood. But realistically, what else is there? If you’re prepared to wait and watch carefully there are better alternatives, but not new.
 
Aye, understood. But realistically, what else is there? If you’re prepared to wait and watch carefully there are better alternatives, but not new.
Is be happy with a good used one....just unsure what else I should look out for other than Acolyte
 
Nothing wrong with Acolytes and that 17fter you have is a nice tool.
But I would say that in the main, people put way too much emphasis on ‘this rod’ and ‘that rod’ when in reality it’s how you use it.
 
Nothing wrong with Acolytes and that 17fter you have is a nice tool.
But I would say that in the main, people put way too much emphasis on ‘this rod’ and ‘that rod’ when in reality it’s how you use it.
Just didn't want to put a reel on it , hook a barbel for it to blow the top section....that would be a very expensive mistake as iv had 1 acolyte tip snap during a normal float fishing session....hence my reservation and curious to find out what other people's recommendations are
 
Is be happy with a good used one....just unsure what else I should look out for other than Acolyte
Okay, well my suggestions based on what I use and enjoy (in addition to various Acolytes) would be a Maver Signature Pro Classic Float (I’ve got a 15’er but they made them in 14, 15 and 16’) a Browning Sphere Spliced Tip Rod or maybe a Daiwa Spectron Spliced Tip Rod.
 
Just didn't want to put a reel on it , hook a barbel for it to blow the top section....that would be a very expensive mistake as iv had 1 acolyte tip snap during a normal float fishing session....hence my reservation and curious to find out what other people's recommendations are
Is this for barbel?
 
You are never going to find a rod that is great for roach and barbel.

You need to decide what you are fishing for Lee. If I am fishing for roach Acolyte Ultra, chub Acolyte plus, barbel Acolyte Specimen.
 
After toying with the idea....and then watching a fellow club member have an amazing trotting session yesterday iv definitely decided to have a go at it myself.
So a question that I know will generate many answers is this. What rod would people recommend to cover trotting will need to be soft for any silvers but strong enough if I nail any decent size chub and barbel . Iv a 17foot Acolyte that iv never used but I don't think it's the right tool for the job.....so any recommendations that you use please would be appreciated
My advice would be quite simple. Go with the advice given from the fellow club member that you watched tear the place up.
Clearly he was using a very suitable set up for the river and conditions on the day so it makes sense to go down a very similar route.
Versatility in float Rods does exist I was just having this debate with a member the other day but having a couple of task specific rods if budget allows is even better imo. An acolyte specimen would be a fine place to start I think
 
You can't go wrong with an Acolyte Specimen imo
Great multi- species rods, similar new available rods being heavier in weight.
 
Just putting the Acolyte Plus out there, rather than the Ultra or Specimen versions.

I use the 15ft Plus for my winter Perch fishing on the Severn, having landed river Perch on it to 3.15lb along with bonus/accidental Chub over 5lb and Barbel to 9.8lb, I can honestly say I love it.

Handled the Barbel fine and the thing I find with softer float rods, is that it causes the Barbel to plod around under the tip more, rather than shoot off, like they do when you lean into them with heavier rods.

Cant comment on the Specimen, but the Plus does everything that I need it to 👍🏻 I would actually by another in the same length, but I hear Drennan are bringing out another 17ft Acolyte version, and I’m keen to know what it is (prototype rod referred to in Grayling article).
 
I hear Drennan are bringing out another 17ft Acolyte version, and I’m keen to know what it is (prototype rod referred to in Grayling article).
Not to to blow your buzz Neil, but the rod in question is what we now know as the Acolyte Specimen Rod 👍🏻
 
Not to to blow your buzz Neil, but the rod in question is what we now know as the Acolyte Specimen Rod 👍🏻
Currently they only do one 17ft Acolyte float rod, its described as neither the Ultra or Plus, as I believe its somewhere between the two?

Have you seen something definitive stating that the prototype model will be a Specimen version, or again is it unique in action due to the long length?
 
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