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Wanted-Cadence 15ft #3 float rod could swap for diawa connoisseur

Thanks nick that's good to know. I do think we (me) can sometimes become a tad obsessed with our equipment. Thinking back to what we used to use etc. It'll be perfect for the job and no doubt I'll catch some and lose some time like I would on any other rod. Hoping to get out in a few weekends time. It'll be my first wye session for 2 years!!! Not letting this happen again
 
Hi Jon, Ive got the 14' Cadence no. 3, not looking to sell it but just thought id offer some feedback. Assume you want it for trotting for barbel, its a lovely light rod you can hold all day and well balanced with a 4000 size reel. It casts well and picks up line fast on the strike but I have to say its not the best power float rod around, ok for the money. I have a 15" Hardy Marksman Supero which although heavier is a superior rod for playing the fish. Based on reputation Id have thought diawa connoisseur a better rod ?
Cliff out of curiosity what does the cadence 14ft no.3 weigh please?
 
I have the 16ft #2 Cadence and would be confident with hit and hold tactics on upto double figure fish.
Ive had 10lb+ carp, 7lb tench and 7lb barbel on mine so far and I was surprised by just how much power the lower section had.
The fish tire themselves out against the action of the rod and were actually easier to subdue than on my 12ft 2lb barbel rod. Never used higher than .22/6lb line with 0.20 hooklength.
That's great to hear Josh as I have the 16 foot #2, but only had fish up to 3.5lb so far.
I noticed when I started using it how light the tip section is considering it's designed for chub and barbel.
That's given me the confidence I need now to push it a little more 😉
 
I’d quite like to know what mark Tunleys dark carbon power float rods are like with a big barbel.
Not a bad shout but nothing around the 15ft, just seen he does a GTI float rod. I've got a couple of other GTI's which are a lovely build...yet haven't had the chance to give them a fair go yet.
 

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That's great to hear Josh as I have the 16 foot #2, but only had fish up to 3.5lb so far.
I noticed when I started using it how light the tip section is considering it's designed for chub and barbel.
That's given me the confidence I need now to push it a little more 😉
I don’t see the stiffness or lack of in a tip section to have any relation to a rods ability to land big fish Dave. It’s going to be dead straight and pointed directly at the fish the moment the rod is doubled over.
It’s the strength in the middle and lower sections that will count the most
 
I'm just so torn....I have several free spirits feeder rods which I love and a couple of acolyte ultras but I'm looking for a rod that's not heavy and will cope with decent barbel....mybeyes keep going toward the acolyte specimen but I'm just so unsure
 
Weights fairly relative, sometimes an overly tip heavy rod, may be balanced with too small a reel. For me a rod 14ft and more so 15ft, that your trotting with all day should have; imo a heavier reel, to balance the l extra length and weight. You could have a perfect rod, that you may think is too heavy, but your balancing it with too small and too light a reel.
 
Interesting thread. Lee (Backshall) and I often fish together and we are both thinking about a float rod to use for barbel. However, we fish the Ribble which is (a) snaggy and (b) has big barbel.

I see a few recommend power match type rods, but I would be concerned with using them, although to be fair I have never caught a barbel on a float so don't know how they fight on a longer rod. I have a 15/17' Dave Harrell rod and whilst I have had carp to almost double figures on it I think an angry barbel would be totally different.

I guess it will always be a compromise between rod power and weight. I know the (expensive......and maybe fragile :p) Acolyte Specimen probably fits the bill, but see that Free Spirit do a Tamer Power Float (£126) and Daiwa have their new Theory specialist float, (£120) but they may be similar to a Korum Glide Power which hasn't had great reviews in other similar threads on here!

Suppose I am looking for a cheaper alternative to an Acolyte as I can't justify the cost for something I might not use that often.....and I'm swayed by their reputation for breakages.
 
Interesting thread. Lee (Backshall) and I often fish together and we are both thinking about a float rod to use for barbel. However, we fish the Ribble which is (a) snaggy and (b) has big barbel.

I see a few recommend power match type rods, but I would be concerned with using them, although to be fair I have never caught a barbel on a float so don't know how they fight on a longer rod. I have a 15/17' Dave Harrell rod and whilst I have had carp to almost double figures on it I think an angry barbel would be totally different.

I guess it will always be a compromise between rod power and weight. I know the (expensive......and maybe fragile :p) Acolyte Specimen probably fits the bill, but see that Free Spirit do a Tamer Power Float (£126) and Daiwa have their new Theory specialist float, (£120) but they may be similar to a Korum Glide Power which hasn't had great reviews in other similar threads on here!

Suppose I am looking for a cheaper alternative to an Acolyte as I can't justify the cost for something I might not use that often.....and I'm swayed by their reputation for breakages.
If space is available to play the fish, you can land big barbel comfortably on very simple stepped up match rods and adequately balanced tackle.
Keep an eye on eBay regularly.
Things like daiwa conny and Spectrons in power versions make great barbel float rods.
Look for shimano spc models too. The ultegra 450 spc is a belter of a rod.
 
Interesting thread. Lee (Backshall) and I often fish together and we are both thinking about a float rod to use for barbel. However, we fish the Ribble which is (a) snaggy and (b) has big barbel.

I see a few recommend power match type rods, but I would be concerned with using them, although to be fair I have never caught a barbel on a float so don't know how they fight on a longer rod. I have a 15/17' Dave Harrell rod and whilst I have had carp to almost double figures on it I think an angry barbel would be totally different.

I guess it will always be a compromise between rod power and weight. I know the (expensive......and maybe fragile :p) Acolyte Specimen probably fits the bill, but see that Free Spirit do a Tamer Power Float (£126) and Daiwa have their new Theory specialist float, (£120) but they may be similar to a Korum Glide Power which hasn't had great reviews in other similar threads on here!

Suppose I am looking for a cheaper alternative to an Acolyte as I can't justify the cost for something I might not use that often.....and I'm swayed by their reputation for breakages.
TFT have the acolyte specimen 14ft for £180 and there's a Xmas code for another 15% off. That takes it down to £152. It's showing 2 in stock on their website.
 
Keith Speer, who was a great float angler on the Lea, caught many doubles using a Drennan Tench Float. Possibly some of his writings may be in the archives on here?
Rod power isn't always needed for playing barbel on the float, I've landed some to around 8 pounds on a Drennan Matchpro when after dace on the Severn.
 
Awesome....just bought one had a discount voucher from earlier in the year which was accepted so picked one up for £148......don't think il see one at that price again
It's the cheapest I have seen them by quite a bit. If I hadn't just bought the 13fter a couple of weeks ago (or if it was the 15ft at that price) I would have bought one for myself.
 
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