Barbel rod

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

I want/need/must have... a barbel rod. This will be for the Worcs/Warwks Avon, but maybe the Wye, when the river isn't running too hard and fast. For feeder and trotting.

The two I have my eye on are about the same price - £115.00- £125.00 - and that's my maximum budget:
- Drennan Specialist Twin Tip Duo 12ft 1.5lb
- Greys Prodigy TXL 12ft 1.75lb (what they actually call their barbel rod is nearer £200.00).

Some of the old-timers on the barbel forum (I haven't joined) suggest that 1.5lb is enough for most medium UK rivers.

Which is best? Or is there something similar I should look at? I don't want a used rod, unless someone here has one in top condition.

Thanks.
.

 

[mikench]

Far be it from me to advise as i dont really know. I have ordered a custom hand made rod but if i had chosen to buy off the peg so to speak, i would have looked at the Cadence variations.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rob48]

I'd advise checking the Cadence rods as well. They do dedicated barbel rods that I've yet to see but my 13' Feeder No. 3 handles the Severn and Wye fish without any issues.

 

[sam vimes]

Don't expect much of most Barbel/Avon rods when it comes to trotting with them. At best, they are OK in an emergency when you've not got a proper float rod with you.

 

[Peter Jacobs]

Personally I'd opt for the Grey's Prodigy.

I have a pair of the original Twn Tip rods and they are terrific for barbel.

I do lke the build quality of Greys rods and also have a trio of X-Fltes for carp fishing . . . .

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

Don't expect much of most Barbel/Avon rods when it comes to trotting with them. At best, they are OK in an emergency when you've not got a proper float rod with you.

This guy seemed to be doing okay with his Drennan Twin Tip. Maybe you wouldn't strictly call it a barbel rod(?), but is it the different sensitivity of tips that appear to make it suitable for trotting as well as feeding?

 

[sam vimes]

This guy seemed to be doing okay with his Drennan Twin Tip. Maybe you wouldn't strictly call it a barbel rod(?), but is it the different sensitivity of tips that appear to make it suitable for trotting as well as feeding?

I'll never (and didn't) suggest you can't catch fish when trotting with them. However, it's not a particularly pleasant experience after a relatively short duration. Rarely do such rods have an ideal action and they are invariably too heavy. Feel free to take or leave that advice. However, the folks designing and using such rods are invariably specialist anglers that are content with a rod that's sub-optimal for the minimal amount of float fishing they actually do. Promotional material is invariably going to bull the rods up. As someone that does very little but float fish, I could not tolerate the compromise, except when caught out without a proper float rod. If that's not the case for you, go for your life.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

I'll never (and didn't) suggest you can't catch fish when trotting with them. However, it's not a particularly pleasant experience after a relatively short duration. Rarely do such rods have an ideal action and they are invariably too heavy. Feel free to take or leave that advice. However, the folks designing and using such rods are invariably specialist anglers that are content with a rod that's sub-optimal for the minimal amount of float fishing they actually do. Promotional material is invariably going to bull the rods up. As someone that does very little but float fish, I could not tolerate the compromise, except when caught out without a proper float rod. If that's not the case for you, go for your life.

Understood. I have a 14ft Acolyte Plus Float Rod - would you use that to trot for barbel?
.

 

[sam vimes]

Understood. I have a 14ft Acolyte Plus Float Rod - would you use that to trot for barbel?
.

As long as they weren't routinely big doubles, yes, happily.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

As long as they weren't routinely big doubles, yes, happily.

I think they are generally singles on the Worcs/Warwks Avon. Thanks.

I also have a 12ft Acolyte Plus feeder rod with 2/2.5/3oz tips, so I'm guessing - if that's okay for single figure fish - I don't really need a barbel rod at all.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

One more question, guys, just before I put this one to bed.

Like I said, I've got a 12ft Acolyte Plus feeder rod with 2/2.5/3oz tips - but how would I know what test curve this has, or its suitability, compared to a 'barbel' rod that is quoted as having a test curve in lbs?

There doesn't appear to be any consistency in the way rods are described - is this just marketing, in order to convince people that they need more rods?

I understand fly rods, but this is a whole new language.
.

 

[sam vimes]

There doesn't appear to be any consistency in the way rods are described - is this just marketing, in order to convince people that they need more rods?

You tend to find that specialist, carp and pike rods are assigned test curve ratings. When manufacturers are selling in this part of the marketplace, they'll invariably use test curves, sometimes even on specialist float rods.
When a brand is aiming at the match and general coarse fishing market, they rarely use test curve ratings.
This is likely to be where some of your confusion on description consistency stems from, you aren't distinguishing specialist rods from match/general coarse fishing rods. Whether you believe this is entirely marketing BS is up to you. There is perhaps an element of that, but there's also an element of evolutionary divergence over the past fifty years or so. In a way, it's an evolutionary quirk in a similar vein to rods still being sold in the UK as being X feet, yet poles being x metres.

Your Acolyte is aimed at match/general coarse anglers, it doesn't have a test curve rating. Whether or not it is up to barbel fishing is another matter entirely. However, Drennan invariably print War and Peace on their rods. The line rating should give you a clue. I've checked Drennan's website and it says that reel lines from 5-8lb. That's closer to an average Avon (1.25lb TC) rods line rating. However, it's the maximum casting weight of 2oz that may be more of an issue.

There are definitely "normal" match/coarse feeder/tip rods that can handle barbel, even pretty big ones. It doesn't have to be a barbel rod to catch a barbel.

 

[mikench]

Wot he said. I haven’t caught many barbel but have done so with an Acolyte Plus, an Avenger and a Hardy Avon. All enjoyable experiences. I am getting a specialist Barbel rod because I just fancy one. I will use it however for whatever I can catch which will include carp, tench, large bream and hopefully the odd barbel or two. My biggest carp(24lb) was caught on an 11’ feeder rod and 6 lb line. The same rod has caught me many a roach and gudgeon.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

I've checked Drennan's website and it says that reel lines from 5-8lb. That's closer to an average Avon (1.25lb TC) rods line rating. However, it's the maximum casting weight of 2oz that may be more of an issue.

Thanks for the replies (both you and Mike) - all good stuff. The Acolyte Plus comes with additional tips of 2.5oz and 3oz (and Drennan list the wrong ones on their website) - presumably that just helps with casting heavier weights, off the tip, as it were, and doesn't alter the basic characteristics, or backbone, of the rod.

If I do buy a specialist barbel rod, it'll be like mikench, because I fancy one... I think I knew that anyway, but it's nice to know I'm not the only one - and I've leaned a bit more from the thread.
.

 

[Critical Sinker]

One more question, guys, just before I put this one to bed.

Like I said, I've got a 12ft Acolyte Plus feeder rod with 2/2.5/3oz tips - but how would I know what test curve this has, or its suitability, compared to a 'barbel' rod that is quoted as having a test curve in lbs?

There doesn't appear to be any consistency in the way rods are described - is this just marketing, in order to convince people that they need more rods?

I understand fly rods, but this is a whole new language.
.

Test curve, the point at which the tip eye of a fishing rod is at 90° to it's handle. If you're willing to make a little effort, you can find out the true working test curve and observe the action of the rod at the same time.
1) Set up rod and reel using a 20lb braid and tie a terminal loop. Mono is not ideal because of the stretch. Make sure your drag is tight.
2) You'll need some reasonably light weight fishing scales, digital ones with a maximum-reading hold function are great for this but not essential if you have assistance and good eyesight. Anchor the handle to a secure point at elbow height and loop the braid over the weighing hook.
3) Stand up straight, hold the rod horizontally to the ground as if you're playing a fish downstream with about half a metre of braid from tip to scales. Now position yourself so that the braid is tight and the rod and braid make a perfect 90° L shape. *If you hold with your right hand the scales should now be at 90° to the left of the tip.
4) Maintaining the rod handle's position at 90° to the braid, keep a firm grip and crab-step sideways until the tip end eye is facing the scales. The braid should still be at 90° to the rod handle and the curve now in your rod is your test curve. You or your assistant can take your scales reading.
5) Repeat the exercise until you've satisfied you have a consistent result.

Test curve means nothing without the right action and balanced mainline and hook length. My setup of choice to fish dog biscuits for carp on snag-free venues is a pencil thin Drennan 13ft stick float rod at about 6oz TC with a soft through action, Maxima Chameleon 5lb ML 4lb HL, size 14 Drennan Super Specialist hook. That landed a 23lb common in about 15mins at my local park last week. I see no reason why what you currently have shouldn't be adequate. Buy yourself a cheap specimen rod if you want to fish heavy pig feeders on flood waters. I have a 12ft 2lb TC Shakespeare Mach Specimen as new condition for £25 if you want it.

 

[sam vimes]

all good stuff. The Acolyte Plus comes with additional tips of 2.5oz and 3oz (and Drennan list the wrong ones on their website) - presumably that just helps with casting heavier weights, off the tip, as it were, and doesn't alter the basic characteristics, or backbone, of the rod.

Quiver tip ratings have little or no bearing on the weight being cast. That's down to the rod itself. Quiver tips should be selected based on wind, tow and flow conditions.

 

[John Aston]

MY only barbel fishing now is the lazy man's technique of fishing high water. On Yorkshire rivers in spate I found 1 .5 TC inadequate , 1.75 ok but ,my preference is my 2.75lb TC Fox floodwater barbel . I picked it up cheap , and I wasn't really even looking for another barbel rod but I have to say it is excellent. I feared it would feel too beefy with small fish but it is fine - and spot on for the heavy stuff I do . Not Trent heavy , but leads up to 3-4oz in a big flood.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

Just thought I'd wrap up what I started and report back - so I just bought a Drennan Specialist Twin Tip Duo 12ft 1.5lb and a Baitrunner DL4000FB . Thanks for all the advice chaps.