Drennan 13ft Acolyte distance feeder

[john step]

I have this urge, as one does from time to time, to treat myself having had 18 months of running round after everyone else.

I have been reading up the blurbs on the above rod.

I have never lashed out on a rod as expensive as this before so am feeling very careful.

Has anyone laid hands on or used one?

 

[tigger]

I 've never used the acolyte feeder rods but if they're anything like the float rods they'll be excellent.
I would imagine the distance feeder would double up as a nice river rod also.

 

[john step]

I 've never used the acolyte feeder rods but if they're anything like the float rods they'll be excellent.
I would imagine the distance feeder would double up as a nice river rod also.

Thats what I was thinking. I was wondering if it would be good for The Tidal silver and breaming.

 

[tigger]

Thats what I was thinking. I was wondering if it would be good for The Tidal silver and breaming.

It might be, just depends on the flow really. I mean if there's too much flow the tip might fold too much. I suppose you could always get some more powerful tips though. After saying that i'm not sure if the acolytes have different tips, that's something you might be as well checking up on.

 

[john step]

It might be, just depends on the flow really. I mean if there's too much flow the tip might fold too much. I suppose you could always get some more powerful tips though. After saying that i'm not sure if the acolytes have different tips, that's something you might be as well checking up on.

Apparently the blurb says they come with 3,4 and 5 ounce tips which sound beefy enough.

 

[sam vimes]

Jimlad has one, might be worth a PM if he doesn't respond to the thread. I've been lead to believe that they are rather nice. Seemingly intended as an extreme range stillwater rod, they are reputed to be pretty versatile and rather good on rivers. I can't say more than that, I barely do any tip fishing with the tip rods I already have. It would be wasted on me, so I've not even looked at one.

 

[tigger]

Apparently the blurb says they come with 3,4 and 5 ounce tips which sound beefy enough.

It should be but if it's not you could always have your barbel rod as reserve .

 

[trotter2]

I would imagine they would be very good . I think Jimmy has a fishing blog if I remember correctly

Jimmysfishing blog.

 

[jimlad]

Apologies missed this one! Responded to pm with John but might as well add to this post.

I was fortunate enough to win one in a competition (complete luck), so I'm not speaking from a "I've spend £240 on a rod, need to say it's awesome" scenario.

I've used the rod half a dozen times in the last month or so, for chub fishing on the tees and the wear. Fairly large rivers by nature, knowhere near Trent standard but plenty of flow in places. The rod is 3-piece, which initially I was disappointed about but if I'm honest I wouldn't have a quiver tip rod set up in a quiver ready to go, and it doesn't have any noticeable effect of the action. For Those of you who have used the acolyte plus feeder rods, this is a step up from that in terms of reserves of power. Designed for lines between 6 and 10lb, I've opted for 6 and you can really bend into a chub, giving it as much stick as you dare and netting it in good order.

First trip out I landed a chub of around 3.5lb, but had to keep it from getting in a near side raft, which it had no problem with. I have then landed a smashing 6lb 10oz tees fish using it, which is a real test I guess, but I felt in complete control. I've also added wear chub of 4lb 9oz and 5lb 4oz. I've not noticed the addition length when using the rod, but obviously it would be no good for tight swims.

The tips are slow taper, which is a shame as I prefer fast, but in use it's been fine. You can't interchange tips from the other acolyte feeder rods, these have a different diameter at the joint and are specific to the rod. As well as the standard 3, 4 and 5 oz I think you can get a 2oz and 6oz on order.

I honestly feel it could control a barbel in normal conditions, but wouldn't have it as an out and out barbel rod. I hope to try this theory out soon.

All in all, spot on!

Thanks for the blog mention, River Angler if anyone wants a gander



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[mikench]

could you explain the difference between a fast taper and a slow taper?

 

[jimlad]

could you explain the difference between a fast taper and a slow taper?

Slow taper tips bend throughout, fast taper bend at the tip. I find them better for quick biting chub.


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[tigger]

could you explain the difference between a fast taper and a slow taper?

What Jim said is right, just for reference though, you'll usually find the fast taper tips are carobon...slow ones being glass .
Very often carbon is used on rivers because it's that bit stiffer and doesn't fold quite so easy as glass and gives positive drop back bites if fishing upstream..

 

[john step]

Well my urge to splurge has been satisfied. I took delivery of the offending rod.
Its a cracker although I haven't had chance to wave it about on the Trent yet.

One very small problem for me at any rate is the large butt ring designed for long casting.It stops the rod fitting a normal rod tube that I like to use.

I have commandeered a carp rod tube until I visit a tackle shop.

As we are supposed to be getting the tail end of some hurricane or other tomorrow I shan't go Trenting but tuck in at my local lake with the pike gear.

 

[tigger]

Well my urge to splurge has been satisfied. I took delivery of the offending rod.
Its a cracker although I haven't had chance to wave it about on the Trent yet.

One very small problem for me at any rate is the large butt ring designed for long casting.It stops the rod fitting a normal rod tube that I like to use.

I have commandeered a carp rod tube until I visit a tackle shop.

As we are supposed to be getting the tail end of some hurricane or other tomorrow I shan't go Trenting but tuck in at my local lake with the pike gear.

I bet you can't wait to use it John, fingers crossed it turns out good for you.

I have a couple of items arriving this week myself.....

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

I know it's an old thread, but I wonder if anyone has any further views on the Acolyte Distance feeder.

There's a good little video of Martin Bowler using one on the Wye for barbel - I know he's sponsored by Drennan, but he thinks it's more than just a distance rod, as he demonstrates in the clip. (I do like MB, regardless of who sponsors him.)

I just bought a Specialist Twin Tip Duo and compared to my two Acolytes it feels a bit agricultural and tip heavy, even with a 4000 baitrunner. I'm also not fond of the handle and reel seat - the downlocking one on the Acolyte fits the hand perfectly... I guess I'm spoilt!

I bought the TT Duo as a light-ish barbel / chub rod, but wonder if the Distance Feeder would be more enjoyable to fish with, especially in the hand, as opposed to on the rest. To that end, I also wonder if it would be better for trotting, than the Twin Tip Duo (I accept that neither is perfect for trotting).

I might return the TT Duo and get the Acolyte. I don't mind the price difference. Alternatively, I might buy a heavier reel, to balance out the Duo.
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[sam vimes]

I believe that you really need to think about what you want from a rod and what exactly you want it for before spending any cash. When you "don't mind the price difference", which suggests that money isn't a huge consideration, why would you even be considering using any kind of legering rod for float fishing? It makes no sense, particularly when you've previously mentioned owning an Acolyte Plus float rod.

The Acolyte Distance Feeder may not be a bad idea (I don't know, I've not used one). However, using one as a float rod, in all but an emergency, is a pretty daft idea. Multi-discipline rods are invariably not very good at something. They may be acceptable to someone restricted in time, money or storage space. However, a dedicated float angler is very unlikely to use a leger rod for float fishing and a dedicated leger angler is unlikely to use a float rod for legering. It's fine and dandy recognising that a rod labelled as one thing might have an appropriate action for another use. However, if a feeder or float rod is genuinely good for the opposite use, it's fairly safe to say that it was mislabeled in the first place.

 

[nottskev]

Comparing the weight and feel in the hand of one of the lightest float rods against something designed to handle bigger fish and more rugged fishing could lead to over-valuing lightness and under-valuing what a bit more "meat" provides. None of my rods for barbel or carp feel like an Acolyte - and I'm glad they don't.

I've tried trotting with long feeder rods on odd occasions when I've been caught with the wrong gear for the opportunity at hand, and I've found line-flow through the rings on a quiver tip is poor compared to a float road, and the action is in all the wrong places.

That said, I've pressed a Daiwa Spectron 13' Extra Heavy ( rec lines to 10lb) into service as a barbel float rod a couple of times, and it did the job, sort of. But then it is a lightweight feeder rod and does come with a hollow top section alongside the carrier and tips.

Using feeder rods to floatfish is ok for a spot of improvisation, but not something to do by design, imo.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

Thanks for the quick replies. First of all, just to clarify, I was comparing the TT Duo to my Acolyte Feeder Plus, not the float rod.

I understand what you guys are saying, but you've both jumped on what was an incidental question in relation to how the rod might work for trotting, compared to the Duo. I tried to make it clear when I wrote: "I accept that neither [the Duo or Acolyte Distance] is perfect for trotting", that I don't see it as a substitute for a float rod.

If I use it to trot, it would be because I've just gone out roaming with one rod, mainly rolling baits and then fancied an hour trotting. It might never happen - it was just curiosity, to see how versatile (or compromised, take your pick) the rod is... and, if possible, compared to the Twin Tip Duo.

What I'm asking is whether what appears to be a beefed-up Acolyte Feeder Plus (and with longer options), would make a good light barbel rod (not for the Wye at its fiercest)... rather than just taking Martin Bowler's word for it - although I'm quite prepared to do that. Would be good to hear from someone who has the Distance Feeder.
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[john step]

I have just seen this resurrected post I started in 2017. I did get a 13 foot Drennan Distance feeder and am surprised It was that long ago! Time flies.

It has the usual large eyes for casting and is recommended for mono to 10lb bs. It does have backbone enough to handle a barbel and does have the sensitive feel through the blank when even a small fish is on the hook.
I would not use it where I fish for barbel on the Lower and Tidal Trent as a full time barbel rod although it will handle a large fish.
I would use a barbel rod that would not be under the same stress with the casting weights often required.

I use 8lb mono mostly and its great for Trent bream and silvers also distance casting for bream on a big pit. If I hook a carp so be it as with that much line out to stretch there is no problem. I dont do braid on it as I am incompetent at braid and am forever getting wind knots. ( Just use braid for pike).

It would make a good feeder rod for places like Boddington Reservoir when a long chuck is wanted for carp to mid to high singles.

I enjoy the rod and thats the main point. An indulgence for me but money well spent.

 

[Kevin aka Aethelbald]

Okay, well I've come to my senses* and, with the help of Howard at Manor Angling, figured out exactly what I want from the Duo, so I'll keep it. I don't think the Distance Feeder will cover any situations that my existing rods won't cover.

* EDIT: Changed my mind yet again (I'm worse than my wife) and returned the Duo. I'd prefer to target chub for the autumn and winter, and not barbel, so I can use my Acolytes and see how I get on. Hopefully, in a few years time I'l get the hang of coarse fishing and all the gear (had to look up what a SPOD was last night).
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