Really good thread this and of particular interest in two areas to me personally.
Firstly I went to Dave's of Middlewich last week wanting a new 15ft shiny thing to use with my pin, sadly they only had the Acoloyte plus, and I wanted a comparison with the Ultra, so I didn't end up buying one.
Most of my trotting is done on the Upper Weaver with average sized chub in mind, with the odd trip to the Severn or Dove when there is the chance of a better fish, so I didn't feel the need for the Plus model but I'd be interested to know how fellas have got on with the plus when using it, specifically when using low-ish diameter 0.10-0.12 hooklengths etc and for smaller fish? Those of you who have both? Which do you prefer? Which is the most versatile?
Regarding the quiver/tube/pouch debate, I like a rod made up, most of my sessions are short, so it saves me 15-20 minutes each session. This isn't an issue when only taking one rod, but it is when when I want to take a selection. I do not like carrying them in pouches, as the pouches either need carrying (in the landing net good idea, but not for the stiff Greys pouches) or they flop around everywhere when empty. However I have had eyes and tips break on unprotected rods, so I came up with an idea for a solution that I've not tried as yet for when I want to take more than one rod, but have them protected.
My thoughts were to put the whole made up rod in the pouch, and fit that inside a match style rod holdall with a full length zip. Bulky, yes. Extra weight, yes. But the whole thing is wrapped up in one unit, with more space to add the odd extra rods, brolly etc but without extra pressure being exterted against rod rings and the likes when everything is tightly bound in a quiver? I think am having a quiver over my shoulder anyway, will a few Kg make much of a difference? Same with the bulk?
Finding a 'lighter' holdall of the right size is a bit of an issue, the likes of Preston and Drennan weigh a fair bit, the material is heavy duty and hard wearing but feels a bit too heavy. Shaky do a contintental version but I've not seen one and would like to know if it could take 2 or 3 made up pouches comfortably?
Shakespeare Agility Continental Rod Holdall | TackleSaver
I'd appreciate your thoughts?