In this group test we’ve taken a close look at, and fished with, five barbel rods varying in price from £ 52.00 to £ 130.00 and rated them according to design, build quality, fittings, actual performance and, of course, value for money. The specifications are as supplied by the manufacturer and the verdicts are our considered opinion.
Click on the links below to go straight to each of the five rod reviews, or just scroll down the page:
A Powerful barbel rod, ideal for big leads and heavy lines in snaggy and weedy swims. Both models come with solid and quiver tops – rated at 1.75lb test curve – and four push-in tips. Recommended for reel lines between 8 and 12 lb. Features a full cork handle and 16mm reel seat.
12ft and 11ft versions available
Solid Top Sections 1.75lb
Quiver Tip Section 1.75lb with 4 interchangeable tips
Quiver tip rating 4oz glass, 4oz, 4.5oz & 5oz carbon
Lined Fox Sliks, ceramic lined guides, highly durable even when used with braid
16mm reel seat
Supplied in a cloth bag inside a rigid triangular case
There are still a few anglers around who wish to use a quivertip for barbel fishing, but I think such anglers are becoming fewer as each season passes. However, providing there are enough of them manufacturers will be willing to cater for them, as has Fox with this twin topped barbel rod with one plain top and one quivertip top. Plus a selection of tips. Which is great for those who want the quivertip option.
The downside of course is that the cost of providing a quivertip top section, plus tips, bangs the price up considerably to what it would be with just one top. Which is a shame, considering this is a good barbel rod, which could have been a lot cheaper without the, in my view, unnecessary quiver top and push-in quivertips.
This rod is attractive and has an excellent through action (compared to some barbel rods) and will suit those who don’t have to cast heavy feeders across wide rivers and relish a good rod-bending fight off a fish that can be allowed to make the occasional run.
Shimano Catana Barbel Specialist
Features and Specifications
Available in three different versions the Catana Barbel range offers great quality for a cost effective price and has an action to suit a wide range of situations from small to large powerful rivers.
The Classic version has a 1.5lb Avon top and a quivertip top with 2 interchangeable tips. The Power version has a 1.75lb Avon top and a quivertip top with 2 interchangeable tips. The Specialist version comes with a 1.75lb Avon top and a quivertip top with 3 interchangeable tips – 2oz, 3oz and 4oz.
The same applies to this rod as it does to the Fox rod; an unnecessary (in my view) quivertip top that most barbel anglers will never use but which, nevertheless, has to be reckoned into the cost of the rod. Otherwise the rod is up to the usual Shimano standard with decent guides and fittings at a cost that won’t break the bank.
This is a great looking rod, with its brown-orange cross weave, with a build quality that belies the price. It has a slightly stiffer action and will cope well enough with casting relatively heavy weights some considerable distance.
Shakespeare Ganza Avon Specialist 12ft Rod
Features and Specifications
A versatile Avon style rod supplied with two top sections and one butt section. One top has a threaded tip ring for screw-in swing and quivertips, the other has a fixed quiver for feeder and straight lead fishing. Ideal for barbel, tench, big bream and chub.
Although this rod is included in a barbel rod test it is aimed at the general legering river angler. It has two tops, one with a threaded end to take quiver or swingtip and one with a built-in quivertip. I was particularly impressed with this rod as it had a very nice action, progressive and powerful but with a good feel to it. It was of a quality that looked far better than its very inexpensive £ 52.00 price.
Badger ‘Des Taylor’ 12ft Specialist Barbel rod
Features and Specifications
The Badger Specialist Barbel is built on a hi-modulus 12ft carbon 1.75LB TC blank. The butt section has a screw thread reel seat and full cork handle. It features 2 Lined Hardloy rings and comes with two tips: One Avon style quiver tip with 10 eyes and the second with a float tip section with 8 eyes. It is very responsive allowing you to set hooks even in the fastest of flows.
This is the only barbel rod I know of that is supplied with a quivertip top and a float top. And not with a plain top of any description. Which is fair enough if you’re one of the few barbel anglers who feel they need a quivertip and your other option is to float fish for them.
It’s a nice enough rod and is the usual very inexpensive Badger price. It won’t be the choice of the real hard-nosed barbel specialist, but that doesn’t mean it won’t do the job. If you’re on a budget and you want a barbel rod that is tough and will do the job then you should take a look at this one.
Berkley Triple Tip 12ft Barbel Rod
Features and Specifications
The rod is fitted with a stylish Cork handle on a quality carbon graphite blank. The three tops will suit all river situations from snag fishing to smaller barbel in open water. Titanium guides.
This is a top quality barbel rod with three plain tops; no quivertips, just three proper barbel tops that will cover you for a great range of barbel fishing situations, no matter if it’s fishing for groups of smaller barbel, smaller groups of bigger barbel, or that one big fish that lies close to snags.
It’s the most expensive rod in the group but make no mistake, you’re buying the equivalent of three very good barbel rods.
The unusually shaped reel fitting may look slightly odd but that won’t matter to you when you get a grip of it as it will probably the most comfortable reel fitting you’ve ever wrapped your hand round.
All three sections have an excellent action and it is a good all round rod that looks good and feels good. The price is actually very reasonable considering you’re getting the equivalent of three good barbel rods. Taking everything into consideration: quality of build, excellent handle, nice action on all three sections, three rods in one, and the price, this rod is awarded ‘Editor’s Choice’.
