The manufacturer says –
Benefits of Excel Series
• Offers the ultimate in performance for a wide range of situations
• Finesse actions are suitable for silver fish with light lines and small hooks
• Controlled fish-playing power for match carp fishing
• Visually stunning slim high modulus carbon blanks with natural gloss finish
• Carbonactive non-lock rod technology equals fewer lost fish
Excel 13’ float
The Excel 13’ is beautifully refined, light and responsive. The fine hollow tip is soft enough for the finest hooklengths and the smallest hooks and blends in perfectly to the middle section which has a mellow action for good fish-playing control. Ideal for silver fish, the Excel 13’ can also be used for match sized carp.
Editor’s Note: there is no RRP mentioned on Preston Innovations’ site for this rod, but you will find that dealers are quoting £199.99 RRP, but selling it in the region of £179 depending on where you purchase. Other models include a 14ft, 15ft, and 17ft float rod as well as a range of feeder rods.
The reviewer says –
I dared to mention getting a new float rod and the enemy, ‘er indoors, flew off the handle; “What do you need with another rod for?” she asked. This is a conundrum for many non-anglers, but for women in particular, it seems totally illogical. I explained that my 12 year old Milo Lexia was showing it’s age although still a superb rod in many respects and that this will be, possibly, the last ever float rod I buy (although I’m not being pessimistic about my future, my age simply dictates that it more than possibly will be.)
So, I would sell the old one and get myself a new float rod, but which? I have a preference to buying only one of three makes of rod (4 if you count Harrisons) because I like quality and amongst these 3 (or 4) you can usually count on that quality. After looking in my price range I thought the Preston C Series offered the best replacement for me so that was what I had in mind.
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| Andy unhooking a fish taken on the Excel feeder rod |
Until, that is, I met Andy Nellist (previous Drennan Specimen Cup Winner) again at our annual Clattercote match. Now if anyone knows a thing or two about fine rods, it’s Andy so when he said “I got this Preston Excel feeder rod recently, it’s a belter. I was so impressed in the shop I took a look at the float rod and bought that too.” I listened. He was fishing with the feeder rod and the float rod was set up ready as a standby so he followed his statement with “Here, have a feel of that.”
OK, I only got to waggle it around (it was a match after all), but it did feel very nice and if Andy was overjoyed with it, that would do for me. There was a slight difference in price between the C Series rod and the Excel, but I covered that at home by saying that over the years I shall have it for, it works out really cheaply. So the Excel it was and here’s some of the reasons I felt why.
Preston are terrific rods, that I already knew as I have their 11ft Mini Float and it is excellent. I also like triple legged rings, you may remember, and both the C Series and Excel have them all the way up the middle section and the Excel even has one at the bottom of the tip section. I also wanted a rod with a very comfortable grip and this has a 18mm (as I measured it) screw down reel fitting which I find most comfortable to hold.
The rod weighs less than 7¼ozs, a bit more than my old Milo, but then it does have a thicker and more comfortable handle and that must account for some extra weight, it’s still very light and the rod is very well balanced indeed. The action is very crisp and has a tip to middle performance, with plenty in reserve right down to the butt. One thing you will notice in the picture is that the top section fits to th emid section with a spigot joint, quite unusual for a match rod, but it does work and there are NO flat spots anywhere!
So, I fitted it with a new Stradic reel (more on that in a later review) and .20mm line said to be 6lbs (oh yeah! – more like 5 perhaps, but enough) and tested it at my friend’s lake that has a good mix of fish. I was hoping for a good number of roach and some crucians, but the cold weather wasn’t playing fair with us and apart from a couple of roach, most of the fish we caught were carp. Fishing a waggler I took around 20 fish up to over 7lbs on this rod and even though it bent to the handle on some, it is only meant to be a “light” rod after all, I always felt confident in handling them.
It was Graham Marsden who said that Preston rods will lift a 1kg dead weight off the ground, I’m not going to try that again (you had me once Mr Marsden!), but I can certainly believe this rod would do it too. The other thing I noticed was how smoothly and efficiently it delivered a float, not a heavy one either, but that could be as much to do with a well packed reel as well as a good rod. I had to go easy on the cast to save it landing in Stuart’s swim, who was directly opposite me, but I found this also with the Mini Float from Preston, they’re all excellent casting tools!
So, am I pleased and happy that I stretched myself to the Excel? You bet and thank you Mr Nellist for allowing me to feel your rod first! I only wished I was in the market for a feeder rod too, but I don’t know how many times I can get away with this without greatly upsetting the wife. Otherwise I may be needing Andy’s help in another sphere of his talents, he’s a divorce lawyer!!!
PS. Yes, I did buy this rod, we don’t get them free, as some people think. So, that gives me every right to criticise it as much as I like were it to have any faults. However, I cannot for the life of me find a single fault with this rod so in that regard it is absolutely perfect. If you can’t run to the Excel, take a look at the C Series as they retail around the £120 mark and I’m sure they’ll be excellent also, Preston are like that.
10/10
