Tony Miles and Trefor West need no introduction. They are both leading specialist anglers, particularly where big chub and barbel are concerned. They are the design team behind a range of rods from a company known as Pulse Direct. 
It was obvious from the start that this 11ft 6in chub rod was going to be beefy enough to extract a big, hefty chub from a snaggy swim. The blank had power to spare, and knowing the size of chub that Tony catches regularly it was not surprising that he should design a chub rod that was eminently capable of handling the biggest chub he was hoping would cross his path. No doubt he was glad of that power when he struck into the 6lb 10oz chub he extracted from the Great Ouse last winter.
Although the rod has power to spare it isn’t a tent prop (as some rods undoubtedly are) in fact it is a surprisingly slim blank that tapers away at the tip to give it a reasonably soft action where it matters. My own preference is for a slightly softer tip but that is more a matter of taste. And anyhow, when fitted, the overfit quivertip supplied takes care of that. The power is where it should be – in the middle and butt section.
The rod comes with a 1oz overfit quiver tip, and although I much prefer to use a rod with a spliced-in quivertip, this one didn’t look out of place, like it belonged to another rod, as is the case with some plug-in quivertips. It was a good fit and provided the rod with that essential bite indicator that most chub fishing situations demand. 
Chub can be tricky devils when it comes to taking a bait and although they can be caught with touch-leger tactics you can’t beat using a quivertip in combination with feeling for bites. For those who prefer to fish without a quivertip, or when the water is running fast, you simply replace the quivertip with an overfit tip ring, a novel idea that gives almost the same effect as a twin-top rod, but at a much lower cost. But take care of the tip ring when not in use, it can be easily lost! The quivertip has a fly ring whipped close to the end to provide an attachment for a betalight when night fishing.
It is a good-looking rod with a dark green satin finish, full cork handle with screwed reel fitting, and Fuji rings.
There are two in the chub range, one from Trefor at 10ft 6in long and costing £ 185 and the one I tested from Tony at 11ft 6in long and costing £ 189. Post and packing is £ 5 per rod.
Order direct from Pulse Direct, phone 01472 230904
Or Tony Miles on 01203 544704
Or Trefor West on 01203 454181
E-mail: pulse.direct@dtn.ntl.com
