Need help selecting a rod

[mistera]

Looking for a rod that will do feeder fishing from a loch bank for trout so feeders of around 20-35 grams, and can also do some casual float fishing at ponds and canals etc.

I don't have enough money to buy muliple different rods, I was looking at the shakespeare range (agility and sigma range)

I have no idea what one to choose, not got a shop near me that stocks them so would have to order online. The models I have been looking at:

- Agilty Wand (looks a bit light for feeder fishing 35g feeders)
- Agilty Feeder (looks good, not sure if it can handle light to medium floats)
- Agility Specimen (unsure)
- Sigma Specialist (unsure)
- Sigma Feeder (unsure)

No idea what model or size to get, I need 2 rods one for me and one for my step son who is just starting to learn to fish. Need something that can handle both types of fishing, feeder and light/med float fishing

 

[Lord Paul of Sheffield]

I think you would find the wand to light a rod - the tips may be very soft

 

[Keith M]

I think you will be asking a little too much for a feeder rod that will also handle light and medium floats.

A float rod will usually have standoff rings to keep the line from sticking to the blank when casting a small float in damp conditions, and a feeder rod will need to be capable of casting various sizes of feeders fully loaded with bait.

They are two different beasts, however if you will not need to cast a float very far and you don't need to use really light hooklengths then it is possible to find a rod that can (at a push) be used for both feeder and float.

Keith

 

[robtherake]

What you may be looking for is a twin-tip rod - one which has a standard top for floatfishing and a quiver top for feeder angling.

The Tackle Box have their own range of specialist rods with an excellent reputation. Something like this may suit: http://www.tacklebox.co.uk/rods-en/...ley-11ft-1.25lb-avon-quiver-twin-tip-rod.html

There are any number of twin-tips available to choose from, with different lengths, actions and test curves. I'm sure one of them will fit the bill.

 

[john step]

The Sigma feeder would fit the bill ( for the feeder fishing) but the Sigma Specialist is too beefy although it does come with a threaded top eye for quiver tips.

I feel that the John Wilson twin tip avons were popular for the reason you have expressed. OK it does both but not as good as individual rods.

Tacklebargains have a cheaper version if you go down that route.

What is not appreciated sometimes by dedicated/experienced anglers is that sometimes rods that they themselves wouldn't look at would be a suitable compromise for beginners or the cash strapped to get on with for a while.

If you search around the net you could pick up both a float rod and a feeder rod for about 60 quid or less in total.

Look for the base models of a well know name and you won't go far wrong.
Just Google around

 

[robtherake]

The Sigma feeder would fit the bill but the Sigma Specialist is too beefy although it does come with a threaded top eye for quiver tips.

I feel that the John Wilson twin tip avons were popular for the reason you have expressed. OK it does both but not as good as individual rods.

Tacklebargains have a cheaper version if you go down that route.

What is not appreciated sometimes by dedicated/experienced anglers is that sometimes rods that they themselves wouldn't look at would be a suitable compromise for beginners or the cash strapped to get on with for a while.

If you search around the net you could pick up both a float rod and a feeder rod for about 60 quid or less in total.

Look for the base models of a well know name and you won't go far wrong.
Just Google around

Daiwa's entry level float and feeder rods have a great reputation:

Daiwa Carp Feeder Rods | Rods | Carp

Daiwa D Fish Feeder Rod 11ft | Angling Direct

Daiwa Proteus Match Waggler Rod 13ft | Angling Direct

The float rod's half price, too. Bargain!

 

[Tee-Cee]

Some great suggestions for the OP to think about....

I think John Step has it about right in that the more experienced / money to spend / like to have the top tool for the job folk on FM occasionally boohoo tackle which doesn't have the quality of top gear ( and some wouldn't be seen dead with it ) but still has much to offer those with limited cash.....

I imagine many of us started out with one rod which did everything - mine was hollow steel, then cane, then solid fibre glass - all dreadful by todays standards, but they all caught fish !

NOT to say many don't offer quality advice because they do, and this thread proves it, but a DEDICATED thread dealing with ' cheaper ' tackle for those who are cash strapped / just starting out, might be a nice idea ?? ( That's a question ! )

I don't have the knowledge for this but some on here obviously do........................Rods, reels, ancillary gear - the most costly items.........

 

[john step]

Right then...as Tee-Cee has suggested. I will kick off a new thread on cheaper tackle/value tackle that is not cr*p and will see who comes up with what.
Under General Fishing. We don't get much from the sea or fly guys but who knows.

 

[lepirate]

Fly rods.. All the Shakespeare Agility range, from through action small stream stuff to 7 piece travel rods to a big game 10wt. Most under 50 quids and on offer down to 23 depending on which particular rod. They cast well, feel good and handle fish well, finish is good and weight is light in the hand. They compare well with rods at 4 or 5 times the price! Reckon the coarse rods will be the same quality.
Dave.

 

[robtherake]

Fly rods.. All the Shakespeare Agility range, from through action small stream stuff to 7 piece travel rods to a big game 10wt. Most under 50 quids and on offer down to 23 depending on which particular rod. They cast well, feel good and handle fish well, finish is good and weight is light in the hand. They compare well with rods at 4 or 5 times the price!
Dave.

What line rating would the rod need to have in order to happily cast a 30-40g feeder, as per the OP's original question?