Rod and reel recommendation

[dalesman]

I promised my nephew I would take him fishing on the river once the season start’s and get him some tackle. With a 150 not sure what to buy as I am not a tackle tart and my rods are at least tens years old, wanting something to instil the love of fishing running water. Thanks in advance.

 

[Alan Whitty]

You don't mention price constraints, which will stop many from replying, also species sought and methods he would like to try, one last thing is age.... many on FM find it difficult replying to such threads as you can be scolded by others on the recommendations, be glad to add my ideas....

 

[steve2]

With £150 you will be able to buy all you need to start fishing as long as you ignore the makers and fish species names on the rod butts. Which are only there to catch anglers not fish. There is plenty of tackle in the price far better than we had when we started.
If I was starting out now I would look at say the Drennen Red range. or even Ebay where people are always getting rid of good tackle.

 

[Alan Whitty]

That is what I would do, look on ebay, but if you wanted to float fish and feeder fish then that gives you a target, if carping or barbel fishing then that gives another, so many different types in those four subjects alone, such a great time for him, but never enough money to spend lol....

 

[dalesman]

That is what I would do, look on ebay, but if you wanted to float fish and feeder fish then that gives you a target, if carping or barbel fishing then that gives another, so many different types in those four subjects alone, such a great time for him, but never enough money to spend lol....

He will be learning to trot for dace, chub and grayling and come the winter months silvers during the winter months.

 

[Alan Whitty]

Ahhh, then a 3-4000 sized reel, say a Daiwa Ninja, they come at around £50-60, I will have a look on ebay and see if any rods stand out at a relevant price....

 

[The bad one]

I wanted a no nonsense 14 ft cheapish float rod for fishing the reservoirs. Something that would mainly sit in rod rests but on the lightish side. Me and my wife were in Decathlon for presents for the grandkids, I always have a look on the fishing section when I'm in, as I've had some interesting bits of tackle down the years. So just on the off chance, I had a look at the rods. There in the rack was a 14 ft rod, I got it out of the rack felt the weight and gave it a waddle. Just what I was looking for and at £38 I wasn't going to argue about it.
I even gave the 13 ft rod a weigh up and thought about it, but as I've a Harrison GTI hollow tip at that length I didn't buy it. Had I been in the market for one of that length I'd have bought it,
So I guess what I'm saying is go and have a look in Decathlon you may find, at the right price, something for him.
Leave their own brand of reels well alone not very well made in my view.

 

[steve2]

Bought and caught many fish on decathlon tackle and other cheap brands of tackle and the one thing I have found out is that the fish don't know.

 

[Alan Whitty]

No they don't Steve, but you do...

 

[nottskev]

Real anglers know that fancy product is all a con. That's why we live on beans in converted shipping containers, don't we? If I were, though, trying to get the best I could on a particular budget, I'd be inclined to look beyond new. There's so much turn-over in fishing gear these days that there are endless opportunities to get (barely) used high-quality rods and reels at modest cost.

 

[ian g]

I tend to follow Kev's route and have had some decent tackle via ebay etc.

 

[Keith M]

The 2 piece 12ft Darent Valley Specialist float rod in the link below looks quite nice for only £55 and it’s not only suitable for trotting on rivers for barbel and chub, but also excels on still waters in search of tench, bream, big roach, big rudd and big perch. Plus it can be carried ready made up.

Tackle Box Darent Valley 12ft 2-Piece Specialist Float Rod

Tackle Box Darent Valley 12ft 2-Piece Specialist Float Rod

tacklebox.co.uk

(There’s also a 13ft one for £65)

Although it’s not necessarily an ideal rod for tiny roach and Dace, it should handle them well enough.

I haven’t used them myself but; Darent Valley rods are making quite a good name for themselves.

Keith