Advice on which Avon rod to buy

[alantay]

Hi, My name Alan I am new to the Forum.
I am about to re-start fishing again and need some advice on which all rounder Avon rod to buy for fishing on float and feeder for general most fish included barbel and carp.
I am going around in circles and getting confused on which one to buy. I am planning to spend between £50 -60 pounds.
I have so far come across the following from my research on the internet:
1. John Wilson Barbel Quiver Rod and John Wilson Avon Quiver Deluxe.
2. Fox Royale Barbel Specialist Rods
3. Shakespeare Agility Barbel 12FT Rod

John Wilson seems very popular and probable a good buy. However I can see lots of reviews with the quality of the tips breaking and people been stuck with not getting parts and having to re-buy a complete new sets. Could be poor quality and now outdated 2011 model?

Could someone on the Forum please advice on what is a good buy Avon rod that I should buy for my budget and any other makes that is now update for 2014?

 

[Teabreak]

Hi Alan, I was in the same situation as you earlier this year. Starting a again and wanting a one rod does all setup. I got the JW Avon quiver deluxe for about £48. It's ok and I've used it for float mainly and a bit of swim feeder work. I've caught carp up to about 10lb on the float. Now I've not seen or fished any other rods to compare it with but generally you can tell quality goods when you see it and I would say that these are not really quality items. I've not broken any of it yet. For me it's ok but I feel my self lusting after better gear as I get more involved. I matched it with a Diawa Harrier Match reel. Only complaint with that is its a bit clunky and needs a firm wind to click the bail arm back on after casting. Probably not made your task any easier but good luck.

Also early on when I first started back, I would snap a lot of hook lengths when striking. Probably my fault but maybe something to do with the rod as well. They were 3-4lbs strength. I'm much better at it now.

 

[john step]

Alan, you say you are starting fishing again. Good welcome back. I wonder how long ago you last fished as you mention one rod to general fish and for barbel and carp.
That is a tall order for any one rod. If you last fished before the advent of higher stocked commercials you may not realise there is carp fishing and CARP fishing. The CARP fishing is the one with 2 or more SPECIALIST rods, run indicators and all the paraphernalia that goes with it for bigger fish and the carp fishing is for usually smaller higher stocking density fish which a rod you describe is certainly adequate.
An Avon rod would cope with barbel on the smaller rivers but not in all conditions on the likes of the Trent or Severn. It couldn't cope with the weights needed to be cast.

Do you intend to float fish? Would you be better off stretching the budget a bit and getting a reasonably priced float rod and a feeder rod both which can specifications of using 8lb main lines but can go below that.
Ask yourself why you want one rod to do everything?

Most of the modern rods are lighter and cheaper compared to years ago much the same as electricals are nowadays.
There are bargains out there. Can you visit a good tackle shop for advice?
It mostly depends on what type of water you fish.
PS. There are some commercials with barbel in lakes now!!
Hope this helps. No doubt others will agree and disagree.
PPS I smashed the top section of my JW Avon 5 piece travel rod this year as I only had this rod with me on holiday and tried to push it too far!!!

 

[greenie62]

.... need some advice on which all rounder Avon rod to buy for fishing on float and feeder for general most fish included barbel and carp. ...John Wilson seems very popular and probable a good buy....

I've had no major problems with my JW Avon/Quiver and it's a good standby for 'any-purpose' conditions - had it for about a million years - it's still going strong - but it's not stopped me buying other rods in the meantime! mg:

 

[john step]

I've had no major problems with my JW Avon/Quiver and it's a good standby for 'any-purpose' conditions - had it for about a million years - it's still going strong - but it's not stopped me buying other rods in the meantime! mg:

Greenie, I have a mate with one and it is an old one and is very durable.
My new (travel version) is quite flimsy by comparison. I wonder if the new non travel version/ordinary version is just as flimsy.
Anyone bought a recent one?

 

[binka]

I wonder if the new non travel version/ordinary version is just as flimsy.
Anyone bought a recent one?

I haven't John but my regular fishing mate bought one around six months ago, he said it felt a bit light to what he had expected (mail order, didn't try it first) although I've seen him land a fair few river barbel on it using the quiver section with feeders along with some mid-double lake carp.

He also trod on and broke one of the tips but was unable to get a replacement... Or was unable to get a replacement at a realistic price.

 

[itsfishingnotcatching]

PPS I smashed the top section of my JW Avon 5 piece travel rod this year as I only had this rod with me on holiday and tried to push it too far!!!

My wife did the same with mine, wrote to manufacturer, received replacement top section inside ten days, cost (I think), about £18 incl. P & P.. Its a pretty decent all-rounder at a fair price

 

[sam vimes]

I doubt this is what you really want to hear, but I wouldn't recommend any Avon type rod for float fishing. However, much depends on the float fishing you do. If it revolves around the heavier end of the spectrum, or short range stillwater work, then they can be just about acceptable. Light line stuff or trotting and I find them to be quite intolerable.

I firmly believe that two, or more, cheaper rods would serve most anglers far better that one jack of all trades, master of none alternative.

 

[alantay]

OK guys you are slowly changing my mind not to buy an Avon Rod. I last fished 10 years ago. I have just re-started with my son.
I will mainly be fishing in Commercial Fishier Lakes and not rivers. I mainly enjoy fishing on the float and want to catch most fish on the float. I also enjoy fishing on feeder for the larger fish like Carp.
Should I start by buying a good float rod for about 50 pounds, which ones would you recommended?
How about the feeder rod, would I need a second rod?
Basically I do not really want to be carried two rods to the lake. Sorry for the stupid questions its been a long time since I fished. Can I not get a rod that can do both float and feeder?

 

[john step]

i doubt this is what you really want to hear, but i wouldn't recommend any avon type rod for float fishing. However, much depends on the float fishing you do. If it revolves around the heavier end of the spectrum, or short range stillwater work, then they can be just about acceptable. Light line stuff or trotting and i find them to be quite intolerable.

I firmly believe that two, or more, cheaper rods would serve most anglers far better that one jack of all trades, master of none alternative.

absolutely spot on.
You won't be happy for long. You will soon want more than on rod set up. Change of wind direction/strength.Fish move out then in again. Fish start feeding in margins where you have been dribbling bait all day. etc etc. Sams advice on rods above is correct. Do invest in the time to go to a largish tackle shop and ask advice and most importantly pick the rods up and handle them.
And don't go overboard on reel prices either.
If you really get back into fishing you will know when to upgrade everything in a season or three!!!

 

[sagalout]

If you are fishing commercials then I would recommend a pellet waggler rod, available from £20 upwards. I use mine for normal float fishing, pellet waggler and light feeder. A pellet waggler rod will cast 20 grams so a small 15 gram feeder is ok as long as you aren't casting long distances.

 

[alantay]

thank you all for your advice. I will go to my local tackle shop and purchase my new rod with their advice.

 

[tb4457]

At the start of this season I was in a similar position fishing on a small river and ended up looking at Shimano Alivio Classic (£50), Daiwa Theory Specialist (£80) and Shakespeare Agility Barbel (heavier test curve than the others) (£55). My favourite is the Daiwa very well finished with a lovely through action second the Agility very well finished with a heavier action and lastly the Shimano as the eyes are not aligned perfectly down the blank and the seat is offset to the rings, the action of the shimano is the softest of them all. The Daiwa and the Shimano being Avon rods both come with a selection of twin tips and different quiver tips 1-2oz weights).

I have used these for feeder fishing mainly short range up to 30yds with quite heavy groundbait/pellet feeders and also float fishing but these are quite heavy compared to a dedicated float rod.

If I could make my choices again, I would look at the Shakespeare Agility range, float and feeder rods as they give fantastic value for money, look good and are a pleasure to use.

 

[robtherake]

Have a look at the latest Middy Micro Muscle float rod. Nice and soft in the tip to prevent hook pulls, but with bags of power lower down the rod, should you need it (Middy recommend mainlines up to 12lb, but 8lb's more realistic.) It's light - very light - and makes accurate casting a cinch. Line pick-up on the strike is outstanding, considering the 11ft length. Some very good deals available, too - mine was £63 (RRP £100.)

This guy likes it, too: MIDDY 3G MICRO MUSCLE 11FT WAGGLER ROD - TESTED - Angler's Mail