Advice on barbel rods for river wye.

[murphyboy69]

Hi,

I'm relatively new to barbel fishing and looking for advice on decent rods that would be up for the job of the river wye. Something that is capable of chucking a feeder to the far bank. 3oz feeders are normally used but be able to cast a 5oz loaded with bait in flood water when needed.

I have recently been using a shakespeare mach 2 barbel rod that was given to me by a friend but not sure if this a bit too light. Obly used 3oz feeders so far but even then im conscious ot feels a bit too light to cast the far bank (although it may just be me being a bit of a pansy and not having faith in the rod when casting hard)

Any advice?

 

[john step]

Have a look at the Korum 12 foot barbel rods in various test curves. One is advertised as being able to cast 6 ozs if I remember correctly.

 

[fruitowl]

peoples opinion vary each person likes a different feel and a different action in the rod I would suggest you go to your local tackle shop or shops and ask them feel the rods also they will tell you which test curve suits your needs and your budget.
I use a Wychwood rogue barbel rod with 1.75 lb test curve I cast 4oz cage feeders on the Severn I also have a Berkley Cherrywood heavy feeder rod which will cast 6oz easily.
it's horses for courses so specialist advice will help.
good luck and tight lines

 

[Jim Crosskey 2]

I fish the wye for a few sessions every year... I'm just curious in relation to the need to fish the far bank? Have you got some particular swims in mind where you need to get that far over?

The reason i ask is because personally i'd find it very hard going to fish the far bank (unless the river was very low, as it is now...) Canoes for one thing, assuming you're fishing in the daytime... but also the affect of current drag on the feeder, along with weed/ debris coming down, accumulating on the line and shifting the feeder. I've fished the wye a few times where no amount of lead would hold the bottom, because the debris gathering on your line will eventually make the feeder move, inevitably pulling it in to the nearest snag and making fishing pretty much impossible. (and very frustrating).

However, the interesting thing about those flood conditions is that is does make areas that would normally be devoid of fish in to natural holding areas for them. I caught my pb on the wye with the river having come up about 6 foot overnight. I found an area of slack water about a third of the way out, and cast to the edge of this slack (another 4 foot out and i'd have been in a raging torrent). In terms of tackle - i used a 3oz feeder and a 1.25lb test curve rod, and it handled it just fine. So maybe in flood conditions, it's worth having a look at areas that give you an opportunity to fish effectively?

If i ever felt the need to fish 6oz, i would just use a carp rod. I've had one in the bag a couple of times when i've been on the river in a flood, but as of yet its never come out as I've always first tried to find a more accommodating swim. Alternatively, those Korum rods at £50ish look a very good buy and worth checking out.

good luck!

 

[markv]

Just about to put up for sale a Shakespeare Mach 3 13ft Ugly feeder, 3 tips , 3 ,4 & 5 oz. Be just the job I reckon, genuinely been on the bank only once. Let me know if interested, would be a bargain. I just dont get down the Severn or Wye as I thought I might.