Barbel v Feeder rod

[Andrew Wright 2]

I am looking for a feeder or barbel rod, which is the most suitable for all round? I have in mind Shimano Antares Specialist or Technium DF heavy feeder.

 

[Ron 'The Hat' Clay]

Personally I would stick to the barbel rod.

They have a nice through action that is far superior for playing big fish. What are termed heavy feeder rods tend to have actions like a snooker cue.

 

[Matt Brown]

Typically, a feeder rod will have more of a tip action to make casting easier, but as Ron says, a softer, through action Barbel Rod make playing big fish easier and safer.

I'm sure the Antares Specialist is a lovely rod, but it would be a bit undergunned for proper Barbel fishing with 10 or 12lb line.

If you're likely to fish smaller venues where you don't need to cast 50 yards or more then a Barbel rod might be a little better.

The Greys Prodigy is 1.5lb tc would be a decent alround choice.

 

[Chub King]

I've got a Greys 1.75lb Prodigy and it's great for short-range work. Makes a damn good tench rod too. God alone knows what kind of rod you'd want for somewhere like the Trent, probably be best off with a light carp rod from what I've heard. Never had the guts to tackle the venue myself, bit intimidating!

 

[Ron 'The Hat' Clay]

I've used several different rods for Trent Barbel.

The very best I have found is the Harrison Chemira 11 1/2 foot barbel rod. This rod has a powerful yet through action and will chuck a 4oz lead an incredible distance.

It really is the ideal Trent Barbel rod.

 

[Matt Brown]

Greg, the river has been so low all season that you can get away with almost any tip rod. I've been able to hold bottom with an ounce and a half in swims where 4oz was required last year.

My mate Adam uses the 1.75lb Prodigy's and likes them alot.

 

[Andrew Wright 2]

Thanks for the advice chaps.Will have to have a summarise.

 

[pons]

Andrew ,
Plenty of Barbel Rods come with two tips,one often being a quiver top.
Think you will find a 1/ 75 top a better proposition.
Nearly all the major companies do them,most of them excellent.
Lately,in the low flows I have used the quiver tops alot,along with a feeder and crushed pellet and crushed boilies.
It will make no differance to the power you can exert,but is more prone to jamming the rings if weed is around.
They are usually better balanced and lighter with the quiver tops.
Pons.

 

[Graham Whatmore]

You can buy, for ?99, a Greys dual avon top rod that would be just about perfect for you, the tops are 1.25lb/1.75lb, its a 12ft 2 piece rod and you won't get anything better at that price. I have one and would recommend Greys rods to anyone.

 

[yoggy]

Definatly,go for the barbel rod mate,much more versatile,and have a far better action,i have numerous barbel rods all of which double for feeder rods.As Graham says go for one with a duel top,it"ll cover you for most eventualities

 

[Wolfman Woody]

I'd agree with Graham Whatmore on this. If I were in the market for a new barbel rod I'd look at the Grey's twin top one. Good value and very versatile.

The blanks on Grey's rods are superb, part of the Hardy Group if you know or remember them. 1st class manufacturer.

 

[Chub King]

The 1.75lb Prodigy Barbel by Greys has a tip top and an Avon top, the latter having a very light tip which takes knocks from the current without displacing leads/feeders. Okay with 3oz weights and bags. Should handle low doubles.

 

[Paul Mallinson 2]

Depends what most of your fishing will be for mate but the shimano barble rod I think have a avon top and a quiver top so the best of both worlds.

Chub King, the trent is not intimidating once you have fished ther once or twice, in fact, if you get a couple of things right and have the right gear its easy.

 

[fred hall]

Back to the original question-whilst I would not dare to doubt the words of the esteemed above eg Ron I will say that my pair of Shakespeare Odessa heavy feeder rods have served me well (and are still doing so, 5 barbel and 3 chub for a total weight circa 52lbs yesterday). I paid ?80 for the pair but to be fair the Shimano reels cost a bit more than that.

 

[matthew nightingale]

Andrew,

I bought the Fox Barbel Plus and its been a pleasure to use. Really responsive and bends into fish very nicely. Well worth a ?100.

M

 

[STUART BARRETT]

I BOUGHT THE SHIMANO HYPERLOOP POWER WITH A 1.75LB TC FOR ABOUT 55 QUID. THEY ALSO DO A LIGHTER VERSION AT 1.5LB AND A HEAVIER ONE FOR FLOOD CONDITIONS,BUT I THINK THEY MAYBE PHASING THEM OUT, AS YOU DONT SEE MANY ABOUT NOW.