Another Dave
Well-known member
Philip is it this one? Tackle Box Darent Valley 8ft Specialist Quiver Rod
Having had the tips of a couple of light carbon 13' rods snap on me without much (or any) pressure in recent times, and hearing similar stories from the owners of much more expensive models, I'm currently using a 1970s Hardy Matchmaker (12' hollow glass) with complete satisfaction. It handles small fish and light lines very well, but seems equally at home with a 6lb line for carp to mid-doubles. Shame about the sliding reel bands, but I've not had a reel fall off yet...
And the guff some people talk about sliding bands..... makes you wonder how **** Walker, Ivan Marks or Kevin Ashurst ever caught anything. Surely their reels were falling off all the time?
Philip hi. I keep thinking about this rod. I googled it and one of the results was on here where itsfishingnotcatching reccommended the exact same rod to me and you yourself mentioned you'd just bought one. Suggest a really light rod that folds down to 3ft or less
How light is the action? Since restarting fishing last year most of my warm weather fishing has been roving my very local river for chub and perch. Light lure rod. Worms and small lures, every swim is different but my favourite swim is a bit of a parrot cage and 8ft is the absolute max for a rod there. The swim is a gift from heaven because 9/10 passing anglers give it a miss.
Took the greyhound down there today, trying to train it to be my fishing dog. Took some bread and soon found dozens of chub going nuts for it, saw nothing much bigger than a pound but it didn't half get my heart going. Through in half a slice and it disappeared and then floated back up with a perfect cookie cutter bite removed. Five weeks to go.
Yes anyway, fish average a pound, 5lber would be exceptional. After a chub or two i'm happy to catch 4oz fish for the rest of the day, on a 10g lure rod they're still good fun.
David has the line accidentally wrapped round the tip as you have cast out ? and not noticed until you reeled in.?
Where in Cheshire are you ? and would you like to join our little group on fishing various venues around the area ?
nothing serious just a get together.
Hi Mark - I don't think the problem was caused by wrap-arounds, as most of the light float fishing I was doing with those rods was literally a rod's length out, involving an underhand swing rather than an actual cast. I'm actually in the "Deep South" of Cheshire, right on the border with Staffordshire, and only fish a few club waters within 20 minutes of home these days but thanks for the invite!
Unless you go right back to well used sliding metal bands (exacerbated on rods with poor quality duplon handles), I've never had a issue with reels falling off. I just don't like the way sliding bands feel in hand. It was never a problem when that was all I had, but there's no going back for me.
The reason I got it is because its folds down very small and is ideal for living in the boot of your car for say a quick after work session.
"The Deep South " of Cheshire ?....... that's where they go round saying "Give me a high six " :wh
Philip, thanks for the detailed reply. Just one more question for now. When you say:
could you be a love and tell me what the collapsed length is please?
Indeed. I'm sure we all use what we like, if we have a preference either way. My point was just prompted by noticing that the idea that reels fell off rods with sliding bands is becoming established as a "factoid" in some quarters, when, of course, they didn't. Not in your posts, I hasten to add!. I think the cork handle + bands provided a beautiful look and hand-hold for many rods; cheap screw fittings and foam are in many cases an ugly replacement that feels naff. Myself, I do prefer screw seats on barbel rods, since these fish pull so hard and have the rod bucking and twisting in your hand, and you need a more secure fitting. The day that happens to me with roach and bream, I'll a) change my reel fittings b) phone Angling Times.
I gott'a addmitt Kev, i've had reels fall off rods with reel ring holders. A m8 of mine had a much loved drennan im8 super feeder that he used a lot whilst bream fishing in Ierland and i've seen him driven to distraction as his reel was constantly coming loose and at worst falling off!
He finally had enough of the problem and had a fuji screw down reel seat fitted and the problem was solved.
I still have several or more rods with reel ring holders and they all work ok as the corks are still like new. To be sure that a expensive reel doesnt fall off and get damaged when using the rods I add a strip of insulation tape behind the bottom ring, its not intrusive in any way and gives peace of mind.
Good to hear from you. I agree some rods seem to have inferior cork that compresses down and makes a loose fit. And I'd admit I reeled in a few Irish bream with my fingers holding rod and reel together - iirc the culprit was a Daiwa Amorphous 11/13 - with one of those fussy handles with thick bits, thin bits, wide bits, flat bits...... The reel bands ended up loose and I had to wrap the cork in insulation tape for want of a better solution in deepest Galway. Most of my older rods, though, are still fine and reliable.