MAP Dave Harrell HT Match Rod 14ft

[John Keane]

I was feeling a little guilty about hijacking this thread by my reference to rods being like footballers( it may merit a thread of its own) but then recalled that the thread was started by you John and I assume you are not concerned!

Be nice to get it back on track, if anyone is interested in the rod? I was very pleasantly surprised by the action and quality of the Harrison blank, since they aren’t universally known for float rods. Also, others on here have intimated that the rod is heavy, but, and I’ve had it on the scales, it’s 196g which is 7oz and very respectable for a 14ft Match rod. I would imagine that the strength of the blank might place it near to the Acolyte Ultra. It’s not going to be used for barbel but will mainly be used for grayling, with my nice new (to me) Purist II 2051 ‘pin.

Can’t wait!

 

[sam vimes]

There's never been anything wrong with the action of the Harrison float rods, they are just a bit long in the tooth. I was told the better part of ten years back that they might be looking to update them. However, it never happened. I can only suspect that sales don't justify the effort. The harsh reality is that most of the match and general coarse fraternity have never even heard of Harrison blanks/rods. They sell carp and barbel rods by the cartload in comparison.

I’ve had it on the scales, it’s 196g which is 7oz and very respectable for a 14ft Match rod.

When you consider that a 14' Acolyte Ultra is specified as 149g, 14' Acolyte Plus is 156g and the Browning Sphere 14' Match is 157g, then the Harrison is, at best, average when it comes to bare weight figures. To really emphasize the point, the 17' Acolyte Float is 198g.

 

[John Keane]

There's never been anything wrong with the action of the Harrison float rods, they are just a bit long in the tooth. I was told the better part of ten years back that they might be looking to update them. However, it never happened. I can only suspect that sales don't justify the effort. The harsh reality is that most of the match and general coarse fraternity have never even heard of Harrison blanks/rods. They sell carp and barbel rods by the cartload in comparison.



When you consider that a 14' Acolyte Ultra is specified as 149g, 14' Acolyte Plus is 156g and the Browning Sphere 14' Match is 157g, then the Harrison is, at best, average when it comes to bare weight figures. To really emphasize the point, the 17' Acolyte Float is 198g.

One of the contributors of this thread reckoned that Harrison float blanks weren’t up to much.

They are producing carp and barbel rods because that’s where current trends and fads are. Poles are where the money is now in Match fishing, not rods.

I would suspect that the 17ft Accy is more of an issue in the balance/wrist fatigue department than bare weight? Also we’re always hearing of Acolytes breaking so maybe the headline weights are an issue?

As someone who is used to standing in a river for up to 8 hours a day with a 15ft double-handed salmon fly rod, I think the Dave Harrell is going to be a doddle!


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[tigger]

One of the contributors of this thread reckoned that Harrison float blanks weren’t up to much.

They are producing carp and barbel rods because that’s where current trends and fads are. Poles are where the money is now in Match fishing, not rods.

I would suspect that the 17ft Accy is more of an issue in the balance/wrist fatigue department than bare weight? Also we’re always hearing of Acolytes breaking so maybe the headline weights are an issue?

As someone who is used to standing in a river for up to 8 hours a day with a 15ft double-handed salmon fly rod, I think the Dave Harrell is going to be a doddle!


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John, regarding the acolyte rods and the breakages, I can tell you with all honesty i've tested mine to beyong their limits and they've really impressed me. I have the accy rods in 13ft plus, 14ft and a 12ft carp waggler. I haven't got an ultra but after my own experiences with acolyes and many other drennan rods I would have no doubts about the rods quality and reliability.
At the end of the day you've got the rod you fancied so hopefully it performs well for you .

 

[sam vimes]

They are producing carp and barbel rods because that’s where current trends and fads are. Poles are where the money is now in Match fishing, not rods.

Depends on what you mean, there's not a huge amount in poles for the retailers. However, the only match and general coarse fishing I take much notice of revolves around rivers and the more natural stillwaters. Most of the anglers I know and encounter don't own poles. Only those with a specialist angling background tend to be aware of Harrisons.

I would suspect that the 17ft Accy is more of an issue in the balance/wrist fatigue department than bare weight?

I own one, balance isn't an issue. It feels better in hand than most manufacturers 15' rods and even some of the poorer 13' rods I've encountered.

Also we’re always hearing of Acolytes breaking so maybe the headline weights are an issue?

As someone that owns six different Acolytes, batters them (in a purely angling sense), and hasn't seen a breakage yet, I can acknowledge that there have been breakages. However, I'm not particularly convinced that every reported breakage is down to some type of inherent flaw. There's also some evidence of exaggeration, being economical with the truth and Chinese whispers.

As someone who is used to standing in a river for up to 8 hours a day with a 15ft double-handed salmon fly rod, I think the Dave Harrell is going to be a doddle!

Perhaps not, but that doesn't mean that the 14' Harrison is anything other than average when it comes to weight, and that was the only point I was making.

 

[John Keane]

The match fishing scene these days is huge and is generally recognised as being centred around open or club matches on small, commercial still waters for carp and F1’s and there is a lot of money involved. Whether or not that floats your boat or you don’t see many people fishing with poles, the fact is that it’s there and generally centred around city, town and other large urban areas.

These matches are dominated by pole fishing with a periodic participation or specialisation in bottom fishing with rods like Method Feeders or up in the water with a Pellet Waggler. Nobody fishes a Match rod in a match anymore as it can be done so much better with a pole. Match rods nowadays tend to be designated Carp Match or Power Match but in reality, I know a lot of Matchmen and nobody fishes waggler in matches. As for profit margins in poles, Daiwa charge around £3grand for their top of the range Air XLS so there must be money in it somewhere? My favourite tackle dealer specialises in coarse and match and stocks lots of poles and I’ve not heard him complain that they weren’t worth his while stocking.


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[iain t]

My Preston 17ft rod is said to weigh 202g. I prefer this compared to using my 13/14ft float rods. I suffer from worn back disc's and hip problems but i find at the end of a 4/5 hours trotting session i have no back ache where with a shorter rod my back can cause hell. I mainly put this down to rod/reel balance.
Your 14ft MAP rod weighs a little less so i can't see any problems using it all day.
I may have made a mistake about the weight of your rod at the beginning of the tread. I mixed yours with the MAP 17/20ft model