Trotting float rod recommendations

[clutch]

Hello,

After a bit of a disaster last week, I slipped down the river bank and my Shakespeare Mach 3 XT broke my fall, which is now in more sections then it should be!

So, I am in the market for a float rod. I shall be using it on the Severn at Bridgnorth, using both stick and waggler. Ideally, I am looking for a bit of an all rounder. This time of year I will be targeting chub. But, it would be great if it was suitable to use for all river species.

Length wise, I don't think I would go bellow 13ft, but I hear that a 15ft would give be better control on a river such as the Severn.

The issue I have is cost... Ideally I don't want to break the bank. So £60-ish is about my budget. Does anyone have any ideas?

Should I be looking on ebay and go used, I see Greys do a specialist float range that occasionally come up cheap.

Any advice or recommendations would be great.

Thanks.

 

[rich66]

At 13 foot I’ve got a Daiwa Harrier match rod. Seems to handle anything I abuse it with quite well. It’s handled 6lb carp & tench with no problems and hundreds of silverfish with ease. I even light leger with it on the river/canal on occasion. I think they have now been replaced with the Ninja rod which can be picked up for less than 60 new online. Worth looking at if you can have a feel first.
2nd hand is always a good option, you can pick up some decent kit if you keep your eye out.

 

[JONM14]

Greys prodigy specialist float 13 ft. I paid around £100 2 years ago and its best rod Ive owned. Ive used it at Bewdley and Arley a few times with an abu 506 and its been brilliant. My dad had the same until he fell on it but he had the lifetime guarantee and they upgraded to the new one for next to nothing. Weve both had big chub without an issue and my dad has had double figure barbel on his but its great for silvers aswell.

 

[trotter2]

A drennan drx would be a nice rod for you. Look on eBay sometimes turn up.

 

[daniel121]

Gutted for you mate, mach 3's were very special rods for the price. Unfortunately I'm not a major fan of modern rods in my opinion they have been cheapend down and as a consequence are far far less quality than what you have just broken.

My advice would be to have a look for a second hand model on ebay. I doubt for your price zone you quoted you will get anything like the quality of the old mach 3s. I'd personally look at the drennan rods but your going to have to double your budget to get anything like what your used too new.

Sorry to be a little doom and gloom

 

[tinca49]

In 13' I'd go for a Greys Prodigy TXL if you can find one, plenty of power for chub and barbel.
If you want 15' the Preston Innovations Carbonactive Excel is excellent, you see them on eBay for good prices every now and then.

 

[tigger]

Hello,

After a bit of a disaster last week, I slipped down the river bank and my Shakespeare Mach 3 XT broke my fall, which is now in more sections then it should be!

So, I am in the market for a float rod. I shall be using it on the Severn at Bridgnorth, using both stick and waggler. Ideally, I am looking for a bit of an all rounder. This time of year I will be targeting chub. But, it would be great if it was suitable to use for all river species.

Length wise, I don't think I would go bellow 13ft, but I hear that a 15ft would give be better control on a river such as the Severn.

The issue I have is cost... Ideally I don't want to break the bank. So £60-ish is about my budget. Does anyone have any ideas?

Should I be looking on ebay and go used, I see Greys do a specialist float range that occasionally come up cheap.

Any advice or recommendations would be great.

Thanks.

Theres some brand new shakespear mach 3 xt rods on ebay right now.

 

[silvers]

Which length Mach 3 did you have?
Frankly, you’ll struggle to get as good a rod new at your price range.
The 13’6” power float on ebay is not an absolute brute of a rod ... so may be suitable if you’re looking for a bit more power than a standard match rod.

There are two used cadence rods on eBay at 15 and 16ft. But they are no.1 so perhaps a bit too light actioned for Bridgnorth. The cadence is a similar action to the Mach3 but with a softer tip in my experience. I’d expect them to go a bit over your budget in the time remaining anyway. In my experience they are better than the Mach 3 at the 13ft length that I own.

 

[dalesman]

I have several cadence rod's in 11',13'and 14' 2# all good rods.

Have a look at the website