The elusive all round rod.

[Derek Gibson]

Does it exist?

Many years ago this was a hot topic following the introduction of the ''Dave Stewart all rounder''. Dave was and still is I believe an angler of recognised ability, he also ran a tackle shop.

The launch of his rod was met with mixed feelings, many notable anglers of the day disputing that such a rod was possible. I have to admit those were my feelings too, perhaps we were right as the rod didn't appear to have much in the way of longevity unlike the original popular ''Avon'' rod of the time.

But now today with state of the art materials could it be a possibility. Personally I have my doubts that there will ever be a rod that could cope with all situations, some maybe but not ''all''.

What do you think?

 

[no-one in particular]

I imagine any such rod would have to be designed to come in a calculated middle of every known species, type of fishing, situation. So, where would that be in length, casting ability, test curve, weight, etc.
I think at most it would be a whole series of compromises but who knows, for the first time angler, not too serious about species etc, could be a market for such a rod.

 

[tigger]

The nearest thing to an all round rod i've ever come across is the Hardy marksman 11ft avon. It has no quiver section so isn't going to be the best at bit detection if legering.

 

[sam vimes]

As far as I'm concerned, there has never been, and never will be, a true all round rod. The twin tipped Avon type (or a variation thereof) is as close as we're likely to see. I know that such a rod can be all that some anglers ever really need. I'd be most upset to be forced down this road, but if I were forced to have just one rod, it would logically be an Avon. The reality is that I do more float fishing than anything else. My last rod would be a proper float rod. I don't consider any Avon I've ever seen to be a proper float rod.

 

[trotter2]

It will alway be a bit of a comprise imo.
Think of a very light stick float rod designed to protect 1lb hook lengths and a barbel rod used with 12 lb line something has to give.
Even an avon rod won't do everything! some situations demand something more specialised.
But if I was pushed to pick one rod it would be an avon rod its as close as it gets for me.

 

[jasonbean1]

If I had to use just one rod I own for everything it would be the drennan specialist Avon 1.5 lb.... I could get by with that

 

[S-Kippy]

Such a rod does not and never will exist. If you take the bigger species out of the equation then I guess a decent twin top Avon Quiver is about as close as you'll get but I agree with Chris....no Avon rod will ever be anything other than just about adequate for float fishing [rivers] and useless for smaller fish.

There are many rods out there that will do a lot more than it says on the tin and personally I could probably get away with 3 rods to cover everything I ever do. But where's the fun in only owning 3 rods ?

What I'd really like to see is somebody produce a rod of around 11-11 and a half foot with a firmish [ie not sloppy] "avon action" using modern materials. Something with a TC [I know its subjective] of around 14 oz to 1lb. A remake of a proper Avon if you like.

The only 1lb tc [ish] rods I'm aware of are the Greys and a Korum. I've waggled both and dislike them both equally. Lifeless IMO but I know other people love them.

 

[sam vimes]

What I'd really like to see is somebody produce a rod of around 11-11 and a half foot with a firmish [ie not sloppy] "avon action" using modern materials. Something with a TC [I know its subjective] of around 14 oz to 1lb. A remake of a proper Avon if you like.

Tackle Box Darent Valley 11ft (0.75lb) Specialist Rod

 

[tigger]

Such a rod does not and never will exist. If you take the bigger species out of the equation then I guess a decent twin top Avon Quiver is about as close as you'll get but I agree with Chris....no Avon rod will ever be anything other than just about adequate for float fishing [rivers] and useless for smaller fish.

There are many rods out there that will do a lot more than it says on the tin and personally I could probably get away with 3 rods to cover everything I ever do. But where's the fun in only owning 3 rods ?

What I'd really like to see is somebody produce a rod of around 11-11 and a half foot with a firmish [ie not sloppy] "avon action" using modern materials. Something with a TC [I know its subjective] of around 14 oz to 1lb. A remake of a proper Avon if you like.

The only 1lb tc [ish] rods I'm aware of are the Greys and a Korum. I've waggled both and dislike them both equally. Lifeless IMO but I know other people love them.

Skippy, you've got the best avon rod ever made but you won't use it .

 

[steve2]

I had one when I first started fishing it was made from 2 pieces of cane and a fibre glass top section. I used it for everything from float fishing to pike fishing. I then found out that I needed a different rod for all styles of fishing but never found one to replace it and ended up with a tackle shop in the shed.

 

[The Runner]

No such thing really but I must admit I've used my Normark 13' Multitips for plenty of things other than what they were designed for.
With the heaviest tip in it makes a cracking float rod for commercial sized carp as well as chub and barbel on the river, still forgiving enough for roach and dace etc on the float although probably wouldn't go much below 2 lb hooklength on it.
Great fun catching Pollack and coalies down the harbour wall as well. Haven't risked it on the open sea, that's what the 1.75TC barbel rod is for...

 

[john step]

I had one when I first started fishing it was made from 2 pieces of cane and a fibre glass top section. I used it for everything from float fishing to pike fishing. I then found out that I needed a different rod for all styles of fishing but never found one to replace it and ended up with a tackle shop in the shed.

Likewise. My rod to do anything was a 11ft Edgar Sealy Octofloat split cane.

It never occurred to me as a youngster that the name Octofloat meant just that and wasn't really designed for ledgering and pikingmg:

 

[S-Kippy]

Tackle Box Darent Valley 11ft (0.75lb) Specialist Rod

I've got a pair. They're brilliant...what I wanted was something with just a little more backbone.

 

[mikench]

They do a 1.25tc version!

 

[Peter Jacobs]

I doubt that this beast exists, or ever existed, but the closest rod for river use that came close was the old Normark Bob James River Twin . . . I have a pair of them and they are fabulous rods . . . the proverbial Mutt's Nuts . . . .

 

[tomino2112]

Lots of people will point and laugh at me, but I do 99.9% of my fishing with one rod and that is Shakespeare Ugly Stick. 9' medium action. Never needed anything else.

• It casts well
• It can handle big fish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQuJUbAQJ58
• It is fine to play smaller fish
• Its easy to carry around
• It has white tip for easy visual
• Its beautiful

And the list goes on. I own other rods (of course....) but this is one rod that I take everywhere with me and have the most fun with.

 

[iain t]

I have the perfect all round rod. Will take any line and hook link. a progressive blank right to the base. Very forgiving. It's based on a very old traditional rod. I can throw bomb weights and is a great float rod. This rod is cheap to find. Any willow branch will do. Then all you need is a piece of Mono and a safety pin for a hook. These rods have been in use for over a thousand years and will still be used in an other thousand.

Fishing is just too technical these days and in some ways, it's lost the enjoyment and just a bank breaker for some people. Back to basic is much more enjoyable and more rewarding. Keep it simple

 

[sam vimes]

I've got a pair. They're brilliant...what I wanted was something with just a little more backbone.

The only rods I've encountered that lie between 0.75 and the average 1.25 Avon are the various Fox Specialists (Kevlar, Kevlex, Duo, Duo-Lite etc). The snag is that most of them are 12'ers.

 

[S-Kippy]

The only rods I've encountered that lie between 0.75 and the average 1.25 Avon are the various Fox Specialists (Kevlar, Kevlex, Duo, Duo-Lite etc). The snag is that most of them are 12'ers.

That's my point. "Avon" type rods seem to start nowadays at 11" with a 1.25lb tc which I think is a bit too much rod for the smaller species. There is very little nowadays that's lighter actioned other than those DV rods. This is why a lot of people looking for a lighter rod for [say] perch end up using Pellet Wagglers.....and that's not a bad choice IMO.

I have one of the DV rods at 1.25lb tc and it is a dog compared to the 12oz tc rods. What Id like is the one in between [at 1lb test] but for some reason they dont do one.

---------- Post added at 14:08 ---------- Previous post was at 14:05 ----------

They do a 1.25tc version!

I've got one but wish I didn't. Its a munter compared to the 12oz tc .

Useable as a quiver rod but with the straight tip on fit only for growing beans up IMO. This is the danger of buying without trying. I took a chance and it didn't end well.

---------- Post added at 14:11 ---------- Previous post was at 14:08 ----------

Skippy, you've got the best avon rod ever made but you won't use it .

I wouldn't disagree but it doesn't seem quite right for anything I do. Its either too pokey or not pokey enough. I'm beginning to regard it as an heirloom . I honestly cant remember the last time I used it...or even thought that I might.

 

[tigger]

I wouldn't disagree but it doesn't seem quite right for anything I do. Its either too pokey or not pokey enough. I'm beginning to regard it as an heirloom . I honestly cant remember the last time I used it...or even thought that I might.

Whilst trotting with mine i've had lots of barbel (in hit and hold situations also) varying in size to 10lb+, loads of dace, both large and small chub, etc etc, even minnows. I've used it for laying on, float fishing and legering for tench, rudd etc and it's been great. Saying that i've used my normark avenger for the same broad spectrum of angling applications and that's been great also, just a bit fine in the tip for throwing out any amount of lead/feeder. I know some salmon anglers who swear by it for worming and they get some seriously large hard fighting fish.
I don't think you realise what a good rod you have in that Hardy, get it used man it won't break unless you stand on it or trap it in the boot lol.