For the smaller species ( perch,crucians,big roach/rudd) or smaller sized examples of fish like (say) tench/bream etc they are oustanding. I've only used mine for feeder work so far but I can't see why they wouldnt be perfectly good as float rods.
I am using mine to chuck a 35g loaded feeder about 35-40 yards and its happy doing that albeit it wouldn't cope with anything much bigger or if you needed to go further. At closer ranges they are terrific...enough backbone to cope but soft enough to avoid hookpulls/breakages. I couldnt honestly recommend them for big tench but they are perfectly capable of dealing with schoolie tench...or bigger if there are no snags. I've had tench to nearly 7lb on mine and 2 x 20lb plus carp in the last 2 weeks.
The fittings are what you'd expect on a £40 rod but the finish overall is not at all bad.They are nice looking little rods with a lovely action....I am regularly asked what they are and where I got them from. I dont know anybody who's bought one say a bad word about them. They are simply outstanding rods for the money. I wish they did a deluxe version with better quality fittings....I'd have a pair of them too!
I am seriously considering having another pair as a hedge against them being discontinued at some point. Whether by accident or design they got these just right....there is nothing else quite like them on the market.
The bag is an utter disgrace though. Throw it away immediately.
Ditto. The bag is a joke and could be composted in hours.
I await your views on the rod John. I have no knowledge of other rods in that price bracket just that the DV is excellent and fantastic value for money. See what you think .
As far as rod bags go the Hardy ones are class.
I really dont see why the DV rods cant come in a nylon bag which, in pure cost terms, cant add more than a few pence to the price of the rod....and would be lightyears ahead of the incredibly nasty j cloth thing they currently come in. Might be useful cut up into squares in case of an emergency I suppose..
Not everybody wants to carry their rods made up and I hate those ready sleeves with a passion.
Now come on Skip, you used to hate double handles on reels “with a passion” and now you tolerate some of them. You’re on the slippery slope of acceptance. What’s not to like about carrying a made up rod so you don’t have the squinter’s ordeal every time you go fishing? As for the Darent Valley bag, I’m keeping mine in case I get caught short for a Number 2 on the Bank!