barbel/chub trotting rod

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matt thomas

Guest
just bought myself a pin for trotting for chub and barbel and i now need a rod to go with it,i'm leaning towards a fox specialist float or a drennan tench float but are they the right tools for the job,obviously it has to be light and between 3/4 to 1lb in test curve,c'mon folks this pool of info will be greatly appreciated.
will be doing some imaginary trotting on back garden when i buy it!
june 16th hurry up!
 
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Ron 'The Hat' Clay

Guest
Either of those two rods should be OK. I have used my Drennan Tench float in the past with 6 lb line for chub trotting and it works well.

Unfortunately the Tench float has been taken off the market. What the heck for I don't know. That rod is a classic.

But I think that Harrison do something similar now.
 
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matt thomas

Guest
thanks Ron,found one for sale but its an early one without a reel seet but i'm not bothered as i will probably tape the centrepin to it anyway

are they strong enough for trent barbel?
 
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Nigel Connor(ACA ,SAA)

Guest
Matt,

A couple of points.

I suggest that a 1lb test curve would be minimum for a barbel trotting rod.Pulling a barbel against fast flow needs something with a bit of backbone.Depending of course on where you fish .75lb could be a little undergunned.

I have not fished the rods you mention but have the 15FT Harrison SU float which is a good alround big fish trotting rod although i have my suspicions that it is a little short of power to cope with a really big barbel.

The difficulty you might face is finding a rod strong enough to cope with barbel but also forgiving enough to cope with light hooklengths for big & wily winter chub. Funds permitting you might think about getting two rods & maybee consider one of the Carbonactives for the chub.

Secondly, dont whatever you do tape the pin to the rod.The pressures of constantly casting & hopefully playing fish will mean the reel will work loose in no time.Reel fittings are easily available so invest in some.
 
R

Ron 'The Hat' Clay

Guest
I would feel confident in being able to handle a big Trent Barbel with the Tench float on 8 lbs line in an open swim.

I've never caught a Trent barbel trotting although I have caught them like this on the Swale, Yorks Ouse and Severn.

Personally I wouldn't like to handle a big barbel on a 15 foot rod. There is too much lever arm working against you. 12 or 13 foot would be the maximum length. The Drennan tench float is 12 1/2 feet.
 
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Bully

Guest
Matt - I'd go for something bigger than a 13ft rod personally for trotting. If you can afford it there are some decent 5 piece rods that you can adjust to different lengths, up to 17ft.
 
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matt thomas

Guest
i have one of those 15/17 foot leeda assasin rods for use on the puddles and it suits that purpose well when i dont want to use my pole but it weighs a ton and i wouldnt want to hold it for long.

Ron your right it does use the same physics as a lever arm in reverse with the fish having the upper hand,also i want to be able to stalk a bit with it in chest waders and bait apron so length is not really an issue

15 foots a lot to push through undergrowth
and down steep banks,i'm quite accident prone!!


also ?100 quid is about my bag and a longer rod of any quality is gonna be a lot more money,if i really get on with it and use a lot i will upgrade to a real quality tool possibly a harrisons su

thanks guys for your help
 
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Paul B

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"new improved" drennan tench has been released; now 13' with a more action to the top of the rod... advert/feature in last weeks A.T.
 
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Geoff Cowen

Guest
I have the Fox Barbel float rod and am very pleased with it - light and powerful made to a high standard.
The Greys 13" Power float rod is also well worth a look especially with a lifetime warranty.
 
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Bob Hornegold

Guest
13ft Harrison Power Float-- one of the all time classic's.

Taken Barbel to over 11lbs on it with no trouble at all, recommended up to 6lb bs line, but I often use 8lb with without difficulty.

Bob
 
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Bryan Baron 2

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Will have to have a look at the Greys pPower float when it arrives in May. I have used a Greys Bewick 13/15 for the Chub but not Barbel. I don't think it as the strength for the larger ones but shoal size should not be a problem.
 
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matt thomas

Guest
thanks guys,got a fox specialist off ebay for ?26 its only 12ft and is 1lb test curve so i think that will suit the purpose for a bit at least until i decide whether its for me ,then i can upgrade to a really posh rod to go with my "pin"






one day nearer, only 63 and a bit days to go :-(
 
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Greg Whitehead

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Sounds like a steal Matt.
If anyone's interested we had the new Mark IV sent into the AT office and I can honestly say it's a very good rod. Drennan have replaced the old reel seat with a more modern fuji, added another 3 inches and made it a bit lighter. I've had carp to nearly 20lb using 4lb mainline with my old Mark III (was tenching at the time - certainly got me up off my seat!).
A great rod for float legering and I'm sure it would be able to subdue barbel whilst trotting or stret pegging.
As for chub - a doddle. Soft tip should allow the use of light bottoms whilst the butt section should allow you to hold the little beggars out of snags.
A good investment I reckon.
 
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matt thomas

Guest
greg ,i reckon your right i think i will tap the missus up for an early xmas pressie and get a MkIV tench anyway,everyone seems to rave about them and it certainly would have plenty of uses.
I must have been in a daze reading last weeks AT because i cannot recall seeing the feature/advert and as i said before i chucked the paper away(of course recycled)
 
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Greg Whitehead

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We haven't reveiwed it yet Matt, just had one in for a competition prize on Martin Bolwer's pages.
I'm sure we will be reviewing one eventually.
My old mark III will even double up as a surface floater rod for carp! As I said, great bit of gear (and no, I'm not sponsored by Drennan!).
 
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darkuser80

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With reference to the Drennan tench (including the super)I`ve now got four (one more since my entry in the users review) dating back to the original introduction, (no reel seat)up to MK III and have had tench to 9Ib 2oz, chub 6Ib & 6.5lb, and whilst tench fishing, a carp just short of 28Ib,Like Greg Whitehead it can be fun?? If the MK IV is better. you can`t make a mistake.
 
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