A 13' rod with some backbone....?

Tee-Cee · Feb 22, 2011

This is more an exercise to see whats available at present..

Length-13' if possible

Line strength-8/10lb bs mono/fixed spool reel

Fish size-well into double figures up to a max of 20lbs-generally 12/14lbs

Water-plenty of pads and overhanging trees etc so power needed in the middle section to hold fish and the length to apply pressure.........I have 12' rods and they work okay but the extra length might offer that little bit more help.(I accept power may be the price you pay for ther extra length..........)

Price-within reason I would be happy to pay for the right animal

................perhaps I'm looking for something that doesn't exist but I'd welcome any comments/recommendations

Thanks!

S-Kippy · Feb 22, 2011

I would guess you're looking at some sort of barbel rod TC. Wychwood [Equalizer] & Shimano [Purist Power Barbel] both do 13 footers around 2-2.5lb tc though I'm not personally familiar with either and they will obviously be designed for big rivers. They sound like far too much of a beast for a gentleman angler like me.

Google 13 ft Barbel rod & they should appear. The Drennan Power Barbel at 2lb tc is 12 ft but I suspect is a good un.

dannytaylor · Feb 22, 2011

Had a look at a rod today that a friends just bought and for what you want it could be a cracker.

Its a Greys Prodigy stalker. Its 4 piece and can be used at either 9ft or 12ft. Not sure of the TC but it seems around 1.5Ib(???) I can see it being a very versatile rod, you could use it for floater fishing, freelining, method feeders, spinning, floatfishing in the margins with a pin for big carp, lots of options. Very convienient due to its compact nature, it can be stashed in the boot for a quick improptu session, or folded in two and kept on a quiver ready rigged.

Very impressed with this rod, think i may have to "borrow" it this summer off my mate

chav professor · Feb 22, 2011

I bet you have an avon type rod already, hey, TeeCee?

I'd take the Missus out for the money you save buying a new rod - she may let you go more often (I got this theme from another thread)....

Tim Ridge · Feb 22, 2011

The trouble is that most rods capable of stopping fish of that size in their tracks tend to bend more or less through to the butt by neccesity, and because of this the extra length is wasted as you don't gain any better control.
Its a dilemma that you will struggle to find an answer to.

for what its worth I'd buy an second hand/cheap rod that you don't mind abusing and I'd specifically choose one that has a progressive action. I don't know how experienced you are so I'm sorry if I am teaching grandma how to such eggs but it might surprise you that it is difficult to exert loads of pressure with a rod of this type (you won't be strong enough one handed). The answer is to push a hand above the handle to act as a pivot point when you hook a fish. This isn't going to be good for the rod (the reason I suggested an old/cheap model) but it enables you to combine the length/control you desire with the ability to drag them away from snags.

If you can't find a suitable second hand rod send me a message and I'll make a recommendation based on what you want to pay.

Ray Roberts · Feb 23, 2011

I have the Free Spirit 1lb 2oz TC 13 ft Float rod. It's the mutts nuts. I've had double figure Carp and some large Sea trout on it. They also do a heavier float rod and that must be a bit of a beast. For some the down side may be that it's a two piece. For me that's an advantage as it usually goes made up into the same holdall as my carp rods.

S-Kippy · Feb 23, 2011

The Free Spirit float rods are very nice indeed.I have a 12 ft Hi-S Power Float and its delightful....not enough nuts for what you are after though TC....more a tench rod.

Shimano Brench ? That's 12ft-6in and sounds fairly pokey.

sam vimes · Feb 23, 2011

Proper float rods with real beef are few and far between. A rod built on the Harrison GTi SU blank might be worth a look.

Tee-Cee · Feb 23, 2011

Thanks to all for the suggestions..

I will have a look at the Shimano/Wychwood rods,S-Kippy-if I can find them in my neck of the woods!...and the Free Spirit range also looks interesting,particularly the heavier float rod but I'm wondering if this would have the necessary power?Two piece I don't mind,in fact I prefer them..

Tim Ridge..yes,I have done what you suggest with the hand above the handle and it does work well,but as you say not necessarily good for the rod as you're making it do something it was not designed to do.I only revert to this tactic as a last resort to stop a fish making lillies but it doesn't always work....................
I may well have to give up on the 13' and perhaps go for 2,25 tc and a 12' length because what I DON'T want is 13' of floppy rod-or a poker for that matter...

Like all matters of this this nature it is still a risk when buying a rod outside the norm as you never really know how it will act under battle conditions so perhaps 2nd hand might be the way to go..

Thanks again to all who responded!

Nathan Watson 2 · Feb 23, 2011

An old Normark Avenger or 12ft 6 Specemin match would be ideal. If you prefer new then a Daiwa Power or Extra Power version would be ok.

S-Kippy · Feb 23, 2011

Good hunting TC.....I still think some sort of barbel rod is about as close as you're going to get.They wont be great float rods [though you never actually said you were float fishing] but they ought to have the requisite power and ought not to be pokers. I've found so called "barbel" rods are incredibly versatile and yet still feel like "proper" rods.

Be interested to know what you decide on...if you find owt that suits.

The fishing coach · Feb 24, 2011

sam vimes said:
Proper float rods with real beef are few and far between. A rod built on the Harrison GTi SU blank might be worth a look.

Harrison also do a stepped up version of this rod and it will do the job perfectly. it is listed as GTi SU+2 on this page List of Harrison Rod Blanks

Paul B · Feb 24, 2011

will this do the trick? SHIMANO PURIST BARBEL MULTI POWER 12ft-13ft 2lb TEST CURVE - Specialist Fishing Tackle from Leslies of Luton Ltd.

robbster · Feb 25, 2011

If you don't want to spend a fortune, take a look at the Ron Thompson Specimen Pro Match 13' 2.5lb rod. This has enough beef for your requirements, and you can pick one up,second-hand (and new!), for peanuts. Admittedly, the name doesn,t have the same kudos as the major players, but if it does the job, does it matter?

little oik · Feb 25, 2011

Hi there am a newbie to the site (but not fishing I hasten to add)
I have used a Korum Neotoric Float rod 12 ft for the past 4 years ,the line rating is up to 10lb .I have caught carp on it up to 14 lb so far and it wasnt troubled .They are out of production now but if you look on fleabay (around the 50 quid mark) you might come across one .The only 2 things that I dont like about the rod is that a) it has single leg rings(understand the use on match rods ) b)and also the spigot needs attention now and again with a bit of graphite powder to stop the top section slipping out of line .
http://www.kidderminster-camera-club.co.uk/Gallery/Eric Love/pl_images/dawn fishing.jpg
Found this its not second hand so costs a bit more

Tee-Cee · Feb 25, 2011

Again,thanks to everyone for the terrific response!I have a lot of good info to wade through,and to be honest it will take some time to decide what to do.....

I do like the idea of a 2nd hand rod regardless of cost but this comes down to luck on ebay so new may be the way to go.As S-Kippy says,a barbel rod 12 'long with 2/2,25 tc looks a good option,would be off the shelf and be a dedicated rod designed for a specific task.Perhaps 13' is a step too far?

To be honest I don't really like buying a rod without seeing it so,as I've said,I will need to give it all a great deal of thought...............

Paul B...the Shimano rod you suggested;it looks as though this is designed to carry out many different tasks which bothers me somewhat-also I'm not too sure about the extension piece either and if this would affect the rod action...is this a rod you have used ??

Some good stuff available and I hope this thread has helped others!!

Paul B · Feb 25, 2011

Sorry Tee-Cee, I haven't tried one. came across it while on shimano website looking at the purist range. I do have the grey 9/12 ft stalker suggested earlier. Would say probably around 2-2.5lb tc, used mine for pike spinning, floaters for carp and barbel work. Nice rod.

A 13' rod with some backbone....?

Tee-Cee

Senior Member

S-Kippy

Well-known member

dannytaylor

Well-known member

chav professor

Well-known member

Tim Ridge

Well-known member

Ray Roberts

Well-known member

S-Kippy

Well-known member

sam vimes

Well-known member

Tee-Cee

Senior Member

Nathan Watson 2

New member

S-Kippy

Well-known member

The fishing coach

Well-known member

Paul B

Well-known member

robbster

Member

little oik

Well-known member

Tee-Cee

Senior Member

Paul B

Well-known member