Best Test Curve Avon Road

elouisy · Jul 11, 2017

Hiya all.

Looking for some advice from more experienced anglers .

I'm looking to upgrade to a new rod and after some research considering the Drennan Series 7 Specialist Avon Quiver. Test Curve: 1.75lb.

A lot of my fishing will be commercial although I target the bigger fish but I also want the adaptability to fish rivers when I get the chance. Question is, is this rod too powerful for my needs and should I get the lesser test curve version?

And generally what's the difference, if any? Would I even notice?

Peter Jacobs · Jul 11, 2017

Avon rods usually start with a test curve of 1lb and go up from there.

I have a Harrison's blank Avon rod that is the "stepped up" version at 1lb 6 ounces. T/C

The rod you mention, in my view , is the absolute top of the line in test curves and still to be considered an Avon rod.

In fact my Greys Prodigy Barbel rods have a 1¾lbs T/C . . . .

S-Kippy · Jul 11, 2017

I wouldn't personally regard a rod with a 1.75lb tc as an Avon rod. It might have an Avon type action [ie all through] but a 1.75 tc Avon ? No.

In my book a true "Avon" rod is a rod with an all through action of between 1lb and 1.25lb tc. I'd agree with PJ that certain rods of up to 1lb 6oz tc could still reasonably be classed as "Avons" but not above that. Too beefy for float fishing and a "proper" Avon ought to be capable of both float and lead work.

I've rods of 1.25lb tc marketed as "Avons" but I wouldn't dream of fishing a float with them.

Again,IMO, I'd go lighter. The 1.5lb tc Drennan AQ is a nice rod but the 1.25 version is nearer what I consider an Avon action but maybe a mite undergunned for commie carp. Depends on how you intend to fish for them and how big they go.

And [again IMO] rarely do twin tip rods perform equally well with either top on. One or other top is normally miles better than the other one. I've several TT's where I've thrown the "straight" top away because its so useless but they are brilliant quiver rods.

trotter2 · Jul 11, 2017

That's a good question and I suppose it depends on what your main target species is.
For me it would be a 1.25 test.
That's used for tench up to 6lb and chub about the same size using from 3lb to 6lb line .

mats · Jul 11, 2017

I've got the rod your looking at in both the 1.5 and 1.75 and I find myself always using the 1.5 unless I'm using both. That said there is not that much to choose between them.
Its a good all-round rod that's equally good used with the quiver on the river or for bream and tench with a bite indicator as long as you don't want a very long throw.
I wouldn't however use it for anything but heavy float fishing. It would b OK for some of the very large carp float methods, OK for lift method down the edge and possibly some crude trotting but I wouldn't buy it for normal float fishing.

elouisy · Jul 12, 2017

Many thanks for the very helpful feedback. My rod arsenal is pretty good at the lower end so I'll probably go for the 1 1/2 which seems to be the most versatile.

A great forum.

S-Kippy · Jul 12, 2017

Good call. I think you'll find that just about cock on.

iain t · Jul 12, 2017

True and traditional Avon rods are 0.75tc, 1.0tc to 1.25tc anything above should be classed as specialist rods. I have them all in the Tc's above but i took me a very long time to find a 1.5tc with the "Avon" action and even longer to find a 2.0tc. Even though these have the action of Avons i still class them as specialist rods. In the end i had to get them custom made for me.
For me i use the 1.25 more than any other. With this rod i serves me well for Tench, Chub, Bream and Barbel as well for silvers too. With a quiver tip screwed in i can trot and float, so i class this as my all rounder. One thing i will say is just because it states 1.25, 1.5 doesn't always mean it has the true Avon action. A few years ago i bought a DAM 1.0tc Avon rod. It was all tip action with the rest of the blank of a broomstick. You have to look around hard to find a true Avon today these days. That's my two pennies worth.

tigger · Jul 12, 2017

iain t said:
True and traditional Avon rods are 0.75tc, 1.0tc to 1.25tc anything above should be classed as specialist rods. I have them all in the Tc's above but i took me a very long time to find a 1.5tc with the "Avon" action and even longer to find a 2.0tc. Even though these have the action of Avons i still class them as specialist rods. In the end i had to get them custom made for me.
For me i use the 1.25 more than any other. With this rod i serves me well for Tench, Chub, Bream and Barbel as well for silvers too. With a quiver tip screwed in i can trot and float, so i class this as my all rounder. One thing i will say is just because it states 1.25, 1.5 doesn't always mean it has the true Avon action. A few years ago i bought a DAM 1.0tc Avon rod. It was all tip action with the rest of the blank of a broomstick. You have to look around hard to find a true Avon today these days. That's my two pennies worth.

I've tried using avon rods for trotting and found them to be pretty naff for the purpose....until I got hold of a Hardy marksman 11ft avon and that rod is great for trotting. The action is a progressive one and does bend right through as pressure is applied but the rod isn't floppy in the mid section as all the other avons i've ever used have been which means striking is positive even at range.

barbelboi · Jul 12, 2017

tigger said:
I've tried using avon rods for trotting and found them to be pretty naff for the purpose....until I got hold of a Hardy marksman 11ft avon and that rod is great for trotting

I believe that pre-DW all Avons were built as trotting/float rods as virtually no one legered in those day. Since the development of the MK1V most Avons seem more suited for legering.

iain t · Jul 12, 2017

Manufacturers will mark a rod as an Avon just like Tench rods etc to sell more. This is to entice the uneducated to buy more. Only to find out their mistake after. We all go through these fails of learning the sport. What am trying to say is don't buy blind via the internet. Go to the shops and have a wiggle and bend the rod. One rod that people say are good my not suit your style of fishing or casting style.
My son uses a TFG 1.5 Avon that cost him £41 delivered. These are well made and have a true Avon action

tigger · Jul 12, 2017

barbelboi said:
I believe that pre-DW all Avons were built as trotting/float rods as virtually no one legered in those day. Since the development of the MK1V most Avons seem more suited for legering.

Your probably right BB, I don't know how the avon rods came about having never looked into it and only in the last 15 or so years have I taken any interest in the action of a fishing rod, in my years previous to that any rod would do, I just wasn't fussy at all, a rod was a rod to me and the cheaper the better

.
Wasn't it JW's avon quiver incarnation that sort of introduced the avon rod to the masses?
I do know what a true (if there really is one) avon rod is supposed to be like action wise and if i'm honest I don't like them as the middle sections are way to soft for me. Because they're so soft they're floppy and slow on the strike, even if fishing static with the rod in rests. Once they reach their test curve that's pretty much it as there's nothing left in the lower section....if you get my meaning, whereas a faster action rod has much more power left further down the blank once the test curve is reached.
Obviously that's jmo and there will be many an avon rod lover foaming at the mouth if they read my thoughts on them lol.

barbelboi · Jul 12, 2017

tigger said:
Wasn't it JW's avon quiver incarnation that sort of introduced the avon rod to the masses?

I thought the early JW's from the late 80's were the best of the bunch, my son still has one but hasn't used it since he first tried Harrison blanks a couple of years later. I wouldn't want one of the later JW's given to me for free.

tigger · Jul 12, 2017

barbelboi said:
I thought the early JW's from the late 80's were the best of the bunch, my son still has one but hasn't used it since he first tried Harrison blanks a couple of years later. I wouldn't want one of the later JW's given to me for free.

I had a couple of the original Wilson avon quivers and the worst thing was the guides, they where shyte. I always liked the long spliced tip, being white it stood out and was easy to see.
Apparently his later ones are much better rods and very reasonably priced...not for me though.

108831 · Jul 13, 2017

I feel the terms 'Avon','carp' and 'match' rods etc are very misleading,because each rod design has massive variation,with nobody being prepared to buy every version,every individual has their own preference of action,with too soft,too powerful,too floppy being three common flaws found,any angler fishing commercials 'carp' style should be thinking lighter through action rods,just from the protection of hook pulls standpoint on barbless hooks.What is one mans shyte is another's gold in angling.

S-Kippy · Jul 13, 2017

tigger said:
I had a couple of the original Wilson avon quivers and the worst thing was the guides, they where shyte. I always liked the long spliced tip, being white it stood out and was easy to see.
Apparently his later ones are much better rods and very reasonably priced...not for me though.

Totally agree. Great quiver rod in its day because there was nothing else like it but the rings were *****, the reel fittings horrible and the " Avon" top unusable. A very good example of what I mean about TT rods being great in one configuration and appalling in the other.

People still wax lyrical about the JW rod and good luck to them but I wouldn't have one if they came free with the Anglers Mail and 500 extra Clubcard points. Rubbish as an Avon and there are much, much better quiver rods out there now.

dicky123 · Jul 13, 2017

No, no, no, no, and No. Your all wrong, I'm stamping my foot and not having it.:w

An Avon rod is classically 1.25lb, not a penny more or less. It has been for over 50 years, and will not change. So please don't say it is.

I'm right, your all wrong and thats it.:wh

However, I could be wrong

mg:

Seriously, It has been like a benchmark at 1.25lb and I'm sure many will agree. But over the years it's been refined, with more specialised rods coming in both over and under that rating, and calling them Avon.

But for me when anyone says 'Avon rod', I always think of a through action rod of 1.25lb test.

S-Kippy · Jul 13, 2017

****y123 said:
But for me when anyone says 'Avon rod', I always think of a through action rod of 1.25lb test.

I'm afraid you are mistaken. What you meant was a through action rod of 1lb test. That is a true Avon.

steve2 · Jul 13, 2017

If you go back to original Avons they were splitcane with a 1lb test curve. Now are just what ever the maker thinks the should be.

barbelboi · Jul 13, 2017

Yes, pre MK1V Avons you were probably using rods like the Wallis Avon - a 3 piece float rod with a whole cane butt and split cane middle and tip...............

Best Test Curve Avon Road

New member

Moderator

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

New member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member