I have been searching for a while now for a 14ft rod for fishing rivers, currently using a mach 3 xt which performs well but is not quite there, bit too waggler for stick and avon floats on the Dorset rivers, the Matchpro ultralight 14ft didnt suit, as didnt the conny Daiwa. Always seem to come back to the shimano xmr at 13ft. Are the carbo, tricast etc rods a real step forward, do they have the balance and feel of a 13ft rod at 14ft or are they also not quite there yet? The other burning question is durability, I seem to have a knack for breaking rods on the bank (Normark being particulaly suceptable to my ineptitude, I have managed to break 3), would this be more of an issue with these high end rods?
Carbotech and other high end rods.
- Thread starter aebitim
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peter crabtree
AKA Simon, 1953 - 2022 (RIP)
I think when rods are longer than 13ft they lose a bit of balance. 13ft seems to be the ideal length. I have a Hardy marksman 14ft which is ok and handles well, although a little clonky, I can't knock it. At 15ft I have a Tricast John Allerton which has a spliced top section, again a bit clonky but a joy to use.
I wouldn't describe either rod as a waggler rod.
Carbo-tech, I wish I could justify one but I wonder if these are in the same boat in terms of balance etc over 13ft long?
Incidentally the only rod I've ever broken was a Shimano 13ft float rod....
I wouldn't describe either rod as a waggler rod.
Carbo-tech, I wish I could justify one but I wonder if these are in the same boat in terms of balance etc over 13ft long?
Incidentally the only rod I've ever broken was a Shimano 13ft float rod....
Hi Tim,
As Ive mentioned before my go to rod is a 13' Marksman Specialist which handles anything from 2-8gm Avon and Cralusso floats superbly.
If I want a little more length (no giggling at the back please) I just hold the rod arm outstraight.
Ive also got a 15' Matchpro Ultralight and that 'does the same' as the Marksman.
If your interested we can meet and you can have a 'run through' on the bank.
With your track record you can forget a loan tho..........breaking THREE, hells bells you trying to bash down reeds or something
mg:
Oh Ive also got a Spectron Waggler, that one you can loan!
.
As Ive mentioned before my go to rod is a 13' Marksman Specialist which handles anything from 2-8gm Avon and Cralusso floats superbly.
If I want a little more length (no giggling at the back please) I just hold the rod arm outstraight.
Ive also got a 15' Matchpro Ultralight and that 'does the same' as the Marksman.
If your interested we can meet and you can have a 'run through' on the bank.
With your track record you can forget a loan tho..........breaking THREE, hells bells you trying to bash down reeds or something
mg:Oh Ive also got a Spectron Waggler, that one you can loan!
.
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I have both the Carbotec 13' No 3 Float and Quiver tip rods and they are absolutely excellent.
I also have a 15' John Allerton trotting rod that, as Simon rightly says, loses "balance" at that sort of length.
Just a thought Simon, when you so thoughtfully helped my rod holdall out of my car yesterday inside there were 2 Cabotecs . . . . . . . .
b.t.w. thanks for you help, really appreciated that.
I also have a 15' John Allerton trotting rod that, as Simon rightly says, loses "balance" at that sort of length.
Just a thought Simon, when you so thoughtfully helped my rod holdall out of my car yesterday inside there were 2 Cabotecs . . . . . . . .
b.t.w. thanks for you help, really appreciated that.
Thanks chaps, have a good number of 13ft rods and dont feel the need for more, was really looking for a 14ft, the shakey believe it or not is so nearly there in the feel department at 14ft, the tip is just a little slow and the rings are cheapo which is a shame. Another favourite is a shimano xms 450 which has a spliced tip and fishes well though a little heavy. The verdict seems to be stick with the 13ft for the moment. Thanks for your kind offer Mick, we must catch up, have zero time at the moment, havent even got the boat out for a shakedown yet.
Thanks for the input chaps
Thanks for the input chaps
sam vimes
Well-known member
I'd generally agree that 13' is an optimum length for a float rod to balance really well and feel like a bit of a wand. Where I differ from many is that I have no problem in using longer rods of both 14 and 15' (3 different 15' float rods, but just the one 14'. I did have another 15' rod, but, despite being highly regarded Harrison, really was too heavy to use all day.), I do so regularly. The way people go on about it being difficult or tiring to use a 15' rod, I occassionally get to thinking that, as I regularly manage to trot all day with a 15' rod, I must be a prize specimen of manhood. Then I take a step back and, whilst noting I'm no blown up bootlace, I'm a long way off being an Adonis like specimen. I've actually found that the biggest source of fatigue, when using a long rod, is in the diameter of the cork handle. One of the 15'ers has too narrow a diameter handle. It doesn't stop me using it all day, but, especially with a centrepin fitted, I end up with pain in my fingers and a hand like a claw, for a short while after.
barbelboi
Well-known member
Shame on you Sam, if you're referring to the GTI 15' I've never had a problem using one for a days trotting and I'm an OAP.............
PS Mainly fishing small rivers I generally go for one of my 12 or 13' Normarks.
PS Mainly fishing small rivers I generally go for one of my 12 or 13' Normarks.
sam vimes
Well-known member
Shame on you Sam, if you're referring to the GTI 15' I've never had a problem using one for a days trotting and I'm an OAP.............
Jerry, it was the SU version. Way heavier and worse balance than other alternatives I have. It was too much money to have tied up in a rod that became third choice for the task in hand. One of the very few rods I've ever sold rather than hoarded.
So going back to the 14ft thing, not 15ft I have enough of those, not 13ft, I have enough of those as well. I am of the opininion that new isnt necesarely better, would consider another Normark 14ft team 2000 [I think but will need to look at the bits], just putting out a shout really as I fancy a new rod [tackle tart anon subscription due] Which 14ft do you use Sam. The Stour and Avon are the rivers and a centrepin is a factor. Is there a 14ft GTI?
barbelboi
Well-known member
sam vimes
Well-known member
A Shimano Aerocast 14' FA. Hardly the lightest rod in the world to start with, but, when held all day, the difference between the standard 13' match version is barely noticeable. As long as the weight is manageable, I'm not bothered at all about having the lightest wand possible. I'm more bothered about the rod's capabilities and the action.
---------- Post added at 14:08 ---------- Previous post was at 14:02 ----------
Are they still turning them out? It's been at least five years that they've been slated for an update. I'd be intrigued to know how many units they shift of what is now a very old design of blank.
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I'm a normark fan and have had all the 2000 series and the next generation of MKII's also (MKII's get my vote but they only made them in 13ft).
I know the 14ft normark 2000 is a better rod than the 14ft drennan acolyte plus but I have been using the 14ft acolyte plus recently whist trotting for barbel etc and it's been quite good and one of the better offerrings in the shops today.
The Hardy marksman specialist float in 14ft is a step up from the drennan rod and will cost you a little more unless you can get one second hand. I've had some crackin' fish whilst trotting with the Hardy Marksman. They are well made and finnished off to a very high standard. Their reel seats are nice and the cork handles are made using top grade cork , they have high quality fuji guides fitted also. I forgot to mention.... as well as being so well made they're great use also
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barbelboi
Well-known member
sam vimes
Well-known member
But is it still the same blank that's now quite a few years old? As I said, I'd heard mutterings quite a few years back that they'd been slated for an update. Perhaps they don't shift enough to make the R&D costs worth Harrison's effort?
barbelboi
Well-known member
I really don't know Sam, I would have thought that if they'd made significant changes to the GTI/SU they would have renamed it? TBO, although I wouldn't change any of my H specialist rods (and I'm happy with my old GTI although it rarely gets any use these days on my local chalk streams - IMO the Normarks are better) , if I was in the market for a float rod today (which I'm not) it would most probably be one of two other makes.